Long-time upland bird hunter. Just recently getting into other game. Don't have a lot of money to spend on multiple rifles. Need an "all purpose" caliber for deer, hogs/boar, and coyote. Have been told my best choices are 270 Win., 7mm Rem. Mag., 30-06, and 300 Win Mag. as "all purpose" for above described game. Probably won't be taking any shots beyond 200 yards. Would love to take a black bear, antelope, and mule deer in the future too, so would like caliber I choose to work for that down the road too. Comments and suggestions greatly appreciated.
Recommendation on rifle caliber
- Thread starter ALHunter
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ojibweindian
Member
.30-06 or .270. Either one will pretty much cover everything in the continental U.S.
The magnums are a bit of over-kill, especially if you're hunting the thick stuff here in N. Alabama.
The magnums are a bit of over-kill, especially if you're hunting the thick stuff here in N. Alabama.
kimbernut
Member
ALHunter
.243 Win. is absolutely minimum some consider it too lite..260 and up is fine. I'm partial to the 7mm-08 which is a .308 necked down to 7mm .----
.270Win.,.280 Rem.,.308Win.,.30-06 Springfield all good. IMHO the magnums are not necessary for your stated purpose. If you feel you must have a magnum try the 7MMRem Mag.. The .300 Win. Mag. will hurt you unless you are extremely insensitive to harsh recoil.With Black Bear and Mule Deer in the future I would probably go with a .308Win.
Did I mention the .300Win.Mag. hurts? I can shoot the .30-06 all day,40-7mmRem. Mag.is enough for practice,5 shots with a .300Win.Mag and I'm ready to go to the house.
Edit: Welcome to The High Road - great site- great people here and a wealth of help and information.
.243 Win. is absolutely minimum some consider it too lite..260 and up is fine. I'm partial to the 7mm-08 which is a .308 necked down to 7mm .----
.270Win.,.280 Rem.,.308Win.,.30-06 Springfield all good. IMHO the magnums are not necessary for your stated purpose. If you feel you must have a magnum try the 7MMRem Mag.. The .300 Win. Mag. will hurt you unless you are extremely insensitive to harsh recoil.With Black Bear and Mule Deer in the future I would probably go with a .308Win.
Did I mention the .300Win.Mag. hurts? I can shoot the .30-06 all day,40-7mmRem. Mag.is enough for practice,5 shots with a .300Win.Mag and I'm ready to go to the house.
Edit: Welcome to The High Road - great site- great people here and a wealth of help and information.
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rbernie
Contributing Member
All of these are very powerful and will kill just about anything in North America, and do so out to 300 yards.
I think that the 30-calibers are probably the most versatile chamberings if you want to have one 'do-it-all' rifle that includes bears. If you take bears out of the equation, I'd drop down to the smaller 7mm's (7x57, 7mm/08) in a short-action or the 270 in a long-action. The 7mmMag is not a chambering that I like - it's just too much KABLAMMO for the bullet size/weight, IMHO of course.
In the 30-cal range, the 308 is a good choice as is the 30-06. The 30-06 is probably the most popular chambering in the US for a reason - it just gets the business done. It's a wee bit mo' powerful than the 308, but not as bruising as the 300 WinMag.
When I was restricted (by budget, in my case) to one rifle - it was a 30-06.
HankB
Member
A .30/06 is adequate to hunt all thin-skinned, non-dangerous game worldwide, with the possible exceptions of giraffe and eland. It's fine for leopard, and though it's just a bit on the light side for Kodiak and Polar bears, it will get the job done with the right bullets and good shot placement.
When it comes right down to it, using the best loads in each cartridge, I do not believe a 7mm Remington or a .300 Winchester mag will produce visibly different results in the field than the .30/06.
And you can get .30/06 ammo just about anywhere, from the big city to backwoods areas 'way off the beaten path.
