Over the years I have shot friends’ rifles and spent a lot of time as a youngster with .22 rifles and pellet guns. In the past few months I decided I wanted to shoot more for fun - paper/plinking. My goal is to be proficient with multi calibre and start hunting with some fiends. Hogs and deer on the central west coast - Monterey/Santa Cruz Area. I like spending time reading about building a gun battery and pros and cons of various calibers. I knew I would get a 22LR, which I got - Marlin 60 from the 70’s. I loved my friends Marlin 336 in .30-30 so I knew I would get one. Not yet purchased but on the short list. I always planned on getting a .308 Winchester Model 70 and as it turned out I got a prewar in .30-06. On paper, I always thought I would get a dedicated CXP2 “deer” rifle and probably never need/buy anything else. Flip flopped between .25-06, .260, 7-08, .270 and plenty of others.
with my .22LR covered and a .30-06. And my commitment to a .30-30 lever action. Is there a rifle that might fit in between .22LR and the .30 cal? I always figured a .223 would be a purchase , but I wonder if a .243 or .25-06 or 6.5/260 7mm08 is the way to go. I know it depends on what I hunt most, but that isn’t really a factor right now. The one thing that is, are my kids I want to learn to shoot 15yr girl and 11 yr boy. Based on that alone I think the .243 is the choice and even for the wife.
thoughts?
I lived and hunted and shot in the area you mentioned for the last 50 years . I moved to Southern Oregon in 2018 but return in the worst parts of the winter to the milder climate.
#1 today you cannot go into the field after any game with out using non lead based ammo any caliber including muzzle loaders , and the whole area is crawling with enforcement, even if you don't see them
#2 There are very few legal places to shoot , read #1 again ! IF you have access to large ranches where you are a couple miles from the nearest neighbor you are probably OK . Laguna Seca Range is pleasant for the day to shoot with your lead ammo , currently. Markelies indoor range in Watsonville works for .22s . I don't know of any other commercial place to shoot in Monterey or Santa Cruz counties currently.
#3 yes a .223 or a .22-250 or a .243 fills the gap between 30-06 and .22 . ALL those centerfires are legal for and will take the Blacktail deer cleanly with a good shot. Getting ammo in California is a pain in the ass too ! Non lead hunting ammo selection is limited.
#4 Consider a 12 ga. Shot gun with suitable changeable chokes or a good used SG with more open (modified or less) that will take the steel shot you must use for hunting. There is good game bird hunting in South Monterey county ! You don't need an 18" barrel for home defense, a 26" one works fine and you can hunt with it ! . Hunter Supply in Monterey on Freemont is the best gun store in the two counties, They have anything you might want or need and prices are good !
#5 a .22, a 30-06 and a shotgun are all you need , the 30-06 will do anything better than a 30-30 and you have a wonderful Win Model 70 ! Does the model 70 have a good scope with a good low power range and good modern mounts ? Use 150 or 180 grain copper bullets on deer , and they will work on hogs too . just make sure the hunting bullets you have in your possession while in the field are lead free commercial ammo and keep the box with you to prove it.
The Marlin 335 were fine guns , the newer ones are not as good workmanship wise IMHO . I'd get a pistol caliber one and buy a revolver that fired the same cartridge . In fact get the revolver first ! Can't beat a .357 or .44 mag with a 4"-6" barrel , they even make non lead bullets. In the day we all carried .44 Mags when we hunted hogs over dogs . Or .44 mag carbines. . .357 will work also but you have to be a good shot (with anything ) .
#6 the hot place to get a deer (or a pig) in A zone is still South County Monterey and Fort Hunter Liggett is very good and your 30-06 once sighted in for the ammo you will is perfect for the conditions. Get a pig license too as they are abundant there and in season with the deer. Unless you have access to private large orchards or something in Santa Cruz county (where I live) shooting is problematic, that is where a quieter than 30-06 deer cartridge comes in, a .44 mag carbine (Marlin lever ?) is good , a .223 rifle is also good and fairly quiet with a 20"+ barrel.. I recommend you get a bolt action rifle for .223 in California and keep a pistol or a shotgun for self defense. I have 200 guns and moved all semi autos and most others except a small battery out of Calif. . The glory days of California are gone, and the socialists are closing in on Oregon
