Hunting Rifle - XDTalk Forums

frogger42 · 10-24-2009, 10:48 PM

I want to add a hunting rifle to my collection. I think I have it narrowed down to a Tikka T3 or a Ruger Hawkeye. However, I can't decide on a caliber. I do not hunt often so I want one gun that can do as much as possible. In my area, the most common game is whitetail deer, boar and black bear. However, I'd like something that I can take anywhere in North America if I want to hunt something like Elk or Moose in the future. I'd also like a very common round so that ammo is easy to find. I'm currently looking at the .308 Win or the .30-06. I like the flatter trajectory of the .308 and the shorter action, but I'm not sure if I should go with the .30-06 which I think is a bit more powerful. What do you guys think?

**ryr8828** · 10-25-2009, 06:45 AM

Subscribing as I'm thinking of buying a bolt gun for elk also, need to take Dad elk hunting in Colorado.
Since he has the motorhome I guess he'd be taking me, anyway he can't go by himself.

Been doing the research but more opinions are usually better.

Cuda66 · 10-25-2009, 09:29 AM

.308 or .30-06 will work fine on elk or moose, and both, as you pointed out, are common rounds.

Either will do just fine for the purposes you give, with an edge to .30-06 (more for availability of heavier bullets).

I'd also consider .270.

**tigertonytigger** · 10-25-2009, 09:52 AM

30-06 is always my pick.

**magnumize** · 10-25-2009, 10:15 AM

Ive had my Winchester 70 in 30-06 for 10+ years.I think the 30-06 is a great caliber,and always easy to find ammo for it.

rayikeo2 · 10-25-2009, 11:37 AM

I think you should consider the new "Short Magnums" for what you are describing to possibly hunt.

jj79 · 10-25-2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogger42

I want to add a hunting rifle to my collection. I think I have it narrowed down to a Tikka T3 or a Ruger Hawkeye... In my area, the most common game is whitetail deer, boar and black bear. However, I'd like something that I can take anywhere in North America if I want to hunt something like Elk or Moose in the future. I'd also like a very common round so that ammo is easy to find. I'm currently looking at the .308 Win or the .30-06. I like the flatter trajectory of the .308 and the shorter action, but I'm not sure if I should go with the .30-06 which I think is a bit more powerful.

the .308 would be my choice. it is plenty powerful for elk/moose with the right bullets...and it's the perfect choice for your local game.

you already like the shorter action, so it's a no-brainer... also, the -06 will have a touch more recoil; just something to think about.

-JJ

bigun · 10-25-2009, 12:50 PM

I have a T3 in 7mm08 and would not feel undergunned on anything shy of Grizzly bears, It is also one of my 2 most accurate rifles only beaten out by my SAKO 75 Varmiter.

joshua79109 · 10-25-2009, 12:59 PM

Can't go wrong with the 308.

My favorite hunting rifle is a 270wsm, but you might want a little more for elk. The 270wsm will do a fine job on elk, but if you are buying factory ammo, you might want something a little larger.

The 300wsm might be perfect for you, especially if you reload. The 300wsm can be a little much for deer, but if you reload you can adjust the round for different animals.

.45StillAlive · 10-25-2009, 01:10 PM

30-06 FTW! so many different load variations.

10-24-2009, 10:48 PM	#1
frogger42 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NC, USA Posts: 310	Hunting Rifle I want to add a hunting rifle to my collection. I think I have it narrowed down to a Tikka T3 or a Ruger Hawkeye. However, I can't decide on a caliber. I do not hunt often so I want one gun that can do as much as possible. In my area, the most common game is whitetail deer, boar and black bear. However, I'd like something that I can take anywhere in North America if I want to hunt something like Elk or Moose in the future. I'd also like a very common round so that ammo is easy to find. I'm currently looking at the .308 Win or the .30-06. I like the flatter trajectory of the .308 and the shorter action, but I'm not sure if I should go with the .30-06 which I think is a bit more powerful. What do you guys think? __________________
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10-25-2009, 06:45 AM	#2
ryr8828 XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 2,257	Subscribing as I'm thinking of buying a bolt gun for elk also, need to take Dad elk hunting in Colorado. Since he has the motorhome I guess he'd be taking me, anyway he can't go by himself. Been doing the research but more opinions are usually better. __________________ http://thepartisanpatriot.com/ "God and guns Keep us strong. That's what this country Was founded on. Well, we might as well give up and run If we let them take our God and guns."
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10-25-2009, 09:29 AM	#3
Cuda66 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: McLeod County, MN Posts: 1,951	.308 or .30-06 will work fine on elk or moose, and both, as you pointed out, are common rounds. Either will do just fine for the purposes you give, with an edge to .30-06 (more for availability of heavier bullets). I'd also consider .270. __________________ I never learned from a man who agreed with me.--R.A.H
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10-25-2009, 09:52 AM	#4
tigertonytigger XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: West Virginia Posts: 437	30-06 is always my pick. __________________ XDM9 HS2000 1st gen. (first XD-9) XD9sc Ruger LCP .380 w/ laser (SOLD) Ruger Mark III Bull Barrel Heritage Rough Rider .22 Stag Arms L1 AR-15 .223 Ruger M77 30-06 Ruger 10/22
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10-25-2009, 10:15 AM	#5
magnumize XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: ky Posts: 2,731	Ive had my Winchester 70 in 30-06 for 10+ years.I think the 30-06 is a great caliber,and always easy to find ammo for it. __________________ Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take away everything you have..The course of history shows that as Government grows,liberty decreases...Thomas Jefferson The enemy teaches their kids how to handle RPGs and Ak-47s...our schools suspend kids for drawing a picture of a gun and teach Earth Day and putting a Trojan on a banana.Whats wrong with this picture?...Brickboy240
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10-25-2009, 11:37 AM	#6
rayikeo2 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 747	I think you should consider the new "Short Magnums" for what you are describing to possibly hunt.
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10-25-2009, 12:50 PM	#8
bigun XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southern Iowa Posts: 3,997	I have a T3 in 7mm08 and would not feel undergunned on anything shy of Grizzly bears, It is also one of my 2 most accurate rifles only beaten out by my SAKO 75 Varmiter. __________________ Police Firearms, Defensive Tactics, tactical firearms instructor. Beretta certified armorer.
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10-25-2009, 12:59 PM	#9
joshua79109 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Amarillo, TX Posts: 295	Can't go wrong with the 308. My favorite hunting rifle is a 270wsm, but you might want a little more for elk. The 270wsm will do a fine job on elk, but if you are buying factory ammo, you might want something a little larger. The 300wsm might be perfect for you, especially if you reload. The 300wsm can be a little much for deer, but if you reload you can adjust the round for different animals. __________________ USMC - SGT (Prior Service) NRA Endowment Member TSRA Member USCCA Member "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" Edmund Burke
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10-25-2009, 01:10 PM	#10
.45StillAlive XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 118	30-06 FTW! so many different load variations. __________________ "A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the *gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence* to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your *gun* therefore be the *constant* companion of your walk." -- Thomas Jefferson, Foley, ed., Encyclopedia of Thomas Jefferson, p. 318.
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