When it comes right down to it, using the best loads in each cartridge, I do not believe a 7mm Remington or a .300 Winchester mag will produce visibly different results in the field than the .30/06.
And you can get .30/06 ammo just about anywhere, from the big city to backwoods areas 'way off the beaten path.
kaferhaus
Member
HANKB
Has got it absolutely right. Being a fellow Alabamian, I can tell you what you probably already know ... many rural hardware stores and even some mom and pop gas stations sell 30-06 and 30-30 ammo along with 22lr and 12 gauge buck shot..
I wouln't feel undergunned with an 06 anywhere on this continent. Recoil is manageable, ammo is cheap and can be found most anywhere and quality rifles in this caliber can be surprisingly accurate.
With the exception of the ammo availability, I feel the same way about the 308 until you move up to heavy bullets... but for anything you mentioned a 150grainer is plenty.
Has got it absolutely right. Being a fellow Alabamian, I can tell you what you probably already know ... many rural hardware stores and even some mom and pop gas stations sell 30-06 and 30-30 ammo along with 22lr and 12 gauge buck shot..
I wouln't feel undergunned with an 06 anywhere on this continent. Recoil is manageable, ammo is cheap and can be found most anywhere and quality rifles in this caliber can be surprisingly accurate.
With the exception of the ammo availability, I feel the same way about the 308 until you move up to heavy bullets... but for anything you mentioned a 150grainer is plenty.
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Black Snowman
Member
.270, .30-06, or .308 would be my choice, in a good quality and condition used bolt rifle. If you find a good gun for a good deal any of these calibers will do the job under most conditions.
If you want to buy new and are on a budget check out Tikka, CZ, Savage and Howa.
If you want to buy new and are on a budget check out Tikka, CZ, Savage and Howa.
I'm kinda partial to the "old" .30-06 round. 147-gr or so FMJ ammo, all the way up to 220-gr softpoint. Last time I looked at Win & Rem websites for specs on ammo, the .30-06 had more choices than any other caliber. Remington also offers a "Managed Recoil" round with a 125-gr bullet.
If you 'roll your own' ammo, you can make whatever you want..from "I can shoot 500 of these at a time", up to the insane monster butt-stomper rounds.
If you 'roll your own' ammo, you can make whatever you want..from "I can shoot 500 of these at a time", up to the insane monster butt-stomper rounds.
Nathanael_Greene
Member
ALHunter, I'm traveling the same route you're on (bird hunter "upsizing" to bigger game), and I bought a .30-06.
That got me started, anyway.
That got me started, anyway.
If you are somewhat new to centerfire shooting, you may take to .260 rem or 7mm-08 a little easier than one of the big thunder magnums. This may help you enjoy shooting a bit more, you will become more proficient, and will do a good job of putting the bullet where it needs to go.
I started out with 6mm rem, which works on deer but is at the low end of the spectrum for big game. I now use a 308 or 6.5 swede on deer, and have never come close to losing an animal that was properly hit. Shooting should be enjoyable so you can concentrate on good rest, good trigger squeeze, and calling your shots.
I started out with 6mm rem, which works on deer but is at the low end of the spectrum for big game. I now use a 308 or 6.5 swede on deer, and have never come close to losing an animal that was properly hit. Shooting should be enjoyable so you can concentrate on good rest, good trigger squeeze, and calling your shots.
Cindog
Member
.30-06 unless you are trying to save the pelts from your coyotes. If that's the case, you will want something outside of your list.
Lonestar.45
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You just can't go wrong with the .270 or 30-06. The 7mm mag and .300 win mag are good to, you'll kill your game just as dead, but at more of a cost to your shoulder and pocket book. If you think you're going to go after elk or bigger game at some point, then maybe you'll want to consider one of the magnums, but personally, I wouldn't. Many mule deer and elk have fallen to the .270 and 30-06. It's not the caliber so much as the shooter.
