New rifle sought for NA Game

[tackleberry45]

OK, so thanks for all the help. I did not take the 7mm-08/ 7mm Rem. Mag deal I posted in my past thread. So here is the dilemna.... What is the next logical progression up from a .25-06 for North American Game? Could I just get by with one rifle, all the way up to Elk, given the right loads? It has been suggested I go to a .270. I have also been told to look at the standby 30-06 and .308. I have been told to look at things like Ruger's .300RCM. To save THR folks from a lot of past reading and searching, I only own a .25-06 right now. Budget is not really an issue for the right choice, so is there really a do-it-all caliber????.

 

[igordon81]

What a predicament!! The arguments on this topic outnumber Carter's liver pills. As far as a do-it-all caliber, I don't think you can go wrong with the old 30-06. It's hard to beat it's resume. If a jack of all trades is what you want, I would think the search should begin and end with the 06. Good luck!

 

[dakotasin]

really, pick whatever chambering tickles your fancy that is bigger than what you already have, and with only a couple of exceptions, the shooter will be far more of a limiting factor than the chambering.

i'm a huge fan of the 338 win mag and 7 rem mag for great all around chamberings - but any of a dozen or more other chamberings will work fine.

 

[TexasRifleman]

The arguments on this topic outnumber Carter's liver pills. As far as a do-it-all caliber, I don't think you can go wrong with the old 30-06.

Lock the thread here, this is the right answer

If you really want something different, the .45-70 is another fantastic round, suitable for hunting just about anything.

If you are a handloader these 2 are extra nice since there are SO many different ways to load them.

 

[Al LaVodka]

.30-06 Ackley Improved.
Its still an off-the-shelf .30-06. But it can be more -- 100 fps more. A ".308 Magnum."
Al

 

[Bullseye_shooter]

.30-06 Ackley is a very impressive cartridge
a tad expensive but it does the job well

I like the .458 SOCOM as well idk why.
look for the Barnes triple-shock bullets though

 

[Uncle Mike]

Any of them will do.

But...the 30-06 with Hornady Superformance ammo will approach a standard 300 Win. Mag. in performance and IF you deem that is too much smack down, simply run standard 30-06 ammo in it. Now this also applies for several different calibers offered in the Superformance ammuntiton line, or from souped up reloads!

I like the 7mm stuff for whitetail sized game...and the normal stuff like the 7mm-08, 7X57 and so on for that sized game this side of 400y.

Lately though, the ol' 30-06 been with me on any excursions I have been on.

There, for the most part, is no right or wrong when it comes to an all around caliber, as long as the quarry you seek can be quickly and humanely, excepting yotes....yea, I hate em', dispatched with said caliber and firearm combination.

 

[Abel]

I have also been told to look at the standby 30-06

By God, there's a reason its a standby. The 30-06 will do what you want.

 

[skiking]

There isn't a right answer. I like the .300 Win Mag especially with 200 gr Accubonds for an all around caliber, but the 7mms, .30s, .338, and .35s are all dandy for do it all calibers.

It is a question that only you can answer.

 

[Sav .250]

Ask a question and get an opinion...... lots of stuff to choose from and all would get the job done but when the smoke clears, it`s a 30-06 still standing. IMO.

 

[bpl]

I'd go 30-06.

 

[9mmepiphany]

i'm not a big believer in accepting unneeded recoil, so i lean toward claibres like the 6,5x55mm or it's short action version the .260 Rem. good for everything through Elk...some even say Moose...great long range accuracy and low recoil.

for anything the 6.5x55mm won't handle, my next choice would be the .375 H&H Magnum

 

[Tang419]

.338 Win Mag is my all around favortie for doing it all.

 

[Murphys Law]

If your looking for versatility and your not a reloader, then a 30-06 is probably going to easily fit all of your needs. You only mentioned elk and I assume deer as well. Is there anything else in your plans? If you do plan on reloading, the 30-06 is still one of the most versatile calibers, but then others start to become good choices as well. If you honestly evaluate what you will hunt and how often, you can make a better choice.

I think the original deal you had was fine as to caliber choice but most here felt the seller was exploiting your inexpirience with the price and that the 7mm-08 wouldn't outperform your 25-06. Will he come down in price and is the 7mm magnum still available? If it is and he will let you shoot it, that may be a good choice for you. (as long as it isn't a heavy barrel model). the 7mm rem mag wont cost any more than any of the other magnums (300 Win Mag, etc.) to shoot or reload for. Add that to your 25-06 and your have a pretty good battery from varmints to elk.

 

[natman]

If it were just one rifle, I'd say 30-06, with a possible nod to a short action rifle in 308.

But if you already have a 25-06 and intend to keep it, there's an awful lot of overlap between the two. I might be inclined to get something a bit bigger than a 30-06, like a 35 Whelen or 338 mag. Use the 25-06 for varmints to deer and the other rifle for big stuff.

 

[rogertc1]

I'd get a marlin 45-70 or even 30-30 as they are soon moving because the plant is closing. No ideal what Remington will keep. There will be some instant collection value.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Could I just get by with one rifle, all the way up to Elk, given the right loads?

Yes, and you can do it with the rifle you already have. The .25-06 is perfectly capable of taking elk with proper bullet selection and shot placement. There's a decent selection of factory loads these days, but handloading really brings out the potential of the cartridge. Bullets like the 115 grain Barnes Triple-shok X will penetrate deep and hold together. I like the 117 gr. Sierra, but it's a little lighter constructed (very destructive in deer and antelope). The Speer 120 gr. BTSP or Nosler Partition 120 gr. BTSP are also good big game bullets with high ballistic coefficients and good sectional density.

My pet load is a 117 gr. Sierra Gameking over 54 grs. IMR 4831 for an average velocity of 3,195 FPS. It'll shoot into an inch consistently at 100 yards and has a very flat trajectory

Also, you could always have you chamber reamed to .25-06 AI, then drive 120 grain bullets at 3,300+ FPS.

I use my .25-06 for all big game hunting. Now, if I ever go to Africa or decide to pursue big bears up North, I'll be using my .375 Ultra.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

It's been said a dozen times already, but yeah, for everything up to elk, the .30-06 would do a fine job. 7mm Rem Mag wouldn't be a bad choice either. These two would be my first choices, especially if you don't handload. Many loads are available off the shelf for both.

 

[scchokedaddy]

hard question to answer

7mm rem mag, 308marlin express, 25 06, 270, 308 win,7mm 08, 6mm, 243, 300 win mag, 221 Fireball [does headshots only] yeah thats a hard one to answer. Basicaly you need to check all ballistics and determine which ammo is more common in your area. Then decide what you want and can afford. You do not have to buy high dollar, Marlin, Savage, Stevens, then Mossberg all [and in that order imho] are good places to start. Then if you like, you can step up to more upscale offerings. We can all offer our thoughts, but yours are the final and only important ones that count. Good luck on your choice, and remember shoot strraight.

 

[homers]

Since you already have a 25-06, I'd jump up to a 30-38 cal. 30-06, 308 on the low end and 300 win mag or 338 on the upper end. Depends on how much recoil you want and if you want to reload, because buying some of the commercial ammo can get pricey with calibers in this range. $20 bucks a box for 30-06 vs $60 bucks a box for 338.