Opinions on Rifle Caliber for multiple species

[Shadillac1]

Wanting to get my son on a youth hunt but need to get him a rifle first. I am wanting to buy him a rifle that he can use for the rest of his life and will be treasured as my first gun that dad gave to me and so that it can become part of a memorable hunt. I want to get him something that he can hunt Whitetail, Exotics (Axis, blackbuck, fallow, hogs, etc.) Mule Deer and possibly Elk if he so chooses later in life. What would be a good all around caliber for this? Also, trying to stay away from something that he will not enjoy shooting from the recoil standpoint.

I am thinking .270, 30-06 or .308. Not sure what the legal minimum is for Elk is. I have never been Elk Hunting but had heard in some states you can only use .30 cal or higher.

Thanks for inputs.

[champion221elite]

With the exception of Elk, everything on your list could be easily handled with a .243 or 6mm.

If the ability to take Elk is necessary, I'd go with a .308 or a 7mm-08. Any larger caliber might be too much recoil for your son... especially if he's of small stature or recoil shy. The recoil difference between a .308 and a .30-06/ .270 is significant.

[vatreefarmer]

That's quite a large range in game size. Many will agree that the 270 is the minimum for Elk. In fact the late Jack O'Conner wrote about how the .270 is suited for all North American game. I agree that the .270 may be a bit much for a young guy, as excessive recoil creates bad shooting habits. However the 7mm-08 would be a great choice for all other game you mentioned and could be a great firearm to carry into he deer woods every year for a lifetime

[Bronzebackpro7]

First choice would be 7mm-08. Second would be the .308, it can do everything the 270 can with lesser felt recoil and a shorter action

[Santeerangerman]

Your list was incomplete. Allow me to fix it for ya...

.260 Rem
.260 Rem
.260 Rem
.260 Rem

You can pick up a new Rem model 7 syn for around $525.00 and have a rifle that will last him a lifetime.

Here's some info on the .260 Rem ballistics from a article on Sniper Central...

"An interesting note is that the Lapua 123gr Scenar bullet has a BC of .547 which is better than the 30 cal 190gr Sierra Matchking (.533), and if it can be launched at 2900fps<u> it will exceed the ballistics of the 300 Win Mag Federal Gold Match Load at long range</u>"

"Overall, the 260 is a great caliber for mid range sniping (out to 1000 meters) in smaller to midsized weapon systems <u>as it far exceeds the ballistics of the .308 and with less recoil.</u> The round inherently has good accuracy and enough energy mixed with outstanding long range performance to make it a serious player."

As far as ELK go, I'd have no problem tackling a Elk with mine at ranges under 300 yrds.
The 6.5x55 Swede is easily the most popular moose caliber in Sweden, and the ballistic twin to the .260 Rem. Both use a .264" dia bullet.

[Shadillac1]

Thanks guys, I think I am leaning towards the .308. This caliber has alot of flexibilty and being a short action he should be able to handle the recoil. Also, the ammo should be readily available and somewhat cheaper than some of the specialty calibers. Comparing this with the 7mm-08 the balistics are almost identical but I think the ammo will be cheaper and easier to come by than the -08.

Thanks for all the inputs.

[ChrisH]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Shadillac1 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Thanks guys, I think I am leaning towards the .308. This caliber has alot of flexibilty and being a short action he should be able to handle the recoil. Also, the ammo should be readily available and somewhat cheaper than some of the specialty calibers. Comparing this with the 7mm-08 the balistics are almost identical but I think the ammo will be cheaper and easier to come by than the -08.

Thanks for all the inputs. </td></tr></table>.308 is probably the right choice. im thinking about getting one myself. my .300 WSM is a little too much for what i hunt anyways.

[jclark408]

.308...........round choice is practically endless and easily available........arguably one of the best rounds ever developed

[BP in ME]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Shadillac1 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Thanks guys, I think I am leaning towards the .308. This caliber has alot of flexibilty and being a short action he should be able to handle the recoil. Also, the ammo should be readily available and somewhat cheaper than some of the specialty calibers. Comparing this with the 7mm-08 the balistics are almost identical but I think the ammo will be cheaper and easier to come by than the -08.

Thanks for all the inputs. </td></tr></table>

That's a good choice for an all-purpose weapon. And the point about ammo choices and availability is a good one.

What is the recoil of the .308 vs 7-08? I'm a big fan of the 7-08 because I like the way the ballistics hold up to .308 and .270 without the kick. And don't forget he can use managed recoil for practice and on the lighter game. It costs more but it's much easier on the shoulder.

I don't recall that you mention the age of your son but if he's still young then I'd hesitate to buy him the forever gun now. I lugged a Model 94 all through my teen years and then graduated to a Model 700 when I was full grown and was able to choose what I wanted in a gun. For me, that was a lightweight, short-action bolt. Others lean towards the semi-autos and a few like the lever.

