Calibre Advice for the 'all rounder'?

[baguio]

So, If I understand this correctly you want a calibre that you will use 99.9 % of the time in the UK and 0.1 % of the time abroad? 6.5 Creedmoor every time.
More than likely you will never use your rifle abroad because in the unlikely event that you ever book a trip abroad you will probably avoid the hassle of transporting firearms and borrow a rifle. Therefore, why even consider a calibre for use abroad?

 

[smokey]

Dear All, I am seeking advice from the experienced among the directory on a suitable 'all rounder' calibre to add to my FAC to take my shooting from vermin control to stalking and other opportunities both in the UK and abroad. I currently shoot small calibres up to .223Rem for vermin and after a recent trip to BC on a bit of an 'experience gathering' Mule Deer hunt I would like to apply for a variation to my FAC, the question of course is what calibre. Now I know there will be plenty of experience out there on the perfect rifles and calibres for numerous hunting / stalking types, but I have to start somewhere, and ideally I want to be able to span the worlds of deer stalking / overseas deer & other species hunting including boar. I fully appreciate scope / sighting optionsTrade & Supporters may need to be multiple but if I can nail down a calibre then I think that has to be first point in my research. My initial thought is 308, being a generally available calibre in both rifles and ammo, which should give me a decent choice of rifles to nail down something that can cope with various quarry and situations. I don't expect a simple answer to this admittedly 'very wide' question, but some advice from experienced people on here would be appreciated so I can gather some thoughts. Providing I can gain a variation I can look to a custom rifle build perhaps, and calibre I think is the starting point.......... any advice / comments / opinions welcome!

it depends on which way you go overseas but if you go west and shoot bigger deer in the uk and you can handle recoil a 270 or 30/06 ir you go east then 7 x 64 is a brilliant and very underrated cartridge in the English speaking countries

Dear All, I am seeking advice from the experienced among the directory on a suitable 'all rounder' calibre to add to my FAC to take my shooting from vermin control to stalking and other opportunities both in the UK and abroad. I currently shoot small calibres up to .223Rem for vermin and after a recent trip to BC on a bit of an 'experience gathering' Mule Deer hunt I would like to apply for a variation to my FAC, the question of course is what calibre. Now I know there will be plenty of experience out there on the perfect rifles and calibres for numerous hunting / stalking types, but I have to start somewhere, and ideally I want to be able to span the worlds of deer stalking / overseas deer & other species hunting including boar. I fully appreciate scope / sighting options may need to be multiple but if I can nail down a calibre then I think that has to be first point in my research. My initial thought is 308, being a generally available calibre in both rifles and ammo, which should give me a decent choice of rifles to nail down something that can cope with various quarry and situations. I don't expect a simple answer to this admittedly 'very wide' question, but some advice from experienced people on here would be appreciated so I can gather some thoughts. Providing I can gain a variation I can look to a custom rifle build perhaps, and calibre I think is the starting point.......... any advice / comments / opinions welcome!

 

[smokey]

30-06 is IMHO the best all round calibre. i have had mine for 20 years and taken game from Scotland to Africa . I have never felt it was too much for roe and it coped admirably with Eland. Driven boar in most Eastern european countries, ammo you can get anywere. At normal stalking ranges it has no peers. I have not taken anything beyond 300 yrds but that is because I prefere to stalk not snipe.
Tusker

shot all over the world as a semi pro hunter or pro only once went over 300yds in NZ on a bull Thar put over 8000 rds on Springbok -tommies & kudu for the biltong trade that was all with a full stock BSA stutzen in 30/06 stalker not one a be sniper

 

[Bigfoot1973]

So, If I understand this correctly you want a calibre that you will use 99.9 % of the time in the UK and 0.1 % of the time abroad? 6.5 Creedmoor every time.
More than likely you will never use your rifle abroad because in the unlikely event that you ever book a trip abroad you will probably avoid the hassle of transporting firearms and borrow a rifle. Therefore, why even consider a calibre for use abroad?

Valid point baguio, and you are probably right...... I hear the hassle of transporting firearms can be a right pain in the rear. Would have been nice to have my own gun on the recent trip I did to BC though. I am awaiting contact from the FEO as have as for a couple of calibres to cover my initial thoughts (.308 and .30.06) so might even vary that when I have the discussion. Having said that, with all of the numerous points of view I have received, maybe I'm overthinking this. Maybe I just go with a .308 at this stage for the varied and easy to obtain ammo, then when I finally enact my 'Exit Plan' from the world of work in 5 - 7 years I can then go for other calibres if I see fit. I know I can get a nice Sako in .308 so maybe that is a sensible plan at this stage, worry about the fine calibre details and choices for when I've cut my teeth on something bigger than my .223.

 

[Scotty99]

Thanks Gixcer, It's coming down to 308 or 30.06 but I'm edging towards 30.06 at this time, assuming I can get whatever rifle I settle on it that cal, which I'm sure will be easy enough with a decent gunsmith.

If your choice is narrowing to either .308 or 30-06 (both great choices by the way and I have owned both) then consider if you home load or not or are planning to.

