Favorite 30 Cal?
- Thread starter 1948CJ2A
- Start date
BreechFace
Member
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2020
- Messages
- 3,509
I chose 308WIN but….
30-06 is one of my favorites due to what it brought to the industry in regards to it as a parent case, namely my 280ai but also the 35 Whelen.
7.62x39 had it been listed as a line item and I don’t like selecting “other,” very well could have got my choice. It’s such a fine round with great usability. From SD, varmints, medium game, and shooting activities.
30-06 is one of my favorites due to what it brought to the industry in regards to it as a parent case, namely my 280ai but also the 35 Whelen.
7.62x39 had it been listed as a line item and I don’t like selecting “other,” very well could have got my choice. It’s such a fine round with great usability. From SD, varmints, medium game, and shooting activities.
Armored farmer
Member
My 30-06 because I hunted moose in Ontario and hogs in Texas with it.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I just want to reserve the first place in line if anyone ever builds a nicely constructed 6lb single shot in .30-40 or .303.
.308 Norma
Member
OP
OP
1948CJ2A
Member
I own 3, 308 Win rifles. 2 are bolt-action (Browning A-bolt and a Winchester M70 FW). The third is an AR-10. They are fine, accurate, capable rifles but not my favorites. I own at least 2 30-06 Sprinfgfields, both 1903 sporters. I had 3 but got one rebored to 9.3x62. I really like both of them and they would probably get my vote but I just love the versatility of my 300 Weatherby Mag. The recoil isn't pleasant in the heavier projectiles but still could easily be my all-around hunting rifle sans dangerous game.
I also have a Savage 99 chambered in 300 Savage. That's a fun one to shoot and hunt with. It makes me want to find a nice little Remington 722 chambered in 300 Savage. I would prefer that over my 308s, with about the same ballistics.
I also have a Savage 99 chambered in 300 Savage. That's a fun one to shoot and hunt with. It makes me want to find a nice little Remington 722 chambered in 300 Savage. I would prefer that over my 308s, with about the same ballistics.
d2wing
Member
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2008
- Messages
- 6,415
I have the first two. I had a 1967 SS 327, does that count.
Your in like flin
WisBorn
Contributing Member
I really prefer the 350! Wrong subject 
308 caliber cartridges
308 caliber cartridges
Robbins290
Member
It used to be 30-06 for the last 20 years or so. But I been favoring 308 lately. Cheaper and better recoil.
I voted 30-30 because really it's true, I've killed a lotta game with the 3 I own, and have been shooting em all my life. And because I love leverguns, not because of the cowboy days, but because I grew up in 60's-70's reading about Roosevelt, Whelen, and my claim was, not justvthe gun that won the west but in 1880s-1910, it's the gun that conquered and tamed the west, all way to Alaska! And where I hunt, steep tough thick mountains, I've yet to get a shot past 75yds. Lotta that because way I hunt yes, longer shots are possible, but usually inside 100yds yes! And despite many claims of loosing deer with the 30-30, I've only lost one, and it was no doubt my fault!
But in recent years I've fell in love with the 30-06, have two them, and my vote leaves me feeling kinda like I lied, because my Tikka M65 in 06 scoped with QD rings and a great set of iron sights, and my reloads, which really make it a 30-30/06, 308, & 30-06 all combined. It's by far the most versatile rifle I've ever had, and I can shoot sub moa at 250yds easily, no doubt further, but I haven't yet.
I've shot several 308, and from my experience, I'm in no way knocking them, but for me why buy a 308, when I have an 06? One my best loads I favor is actually a standard 308 load. And from the recoil issue, I've shot friends recently a savage 308, and minutes later my 06, and recoil was probably slightly less, with that load, but my rifle is only slightly heavier. But I can understand the short action, lighter rifle issue, and that a honest consideration!
If I was not a 30-30 nut, I would truly have me a 308 in a feather weight rifle, low power scope, now that be a honest good rifle around here. I gave a Rem 700 in 270, and I just don't care much for it, not yet anyways! I'd rather have a good 308 instead!
Don't mean to ramble on, but 30 Cal is my favorite subject, and if I hunted the Northwest, I'd no doubt get a 300WM.
But in all honesty, I don't believe the 300WM is a much better performer than the 06, unless you get into long range. And I'm a hunter, not interested in shooting game certainly past 300 yds. Inside that, the 06 covers everything with 125gr to 220gr bullets with plenty velocity!
As much as I hunt and love my 30-30s, if I had to settle for one, it be the 06!
But in recent years I've fell in love with the 30-06, have two them, and my vote leaves me feeling kinda like I lied, because my Tikka M65 in 06 scoped with QD rings and a great set of iron sights, and my reloads, which really make it a 30-30/06, 308, & 30-06 all combined. It's by far the most versatile rifle I've ever had, and I can shoot sub moa at 250yds easily, no doubt further, but I haven't yet.
