Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
Welcome aboard, ALHunter.
Heed those who say to leave the maggienumbs alone. No help there.
The other calibers you list all have merits. But caliber isn't everything in a hunting rifle. Keep in mind other considerations- action style you prefer, length, overall weight, etc. You want a package that is user friendly and easy to shoot well. I'm originally from AL too, and southern whitetails aren't that big by comparison. I've killed them for more than 30 years with a .30-06, .308, .30-30, 6mm Rem, .243 Win, .223 (came across one with a broken leg while I was looking for coyotes) and 12 ga. The .30-06 is likely the most versatile if you will be hunting further afield, and lots of good quality bullets in heavier weights make it suitable for everything you mention, and then some. In a 7- 8 pound rifle it isn't punishing to shoot, with a well designed and properly fitted stock you could go lighter without being hurt by recoil.
Best of luck,
lpl/nc (whose favorite bambi rifle is a Win Model 70 Carbine in .308)
Heed those who say to leave the maggienumbs alone. No help there.
The other calibers you list all have merits. But caliber isn't everything in a hunting rifle. Keep in mind other considerations- action style you prefer, length, overall weight, etc. You want a package that is user friendly and easy to shoot well. I'm originally from AL too, and southern whitetails aren't that big by comparison. I've killed them for more than 30 years with a .30-06, .308, .30-30, 6mm Rem, .243 Win, .223 (came across one with a broken leg while I was looking for coyotes) and 12 ga. The .30-06 is likely the most versatile if you will be hunting further afield, and lots of good quality bullets in heavier weights make it suitable for everything you mention, and then some. In a 7- 8 pound rifle it isn't punishing to shoot, with a well designed and properly fitted stock you could go lighter without being hurt by recoil.
Best of luck,
lpl/nc (whose favorite bambi rifle is a Win Model 70 Carbine in .308)