If you don’t or will never home load go for the .308 because there is an abundance of factory ammo with a growing number of non lead options.

If you are a home loader or are planning to be one then go for the 30-06 as you can load bullets from 110grn right up to 200grn which will cover almost any game you might want to hunt with the exception of DG.

 

[tackb]

If your choice is narrowing to either .308 or 30-06 (both great choices by the way and I have owned both) then consider if you home load or not or are planning to.

If you don’t or will never home load go for the .308 because there is an abundance of factory ammo with a growing number of non lead options.

If you are a home loader or are planning to be one then go for the 30-06 as you can load bullets from 110grn right up to 200grn which will cover almost any game you might want to hunt with the exception of DG.

this applies to the 308 as well...........

 

[Bigfoot1973]

If your choice is narrowing to either .308 or 30-06 (both great choices by the way and I have owned both) then consider if you home load or not or are planning to.

If you don’t or will never home load go for the .308 because there is an abundance of factory ammo with a growing number of non lead options.

If you are a home loader or are planning to be one then go for the 30-06 as you can load bullets from 110grn right up to 200grn which will cover almost any game you might want to hunt with the exception of DG.

Thanks for the advice Scotty, which is very valid. To be totally honest I really don't think I have the time or patience to go down the home loading route. The idea sounds great, but i am very busy and really don't think I will ever have the need to home load if decent factory ammo exists. And I won't be getting through tons of ammo I doubt, so that is another tick in the box for .308. Gievn the rifle I'm thinking about (Sako 90) with a few tweaks am I really going to need to worry too much, doubt it, am I going to be shooting at over 200yrds, preferably not, so is .308 enough for me...... certainly looks that way in the short term

 

[Scotty99]

Thanks for the advice Scotty, which is very valid. To be totally honest I really don't think I have the time or patience to go down the home loading route. The idea sounds great, but i am very busy and really don't think I will ever have the need to home load if decent factory ammo exists. And I won't be getting through tons of ammo I doubt, so that is another tick in the box for .308. Gievn the rifle I'm thinking about (Sako 90) with a few tweaks am I really going to need to worry too much, doubt it, am I going to be shooting at over 200yrds, preferably not, so is .308 enough for me...... certainly looks that way in the short term

The Sako 90 in .308 is a great choice. I used to have a Sako 85 in .308 and it was super accurate.

 

[Scotty99]

this applies to the 308 as well...........

It does but the .308 still has the slight advantage of more factory ammo if he’s not going to home load. If I had to choose between .308 and 30-06 it would a tough choice which is why I had both a .308 and a 30-06 at one time. Couldn’t really justify two 30 cal deer rifles so today have just got the .308. However with all the praise the 30-06 is getting in this thread then I feel a variation might be being submitted soon.

 

[tackb]

It does but the .308 still has the slight advantage of more factory ammo if he’s not going to home load. If I had to choose between .308 and 30-06 it would a tough choice which is why I had both a .308 and a 30-06 at one time. Couldn’t really justify two 30 cal deer rifles so today have just got the .308. However with all the praise the 30-06 is getting in this thread then I feel a variation might be being submitted soon.

personally i think the 308 is the better choice , yes the 30/06 can beat it with carefully loaded handloads and heavy bullets but the margins are small realistically and will not make a real world difference so IMHO you'd be as well to get a proper big 30 cal magnum if you want properly improved performance over 308 ?

 

[Bigfoot1973]

personally i think the 308 is the better choice , yes the 30/06 can beat it with carefully loaded handloads and heavy bullets but the margins are small realistically and will not make a real world difference so IMHO you'd be as well to get a proper big 30 cal magnum if you want properly improved performance over 308 ?

I did think about going for a proper cannon, like a 300WM, but I don't think I need that...... and I can imagine some 'meat damage' in a lot of instances that could be otherwise avoided. as much as a bigger gun sounds a lot of fun I don't really need it I don't think (but I am in no way informed on that point, my .223 at this stage is the biggest rifle I have).

 

[tackb]

I did think about going for a proper cannon, like a 300WM, but I don't think I need that...... and I can imagine some 'meat damage' in a lot of instances that could be otherwise avoided. as much as a bigger gun sounds a lot of fun I don't really need it I don't think (but I am in no way informed on that point, my .223 at this stage is the biggest rifle I have).

meat damage is more a function of bullet design in my experience

i wouldn't jump into a 300wm or the likes as they can take a bit of experience to shoot well , i have a 300rum but it's a heavy long range rifle rather than a stalker

 

[Scotty99]

personally i think the 308 is the better choice , yes the 30/06 can beat it with carefully loaded handloads and heavy bullets but the margins are small realistically and will not make a real world difference so IMHO you'd be as well to get a proper big 30 cal magnum if you want properly improved performance over 308 ?

You are probably right at stalking distances there’s nothing to choose between them. Also I’ve got a .308 having sold my 30-06, so that says something.

