I've got a 30-06 and a .375 that Gene Simillion built for me. Those two calibers cover a lot of territory. I also have a .404 jeff that was built by Sterling Davenport and greatly enhanced by Gene.

I'm thinking about another custom build and I'm trying to figure out the most versatile all around caliber that one would want below the 30-06. The smallest I would go is .243 and I'm looking for a caliber where ammunition is available and will be around for a long time.

Curious what you all would recommend and why?

Question:
If you had a 30-06 and wanted an all purpose hunting rifle in a lesser caliber, what would you build?

Choices:
.243
.25-06
.260 / 6.5 Creed
7mm-08 / 7x57
.270
.280
.308

 

I voted 270 and for a couple of reasons.

For me, the 270 is quite a lot better than the 30/06 for small animals at long range. Accuracy, velocity, wind drift is a better thing with 110 grain 270s than anything you can stick in a 30/06. Actually in my case for two rifles I would prefer 270 and 375 as opposed to what you have with 30/06 and 375.

With 25/06 (and 6mm/06) both can do better than the 270 on the much smaller animals at long range but they really need to be in an "accuracy rifle" to show any pluses. Even with an accuracy rifle there is not much in them. I have had both 6mm/06 and 270 on switch barrel bench style rifles.

Then you said "I'm looking for a caliber where ammunition is available and will be around for a long time." and that puts the 270 ahead of some others on your list.

7X57 without a doubt. It has earned its laurels for over a century.

You have a 30-06 so that covers all. but for fun I would definitely go with the 7x57, I saw it kill an elephant with a heart shot, the bull ran 100 yards and expired..Ive shot a lot of big game with the 7x57 with nary a complaint, and that included 7 buffalo in about 10 or 15 minutes, and with old green milsurp ammo and it misfired about 6 times in the melee..I sat in the top of a tree until the calvery arrived..

243 as you can cover varmints to deer.

You have everything else covered

7x64 - nuh said ...

but can't really go wrong with any listed

The .270 and 7x57 are two of my favorite calibers, but they overlap the 30-06 to a large degree. From the cartridges you listed I think the 25-06 makes the most sense, great long range varmint round and also very effective up through medium size game.

275 Rigby; no question about it. The 270 is too close to the 30-06 and has no reason to exist.
The 257 Roberts would be a good choice but not on your list.

Tom, I agree with you. Also the 270 has a limited supply of bullets available in across the counter ammo or aftermarket.

I picked the .280 Rem for the reason I have one. I like it. However, all of the calibers listed are excellent. The .243 is fun to shoot as well. Not as stout as the others but fun.
If I were doing what you are doing I would likely chose the .275 Rigby just for fun.

270 Winchester.

Bullets are very available: Noslers goes up to 160, Woodleigh goes up to 180, Hornady has a VLD 145.

Personally, after more than a few graphic one shot kills on 210 pound live weight animals I see no need for anything but 140 grain, .277 Accubonds/TTBBC/Gamekiings/Whatever style you like.

Most guys shooting 7mm Magnums are shooting 140 grain bullets. The .277 caliber is just more balanced with a 140 grain jacket and core bullet.

I respect DPCD knowledge, but respectfully dissent on the .270 Win. I do agree it is very close to the 30/06.

I got news for the Cult of Creedmore. It will not shoot noticbly flatter than a 270 when both are loaded with 140 grain bullets or even a 30/06 with 180 grain bullets. Velocities and BC per bullet design are the same.

Can you tell I have no use for the 270? I have owned probably a dozen of them; never fired one. Good as donor actions only.
The only reason it even exists is because the hunters wanted something a bit smaller than the 30-06 but since everything German was banned during WW1, metric cartridges were shunned.
It should have been a 280.

My 270 has been my go to gun for over 30 years...third scope and second barrel. 130, 140 and 150 gr factory ammo all go into the same one inch group.. (witnessed).

