Lowpower
US Veteran
Just sold my Swede 6.5X55 which is a perfect game getter. Reason sold: eyes ain't what they used to be. My standard has always been a .308 but the venerable .30-06 has taken it's fair share of game.
Your choice of rifle caliber
- Thread starter oldman45
- Start date
venomballistics
Member
75MM recoiless
hiram2005
Member
30-40 Krag.
I used .30-06 in two different rifles for the approximate 30 years I was actively deer hunting. Never had any cause to cuss it and many of those years I loaded it back to velocity range of .300 Savage. That didn't seem to make any difference at all.
Were I to buy something today for where and how I would hunt here, I think I might look at a .260 or 7mm-08.
Were I to buy something today for where and how I would hunt here, I think I might look at a .260 or 7mm-08.
The .308 gets my vote. A few weeks ago, I loaded 100 rounds for a new shooter using Hodgdon's H4895 youth data. I got a 165-grain bullet going about 2,100 fps. Testing them was so much fun that I might use them this year in my Model 70.
Okie John
Okie John
cass
Member
Been thru a whole range of calibers over the years and now shoot only one - 30-30. It's what I started with, and will end with.
gregintenn
Member
30-30
30-06
300 Savage
280 Remington
7x57
257 Roberts
250-3000 Savage
These are a few of my favorite rounds.
30-06
300 Savage
280 Remington
7x57
257 Roberts
250-3000 Savage
These are a few of my favorite rounds.
Barnacle Bill
Member
I have been hunting Deer here in Michigan since 1955,and most of those years with an 8 x 57 Mauser.I like it because it has never let me down. I have several others from 250 Savage to 300 H & H, but early this year picked up a Browning Mod.71,in 348 WCF cal. so plan to try that one this fall.(Befor I get so old I can`t get out of the cabin !)
LoadedRound
Member
Put me down for the .270.......but there are several dozen good choices.
Model29Lover
US Veteran
Marlin 30\30 lever action or
Browning BLR in 300 win mag for long range. My favorite is the 629-1 6 inch barrel 44 magnum!!!Elmer Keith's, "Hell I was There" got me to start the revolver hunting!!!!
Browning BLR in 300 win mag for long range. My favorite is the 629-1 6 inch barrel 44 magnum!!!Elmer Keith's, "Hell I was There" got me to start the revolver hunting!!!!
Rifle cal.
I really like a ruger 77 I have in 7x57. That cartridge shoots different bullet weights and brands to the same POA for some reason!
I love the 7 Mauser.
Many years ago, I bought a new Mark X Mannlicher in 7X57 that I thot I would rechamber to .280 Rem or 7MM Rem Magnum. A cousin of mine was a frequent corrersponder with P.O. Ackley. I wrote to Mr Ackley and asked his advice. He told me he could rechamber to either cal. but that, in his opinion, the .280 could do everything the mag did and "do it better." (His quote. I still have the letter somewhere.)
I never rechambered it since upon shooting it w/ factory 7 Mauser one day, it seemed to 'want to shoot.' I bought dies for it and soon discovered it was luckily long-throated (not 'free-bored') and would safely shoot handloads near or equal to a 280. It also shot the 140 Sierra and 162 Hornady with the same loads of 4350 since the Hornady had a sharper ogive and could be seated out a little further. It also shot them to the same points of impact @ 100 yards in 5 shot groups few would believe if I published them.
The two 700 7 Mag I had both seemed to require deeper seating that would mitigate their true potential. I personally favor the 721-725 series over the 700's.
((Did I ever sell the Mark X? Of course
))
I really like a ruger 77 I have in 7x57. That cartridge shoots different bullet weights and brands to the same POA for some reason!
I love the 7 Mauser.
Many years ago, I bought a new Mark X Mannlicher in 7X57 that I thot I would rechamber to .280 Rem or 7MM Rem Magnum. A cousin of mine was a frequent corrersponder with P.O. Ackley. I wrote to Mr Ackley and asked his advice. He told me he could rechamber to either cal. but that, in his opinion, the .280 could do everything the mag did and "do it better." (His quote. I still have the letter somewhere.)
I never rechambered it since upon shooting it w/ factory 7 Mauser one day, it seemed to 'want to shoot.' I bought dies for it and soon discovered it was luckily long-throated (not 'free-bored') and would safely shoot handloads near or equal to a 280. It also shot the 140 Sierra and 162 Hornady with the same loads of 4350 since the Hornady had a sharper ogive and could be seated out a little further. It also shot them to the same points of impact @ 100 yards in 5 shot groups few would believe if I published them.
The two 700 7 Mag I had both seemed to require deeper seating that would mitigate their true potential. I personally favor the 721-725 series over the 700's.
((Did I ever sell the Mark X? Of course
))
sheriffoconee
Member
my 6.5x55 Swede is my go to whitetail rifle...excellent round, low recoil, ammo is readily available...
I don't deer hunt anymore and haven't for years. If I did start again I'd probably take either a Rem 08 automatic in 30Remington, or one of the Mannlicher Schoenaurs.
It's more the rifle than the caliber. Others to choose from but those I've been shooting more lately. Unless the shots are extreme, most any decent centerfire caliber will do around here.
It's more the rifle than the caliber. Others to choose from but those I've been shooting more lately. Unless the shots are extreme, most any decent centerfire caliber will do around here.
kenpofan
US Veteran
I've taken deer with my .30 carbine, 7 mm mag and a .308 .
FWIW and for my part of the woods..The 308 is my favorite..as others have
stated just about any mentioned caliber would work quite well in fact a 30-30
could be the all time game getter..
FWIW and for my part of the woods..The 308 is my favorite..as others have
stated just about any mentioned caliber would work quite well in fact a 30-30
could be the all time game getter..
.58 muzzleloading Parker-Hale Enfield
jlrhiner
US Veteran
I have more 30.06 than any other calibre,( I don't know why, it just happened!). I also have 7mm RemMag, .243, .308 and a 500/450. But if I go wandering in the woods where I might have to defend myself from bigfoot, it'll be my pre-64 Mod 70 in 30.06 with express sights. It just fits.
Seems as if there is a lot here favoring the 308. Sadly that is one caliber I have never owned or even considered.
Looks like I will be on the lookout for a nice Browning or Sako in .308.
Sure wish some of those posting here would have described their hunting terrain and avg shooting distance.
Looks like I will be on the lookout for a nice Browning or Sako in .308.
Sure wish some of those posting here would have described their hunting terrain and avg shooting distance.
Smith357
US Veteran
In Ohio I can't use a cartridge rifle for deer, so I use a 54 caliber T/C Scout. For out of state it all depends on the distances and cover as to which rifle to take, but generally speaking the .30-06 will do pretty much everything I need.
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