I realize this topic has been hot lately, but I'd like to combine them into one for my question.

My best friend, who has hunted with me in the past, (mostly bird, but once for deer) owns a few guns, (including a bird gun and is familar with firearms) but doesn't have his own quality rifle. When we went deer hunting, he borrowed one from my father. He wants to put in with me this year and I was thinking of suggesting he get a rifle of his own. This way I can more easily get my buddy out hunting with me in the future (we've been in different parts of the country for the last few years) I want to recommend one all-around gun because it may be the only one he buys (unless he gets the bug, which has been known to happen )

So, 30-06, .300WSM, or .300WinMag?

His shotgun is a 12ga pump so I'm not really worried about his tolerance for recoil, altough that is a consideration. Other considerations are:

1. Ammo. He'll probably never reload so commercial ammo availibility and variety are a concern.
2. Game. He'll probably never hunt outside of Arizona (deer, elk, black bear and antelope), but if I do get him to say, Alaska, he'll need something that will work there also.
3. Price. This isn't a huge concern, but it is something to think about.

I've decided to recommend either a M70 Classic Sporter or a Ruger M77. The question now becomes in what caliber? The tried and true 30-06 is the most versital or do I say the .300WinMag because it would handle moose and bigger bear better? Or do I split the difference and say the .300WSM, knowing that, as of now, it is more limited in ammo choices?

Thanks for the replies!

The 30.06 because there are a million different factory offerings. He can load down to a 125gr bullet or up to a 220+. I have 3 Rugers and love them all. I would get the stainless if he is going to use it as a real hunting/utility rifle.

-06. Shotgun and rifle recoil are two totally different beasts, as well as how when uses and shoots both arms.

While I think the 300 win mag is a great round, and I'll be building one soon, I just don't see it as being a good choice for a first rifle. If he has to have a short action, then I'd recomend the .308, as it is also an outstanding round, with the benefit of inexspensive mil surp for practice.

If he can afford to hunt in Alaska, then he can afford a second gun. I think it much more important that he gets a gun he can shoot well and enjoys shooting, then one he doesn't for a future hunt that may never materialize. When he decides to hunt Alaska, have him get a 338 win mag, much better then the 300 win mag anyhow

JL,

I'd have to give a third vote to the '06 over the mags because of ammo availablility, price, and versatility. As far as Alaska goes, I've never hunted there, but knew someone who lived and hunted there for many years. He killed just about everything there was to hunt up there (including moose and bears), and did it with a 30-06.

FWIW, Bill

JLH,

I have to recommend a .30-06. It is capable of handling everything in North America if the proper bullets are placed properly.

It is also somewhat easier to acclimate to in terms of recoil, ammunition is available everywhere ammunition is sold, and bullet choices are legion.

The only game he might be 'undergunned' on might be coastal brown bears, but he can always buy another rifle if he wants to (.338 & up, preferably).

George

For a new or occasional hunter, I'd go with the .30-06, but you should also consider the .308 Win. as well. With some of the current powders and upgraded factory loads, the performance level of the .308 has been increased significantly.

AD

Because of where you live and what's hunted there, I'd say the 300 win. Put simply it shoots flatter and hits harder than the 06. Ammo is available at Walmart for all three so that should not be a concern and as far as wide range of ammo goes, I say the heck with that. Just find a load the rifle likes to shoot and hunt every thing with it! On the rifle, a Winchester Classic LT in a .300 winnie is a pretty classy setup that would be hard to beat. I vote for the 300 Win Mag

I recently gave a rifle to a good friend of mine for Christmas. He didn't have a good, all-around hunting rifle. And, with kids and all, he just didn't have the bucks to buy one right now. I just wanted to do something nice for him so I bought a Howa 1500 and put a Leupold Vari-X II 3-9x on it and gave it to him.

I too struggled with the choice of cartridge. I was torn between the .30-06 or the .300 Win Mag. I finally decided on the .30-06.

Reasons:
(1) Good, all-around cartridge.
(2) Excellent ammo availability (although the .300 Win Mag has excellent availability also).
(3) The '06 doesn't burn as much powder so it should have somewhat better barrel life. (Admittedly not a major issue.)
(4) Less recoil so it's more pleasant to shoot during a day at the range.
(5) A very wide selection of factory loads.
(6) Sufficient power for most anything in North America and it's excellent for African plains game as well. That covers a lot of uses.

The good ol' .30-06 is still hard to beat when all factors (shootablity, ammo availablility and selection, price, and versatility) are considered.

Just my two cents...
Bob F.

[ 01-30-2003, 03:08: Message edited by: BFaucett ]

I'll second the vote for the Howa 1500. Hell of an accurate rifle, top quality machining and barrel, and a sweet price. I got mine in stainless/synthetic for $399 NIB. Mine is a .30-06. Before I added a a 300 Win Mag to my safe, I would have agreed with the 30-06 recommedation. Now, I'd have to give the edge to the 300 Winchester Magnum.