This is one caliber that seems to do that on a regular basis. If I remember right, Jack O Connor noted the same thing

We all have our prejudices. The difference in Tom and me is I HAVE fired the ones I am not crazy about. The OP was seeking versatility below the 30-06, some of the calibers listed fall short in that regard, at least IMHO.

Thanks guys. While I like the .270 & the .280, I feel I'm not getting that far away from the 30-06.

The .275/7x57 does seem like a great choice, I am surprised no one really stepped up for the 6.5's?

I like the 25-06, bit more difficult to find ammo but I think its capable up to deer size game and offers lower recoil and flat shooting.

Another of my personal hunting rifle criteria is that I don't want something that someone else will have in the field. That is boring.
And I never take the same rifle twice; like women and shoes at parties.
Nor do I carry anything off the rack, except double rifles.
(I don't really have anything against the 270; just that it is common.) Please, no more hate mail.
Be unique.

I sure agree Tom.

I find the high ranking/selection of the 7/08 and 7 X 57 interesting given he has a 30/06. Assuming equal pressure loads the 30/06 will equal the velocities of the 7/08 and 7 X 57 with bullets of equal SD. I simply can't see what the two small 7mm calibres offer over a 30/06.

I have no prejudice concerning calibers,I do concerning bullets...I will gladly hunt with every caliber mentioned on this thread. Within reason just put a gun in my hands and turn me lose, the results are always the same. About the only difference is how far I will take the shot, and that's usually less than some think inasmuch as the 06 is a 30-30 at some point in its travels...I killed and/or have seen game with a multitude of calibers over the years,concluded when used properly they all work, that includes arrows, spears, bayonets. I don't recall rocks but rumor has it that's been done to.

I use to hate the .270 Win as well. No hate mail here. I am glad I had to go to the Big Bore rehab program to appreciate the 270 Win.

You can get 100 grain bullets for your 30-06 if desired and up to around 220 grain.
I had 2 25-06, one a custom, and both were a piece of schiff. You can buy up to 115 grain 6mm bullets now. There are a few .277 bullets out there, but not near the selection of 308, 284, 264, or 243.
I think we all have favorites and there is no wrong answer.

Big fan of the 7's in non-mag. First choice 7X57 even with the limited case capacity. .280 Remington ain't no slouch either.

25-06

One of my favorite rounds for deer/antelope.

115 gr. Ballistic Silvertips @ 3,060 fps. Flat out kills these animals. This is factory ammo.

Far enough removed from your 30-06 to be truly different, plus a great coyote/varmint caliber to boot.

85 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip @ 3,550 fps. 5" low @ 300 yds., 15" low @ 400 yds. This too, is factory ammo.

I love my 280 Rem., but it's too close to your 30-06 to be really needed in your battery.

However, I own them all, plus more in between, so what the heck...

Life is fun. Live it up!

260 is very nice. less recol and able to hunt most everything you don't already have covered.

I voted 6.5 my favorite being the Swede variety, but thought about a 7x57. But a 7mm is just a little too close to a 30-06.

.260 Remington. It's absolutely deadly on whitetail. I just built one for my eight year old son in a 6lb gun and he's able to handle the recoil well. And since everyone has a Creedmoor these days the .260 Remington would be my preference for a custom gun.

.280 Rem

Never bought into all the hype on the 6.5 until I bought one, albeit a 6.5x284. Reasonable recoil, unbelievably accurate, and puts whitetails down better than any other caliber I have tried. Bullet weights up and down, can use it for anything in NA short of big bears.

The Creedmore is in 'vogue' right now, so the loaded rounds are much cheaper. Have a cousin with a 260 and he is looking to trade it in on a Creedmore since he doesn't reload and the current pricing and availability of the Creed are that appealing.

I don't jump on the band wagon with "new
cartridge's"

But..the Creedmore is just a little too good not to become a mainstream. It does shoot right alongside the 270 with (in my opinion) almost no recoil. And.. in a shorter action. It will do
nothing that a hopped up 6.5 Swede won't do, but you can buy "hopped up" right off the shelf.

