Which rifle caliber to buy next

[Countryboy1150]

I been itching for another rifle. I have a 270,308AR and a 300 winmag. I was gonna look at buying a 30-06. But after reading ,everybody says there's very little difference between 270 and 30-06. What would everybody recommend ? I reload and have only dies for calibers that I listed for rifles. I can get more dies so thats no biggie. Maybe a bolt.308 ? But really would like to have a caliber I don't currently have

Whats everybodys favorite caliber ?

 

[dprice3844444]

3006, same heads as the others

 

[jmr40]

There is nothing a 30-06 will do that the 270 and 308 won't do just as well. The 300 WM does the same about 50 yards farther away.

You are covered for everything in North America with what you have, and can take most of it out to 600 yards or so. I'd go smaller, 243 or 223 and use it on smaller big game such as deer.

 

[red rick]

I agree I would go smaller 223 , 22-250 .

 

[BCRider]

I'd suggest you let your needs dictate any new rifle. What do you use the guns for at present? What aspects of hunting or target shooting are you looking to extend into in the near future? If your present guns don't fill your growing needs then go shopping.

A good way to start is to look at the sort of task you are taking up and see which are often used for that application.

Otherwise you're sort of just buying for the sake of buying because the new toys are all so shiny..... Not that there's anything wrong with that if this is all you want and need to scratch the itch. But if the goal is to cover off a range of shooting styles then it's nice to look at what is already successful and popular in the new area.

 

[3212]

For whitetails I would go with a .243.I've taken more than 50(lost count a few years ago).Took them at ranges from 20 to 270 yards.Woods and fields.Ammo has been available although I shoot reloads.I don't destroy a whole shoulder and the internal damage is impressive.I took one recently that was running toward me.It lifted the buck off his feet and pushed him back.He ran forward a short distance and collapsed.The bullet exploded in the chest cavity and did not penetrate the diaphragm.The abdomen was clean.I'm talking about 150 lb. deer.

 

[crazysccrmd]

Since you reload go and get something unusual.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Another vote for .243 Win. Great combo deer/predator/varmint caliber.

 

[witchhunter]

Yup, lots of room there, you have the 30 calibers sewed up, how about a .243 or a .223? Lots less recoil, easy to shoot accurately. Fun.

 

[xxjumbojimboxx]

Of course I'd say this

... Why don't you just round out your .30 cals with a nice 7.62x39.

You'd be surprised at the accuracy something like a cz527 can have with even the worst of ammo.

 

[EchoM70]

If you go by needs alone, you'll truly only need a 3 gun battery, maybe 4 to cover every situation you'll realistically need a firearm for. I haven't "needed" a rifle in awhile.

I have for example a 30-06,.308,300 WSM and a 300 win mag. All can do just about what the other one can do, you gain like maybe 400 fps from the slowest to the fastest with the other two in between. Seems redundant, eh?

Here's my reasoning, I look at rifles like a set of golf clubs. They all perform the same job (hitting the ball.) But they all fulfill a niche within the group that the other does not, they have different roles.

You wouldn't putt with a driving club when you have a putter, and you wouldn't hike around the mountains all day with a 9-10lb 300 win mag when you have a 7lb .308.

So I say go for it, besides the 30-06 is never a mistake.

 

[J_McLeod]

I would get a .243 or 7mm08

 

[LAGS]

If you like th 30-06 but want or need a bigger bullet, then why not try the .35 Whelen .
Or if you like the .270 but want a smaller bullet, then try a 25-06
If you like the .308 but want a smaller but not too small of bullet, then the 7mm-08 is the ticket.

 

[crashyoung]

I like my 50 cal... Black Knight inline black powder rifle, that is!
Up to 200 grains of FFG pushing a sabot 45 pistol bullet.
Unless you HAVE to have a cartridge, you are light on the smaller calibers.

 

[juk]

I would look into something quarter-bore up to 7mm. 25-06, 260, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7-08 all would be good multi use calibers.

 

[KansasPaul]

While all of the other calibers mentioned are certainly worthy, I am going to suggest the you consider a 45/70. I own rifles in .223/5.56, 30/30, 30-06, .303 and 45/70. I personally have a hankering for a .260. But, for fun I love to load up 420 grain 45/70 rounds and lob them at targets located 200 yards away. At 75 yards my 45/70 shoots a single ragged hole for 5 rounds. It is definitely the rifle that puts a huge smile on my face every time I shoot it. 45/70 is also versatile in that it can be loaded from mild to wild, as long as the rifle you choose is designed to handle the pressure.

Blessings

Paul

 

[Abel]

7mm-08, 260 Rem, maybe a classic 7X57? Or a 6.5X55 Swede. Or a 300 Savage. Or a 250 Savage AI.

 

[bpl]

I think if we know the main mission of this new rifle we can make better suggestions. What will you be using it for?

 

[Skylerbone]

If those are your only rifles, get thee a rimfire posthaste! Adding a .17 can add squirrel, rabbit and all sorts of varmint to your hunting season and will still be cost effective compared to most 30 cals. Outfit it with a pair of optics and you'll have a fast, lightweight field rifle that makes one hole groups from the bench.

If you simply don't care for rimfires, then a 30-30 makes for good wholesome fun.

 

[grovey]

223, components are cheap = shoot more for less.

 

[Countryboy1150]

I went looking around yesterday. Had the wife on board with me. Had a blank check and couldn't find nothing. Almost bought a Ruger 10/22 in a decked out adjustable camo stock. Then decided against that. I found a Tikka 22-250at a local gun shop. Hunting is not a consideration on the next caliber of choice. I just want something I can reload for, and plink with basically. Just mess around with. Something else to look at in the safe.

 

[me26245]

I vote for the 6.5x55 once you try it you'll never go back to a .30 cal

 

[cammogunner]

i think the 30 30 is a good choice light recoil. or 223

 

[pbrktrt]

.257 Weatherby Mag. Because it's the closest thing to shooting a laser.

 

[jason41987]

If you like th 30-06 but want or need a bigger bullet, then why not try the .35 Whelen .
Or if you like the .270 but want a smaller bullet, then try a 25-06
If you like the .308 but want a smaller but not too small of bullet, then the 7mm-08 is the ticket.

or why not a step between and go for 8mm mauser?.. same case head as 30-06, but bigger bullet, and ive never seen 35 whelen sold anywhere

but it sounds to me like the OP likes hand loading his own ammunition.. might be fun to go with a cartridge that pretty much requires it, but offers some pretty good ballistics as well.. like 6.5x48