I've shot several 308, and from my experience, I'm in no way knocking them, but for me why buy a 308, when I have an 06? One my best loads I favor is actually a standard 308 load. And from the recoil issue, I've shot friends recently a savage 308, and minutes later my 06, and recoil was probably slightly less, with that load, but my rifle is only slightly heavier. But I can understand the short action, lighter rifle issue, and that a honest consideration!
If I was not a 30-30 nut, I would truly have me a 308 in a feather weight rifle, low power scope, now that be a honest good rifle around here. I gave a Rem 700 in 270, and I just don't care much for it, not yet anyways! I'd rather have a good 308 instead!
Don't mean to ramble on, but 30 Cal is my favorite subject, and if I hunted the Northwest, I'd no doubt get a 300WM.
But in all honesty, I don't believe the 300WM is a much better performer than the 06, unless you get into long range. And I'm a hunter, not interested in shooting game certainly past 300 yds. Inside that, the 06 covers everything with 125gr to 220gr bullets with plenty velocity!
As much as I hunt and love my 30-30s, if I had to settle for one, it be the 06!
CarJunkieLS1
Member
I'm pretty sure I'm the only one gonna say this...but my favorite. 30 Cal is the obscure, dropped the ball, and long discontinued and forgotten about 30 Remington AR.
.308 Norma
Member
Get in line, my friend. I voted 308 Norma Magnum because, well, look at my screen name!
But the truth is, even though I love my 308 Norma Mag (my retirement gift to myself 13 years ago) and it does everything I want to do with it, I can't do anything with that rifle that I couldn't (and DID do) with the 30-06 I used for big game hunting for years. For that matter, the 308 Winchester I used for 12 or 15 years before I "stepped up" to a 30-06 did everything I wanted to do with a big game rifle as well.
.308 Norma
Member
I agree - you probably ARE the only one who is going to say that!
Just kidding around, CarJunkieLS1. I'm a fan of "obscure" or not so well-known cartridges as well. Even when we're talking about handguns - I'll take a 41 Mag over a 44 Mag in a revolver, or a 38 Super over a 45 ACP in a 1911 anytime.
Last edited:
md7
Member
I like 308 Win. Also like the 30-06 and 30-30, too.
Hey, he who knocks the 308, ain't to smart IMO, and when it comes to 150gr or less bullets, the 308 is just as good as the 06! But with my rifle selection I already have, if I was getting me a short action light weight rifle, for woods hunting up close work? I'd probably go with the 308s little brother, the 7mm08 or equal 7x57M. But in reality the 308 will do it all in the lower 48!Get in line, my friend. I voted 308 Norma Magnum because, well, look at my screen name!
But the truth is, even though I love my 308 Norma Mag (my retirement gift to myself 13 years ago) and it does everything I want to do with it, I can't do anything with that rifle that I couldn't (and DID do) with the 30-06 I used for big game hunting for years. For that matter, the 308 Winchester I used for 12 or 15 years before I "stepped up" to a 30-06 did everything I wanted to do with a big game rifle as well.
mcb
Member
300 AAC Blackout is by far my favorite 30-cal cartridge, though I use it almost exclusively as a subsonic cartridge. My second is 30 Remington AR, that poor red-headed step child of a cartridge is a lovely cartridge once you get to know it.
theotherwaldo
Member
I have around 70 rifles whose bullets mike out between .300 and .312.
All but five are either milsurps or civilian versions thereof.
Of the cartridges listed, I just have to go with the .30-06.
All but five are either milsurps or civilian versions thereof.
Of the cartridges listed, I just have to go with the .30-06.
Captcurt
Member
The 30 cal in the safe today is a 300WSM, but if I could have only one rifle of any caliber it would be 30-06.
adcoch1
Member
Every cartridge on that list I find interesting, and other than the 300 blk, all of them would be fine for general hunting in the Americas. The blackout is just a little light for my comfortable bottom end for general hunting, but still fine for deer and smaller stuff.
I voted 30-06, just because it was the first cartridge I reloaded for, and I've had fun with it over the years. 308 is just as useful, maybe more so, and my son's hunting rifle is a 308 carbine.
Had the 7.62x39 been on the list, it might have made me think a little longer about my choice, just cause it's such a useful little cartridge when you handload for it (try 308 bullets in it for more options), it does for me almost everything the 308 does. I love some of the guns that shoot it, like my cz527 in my avatar.
Even though I own several on the list, and would gladly own ANY on the list(especially the 300prc), the 30-06 is still my favorite 30 cal...
I voted 30-06, just because it was the first cartridge I reloaded for, and I've had fun with it over the years. 308 is just as useful, maybe more so, and my son's hunting rifle is a 308 carbine.
Had the 7.62x39 been on the list, it might have made me think a little longer about my choice, just cause it's such a useful little cartridge when you handload for it (try 308 bullets in it for more options), it does for me almost everything the 308 does. I love some of the guns that shoot it, like my cz527 in my avatar.
Even though I own several on the list, and would gladly own ANY on the list(especially the 300prc), the 30-06 is still my favorite 30 cal...
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Two pages and no .30 Carbine yet! 
EIB0879
Member
I have a .308, 30-06, 300 Wby, and .30-30 and I voted 30-06.