I think widespread availability is a plus

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
I don't jump on the band wagon with "new
cartridge's"

But..the Creedmore is just a little too good not to become a mainstream. It does shoot right alongside the 270 with (in my opinion) almost no recoil. And.. in a shorter action. It will do
nothing that a hopped up 6.5 x 54 won't do, but you can buy "hopped up" right off the shelf.

I think widespread availability is a plus

+1

I also like the 270 I just acquired.

I also like the fact the 2-3 academy stores on the way to the gun range always stock plenty of 30/06, 6.5 and 270 all for sub $20 a box.

Mike

I find on the poll the very low numbers for the 243 interesting. I would bet in the real world the number of blokes who have a 30/06 the 243 would be much more common as a second gun than the poll indicates. However, I think most would agree that forums are representative of the what actually happens.

AR is like Australia's biggest guns/hunting forum where you would get the impression that the 9.3 X 62 and 375 H&H are behind every second bush.

25-06 for all the above mentioned reasons, if you want to shoot 140's in all the other caliber's just shoot 150's in the 30-06

100 gr ttsx's are a hammer for small deer sized game

quote:

Originally posted by Mike McGuire:
I find on the poll the very low numbers for the 243 interesting. I would bet in the real world the number of blokes who have a 30/06 the 243 would be much more common as a second gun than the poll indicates. However, I think most would agree that forums are representative of the what actually happens.

AR is like Australia's biggest guns/hunting forum where you would get the impression that the 9.3 X 62 and 375 H&H are behind every second bush.

I hunted mule deer in Nebraska in 2017. I drove from central Florida to Nebraska.

I stopped at every bass pro, cabelas and a few gun stores. I could not find any 9.3x62.

I was going to give the rifle to a buddy on my return and thought I would get some ammo just in case the 308 win blaser had any issues.

9.3x62 is a forum rifle for sure.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:

quote:

Originally posted by Mike McGuire:
I find on the poll the very low numbers for the 243 interesting. I would bet in the real world the number of blokes who have a 30/06 the 243 would be much more common as a second gun than the poll indicates. However, I think most would agree that forums are representative of the what actually happens.

AR is like Australia's biggest guns/hunting forum where you would get the impression that the 9.3 X 62 and 375 H&H are behind every second bush.

I hunted mule deer in Nebraska in 2017. I drove from central Florida to Nebraska.

I stopped at every bass pro, cabelas and a few gun stores. I could not find any 9.3x62.

I was going to give the rifle to a buddy on my return and thought I would get some ammo just in case the 308 win blaser had any issues.

9.3x62 is a forum rifle for sure.

Mike

Another "forum calibre" at least in a Australia is the 7mm/08. 260 Rem is in the same boat. 6.5 X 55 were common when they were first imported by one of our large guns/related importers who specialised in a lot of the ex el cheapo military and the M96 in 6.5 X 55. However, modern new rifles another forum calibre. Again, in Australia.

My guess is and I think this would also apply to Americans and AR is a far higher, many time higher percentage of blokes with the 375, 300 Wby or whatever will be found on forums. I know you love Blasers and I reckon both on AR and Australian forum they are way over represented ditto for Mark V and Sako. However,I reckon a higher percentage of Australians would use Sako and Blaser than Americans and I think it is a cost issue since we are paying all the costs asssociaated with importing and import agent having to hold stock no matter what brand of rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike McGuire:

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:

quote:

Originally posted by Mike McGuire:
I find on the poll the very low numbers for the 243 interesting. I would bet in the real world the number of blokes who have a 30/06 the 243 would be much more common as a second gun than the poll indicates. However, I think most would agree that forums are representative of the what actually happens.

AR is like Australia's biggest guns/hunting forum where you would get the impression that the 9.3 X 62 and 375 H&H are behind every second bush.

I hunted mule deer in Nebraska in 2017. I drove from central Florida to Nebraska.

I stopped at every bass pro, cabelas and a few gun stores. I could not find any 9.3x62.

