Bolt action caliber Q for all-around rifle
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surbat6
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The 7mm Remington Magnum is significantly hotter than the others. It will stretch your effective range (if you don't develop a flinch).
The other rounds are actually not all that different in power, etc.
For general purpose if you're not a reloader, I'd suggest a .30-06 for the variety of factory loads available (again, the .30-06 is at ROUGHLY the same power level as the .270, .308, and 7mm/08 cartridges).
I know there are differences among the cartridges listed, but except for the 7mm, there's not enough practical advantage in power, range, accuracy or trajectory to recommend one over the others.
Of the choices you provided, I'd probably pick the .308 for ammo versatility and availability, and the variety of BA rifles chambered for it.
All those cartridges are fine choices for an all-around rifle, unless your "all-around" shooting includes the big bears of North America or the Big 5 in Africa.
The other rounds are actually not all that different in power, etc.
For general purpose if you're not a reloader, I'd suggest a .30-06 for the variety of factory loads available (again, the .30-06 is at ROUGHLY the same power level as the .270, .308, and 7mm/08 cartridges).
I know there are differences among the cartridges listed, but except for the 7mm, there's not enough practical advantage in power, range, accuracy or trajectory to recommend one over the others.
Of the choices you provided, I'd probably pick the .308 for ammo versatility and availability, and the variety of BA rifles chambered for it.
All those cartridges are fine choices for an all-around rifle, unless your "all-around" shooting includes the big bears of North America or the Big 5 in Africa.
R.W.Dale
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Please provide a context of how you intend to use them.
But honestly for 98% of hunters out there the cartridges listed do almost the exact same thing.
The differences in trajectory are minimal inside ranges before you have to compensate with all of em.
Range depends on what you're doing
Power (see above)
accuracy - cartridge doesn't matter however there are more match ammo offerings for 308 than the others
Honestly the biggest differences are going to be in the realm of platform and cost
Z-Michigan
Member
Yes.
Within 500 yards on medium to large game it really won't matter. And few hunters are shooting more than 300 yards anyway, a distance within which it really doesn't matter.
For shooting little varmints you would want the flattest shooting, but nothing on your list is generally used as a specialized varmint cartridge.
Cost and availability is going to suggest .308 as #1 and, within your list, .270 as #2. The others are great cartridges but less widely available and therefore potentially cost more (not always).
I will go along the lines of the other post here.
Unless you intend to handload take a ride down to where you get ammo locally and see what they carry. If you intend to handload look at the variety of what bullets are available in each caliber
The .308, .270 and .30-06 for example will swap places ballistically depending on bullet weight, range and muzzle velocity. As Krochus said drop is similar. The .270 is regarded as flat shooting, but don't let that fool you. You have to work out your drops (come-ups) in advance.
One advantage of the .308 is you can shoot F Class T/R with it if you have the opportunity.
Unless you intend to handload take a ride down to where you get ammo locally and see what they carry. If you intend to handload look at the variety of what bullets are available in each caliber
The .308, .270 and .30-06 for example will swap places ballistically depending on bullet weight, range and muzzle velocity. As Krochus said drop is similar. The .270 is regarded as flat shooting, but don't let that fool you. You have to work out your drops (come-ups) in advance.
One advantage of the .308 is you can shoot F Class T/R with it if you have the opportunity.
Dr T
Member
One other consideration is action length.
7-08 and 308 are short action
270, 280 rem, 30-06, and 7 mm Rem Mag are long action.
7-08 and 308 are short action
270, 280 rem, 30-06, and 7 mm Rem Mag are long action.
USSR
Member
Unless you intend to reload, the .308 is the only cartridge you listed with readily available match grade ammo suitable for long range target shooting.
Don
What's your definition of "long-range" target shooting?
Any of the cartridges listed will be fine for all-around 48-state game hunting. The longer the range, the more I would lean toward the 7mm Rem Mag. If your hunting will be at 300 yards or less, then the blast, recoil, and length (24" barrel) of the 7mm Mag is just not worth it. And if your not an excellent shot, and KNOW the range of your quarry, and the ballistics of YOUR load in YOUR rifle, I would pass at any shot beyond that range.
.308 or 7mm-08 if target shooting accuracy is higher priority. .308 if you don't reload.
.270 or .308 for ammo somewhat better availability, then 7mm Mag, then 7mm-08.
.270 or 7mm-08 for slightly flatter trajectory (if you don't count the 7mm Mag).
.308 and 7mm-08 work a little better if you want a shorter rifle (~20" barrel).
.308 and 7mm bullets are easier to find if varmints are in the picture.
FWIW, Savage recently changed the twist of their 7mm-08 rifles making them unsuitable for heavier (>155gr) bullets. Darn them.
Any of the cartridges listed will be fine for all-around 48-state game hunting. The longer the range, the more I would lean toward the 7mm Rem Mag. If your hunting will be at 300 yards or less, then the blast, recoil, and length (24" barrel) of the 7mm Mag is just not worth it. And if your not an excellent shot, and KNOW the range of your quarry, and the ballistics of YOUR load in YOUR rifle, I would pass at any shot beyond that range.
.308 or 7mm-08 if target shooting accuracy is higher priority. .308 if you don't reload.
.270 or .308 for ammo somewhat better availability, then 7mm Mag, then 7mm-08.
.270 or 7mm-08 for slightly flatter trajectory (if you don't count the 7mm Mag).
.308 and 7mm-08 work a little better if you want a shorter rifle (~20" barrel).
.308 and 7mm bullets are easier to find if varmints are in the picture.
FWIW, Savage recently changed the twist of their 7mm-08 rifles making them unsuitable for heavier (>155gr) bullets. Darn them.
MachIVshooter
Member
The 7 mag is the most capable, but the .308 is the most flexible. .270 and 7mm-08 are also fine cartridges, but IMO not as useful as the other two.
I'll agree, however, with Surbat, that the .30-06 would be a fine choice. only slightly less powerful than the 7 mag, more flexible than the .308 (unless you never plan to use 200 gr. or heavier bullets). And ammo availability gives .30-06 the nod over any other centerfire rifle cartridge in the US.
I'll agree, however, with Surbat, that the .30-06 would be a fine choice. only slightly less powerful than the 7 mag, more flexible than the .308 (unless you never plan to use 200 gr. or heavier bullets). And ammo availability gives .30-06 the nod over any other centerfire rifle cartridge in the US.
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