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Need Help Choosing Caliber for New Rifle

TNbowhunter

TNbowhunter

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2019
Messages
1,021
Location
Middle Tennessee
I'm primarily a bow hunter here in Tennessee, and I also have my childhood .243 and a muzzleloader to use for hunting whitetails around here. But, I'm ready to purchase my first "big" hunting rifle, and I would love to hear from y'all about what caliber to choose. I plan to use it on everything from whitetails to mule deer to antelope to elk (nothing bigger than elk, such as moose or grizz), and I'm planning to get a Weatherby Vanguard. I want something that will pack plenty of punch for elk at 300 yards, while also being pleasant enough (relatively) that I'll enjoy practicing with it, and also not overkill for whitetails and antelope.

I've done some research (Google, MeatEater, etc.), and it seems the best choices are 30-06, .300 Win Mag, and .308. What do y'all think?

Thanks in advance!
 
There are a bunch of cartridges that will work for what you want, especially if you reload. All 3 you mentioned will be fine. If you want to hunt elk though, out of those three, I would choose the 300 WM. You can load or buy light loads for whitetails and buy or load heavier bonded bullets for elk. I'm of the opinion that it is better to have a little more than you need given the option.

My next rifle is the weathermark in 6.5-300. I already have a 7mm Rem Mag (obviously). My dad has (3) 300 Win Mags, he loves them. All he will hunt with.
 
Kernal1984 said:
Can’t go wrong with 30-06, I bought a 300 win mag this year because it was half off in the particular rifle I had decided upon. Recoil isn’t pleasant and I’m not what you would call recoil sensitive.
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Rem has a factory low recoil load, and for reloaders, they can be loaded pretty light. Lighter than a standard 30-06 load.


But yeah, heavier bullets and/or loaded hot it can be 'brisk'
 
I do not own a single centerfire rifle but have shot several and have killed a few deer with borrowed rifles of different calibers. I do own a ML and have killed a few deer with it but I am far and away a bow hunter. That said, I am a firm believer in the most deadly weapon a person can carry is the one they are most accurate with under all circumstances. The .243 and ML will handle everything you mentioned though I understand the want for a little more horsepower for elk up to 300. I might consider a .270, a 308 and 7-08 in your shoes but see no need for anything bigger to meet your criteria.
 
That vanguard is a stupidly accurate rifle especially for the price. I’ve seen my buddy pop 1/4 moa groups with his after working up a good handload. I just got my first 30-06 this year and love the caliber. I feel like it’s really versatile. You could load 110grain bullets for whitetail or predator hunting and get a super soft recoiling flat shooting projectile, pretty much feels like shooting your 243. Or load up a 180 or 220 for heading out west. Maybe I’m biased but I’ve really enjoyed the round and have killed several deer with grandpas old rem 7600 in 30-06.
 
Hunter260 said:
That vanguard is a stupidly accurate rifle especially for the price. I’ve seen my buddy pop 1/4 moa groups with his after working up a good handload. I just got my first 30-06 this year and love the caliber. I feel like it’s really versatile. You could load 110grain bullets for whitetail or predator hunting and get a super soft recoiling flat shooting projectile, pretty much feels like shooting your 243. Or load up a 180 or 220 for heading out west. Maybe I’m biased but I’ve really enjoyed the round and have killed several deer with grandpas old rem 7600 in 30-06.
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I have three vanguards right now. They are great, one in 22-250, 257 weatherby mag, and 7mm Rem Mag. Every one of them shoots fantastic.
 
I have a .308 and if I ever hunt elk with it, then I'll either use 165 grain or 180 grain nosler bullets or something like that. I use 150grain for deer or hogs. Can shoot this gun all day with 150 grain bullets
 
If your wanting a .30 cal hands 30-06 over .308. Cheaper rounds, slightly flatter shooting, slightly faster, and it's a classic. Not to mention just as versatile as a 308. But if your looking for a magnum, 7mm rem mag is a better choice then a 300. It performs better across the board with the exception of being able to find heavier loads in the 300 more easily. I also primarily shoot a 7mm and just took a nice buck @ 220 yard with it, which is a chip shot for the 7mm. Not to sound pompous there but the 7mm is a shooters cartridge, easily managed, flat shooting, and fast. My recommendation would be the 7mm overall, #2 30-06.....
 
I have a .308 and you can get .308 in a wide selection of bullet weights, but the individual gun may not shoot them all equally as well. But that may be the same for all calibers...
 
Swingin' Free said:
Not a rifle but my Savage 220 is a tack driver...
Clover leafs at 100 yards. Only downside is it only likes to spit two brands of shells
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I have a lot of first hand experience with savage rifles and have never been disappointed in the accuracy department. My win mag is a Remington and I have been happy with it as well but quality control seems to be an issue as of late and have some friends with first hand experience with 870’s and 700’s. I won a weather by shotgun in a raffle and was super impressed with the fit and finish of it for the retail price point and have heard nothing but good about weatherby rifles although I don’t have any first hand experience with them.
 
Have you shot a 300 win mag to judge if it is a caliber that you can enjoy and also shoot accurately (in a similar rifle regarding weight and presence or not of muzzle break)? I know if you shoot perfectly, then recoil doesn't matter, but most of us shoot lighter recoiling rifles more accurately. Have you priced 300 win mag ammunition in comparison to 30-06 or 308 to determine how much practicing your budget allows? If you handload, then that levels the field.

I'd get a 30-06 because it is enough rifle with manageable recoil and cheap ammo. It edges out the 308 for me in this context because it is better suited to bullets above 180 grains.
 
Myself, I'd probably pick the .308 or .30-06. I had a .300 Weatherby Mag. and it was not fun to shoot. Very potent, beautiful rifle but it punished you upon the shot. Also keep in mind the cost of ammo. A box of .300 Weatherby Mag shells runs between $50 & $70 per box. The .300 Win Mag will probably be less but any belted mag round will cost more than the .308/.30-06 rounds. Also keep in mind your usage. You may hunt whitetails yearly and elk once or twice in a decade.
 
I shoot an older Browning in .300 win mag. It has the BOSS system. It's extremely accurate and recoil is about the same as a .243. It's ear splitting loud as is with most muzzle breaks. The BOSS came on A bolts and Winchester bolt action rifles back years ago but I still see them from time to time. I was able to take an elk at 300ish yards and got a pass through with a 200gr trophy bonded bullet.
 
Of the original choices I'd pick .308 first, 30-06 second. Shooting will be much more pleasant and economical than with the .300 Mag.
Not to mention that with the bullets and cartridges offered today they will handle all the game you mentioned with aplomb.
 
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