[dixierat]

Quote:       Originally Posted by LarryO1970

.30-06 or .308 ... either would work fine. I'm not sure I'd go any less... Being a Veteran, I am pretty partial to the .308 168g BTHP ... not the FMJ. Don't give up anything ... just add !!!

I'm a vet, too and have considered the .308. The problem is justifying to my wife that guns, to me, are like shoes to her. Ya just can't own enough of 'em.

[Magnumsrule]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Scoutmaster

dixierat, I can't see you hunting anything, in the areas you mentioned, that wouldn't easily succumb to a well placed shot from the 30/06. There's plenty reason for the following the 30/06 enjoys. Ammunition for the 30/06 is inexpensive, plentiful and can be found about anywhere. Don

The 270 has less power than the 30-06. the 270 was suggested. Obviously the 30-06 is capable of taking any game in the lower 48 maby not the best cartridge but it works. For deer i think the 270 would treat u right. Cheap ammo, flat shootin and just the right size for deer.

[lefty o]

7mm-08 would be a good first choice for deer.

[blaster]

the age old debate again. Again, I vote for the .30\06 because it will handle heavier bullets when you hunt game bigger than deer.

[ArkansasHunter]

Yep ammo is plentiful for the 30-06 and you can catch'um on sale along with with the rifles that shoot them 30-06 cartridges too.
But if you like being different from the statise quo LOL Dare to be different and buy you a rifle that handles the 280 Remington cartridge.
You'll like it and you'll grin alot cause you got one and they don't...A.H

[Magnumsrule]

YA but in his description he says that his main area of hunting will be for white tails. you dont need a 30-06 for that. A 270 would work just fine. Why buy a rifle for game that your not going to hunt? Yes AH lol the 280 is asumn that would be another good choice.

[Scoutmaster]

Come on guys just look at the title of the post, "Best General caliber?" it has 30/06 written all over it! From mices to mooses it does them all. That sounds pretty general to me.



Don

[Magnumsrule]

if you close your eyes half way you can pull it off lol

[21buck]

You are on the right track. Consider the future hunts and game to be hunted. Can you handle recoil? Do you reload? I would vote for the 7 WSM or 280 Remington for the best long and short range, knock down power. A 30-06 bolt action is quite a difference with a M 1 in the 06. If you can handle the weight, recoil, and bullet weights, you are there. Weigh each option good and bad for each before you decide. Good Luck

[ArkansasHunter]

Magnumsrule I don't drink but I'd sure like to buy you a beer LMAO...
Close your eyes Chit that was funny ...A.H

[Deersniper]

.308 fan here.

[Magnumsrule]

Thanks AH id do the same for u lol. I always read and respect what u have posted.

[Bravo]

I used to have a .270win. After having bad luck with the rifle (not the caliber, although I've heard others tell tales of it not being as accurate as the 30-06), I got rid of it.

He mentioned the Best General Caliber. To me, that means a caliber that could be used for anything he hunts. He lives in the US, so I'd say anything in the US is fair game.

You can take Moose with a .270win, but it's frowned upon. The .270 doesn't expand nearly as much as the '06, and doesn't weigh as much.

The .270 is also a lot more expensive to shoot. One can still buy surplus 30-06 ammo, while .270 surplus ammo never existed, because it was never used in a war, let alone 4 wars for the 30-06 (maybe more).

I'd still go with the 30-06, especially over the .270win.

[Magnumsrule]

Oh well its personal preference whether he wants something flat shootin or somethin with an arc but that you can find lotso ammo for lol. My dad did have 2 270s and didnt like them much for moose so i guess if he was ever planning on traveling north the 30-06 would be a better choice. I must say that the number of wars a cartridge has been in is no grounds for how good it is.

[rasterman77]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Magnumsrule

Oh well its personal preference whether he wants something flat shootin or somethin with an arc but that you can find lotso ammo for lol. My dad did have 2 270s and didnt like them much for moose so i guess if he was ever planning on traveling north the 30-06 would be a better choice. I must say that the number of wars a cartridge has been in is no grounds for how good it is.

Very much in agreement, but I love the 30-06, I just like the smaller, faster, flatter calibers more.. for me anyway. Personal preference like Magnum said.

[Royde]

check out the 280 Rem . close to mag. with out the recoil.
Royde

[Don357]

.308, practically the same as the 30.06 only shorter.It shoots the same .30 cal bullet, so whatever you can load for the 30.06 you can load for the .308. The .308 is only about 100 fps slower than the 30.06, and has MUCH less recoil. "good enough for military snipers', good enough for me!". However, be careful about using commercial ammo in mil-surp rifles that have fluted chambers, such as the CETME and the FAL.

[SwedeSteve]

Justifying to your wife? The way I read it you are buying a rifle either way, or?
Anywhere you hunt in the states you listed, will be handled quite nicely by the 308. Same bullets as 30-06, less powder! Savings++ Most, if not all, of your hunting is going to be on small whitetail, under shorter ranges.
270 & 30-6 shoot flatter, but are not needed at the distances you will encounter. In the old days you could buy 30-30, 308, and 30-06 in gas stations down in the "Bible Belt". I assure you now, anywhere you find 30-06, you will find 308! Shorter action = less weight in each rifle considered! Seeing as how you won't be carrying a "basic load" of ammo on a hunt, the difference in weight is not a bone of contention. Recoil is!

[Deersniper]

Heck, Ford or Chevy. I'll chose the .308 Chevy, dropped a 7 point this season with it. Recoil is a breeze. So you can practice more.

[big boomer]

The 30-06 is still the one that every one else tries to compare themselves to, its a good choice. How ever consider this, nothing is ever slightly wounded by a 45-70(ha ha)