BFaucett's setup would be sweet. Mine wears a Bell & Carlson stock and a Sightron SI 3-9X40.

My first centerfire as a lad was a 30-06. Over the subsequent 43 years, I've tried and handloaded another 15-20 calibers from 22 Hornet - 510 Wells. My first choice is still the 30-06 which works fine on most game. Between the two rifles you mentioned, I'd probably go with a stainless/synthetic stocked M-70 although the Ruger is good too. My personal preference would be an older commercial FN Mauser.

[ 01-30-2003, 05:51: Message edited by: fla3006 ]

Another vote for 30-06.

as Jim Carmichael said: you never make a mistake choosing a 30-06.

30/06, it is boring I know, thats beacuse it kills and pefroms so well with "boring regularity"

The Thirty Caliber Ball Cartridge of 1906 will never die!

Dan

I've got three modern 30 cal's, 308, '06 and 300 win. I honestly believe if I could only keep one and had to hunt with only factory ammo I'd go for the '06. Most will shoot reasonable well with 150-180 gr. loads, and you can also get lighter and heavier loads. Ammo is a lot cheaper than for the 300, around Houston anyway, and you can buy '06 ammo at any Walmart in the states. Now you may laugh at that but I've been on more than one trip where someone forgot to bring ammo, if they are shooting an '06 you can stop anywhere and find a selection.

While I do not disagree about the versatility of an 06 I would throw a number of the 7mms in the hat as well. For most NA game they have become just as versatile as the 30-06 and some may be more suitable for some of the lesser game.

For an all around shooter the 7-08, 284 win, 280 and 7MMRM would all qualify. And as Paul said, if Alaska is in the future then a more suitable rifle would be a good idea anyway.

JL:

A 300 Winchester Magnum!

I recommend the CZ 550.

B

The Two Rifles you mentioned and add the Browning A-bolt.
Although any of the cailbers would be fine,I would go .3006 Frist then the .300 WSM and Win Mag.

Defintely buy your 06 in a cz 550 there the ducks nuts !!

JLH,

Since I am in your back yard so to speak and hunt all the game available in AZ. and the west. You have choosen wisely the 06 will take on most tasks we find in this state from elk, antelope, deer, bear etc. My father purchased and 06 in 1964 over a 270 because Keith Atchesons'(sp) father recommended it as a minimum for AK. I still have the rifle today.

Sure it may not be the best antelope round or too much for Javelina but it will get the job done. The factory ammo available today is some of the best and you can choose premium or non premium bullets from 125-220 grs.

Just my .02 worth

BD

Get it in the CZ, they are bloody unbeatable.

I forgot to recomend a rifle, I'm quite fond of the Ruger M77's, though a CZ-550 would also be a fine choice. Top it with a Leupold VX-II 2-7, or a VX III 2.5-8.

I would have to vote for the 300WSM.

Well you picked 3 good calibers.I to thing the tried and true 30-06 but think you should of added the 308 win in your picks but it's hard to beat the 06.For prob the only rifle you own well good luck

For AZ I would pick the .300 WSM in a heavier rifle with a 24" barrel.....like an M70 Coyote! Heh Heh! Top it off with good glass and a nice sling, maybe a detachable bipod.

JL,

3006 in a pre-64 Mdl. 70 Winchester, with the MC stock, not that hard to find. Top it off with a Leupold 2.5 x 8 and get him hunting.

HBH

I vote for the 06 for the same for reasons. I hunt with two rifles 3006 and 338 win mag, If I do my part there is nothing from Alaska Canada or the lower states that will stand up to them.
Old Timer

30-06 or 308

I'll vote 300 win--you can load it down to duplicate the '06 but you can't bring the '06 to the capability of the 300. Think of it like buying a car--would you take the 4 cyl if the 6 cyl was the same price??

Since this will be his first hunting rifle I would go with the 30-06. If/when he hunts something bigger outside of Arizona [or even the BIG Elk in AZ] he can use the Federal High Energy loads with premium bullets.
If he gets the "bug" and can afford a Brown Bear hunt he can get a bigger rifle.
Allen is right about the 308, I have used one quite a bit, anything that can be done with a 270 to a 30-06 Ill do with one of my 308,s. You can get Federal High Energy loads for the 308 also.
One BIG ADVANTAGE of the 308 is that you can buy quality military surplus 7.62 [308] ball ammo for real cheap compared to hunting ammo, thus he could afford to shoot a lot ie. several thousand rounds. This would do wonders for his shooting skill.


[ 02-01-2003, 06:45: Message edited by: N E 450 No2 ]