Best all around caliber

[jack43]

Guys, I am looking at buying a new rifle. I am covered when it comes to small game rifles, With my .22LR, but I really want something to just go all around hunting. I was looking for a type of rifle that I could go bear hunting with one day and then switch it up and go deer hunting and everything in between. Do yall know of any rifles that fit that description? My price range would be at a max of about 500.00 dollars. Ohh yeah guys, I went out and bought a regulations book and I am going to take hunting classes come spring. thanks everyone.

[BigBoreDan]

I would suggest you take a look at the Weatherby Vanguard and Tikka T3 and see which one fits you best. For caliber look at either the 30-06 or .308 if you are on a budget.

[reitzs]

If you are on a budget you can't beat a Savage 110 or 111. I bought one about 4 months (30-06) ago and so far have put about 100 rounds through it at the range. It puts up 1-1/2 groups or less at a 100yds. Topped it off with a Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40 for $182 with Leupold rings included. As far as caliber goes, the 30-06 and 7mm would be good enough for bear and perfect for deer. If you want to make sure you have enough gun for bear, I would go with and 300 WinMag (if you can handle 40lbs of recoil). Shot about 5 rounds out of my friends without a recoil pad and lets just say I wont be doing that again. Good luck.

[Rattle em up]

I have to agree with the 308 it is absolutely 100% positively the best all around bullet IMO. Factory loads from 110grns to 200grns. And is used effectively for varmint hunting to moose. In the off season you can brush up on your skills by hunting varmints and come elk season your primed and ready to go.
The 308 seems big for varmint, but the bullet will pass thru without expanding if a proper bullet is selected... leaving just a small hole in the skin. It is used for this purpose because of the light recoil and it's inherent accuracy. recoil will be between 12 and 17lbs depending on bullet size.

My all around favorite rifle is a 308 Ruger Hawkeye.

Regards,Rattle'em up

[jgd227]

I have to agree with REITZS, bang for the buck pick up a Savage . I bought a Walmart special in .243 a few years ago for my sons first deer rifle , 4 years and 4 deer later a great shooter, not the best looking one on the block but right out of the box a great shooter at a fair price. 30-06 or 308 great round and easy to find.
Good Luck

[BigBen55]

The problem with the best all around caliber, the one pill that cures prairie dogs and bears is that it just doesn't exist. I guess the .30-06 or maybe even the .308 would be your best bet. They'll certainly work on larger game, and as was previously posted, you can throw in a 110 grain bullet and take prairie dogs.

I was trying to get rid of some 150grn .30-06 rounds and so I shot at a couple of prairie dogs, and I must say it has a different effect on them than does my .243. (to see the difference, go here: http://benhunting.blogspot.com/2008/01/243-win-vs-30-06-on-prairie-dogs.html (warning, contains pictures of prairie dogs with exploded heads)).

The problem with using the .30-06, or a .308, as opposed to a .243, or even better, a .22-250 for varmints is twofold. One - they burn lots of powder (adds up in $$), and two, the added recoil can add up after a long day of shooting (.308 is certainly mild though).

If I were you I would aim at getting a rifle to fill the varmint to deer sized game range, and then a second rifle to fill the deer to big stuff range. I understand that money is a concern, but if you're going to drop the money to go for a hunt, can you really afford to go out with the wrong equipment?

[reitzs]

I can definitely agree with you on that BigBen. I was pondering about something similar when I made my first post but didn't right anything about it. If you go in the two gun direction, I recommend trying to buy the smaller caliber used. I know local gun and pawn shops around my house are always stocked with used 22 to .243 caliber rifles for cheap.

[ROM]

I like the effiecient cartridge fronteer. The .308 is a great choice in terms of bullet cost and capability. Next would be the 270 WSM followed by the .300 WSM.

I own the .308(my first gun) and a .300 WSM. Both in savage. Savage accuracy is great from what I hear and experience.

I don't know if I would buy anything but a leapold for a scope. I have a bushnell(on the .308) and I am not happy with it.

My next gun will be a 7mm-08 in savage for deer. In the meantime the .300 is the go to gun.

If it was a first big gun I would say hands down the .308 fits the bill. If you check out the Hornady rounds they can make the .308 worthy of elk out to 300 yards.

R

[ROM]

Savage Stevens with a leupold rifleman is about $580. It should last a lifetime. If it was me I would consider the extra for the accutriger. They are nice.

r

[tjen]

I agree the 308win would be best with the 30-06 if you were consistently shooting longer ranges. If you hunt say 50-300 yards and also hunt the thick stuff where shots are from 15 to 70 yards consider using two scopes with quick detachable rings so you won't have to comermize with just one scope. a 1-4 to 1.5-5 is a very fine close cover scope and good out to say 150-200 yards and then a 3-9 will work for say 50 to 300 yards or more. The reaaon I like the 308 is it will come in a short action gun most of the time and it will be a better handling gun for close cover hunting

[tjen]

I agree the 308win would be best with the 30-06 if you were consistently shooting longer ranges. If you hunt say 50-300 yards and also hunt the thick stuff where shots are from 15 to 70 yards consider using two scopes with quick detachable rings so you won't have to comermize with just one scope. a 1-4 to 1.5-5 is a very fine close cover scope and good out to say 150-200 yards and then a 3-9 will work for say 50 to 300 yards or more. The reaaon I like the 308 is it will come in a short action gun most of the time and it will be a better handling gun for close cover hunting