I was going to give the rifle to a buddy on my return and thought I would get some ammo just in case the 308 win blaser had any issues.

9.3x62 is a forum rifle for sure.

Mike

Another "forum calibre" at least in a Australia is the 7mm/08. 260 Rem is in the same boat. 6.5 X 55 were common when they were first imported by one of our large guns/related importers who specialised in a lot of the ex el cheapo military and the M96 in 6.5 X 55. However, modern new rifles another forum calibre. Again, in Australia.

My guess is and I think this would also apply to Americans and AR is a far higher, many time higher percentage of blokes with the 375, 300 Wby or whatever will be found on forums. I know you love Blasers and I reckon both on AR and Australian forum they are way over represented ditto for Mark V and Sako. However,I reckon a higher percentage of Australians would use Sako and Blaser than Americans and I think it is a cost issue since we are paying all the costs asssociaated with importing and import agent having to hold stock no matter what brand of rifle.

There are 60 blaser stock dealers in us. 1/2 shotgun and 1/2 rifle. Only one guys does both in any scale. You will be hard pressed to find any blaser stuff - scope mounts ect at any big box or regular good gun shop.

On ar a lot more blasers are owned than admitted by members they own one . Worried about Todd Williams, Saeed, mossberg_butch bullying them

The one round I haVe been surprised to find on a regular basis is 35 wheelen.

7/08 can be found. 260 Remington tough. 6.5 Swede about as likely as 9.3x62.

The modern American hunting rifle is - ruger American, savage axis, Remington. High end is tikka and browning.

Why the 6.5 creedmoor is so great - the 6.5 Swede and 260 Remington comp is available everywhere including wal mart.

Mike

Tikka is low end in Australia. In the Howa/Vanguard class but very common.

For someone spending money the Model 70 variations would be the pick and also Sako and Mark V Accumark but far less of those two than M70.

Calibres here are 223 (the number 1), 22/250, 243, 270, 308 and 30/06 but with 308 well in front of 30/06. The 308 would rank as number 2 and like the 223 be mostly found in the cheap rifles like Howa/Vanguard/Tikka and used with the cheapest ammo available.

The more powerful stuff would be 300 WSM, 300 Winchester, 300 Wby, 338 and 375 and plenty of Marlin 45/70s.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike McGuire:
I find on the poll the very low numbers for the 243 interesting. I would bet in the real world the number of blokes who have a 30/06 the 243 would be much more common as a second gun than the poll indicates. However, I think most would agree that forums are representative of the what actually happens.

AR is like Australia's biggest guns/hunting forum where you would get the impression that the 9.3 X 62 and 375 H&H are behind every second bush.

The 243: Well...sorta used to like it, but when I lived in WY, had plenty hunters show up with the 243 for pronghorn. Never saw a one sot kill!

Doesn't mean the 243 isn't up to it , at least in theory. but the cartridge is on my list of "no confidence"

270 does all I need with 110 to 150gr bullets.

270 Win. for me also. With Barnes LRX 129gr. I can cover lots of venues. The only other caliber I would consider if I want something different is the 257 BOB.

Since you already have the 06 in this situation, really what I see the niche would be less recoil and more range. The .243 and the .25-06 are really the more versatile choices given that. I’d go with the .25 06, as it has more versatility with regards to game animals on the long range end than the .243, but still can be loaded down for recoil tolerance.

Admittedly, if you are looking for plain versatility, the .308 and the 7x57 essentially cover the same ground as the 06 more or less.

The .270 is a good round, and can do what the 06 does except on the heavy end. It’s got more velocity, so it will handle range estimation errors better, but inside 300 yards, it does nothing the above (06, 7mm, 308) don’t do, and it’s not capable of handling heavy weight bullets as well as the above, so while I have no issues with it, it doesn’t float my boat at all.

Frankly, if I am looking for a complement to an 06, it’s a .375 and a .22 centerfire of some stripe, probably a .223 given it’s cheap ammo, but a .22-250 works too.