 

[njc110381]

For use on bigger animals I'd prefer the .30-06 over the .308 simply because it handles the heavier bullets better. The question is, how often will you need a 180+gr bullet?

Looking at the website of my local RFD, they have 32 offerings of .308 ammunition and 14 offerings of .30-06. That says a lot in my book. I'm a home loader so would vote .30-06 all the way, but for you I'm not so sure? If you're buying factory ammo then the .308 will have a much better choice of ammunition at a lower cost and be available in pretty much all small town gun shops. The chances are that around here if the animal walks away from a bullet sent from a .308, sending it from a .30-06 instead isn't going to change much!

 

[Bigfoot1973]

For use on bigger animals I'd prefer the .30-06 over the .308 simply because it handles the heavier bullets better. The question is, how often will you need a 180+gr bullet?

Looking at the website of my local RFD, they have 32 offerings of .308 ammunition and 14 offerings of .30-06. That says a lot in my book. I'm a home loader so would vote .30-06 all the way, but for you I'm not so sure? If you're buying factory ammo then the .308 will have a much better choice of ammunition at a lower cost and be available in pretty much all small town gun shops. The chances are that around here if the animal walks away from a bullet sent from a .308, sending it from a .30-06 instead isn't going to change much!

I'm rapidly coming to the .308 conclusion, and if it needs a bigger bullet come up with some other plan which I expect would be a very rare occurrence.

 

[njc110381]

I'm rapidly coming to the .308 conclusion, and if it needs a bigger bullet come up with some other plan which I expect would be a very rare occurrence.

Going back through the posts it sounds like you won't be a regular traveller for a good few years to come? Get the .308. It'll do all you need it to here and most of the plains game, boar etc abroad. If at a later date you find the .308 can't handle what you're planning, get a third gun. Something like a .375H&H. Then you'll have a rifle for everything.

I've been through loads of cartridges and calibres because I get the itch for it and enjoy the experience. Truth be told, apart from my deep set hatred of the .243 they're all much of a muchness. There's nothing fun or exciting about a .308 but it works very well.

Find yourself a nice quick detach mounting system for the scope you choose. If you need a low magnification thing for boar later then you can pop it off in seconds and use a second optic in a second set of mounts to suit that purpose.

 

[KimE]

For use on bigger animals I'd prefer the .30-06 over the .308 simply because it handles the heavier bullets better. The question is, how often will you need a 180+gr bullet?

Looking at the website of my local RFD, they have 32 offerings of .308 ammunition and 14 offerings of .30-06. That says a lot in my book. I'm a home loader so would vote .30-06 all the way, but for you I'm not so sure? If you're buying factory ammo then the .308 will have a much better choice of ammunition at a lower cost and be available in pretty much all small town gun shops. The chances are that around here if the animal walks away from a bullet sent from a .308, sending it from a .30-06 instead isn't going to change much!

I use 180gr bullets in my 308w they work great for heavy game and the slower speed do also work fine for roedeer and fallow. 200gr do also work fine in 308w less expansion in a cup and core bullet and more penetration.

 

[njc110381]

I use 180gr bullets in my 308w they work great for heavy game and the slower speed do also work fine for roedeer and fallow. 200gr do also work fine in 308w less expansion in a cup and core bullet and more penetration.

Absolutely. But the .30-06 will make an extra 200fps/500ft-lbs with a 200gr bullet. Step up to a 220gr and the difference really starts to show. Neither will push a decent bullet beyond the velocity it was designed to cope with. When shooting the biggest animals, a cheap cup and core isn't really what you want to be using and an extra 500ft-lbs isn't going to be a hinderance.

As I said, for use here the argument is moot anyway. The .308 is great. I like slow and heavy too - I use a 200gr soft nose out of my .35 Whelen for muntjac, but it's loaded to be just about deer legal for everything local to me. It doesn't meet the velocity requirements for Scotland, it's barely doing 2000fps.

 

[Bigfoot1973]

Going back through the posts it sounds like you won't be a regular traveller for a good few years to come? Get the .308. It'll do all you need it to here and most of the plains game, boar etc abroad. If at a later date you find the .308 can't handle what you're planning, get a third gun. Something like a .375H&H. Then you'll have a rifle for everything.

I've been through loads of cartridges and calibres because I get the itch for it and enjoy the experience. Truth be told, apart from my deep set hatred of the .243 they're all much of a muchness. There's nothing fun or exciting about a .308 but it works very well.

Find yourself a nice quick detach mounting system for the scope you choose. If you need a low magnification thing for boar later then you can pop it off in seconds and use a second optic in a second set of mounts to suit that purpose.

Thanks for the advice on scope / mounts, was thinking I'd like the ability to swap between a deer scope and something suitable for boar perhaps (that could well be the subject of another thread in due course).

 

[ChesterP]

A .308 will take care of any UK legal species using a 150 or 165grn Gameking or similar, loads of suitable powders and off the shelf ammo. I'd also consider 260 rem, 6.5CM or 6.5 x 55 all of which are very pleasant to shoot. You may find a better non toxic bullet choice with the 308.