I was faced with the same decision as you, many years ago, and went with a Remington BDL in .270. I don't regret it one bit. 25+ deer, various hogs, turkeys, varmints, etc. have fallen to it, and never do I wish I'd have gotten a different caliber. Lately I've been shooting Hornady Light Magnums out of it. 140 grains, leaving the muzzle at 3100fps. I think I've shot 5 deer the last few years with it, and none of them went more than a foot or two.
Of course, there's a LOT of cartridges in that class that will do what you want. .308, .280 Remington, .270 wthby mag, .270 wsm, 25-06, just too many to mention. I looked at them all at the time when I chose, and, again, the .270 Winchester has never let me down.
I was faced with the same decision as you, many years ago, and went with a Remington BDL in .270. I don't regret it one bit. 25+ deer, various hogs, turkeys, varmints, etc. have fallen to it, and never do I wish I'd have gotten a different caliber. Lately I've been shooting Hornady Light Magnums out of it. 140 grains, leaving the muzzle at 3100fps. I think I've shot 5 deer the last few years with it, and none of them went more than a foot or two.
Of course, there's a LOT of cartridges in that class that will do what you want. .308, .280 Remington, .270 wthby mag, .270 wsm, 25-06, just too many to mention. I looked at them all at the time when I chose, and, again, the .270 Winchester has never let me down.
If you don't handload, I'd go with a .30-06 because of the ammo selection available. If you do handload, I'd still go with it.... because of the selection of bullets available. In my opinion where it out performs the .308 is with the 180 grain and heavier bullets. You have more powder capacity with the .30-06.
As with any of the other calibers listed, bullet placement is what counts, any of those you listed have been used to kill deer.
As with any of the other calibers listed, bullet placement is what counts, any of those you listed have been used to kill deer.
The .30-06 has a wide selection of loads and will whack anything in North America.
The .308 offers mostly the same performance and loads in a smaller package.
The 7mm-08 has a different bullet and some weights in a .308 case.
The .270 is basically a .277-bulleted .30-06, shoots a bit faster/flatter if I remember right.
Any of these will do anything you want for what you listed.
The .308 offers mostly the same performance and loads in a smaller package.
The 7mm-08 has a different bullet and some weights in a .308 case.
The .270 is basically a .277-bulleted .30-06, shoots a bit faster/flatter if I remember right.
Any of these will do anything you want for what you listed.
WhiteKnight
Member
I think a .270 Winchester ought to serve you nicely.
The trajectory's gonna be a bit more foregiving than the '06, and at the ranges that you noted (<200 yards) you won't be able to tell a difference between the two with the exception of a less-bruised shoulder should you choice the .270.
The trajectory's gonna be a bit more foregiving than the '06, and at the ranges that you noted (<200 yards) you won't be able to tell a difference between the two with the exception of a less-bruised shoulder should you choice the .270.
Fumbler
Member
If you want to shoot coyotes for their pelts then a 7mm and 300Winmag will not be good choices.
The .270 is probably the best choice for the ones you listed.
It will recoil less than the 30-06 and will do almost anything the 30-06 will (it cant handle very heavy bullets).
Other good choices for up to hogs would be the 308Win and 7mm-08.
These will recoil even less (the 308 feels like a 270, 7mm-08 a lil bit less).
With less recoil you can practice more and that in itself is a more important factor than caliber.
If ammo availability is a concern, stick with the 270 and 30-06. You will find a bigger selestion of ammo for these two.
The .270 is probably the best choice for the ones you listed.
It will recoil less than the 30-06 and will do almost anything the 30-06 will (it cant handle very heavy bullets).
Other good choices for up to hogs would be the 308Win and 7mm-08.
These will recoil even less (the 308 feels like a 270, 7mm-08 a lil bit less).
With less recoil you can practice more and that in itself is a more important factor than caliber.
If ammo availability is a concern, stick with the 270 and 30-06. You will find a bigger selestion of ammo for these two.
litman252
Member
When asked what is the best all-around caliber up here I usually go with the 25-06. WE don't have hogs though, I can't make a personal recomendation on them critters.
