Beaten to death, but .308win or 30-06 sprg

[bantam9]

It would definitelty be a bolt gun. I just think it would be safer. And no semi auto rifle here in PA for hunting.

 

[Teachu2]

Actually, if you tune your ammo to your rifle, two different cartridges makes it simpler. Eliminates the possibility of mismatching ammo and gun. Also teaches responsibility - he has to remember to take his ammo. Also keeps him from using up all your .308!

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Remember that old quote from Townsend Whelen?


"The 30-06 is never a mistake"....he was right.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Will he want reduced recoil ammo to start?
I am very fond of the reduced recoil .270's
Get the 30-06 and find the ammo that's best

 

[charlie echo]

if you have to ask then go with the 308: cheaper ammo allows for more practice.

 

[tundraotto]

Remember that old quote from Townsend Whelen?


"The 30-06 is never a mistake"....he was right.

Neither one of those is a mistake. Some of the best calibers ever made - both of them.

 

[dprice3844444]

remington makes a nice 7600 pump rifle in 30-06 with an 18 inch barrel.legal in pa
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/3/products_id/94657
faster follow up shots,no bolt to fumble with,works right or left.

 

[Dylon Fisher]

I'd say a .270

 

[303tom]

Just get the kid an 06..............

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.30-06_Springfield_Wildcat_Cartridges

 

[TXSWFAN]

I've been hunting for 40 years. Every deer I've ever shot with the .06 dropped where it stood. Every deer that I've shot with the .308 ran about 50 yards before dropping. All shots were thru the front shoulder.

 

[Lee D]

love em both, and i hunt with guns chambered in each cartridge, but i'll give the nod to the '06 due to its ability to be loaded with heavier bullets.

wait....maybe id give the nod to the .308 due to surplus ammo availability. ok, i'll just stick with the "love em both" answer.

 

[bantam9]

TXSWFAN,
I love my Ruger .308. My Dad got it for me when I was 14. I'm now 45. I've killed a ton of deer with it. I call it the meat gun, but of all the deer killed with it, only 1 or 2 have fallen where they stood. All the rest seem to run 50 yds or so for me as well. Most where front end hits, but they all run. Most of the time away from where they need dragged too.

For all that weighed in:
I think we're off to the store tonight. I'd like him to go .308(short action, ton of reloading material on hand), but I know he wants the '06. Seeing as he has shot the '06 and can handle it, he'll make the call. I thought lever gun at first, seeing if he really didn't fall head over heels in love with hunting, one of the other kids(or me) could use it--he is the only lefty. But our first lesson with the 30-30, his thumb slipped off the hammer on on empty gun--made me think--get him a bolt. Try to post pic once we get it.

 

[Redlg155]

Although I almost exclusively shoot .308, the 30-06 was my first rifle. Easy to shoot and it can handle anything from Varmints with accelerator rounds to huge bull moose. You can still find surplus 30-06 ammo as well. If I'm not mistaken, CMP may have some on hand at a decent price.

Let him get what he wants. Rifle and caliber is 10% of equation. The other 90% is being confident in your choice.

Remember, youth is not about efficiency. That comes with age. Give your son a choice in cars, Toyota Prius or Mustang GT?

 

[TheSwede]

velocity

To me .30-06 have huge advantage to .308W if the gear and rifle is right.

Having a 24 or even better 26 barell you can drive a 150-168 grain bullet with Norma URP powder to velocitys around 3000 f/s. Flat trajectory for 200-300 yards dear hunting.
-
Besides that you can drive a 110grain varmint bullet to 3500 f/s

or

Why not go hunting bears or moose with a 220 grain at around 2600 f/s

 

[charlie echo]

To me .30-06 have huge advantage to .308W if the gear and rifle is right.

Having a 24 or even better 26 barell you can drive a 150-168 grain bullet with Norma URP powder to velocitys around 3000 f/s. Flat trajectory for 200-300 yards dear hunting.
-
Besides that you can drive a 110grain varmint bullet to 3500 f/s

or

Why not go hunting bears or moose with a 220 grain at around 2600 f/s

For the handloader, definitely the 30-06!

And you can use on the 1903/1917 bolt-actions & the M1

110 grains to 220 grains.

A good answer to a good question.

308's have the edge in carbines and surplus ammo costs, for the non-reloaders

 

[Salmoneye]

remington makes a nice 7600 pump rifle in 30-06 with an 18 inch barrel.legal in pa
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/94657
faster follow up shots,no bolt to fumble with,works right or left.

And the shorter barrel has better harmonics...Every 7400/7600 carbine I have handled shot better (more accurately) than the longer barreled versions...

That short stiff barrel is not just good for handling!

 

[jduff8505]

Bantam there were a couple of lefty Remingtons on Armslist Oklahoma. Don't remember the caliber though.

 

[Art Eatman]

See Post #61...