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!
Calibre Advice for the 'all rounder'?
- Thread starter Bigfoot1973
- Start date
Thanks Tim. I'm starting at 308, with the potential to be convinced otherwise. Reply much appreciated.
doric_prince
Well-Known Member
One of 7mm magnums will serve you well at home in the uk, for all deer but the smallest (they work just can be messy on the carcass) and abroad for bigger stuff. But plenty of .30 cal alternatives too.
I went through exactly the same debate three years ago when I started stalking, and in the end plumped for .308 as it covers all UK species including boar, the ammunition is readily available, and there are loads of second hand rifles out there. Not as flat shooting as the more "trendy" calibres, but still puts the deer on the deck, and has the stopping power at longer distances. Very happy with all the animals I have shot so far, and meat damage on Muntjac and Roe has been minimal when chest shot.
Regards,
Sandy
Regards,
Sandy
When I went from fox to deer many many years ago I followed the experienced stalkers advice and went with a .270. Now I have the choice of half a dozen different rifles and calibres to choose from and all of them do the business. I prefer being over gunned than under, I think you could pick from .270 / .308 / 30.06 and be well served.
.308W
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
7x57 is to my mind the best balanced all round do anything cartridge. However its not that common these days.
308 Win does everything you need from a deer stalking perspective and is available everywhere.
If you are hunting on open ground Scottish Hill the 270 win may well be a better choice.
If you don’t like recoil, not shooting biggest of deer all the time then a 243 Win, or 6.5 will be a good option.
308 Win does everything you need from a deer stalking perspective and is available everywhere.
If you are hunting on open ground Scottish Hill the 270 win may well be a better choice.
If you don’t like recoil, not shooting biggest of deer all the time then a 243 Win, or 6.5 will be a good option.
.30-06.
You can find ammo that’ll send a 150gr bullet at c2,700fps for smaller UK deer, through to full power 168gr for larger UK and then up to tough 180gr-220gr for anything overseas.
Ammo is available anywhere you’ll get ammo.
It’s got to be one of the best ‘all round’ cartridges if you’re not doing serious long range or properly dangerous stuff.
That’s from an avid .270 fan. I consider that a great deer cartridge (perhaps better than the .30-06) but it doesn’t have the ability to handle tough heavy bullets for the more solid overseas stuff.
You can find ammo that’ll send a 150gr bullet at c2,700fps for smaller UK deer, through to full power 168gr for larger UK and then up to tough 180gr-220gr for anything overseas.
Ammo is available anywhere you’ll get ammo.
It’s got to be one of the best ‘all round’ cartridges if you’re not doing serious long range or properly dangerous stuff.
That’s from an avid .270 fan. I consider that a great deer cartridge (perhaps better than the .30-06) but it doesn’t have the ability to handle tough heavy bullets for the more solid overseas stuff.
alberta boy
Well-Known Member
The 308 is hard to beat as an all rounder , even out here . I have a number of friends who use theirs on everything from White-Tails to Moose with great results . I have one 308 that's set up for hunting deer in fairly thick cover , it's a very pointy little thing that will also take Moose , Elk and Bear with a simple change in bullets . It's also easy to find quality ammo if you don't reload . The same can be said for a number of cartridges like the 270 , 30-06 and other chamberings . Picking out your new rifle is half the fun .
That being said , I've carried a 30-06 for all the game we have for over 45 years . It is my choice for an all round rifle , there isn't much you can't do with one . If I were you , I'd handle as many different rifles as you can and see what fits you best and go from there . The deer won't notice the difference between any of the above mentioned cartridges to be honest .
AB
That being said , I've carried a 30-06 for all the game we have for over 45 years . It is my choice for an all round rifle , there isn't much you can't do with one . If I were you , I'd handle as many different rifles as you can and see what fits you best and go from there . The deer won't notice the difference between any of the above mentioned cartridges to be honest .
AB
tusker
Well-Known Member
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
Tusker
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