A 25-06 will work for coyotes, it is on the "really way to big but works well" side but is better than the 30-06 in my opinion. With any of the callibers above bullet construction will matter more than the particular caliber.
Since it is your money I'll throw out an idea. Buy a 25-06 in a savage in a packadge deal, ~$400 with cheap scope. Buy a Nikon prostaff in 2-7 or 3-9 power for $150 shipped or locally. Put the Nikon on 25-06.
In the future buy a 22 and put the scope on it that came with the savage. You can buy a used 30-30, under $250 for a Winchester or Marlin I think that is a good caliber/gun for hogs if it's thick down where your at.
The only gun you might want after spending all that cash is a varmit gun, that is a whole nuther post, a nother savage could take care of it on the cheap side.....................
A 25-06 will work for coyotes, it is on the "really way to big but works well" side but is better than the 30-06 in my opinion. With any of the callibers above bullet construction will matter more than the particular caliber.
Since it is your money I'll throw out an idea. Buy a 25-06 in a savage in a packadge deal, ~$400 with cheap scope. Buy a Nikon prostaff in 2-7 or 3-9 power for $150 shipped or locally. Put the Nikon on 25-06.
In the future buy a 22 and put the scope on it that came with the savage. You can buy a used 30-30, under $250 for a Winchester or Marlin I think that is a good caliber/gun for hogs if it's thick down where your at.
The only gun you might want after spending all that cash is a varmit gun, that is a whole nuther post, a nother savage could take care of it on the cheap side.....................
I'm in Huntsville, hunt deer and coyote, my best buddy decided to start hunting, I got a Savage .270 for him with a scope for under $400. If you are anywhere near here I'd be proud to introduce you to the coyotes soon as deer season is through. I've got rifles in .223, 30-30, .303, 8mm, 30.06, 7.7,
7.62x54, 7.62x39, .30 carbine, & .308, you are welcome to try them out. (I hunt deer with a 30-30, coyotes with a .223, targets with a .308)
rk
7.62x54, 7.62x39, .30 carbine, & .308, you are welcome to try them out. (I hunt deer with a 30-30, coyotes with a .223, targets with a .308)
rk
jojo
Member
Another vote for the good ole 30-06, for all the reasons already mentioned.
jojo
jojo
Zeke Menuar
Member
270
280 Remington
7x57 Mauser
308 Winchester
30-06
ZM
280 Remington
7x57 Mauser
308 Winchester
30-06
ZM
WhiteKnight
Member
I need friends like you.
Guns_and_Labs
Member
.30-06 all the way.
Take bear and big mulies (as in Canadian big), and I'd step way over to the .260 Remington or the 6.5x55 Swedish -- a lot nicer on the shoulder but harder to find ammo.
.308's nice, but all I can find around here is match ammo for it.
Definitely say no to the magnum's, at least until you know you're a recoil-masochist.
Take bear and big mulies (as in Canadian big), and I'd step way over to the .260 Remington or the 6.5x55 Swedish -- a lot nicer on the shoulder but harder to find ammo.
.308's nice, but all I can find around here is match ammo for it.
Definitely say no to the magnum's, at least until you know you're a recoil-masochist.
Marshall
Member
.30-06! Done.
jaimeshawn
Member
I'd recommend either 30-06 or 308.
The cheap surplus, and huge selection of 308 bullets for reloading, and common availability of the loaded commercial ammo are the advantages of those calibers. If you are recoil sensitive you can easily download; or they can be loaded hot enough to kill anything you might want to hunt here in North America.
The cheap surplus, and huge selection of 308 bullets for reloading, and common availability of the loaded commercial ammo are the advantages of those calibers. If you are recoil sensitive you can easily download; or they can be loaded hot enough to kill anything you might want to hunt here in North America.
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