[Skeet'r89]

"I am wanting to buy him a rifle that he can use for the rest of his life and will be treasured as my first gun that dad gave to me and so that it can become part of a memorable hunt."


That could be any gun, but will unlikely be the gun for everything. The 243 would be a great youth gun. In later years he may charish it as a great critter gitter. I love my 7-08 but it is more versital as a hand load option. The 308 will need some light weight bullets to not be very hard on him{.IMO}
As far as a 30-30 model 94, I think they kick perty damn hard with the light weight and narrow stock design. OH yea, the 260 would be in the list for sure. You will want to stay away from the 30-06 based cartriges(25-06,270,280) They will pound a bit to hard I am sure.

[DIXIEDOG]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Shadillac1 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote"> I am wanting to buy him a rifle that he can use for the rest of his life and will be treasured as my first gun that dad gave to me and so that it can become part of a memorable hunt. I want to get him something that he can hunt Whitetail, Exotics (Axis, blackbuck, fallow, hogs, etc.) Mule Deer and possibly Elk if he so chooses later in life. What would be a good all around caliber for this? Also, trying to stay away from something that he will not enjoy shooting from the recoil standpoint.

</td></tr></table>


Sounds like you want to get him a Thompson Encore...start him with a .243 barrel and if the opportunity arises to hunt larger game you can get a larger barrel, decide to go bird or rabbit hunting....pop a shotgun barrel on and you're good to go...muzzleloading season...they've got a barrel for that too. It's hard to beat the versatility of the Encore product line. Used barrels are easy to come by and reasonably priced, with a few barrels you can hunt any animal in North America with ease.

[hatcreek]

Curt... As several have said, the .260 Rem is a great little round... Very versatile & great ballistics...

...That said, for an all-around North American game caliber, I'd suggest that you step up a bit and look into the .260's larger, older and much superior cousin, the .280 Rem... It's a 30-06 case necked down and mated to a 7mm bullet (originally, and stupidly, marketed in a pump rifle as the 7mm Rem Express)...

Great versatility of loads... The 7mm is a handloaders dream... Prairie dogs to Moose, someone builds a 7mm bullet that's built specifically for the job... High energy, low recoil, super accuracy potential...

But... Not a 'common' caliber... High-dollar ammo if buying factory loads... If you can find them.

An earlier poster mentioned the .270 Win and Jack O'Connor's nearly wholesale endorsement of that round (many thousands of us grew up with Jack's adventures and reading of his beloved sheep hunting in the west)... I remain in awe of Mr. O'Connor's influence on the American hunting scene post-WWII... Interestingly enough, Jack had a tremendous influence on another shooting/writing icon... Jim Carmichael... Who wrote for Outdoor Life magazine for years... Jeez... I'm old.

Carmichael was having a custom rifle built at one point... late in O'Connor's life. Thinking he'd please Jack by saying it was being built in a .270, he described the gun... He got a letter back from Jack saying, "Make it a .280, it's a better caliber."

Fairly strong praise from a great authority.

[snodogg]

Just a suggestion ...30-06 as I've seen some reduced recoil rounds available, then he can still grow into the gun.

[artcarney_agr]

I would go with the .308

Shot my first deer with one that was borrowed. Then got my own .30-30 that has dropped no telling how many deer, which I still have and use it for nostalgia hunts in thick woods, and now mainly use a .30-06 for open field hunting or where most shots will be 70+ yards


Interesting info on the .308:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.308_Winchester

[ljarrell4LSU]

I have a 308 and LOVE it. I shoot 150 grain for white tail not had one move more that 20 yards.

[Bassman25]

you really need to think about the .300 WSM or the .325 WSM. Seriously, look at the ballistics...

[Longrodder]

7 Mag...will kill anything he will be hunting and IMO is the best all around round you can buy.

[T Dub]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by ljarrell4LSU &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I have a 308 and LOVE it. I shoot 150 grain for white tail not had one move more that 20 yards.</td></tr></table> I'm gonna get a .308 soon - what ammo are you having such good luck with?

[Beast]

7mm08
270
30-06
you can't go wrong with any of these, the 7mm08 is fast becoming a favorite. I would recommend a bolt action of longevity.

[ol man river]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by DIXIEDOG &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">


Sounds like you want to get him a Thompson Encore...start him with a .243 barrel and if the opportunity arises to hunt larger game you can get a larger barrel, decide to go bird or rabbit hunting....pop a shotgun barrel on and you're good to go...muzzleloading season...they've got a barrel for that too. It's hard to beat the versatility of the Encore product line. Used barrels are easy to come by and reasonably priced, with a few barrels you can hunt any animal in North America with ease.</td></tr></table>


^^^^^^

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