My '06 had a 1-4X Leupold scope. 1X when still hunting shelterbelts, 4X in the open. I never used 2X or 3X. My roberts had a Leupold 2 1/2-8x Vari-X II.
My '06 had a 1-4X Leupold scope. 1X when still hunting shelterbelts, 4X in the open. I never used 2X or 3X. My roberts had a Leupold 2 1/2-8x Vari-X II.
I vote for the 30-06. I have a M77 Ruger lightweight with a 3-9 power scope. That would be my choice for anything in open country. Big scary stuff or really anything at closer range, I have a double rifle with express sights.
Tim
Words are weapons sharper than knives - INXS
The pen is mightier than the sword - Edward Bulwer-Lytton
The tongue is mightier than the blade - Euripides
I am a fan of the 260 more than the 6.5 Creedmore though I do not have any of them built but do have a couple three 260 barrels for Savage bolt guns just in case.
That said, the 6.5 Creedmore has deer written all over it in my opinion, if you are talking j words and hunting bullets.
I surely do not disfavor the 30-06 and would likely toss in the 270 Win or 270 WSM if that were on the OPs list but they are not.
If we are talking cast then I would go another tangent over to the 338-06. I was astounded by mine when I had that barrel mated up-to a Savage long action!
Three44s
Quote Originally Posted by Bret4207
“There is more to this than dumping lead in a hole.”
The 30/06 is never a mistake.................. I think Col. Townsend Whelen said that.
I have shot quite a few deer in my day. Most shot in Eastern States in type of terrain most deer are shot under 100yds. My longest shot was with 308/ 6x at 250yds. Most of mine were no more than 125yds. My favorite rifles were 30/30-308-30/06 all with 150gr bullet. The only other cartridge I used all the time was 35Rem. I’ve shot deer with many different cartridges, they aren’t that hard to kill. I don’t shoot deer with magnums because they ruin so much meat you might as well not have shot the deer. Right away you will get the , down load it crowd. This is true but why do that unless you are a one gun guy. I don’t think there is any doubt that 30-06 or 308 make best all around for most deer hunting. You can tinker with gimmick bullets and long range bullets but for bulk of your deer hunting needs 150gr SP of about any manf. will do nicely. Even Jack O’Connor the 270 guy gave 30/06 with 150gr credit for being universal load for deer sized game. This is easy 300yd load which takes care of about 98% of shots. Whatever the choice I would not steer a guy into a cartridge that is latest craze or one that is much more than needed for deer.
.30-06
I HATE auto-correct
Happiness is a Warm GUN & more ammo to shoot in it.
My Experience and My Opinion, are just that, Mine.
SASS #375 Life
Well I’m going to buck the norm and say I’d go for the 3006 .
Show your friend how to load his own It will cover all he will probably ever need .
It depends upon what and where you're hunting.
IDK how the terrain is where you're planning for, but IMO if it's wide open country you would be better off with a scoped rifle, .30-06 or 6.5
If it's somewhere like the breaks/badlands, I would think that the open-sighted .30-30 would be a somewhat better choice due to it's faster handling characteristics for any relatively close/fast shooting at suddenly presented game. (when game is further away, there's usually ample time to get set)
Whatever you choose, remember to not overthink things & have a good time.
.
Now I lay me down to sleep
A gun beside me is what I keep
If I awake, and you're inside
The coroner's van is your next ride
I wish I could go out there - not to hunt, just to visit. We had tickets to visit my sister in AZ in June but that got sidetracked. Love that wide open country. Last year we drove from SD to ND and back to SD. In the past few years, we also visited Utah, Wyoming, Montana, parts of Idaho.
I'd like to start a thread with shooters posting pics of where they shoot.
Anyways, thanks for the replies. I'm passing the info on.
Late to the post, but .30-06. Made around 45 one shot kills with 150 gr Hornady, all close range where I hunt in the woods. Longest shot 125 yds. And for full disclosure, one other deer shot 3 times, only about 50 yds. If you put the bullets in the wrong place, doesn't matter what cartridge your using.
I used to own all sorts of calibers and one day decided it was rather silly to have so many choices for the few times I will shoot a deer, bear or elk....the only big game I can hunt here in MI.
Given the choices you have given us, I would select the .30/06. And IMHO, no other caliber is needed for the majority of big game hunting in the lower 48.
The 6.5 will have less recoil if that matters.
Don Verna
One other factor is that in any general store or hardware store that sells ammo, you will probably find 30 06. Pretty much the Swiss Army knife of rifle calibers.
Worst mistake I ever made was when I was a teenager. Bought a box of Winchester Silvertips 150s.
They shot through deer like FMJs. Was using a Rem 742c/ K4 and first shot was classic lung shot. Buck took of running and I commenced shooting. I ran out and buddy shot it in the head with a 7mm Mauser. That is the only time I had troubles killing deer with 3006. On flip side I shot a doe one time with 721 Rem and a OO Buckshot in 3006.
Recoil isn't a problem - he's had a Mosin for years, and likes the vintage ammo. He's not into reloading, yet anyways.
I love my 30.06. I load 120 grain spire points with red dot for woodchucks and varmints. 160 grain coated cast for play on the range. I use remington 180 grain cor-lokt for big game.
One round at a time.
Member of the NRA,GOA and FAOC. Gun clubs Zerby rod and gun club. Keystone Fish and Game Association.
The '06 does almost everything well, maybe the best generalist round extant - extra true for anyone limited to factory ammo. That wrote, it is more than needed in a deer specific rifle. The 6.5Cr and 30-30 are both specialist rounds, with factory ammo, for medium game (deer size) farther (6.5Cr) and (30-30) nearer.
The first purpose of the Second Amendment is too often overlooked, fostering a liberty of mind and action necessary in the people of a free republic.
“Ironically, the only gun control in 19th century England was the policy forbidding police to have arms while on duty.”
~ Don B. Kates, Jr.
All a reloader and reasonably prudent hunter ever really needs is the 30-06. Load it up, load it down. Ground hogs to Grizzlies. Are there better calibers for each application, yep. Do you really need anything else, nope.
If he has a mosin that shoots well, he doesn't need any thing else other than a scope and mounts for the mosin and some soft point bullets.
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |