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If you had to choose just one! #7133503 04/05/18 05:50 PM
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Deersteaks Offline OP
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If you had to choose 1 rifle for your son or grandson to hunt with, and it was going to be the only gun he was able to own for his whole life. Not knowing what his hunting opportunities will be, but being able to use your knowledge and past experiences to help you guide him with his decision. Also, consider that he may hunt anything from coyotes and coues deer, to moose, or even say a lion or giant eland. You may also assume he can hand load his own rounds! This sounds like a tough question, but for me, all things considered, I would lean towards a 30-60!

Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: Deersteaks] #7133518 04/05/18 06:02 PM
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I am almost 70 and I started hunting when I was 6. I have used the same 30/06 my entire life. Yes, it kicked the fool out of me when I was little, but I learned to handle it. I have shot mountain goat in British Colombia and was laughed at by the four other hunters who all had 300 mags. However mine was the only one shot kill of the group. I've used it for antelope, whitetail, mule deer, pigs, bobcats, coyotes. It has never failed me. The only thing I ever did to it was upgrade the scope twice. However, two years ago, I bought a 270. Not because my gun ever failed me, but because it was a great great deal on a Weatherby and I had always wanted one. So now there are two rifles in my truck. If I could only pick one, I might shed a tear as I throw the Weatherby out the window and pick up my old trusty 30/06.


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Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: Deersteaks] #7133523 04/05/18 06:07 PM
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maximum Offline
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a .308 or 30/06 without a doubt if we're including large game
outside of Texas. ammo availability is a factor reloading or not.
you can find .308 or 30/06 everywhere at every mom and pop store.

although everywhere i've hunted in Texas a 30/30 has been more
than adequate.

Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: Deersteaks] #7133531 04/05/18 06:23 PM
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Been shooting the same old Winchester Model 70 .270 at everything bigger than birds or varmints since I was a small child, and it has been consistently great.

Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: Deersteaks] #7133538 04/05/18 06:33 PM
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With reduced recoil loads you can start him on what you think is the best. I started with a 6mm and still have it. Although I use a .270 90% of the time and my .280 or .223 the rest. I have not killed a deer with my 6mm in 23 yrs.


Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?[Linked Image]
Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: Deersteaks] #7133544 04/05/18 06:42 PM
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Sako or custom 30-06

Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: Deersteaks] #7133550 04/05/18 06:48 PM
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I think I would have it down to 7mm08 280 rem 7 mag and 30-06.

In honesty I think its impossible though, anything that would serve well for a across the board cartridge over here would be ill suited to lion, cape buffalo, elephant etc.

Last edited by redchevy; 04/05/18 06:52 PM.

It's hell eatin em live
Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: Deersteaks] #7133644 04/05/18 08:29 PM
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270

Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: Deersteaks] #7133654 04/05/18 08:42 PM
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30.06. The first rifle I purchased was a Sako 30.06 for exactly OP reason... for life for a do-all gun with lots of ammo choices for subject game. Still use that as my go to choice most of the time over my others 30.30, 223, 270, 6.5CM and others.

Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: skinnerback] #7133667 04/05/18 08:54 PM
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Originally Posted By: skinnerback
270

x2

Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: Deersteaks] #7133695 04/05/18 09:14 PM
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I purchased a Browning A-Bolt Gold Medallion chambered in 30-06 in the late 80's. Chambering was chosen because I knew it would kill anything I would ever hunt and that the ammunition could be purchased anywhere. It has served me well and it will be one I will be handing down to my children...that is when I'm finished with it. LOL


John

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Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: Deersteaks] #7133718 04/05/18 09:36 PM
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too broad a spectrum. whats overkill on coyotes would be undergunned for big bears and stuff like eland.

For a true one gun do it all in north America, I would opt for a .300 win mag. Yes a .30-06 will do it but a .300 win mag will do it better.


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: Deersteaks] #7133728 04/05/18 09:49 PM
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Amazed to see that so many see the versatility of the honorable 30-06. A 110 grain for small game and a 220 grain for moose, elk and bear and many choices in between. The gun I used successfully for 40 years until I could afford the whim of some less versatile but useful calibers. If only one could be had the 06 would be it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last edited by Flashprism; 04/05/18 09:53 PM.
Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: Flashprism] #7133738 04/05/18 10:01 PM
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Originally Posted By: Flashprism
Amazed to see that so many see the versatility of the honorable 30-06. A 110 grain for small game and a 220 grain for moose, elk and bear and many choices in between. The gun I used successfully for 40 years until I could afford the whim of some less versatile but useful calibers. If only one could be had the 06 would be it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


question....


why so little mention of the .300 win mag?


spitting the same bullets as the 06' but at faster speeds = more versatility


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: Deersteaks] #7133753 04/05/18 10:25 PM
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One of the big 300's would be a great choice if a lot of big stuff was going to be hunted. Particularly dangerous game. Would be a bit over gunned on smaller animals. 30-06 would be a logical choice if mostly medium sized animals were hunted. You could get by going after big stuff too. Maybe a bit under gunned on large dangerous game but it would work. I think I would gravitate to my comfort zone and opt for the 7RM though.


Smokey Bear---Lone Star State.
Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: Mr. T.] #7133755 04/05/18 10:26 PM
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Originally Posted By: Mr. T.
I am almost 70 and I started hunting when I was 6. I have used the same 30/06 my entire life. Yes, it kicked the fool out of me when I was little, but I learned to handle it. I have shot mountain goat in British Colombia and was laughed at by the four other hunters who all had 300 mags. However mine was the only one shot kill of the group. I've used it for antelope, whitetail, mule deer, pigs, bobcats, coyotes. It has never failed me. The only thing I ever did to it was upgrade the scope twice. However, two years ago, I bought a 270. Not because my gun ever failed me, but because it was a great great deal on a Weatherby and I had always wanted one. So now there are two rifles in my truck. If I could only pick one, I might shed a tear as I throw the Weatherby out the window and pick up my old trusty 30/06.


clap

Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: Deersteaks] #7133781 04/05/18 10:46 PM
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30-06, no questions. I got one when I turned 14, bought my son one for his 14th bday. My grandsons will each get one too. up


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Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: Deersteaks] #7133792 04/05/18 10:54 PM
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30.06 IMO ...


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Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: Deersteaks] #7133858 04/06/18 12:02 AM
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30-06 is the way to go.

Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: Deersteaks] #7133909 04/06/18 01:00 AM
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It would either be a 270 or a 30-06.


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Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: Deersteaks] #7133918 04/06/18 01:15 AM
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30/06 hands down

Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: Deersteaks] #7133929 04/06/18 01:22 AM
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.270 .


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Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: Deersteaks] #7133946 04/06/18 01:45 AM
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378 Weatherby will kill pretty much anything but ammo is expensive and the rifles are heavy. It might not be the best mountain or sheep rifle because of the weight. One of the 338 or 300 magnums are probably the closest you can get in a reasonable weight rifle.

Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: Deersteaks] #7133950 04/06/18 01:48 AM
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If I could only leave them one it would be a .300 Win Mag.

Glad that it’s just a hypothetical though.


Originally Posted by Russ79
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.


Re: If you had to choose just one! [Re: Deersteaks] #7134090 04/06/18 11:18 AM
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.300 WM......


"You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas".
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