PowerG
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If you only have one rifle, and are using it for hunting, the 30-06 is the most versatile of them all.
What is the best caliber for medium to large game for a first timer??
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black_powder_Rob
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ditto on what JSNAPS said.
I love my 336 with the Skinner Tactical sights. As for the cross bolt safety I have not really been bothered by mine and shoot my rifle so much that it is second nature to take the safety off while aiming down the sights.
keep in mind that you could easily get the 125gr rounds for the yotes, the 150 for deer, and go with the 170 for the bears. If you really want to try and stretch your range throw a scope on it and use the new Hornady LeveRloution for about out to 300 yards.
I love my 336 with the Skinner Tactical sights. As for the cross bolt safety I have not really been bothered by mine and shoot my rifle so much that it is second nature to take the safety off while aiming down the sights.
keep in mind that you could easily get the 125gr rounds for the yotes, the 150 for deer, and go with the 170 for the bears. If you really want to try and stretch your range throw a scope on it and use the new Hornady LeveRloution for about out to 300 yards.
Thanks for the input! Sounds like the 30-06 is the way to go but I can't find one I like in my little price range ($400). So I think im gonna get the marlin 336 30/30 cause liked it so much. I feel like I'll be be better shot with it and wont hate carrying it trough the thick woods here in upstate new York.
sixgunner455
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Very important to like the rifle. Makes using it a pleasure.
BrocLuno
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The OP doesn't like an 06 for recoil. So let's back it down a bit. I'm happy with 308 IF it fits right (face and shoulder) and it'll get it done for one rifle. But, I agree on the 243 for everything mentioned but the bear.
OP liked the Marlin in 30-30. So that's a good indicator of overall length/weight. I have a Savage 99 in 308 and it's one of my favorite rifles. It's compact and it's a lever. It just shoots a better round than the 30-30. You could do about the same with a Browning BLR in 243 and 308. Some have been done in 260.
OP liked the Marlin in 30-30. So that's a good indicator of overall length/weight. I have a Savage 99 in 308 and it's one of my favorite rifles. It's compact and it's a lever. It just shoots a better round than the 30-30. You could do about the same with a Browning BLR in 243 and 308. Some have been done in 260.
Common calibers are cheap, but you have from small (.223, .243) to large (.308, .30-06). If you want something in the middle, ammo is not cheap unless you handload. That's the other compromise besides ballistics. Only you can answer where you'll feel the biggest "pain". In the pocketbook, or shoulder. 
Based on ballistics alone and not money, I'd take the 6.5x55 Swede or 7mm-08 as my single centerfire rifle if you need >200 yards. For <200 yards, the .30-30 is great. Look for a 2008 or older Marlin 336.
Based on ballistics alone and not money, I'd take the 6.5x55 Swede or 7mm-08 as my single centerfire rifle if you need >200 yards. For <200 yards, the .30-30 is great. Look for a 2008 or older Marlin 336.
conrad427
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can you get a new 336 for 400 dollars? If so i should get one. A 30-30 will do all of the things you want to, but as much as i like the .260, a 7-08 rem would be the rifle i would buy my kids when they start hunting. to me it seems like it does all of the things you want to the best and can be had in a handier package than a 336, imho. I hope that last statement does not get me banned by all of the 336 fans on the site.
browningguy
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I've got a whole bunch of calibers in my safes but if choosing one for a new hunter to use for everything up to Black Bear I would go with a .308.
I love my .243 but feel it is marginal for bear, actually I wouldn't even consider using it myself even though I know it will kill a bear if hit properly, why risk it.
I love my 7x57 and use it for everything up to Elk, but I handload.
I love my 30-06's, but they are just a little more of everything than a .308, including recoil, which may not help new shooters.
Many other calibers would also work, .270's, .280's, maybe even a 7mm-08. But you can walk in to any Walmart or country store in the country and find a box of .308's if you need to, and it's cheap to shoot.
I love my .243 but feel it is marginal for bear, actually I wouldn't even consider using it myself even though I know it will kill a bear if hit properly, why risk it.
I love my 7x57 and use it for everything up to Elk, but I handload.
I love my 30-06's, but they are just a little more of everything than a .308, including recoil, which may not help new shooters.
Many other calibers would also work, .270's, .280's, maybe even a 7mm-08. But you can walk in to any Walmart or country store in the country and find a box of .308's if you need to, and it's cheap to shoot.
coolluke01
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Everyone grandpa has a 30-06. The 270 is a smaller caliber bullet set on the 30-06 casing. This results in a much flatter shooting round. This is a huge factor when using a rifle for many different types of game. Deer may be as close as 30 yards, coyotes are going to be farther than that. Could be as far as 200-300 yards for a coyote.
I would buy a less expensive rifle like a savage or find a good used gun in a good deer and bear hunting caliber and then buy a 223 for the coyotes.
I would buy a less expensive rifle like a savage or find a good used gun in a good deer and bear hunting caliber and then buy a 223 for the coyotes.
