Beginner Hunter Caliber Question

[TMB 1]

Yep nothing wrong with Remington. What bugs me about Freedom Group is they stopped making H&R rifles.


I have an MVP it's not too bad, no rust and it's accurate. Don't own a Patriot, but messed with a couple they seemed as good as Savage.

Mossberg should bring back their 800. I have a 800 BM 243 I got used awhile back its a nice rifle. Hadn't been used much.

[tomrkba]

What are your thoughts on starting with a 308?

My first bolt action was a Savage 10FP in 308. It was fine.

First rifle I ever shot was a Winchester Model 100 in 308. It kicked hard. I was 12 years old. I shot a 2-3” group at 100 yards, then finished the box with better results. I shot another box and got an invite to the local rifle team.

[FishnHunt]

338 Lapua vs 30/06 recoil comparison is the dumbest suggestion I Have seen in a Long time.
So the Lapua is a bench rifle that has a brake? and the 06 is a standard hunting rifle with out a brake?
If so, how’s that a fair comparison? If one is braked and one isn’t ? Or how much weight difference is there?
OP, Hunting rifle with a brake is going to hurt your hearing if you’re in the field and don’t have Time to put in Ear plugs.
Just came across this.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/13423732/1

[Bisley]

What are your thoughts on starting with a 308?

It will make a fine caliber........once you actually learn the rifle skills you already mention you don't have. Adults are no different than kids, and there's a reason why kids start off learning to shoot small calibers, THEN get their hunting license, and THEove up to a larger caliber and learn to hunt.

If you go out with any kind of rifle with any hint of recoil or muzzle blast and little to no time behind a rifle you will spend a fortune and a boat load of time trying to determine if you have a rifle that just won't shoot, a load it just doesn't like, or really, really bad habits because haven't learned yet. Learning curves are very important.

[Paradiddle]

270, 308, and 30-06 all pretty much feel the same when fired from a rifle IMO - and I have owned all three and shot them all back to back.

Now - 7x08 feels like it "kicks" softer. Because it does. And oh boy does the high BC of 7mm bullets really work. Balistically it's the same as 308/270 and the only thing the 30-06 has on it is the ability to get above 170 grain bullets.

Metric is where it's at. 6.5 for deer and pig, 7mm for Elk and above.

Enjoy. Go visit 24hourcampfire for some more in depth hunter knowledge.

[LynnJr]

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...ics/13423732/1

Fishnhunt
You are invited to the shoot as well and can post again after you shoot both side by side. The 338 Lapua Ackley Improved doesn't have a brake or a break and neither does the 30-06. There is a weight difference.
At our 2000 yard matches the first lady shooter to qualify at 2054 yards shot the 338 Lapua Ackley Improved without any problems at all.
The worst recoiling rifle I ever shot was a 308 Winchester lever action. 3 shots and that was enough.

[AGGRO]

What are your thoughts on starting with a 308?

A fine round, MJB told me around camp beers it's his favorite. Who knew

[Spyder]

And if they mention headspace burn your computer.

[7anthony7]

[FishnHunt]

Stupid iphone break ! Lol.
We are talking hunting rifles not long range target rifles.
I have cz over/under 12 gauge, that with 2 3/4” bird or trap shot it kicks like 3.5” goose load. Some guns just don’t transfer energy well or do they deliver it too well?

[LynnJr]

And that is exactly my point!!!
A 30-06 in a decent stock isn't going to beat you up and make you flinch like has been posted here.
There are far more lady shooters on the line at a 50 BMG match than you see in the other disciplines. Here if your first rifle is a 300 win mag your shoulder will fall off and the earth will quit spinning around its rotational axis.
If everyone started out shooting a 308 lever Winchester the sport would already be extinct.
Linking to non California hunting likewise doesn't help the original poster. Some states are so flat they use shotguns from tree stands to avoid sending ricochets into the next county.
In California he needs a rifle that has plenty of copper ammo and with our typical cover he needs to put the animal down and not track it all day.

[FishnHunt]

So are you suggesting that OP gets? 308, 30/06, 300 win mag, 338 LMAI, 50 BMG?

[LynnJr]

So are you suggesting that OP gets? 308, 30/06, 300 win mag, 338 LMAI, 50 BMG?

The OP gave us 2 choices and I suggested 30-06 because as of 2019 the nonlead ammo rule comes into play.
Not many bullet choices in 270.
Now if he opens his choice up to any rifle 243 or 308 have a great many more bullet choices than the 270 does.
And keep in mind he mentioned elk hunting in his original post. I have killed a 6x6 bull with a 243 but haven't shot any elk with a 223.
The 50BMG is no longer an option in California.
The 338 is to dependent on how he hunts.
The best all around options are 243 ,308,30-06 and the only one he listed was 30-06 out of those.
In 2020 or 2021 I am sure the ammo makers will step up to the plate and more choices will open up for the non reloaders.
And my prediction is lots of wounded and lost animals this year because of poor bullet choices for non reloaders.

[FishnHunt]

Only reason I suggested 223 is because of his limited rifle skills. Never ever would I recommend 223 for elk! But deer and pigs. No problem!
Ammo is cheap and he can practice all day long and not feel it in his shoulder or wallet. Once he tries To stretch out 223, wind and drop will be more significant. It will also teach him the importance of consistency of putting his cheek in the same spot to look Through his scope.

[Bisley]

Only reason I suggested 223 is because of his limited rifle skills.

Finally! Someone actually gets it! I sure hope a person with admittedly almost no rifle experience AND still decides that after a couple boxes of ammo in a medium bore rifle he's ready to hunt is hunting in your other guys' area and not mine!!!