Favorite 30 Cal?

Favorite 30 cal?

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1948CJ2A

1948CJ2A

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The .308 caliber rifle cartridge screams red, white, and blue. What is your favorite? This poll and discussion focuses on bolt and lever action cartridges. I'm using the 11th edition Hornady reloading manual for point of reference. The number of 30 caliber choices in that manual exceeds the number of options in this poll.
 
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I grew up with just about every uncle or cousin shooting the '06, usually in an 03A3 of some sorts. I started out in '69 with a 30 Carbine, then into a .243. I still have several '06's that are used on occasion, and other 30 cals in the safe.

Since I have hunted with plenty of all in between, but if I had to choose it would have to be my little Ruger Compact in 308.

It is just such a handy little thing that it's hard NOT to like. Weighing in at 6.5# topped with a 1-4x24 it is good for everything we hunt and has reached out a bit over 300yds and dropped critters in their tracks. Mild recoil, plenty of powders and bullet weights and styles. It just works.
 
The 308win got my vote!
I have used 5 of the cartridges on the list successfully for deer.
Plus 7.62×39 and 7.62×54R for range fun.
The 308win is hard to beat for medium size game and is capable to take all of the game animals in North America with the right bullet/load combination.

The 300wsm in my opinion is the best balanced on the list. The recoil is similar to the 30-06 with performance similar to the 300WM. I am concerned that the 300wsm is losing the popularity contest though.
 
The 300wsm in my opinion is the best balanced on the list. The recoil is similar to the 30-06 with performance similar to the 300WM. I am concerned that the 300wsm is losing the popularity contest though.
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I agree. Too bad but it seems to be headed for the scrap heap. People saw that it was 50 fps slower than 300 WM and didn't want it. That 50 fps would never be noticed in the field, but it would do it with shorter barrels, lighter more compact rifles, much less recoil, and better accuracy which did make a difference in the field. At one time Hornady found the 300 WSM to be the most accurate 30 caliber cartridge and that is what they used to test 30 caliber bullets.

That said right now 308 is my favorite, but I'll always have a soft spot for 30-06.
 
jmr40 said:
At one time Hornady found the 300 WSM to be the most accurate 30 caliber cartridge and that is what they used to test 30 caliber bullets.
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I will agree with that statement. I had a Savage model 12 that shot less than 1/2" groups at one hundred yards. Now of course it was in a rock solid rifle.
 
The .30-30 for me (four guns), followed by the .300Blk (three guns). I've only got one .30-06, which I got mostly for testing and because the rifle is old school cool. No .308's, though I have nothing against it. Probably need one.
 
I left out the 7.62x39 intentionally, because it is not a true .308 caliber cartridge. I have a couple of rifles chambered in this round (SKS and AK-47) but obviously not a bolt or lever rifle. While I do have reloading dies, I never reload for this cartridge. If I ever end up with a bolt action variant, that may change but I don't really have a desire for one at this time.

My Hornady reloading manual says you can use .308 bullets though not sure about the accuracy. The load chart says .308-.310 bullet diameter and the write-up says they originally started with .311 bores (foreign rifles).
 
Hookeye said:
Had one yrs ago. Was a good one too.
Am older now and don't think my neck and sinuses up to it.
Id drop to a 7mm Rem mag (and that might be a bit much- dunno, haven't shot any magnums for a while).
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I find the fast 30s to be disproportionately unpleasant...... At least with the bullet weights and velocities I run, and in rifles of a weight i want to carry for general hunting.

The same guns chambered in 7 mm Remington Magnum or even the 7mm STW/28 Nosler are much more comfortable for me.


........ But nostalgia aside, my interest in 30 cals starts at about 80 grains of powder and goes up from there........ So when I feel like playing with one I just suck it up or build em heavier (9-10lbs).
 
I can't choose, I love them all. Also adding 7.62x39, 7.62x54, 303 brit, and 7.7 jap to the list. I also have one of my own making, 308 maximum, which is a 357 maximum necked down to 30 caliber.

If I could only have one of them I suppose it would be 308, though oddly I don't currently own a 308. Probably one of the most well balanced cartridges ever made.
 
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LoonWulf said:
300WM.... specifically in a Remington 700.
Click to expand...

Agreed, for me 300WM.

Accurate, ammo is easily found, brass is everywhere. From field positions I don't find the recoil at all objectionable, until you get past the 190 grainers.

IF I'm up up-gunning from my .260 Rem or .270Win then it's either a larger critter or a longer distance.

Mine's a customized Rem 700, blueprinted, TriggerTech, Bartlein 2B, Manners stock and a VX6HD in 3-18x56. Just over 8lbs "all-up".
 
I’m torn on this one. I have a 308 I’ve built. I like the ‘06 for nostalgia reasons, the 300 wm is the “classic” heavy hitter, but the PRC line is one of the few new cartridges I find remotely interesting. I think I need a 308 and a 300 PRC for the big long stuff.
 
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