ColtPythonElite
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Everyone's grandpa is a smart guy.....I'd rather have one good gun in .30-06 and one good load for it than a truck load of all the rest.
sixgunner455
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My grandpa had a .30-06. My dad hated shooting it, and got a .30-30 whenever he bought a centerfire rifle.
What do you guys think about a Stevens 200 in .223 with a nice scope? I liked the rifle and the price was good too. Seems to me a .223 would be a great caliber for everything except bear and bigger. If I do bear hunt I'll just use a friends gun he has an arsenal. Any in put? I originally liked the the .243 but I hear they destroy pelts. Plus .223 ammo is dirt cheep so I van shoot all day.
BrocLuno
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It's OK if 22 is legal for game in your area? Otherwise, you'll have to step up a bit.
sirgilligan
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.30-06
As has been said many times.
My Brother loads 110 grain bullets and the recoil is very light. Ammo is plentiful.
Commonly found at the gun store is 135, 150, and 180 grain ammo.
After one gets a .30-06, then the next choice becomes more difficult.
I have the .30-06. I think next is a .243.
On the .223 (I have a 5.56 rifle) you need to be aware of the rifle twist rate. 1 in 7 or 1 in 9 will stabilize most bullet weights/grains. My first cousin got a .223 bolt action and tried some of his heavy grain .223 that we like to run in our "black" rifles. The bullet wasn't stabilized. The groups where huge. Twist rate was 1 in 12. So, common ammo would be .55 grain for such a setup, or lighter. My point is .223 rifles may not be as versatile with different bullet weights, be aware.
As has been said many times.
My Brother loads 110 grain bullets and the recoil is very light. Ammo is plentiful.
Commonly found at the gun store is 135, 150, and 180 grain ammo.
After one gets a .30-06, then the next choice becomes more difficult.
I have the .30-06. I think next is a .243.
On the .223 (I have a 5.56 rifle) you need to be aware of the rifle twist rate. 1 in 7 or 1 in 9 will stabilize most bullet weights/grains. My first cousin got a .223 bolt action and tried some of his heavy grain .223 that we like to run in our "black" rifles. The bullet wasn't stabilized. The groups where huge. Twist rate was 1 in 12. So, common ammo would be .55 grain for such a setup, or lighter. My point is .223 rifles may not be as versatile with different bullet weights, be aware.
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.30-06 was my first high power rifle, and a .243 will be my next. I like the low recoil, long range and flat trajectory. But its just for play around and poking paper. Everyone can keep this up and name off cartridges that are congruent with your needs, but it all reality....the 06 is the way to go.
sirgilligan
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Hard nose bullet will be a .33" hole in your Coyote.
I recently shot an Antelope with my .30-06. Some would say, that's a lot of gun for an Antelope. No, its not. It put a tiny hole in one side, and a marble sized hole out the other.
It is the bullet type that makes the exit wound large, if the bullet exits at all.
The .30-06 is one of the most versatile calibers. If you can only have one, it is it. If it is your first, like me, it is it.
My family has several .30-06's, 300 Win Mags, .243's, 5.56's, .270's, 220 Swift, etc. My family got me the .30-06. One gun, one shot, one kill.
p.s.
This is the side with the exit wound. No big gaping hole. Of course it is under the hair. But I am thinking you might imagine a soft ball sized hole. The wound is in the shoulder.
I recently shot an Antelope with my .30-06. Some would say, that's a lot of gun for an Antelope. No, its not. It put a tiny hole in one side, and a marble sized hole out the other.
It is the bullet type that makes the exit wound large, if the bullet exits at all.
The .30-06 is one of the most versatile calibers. If you can only have one, it is it. If it is your first, like me, it is it.
My family has several .30-06's, 300 Win Mags, .243's, 5.56's, .270's, 220 Swift, etc. My family got me the .30-06. One gun, one shot, one kill.
p.s.
This is the side with the exit wound. No big gaping hole. Of course it is under the hair. But I am thinking you might imagine a soft ball sized hole. The wound is in the shoulder.
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Nope. Using the right bullets, there won't be a big hole at all...It'll go in, shock the crap out of the internals, and hole punch out the other side. Heck, you might could even get 2 in 1 shot if ya lucky, lol. The 06 is easily the most versatile cartridge ever.
BrocLuno
Member
308 is just as versitile as far as what you are doing
And, the ammo availability is better
And the recoil is a bit better
And there are actions and rifles in 308 that were never made in 30-06
And, the ammo availability is better
And the recoil is a bit better
And there are actions and rifles in 308 that were never made in 30-06
sixgunner455
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.308 is very, very similar in performance (in normal loadings) to the .30-06. And you can still get surplus ammo for cheap shooting/stockpiling.
Rifleman 173
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I like the .308 Winchester or 7.62 NATO caliber ammo for deer and feral pigs. Worked well for me in Viet Nam while I was sniping.
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