by Rod_outbak » 09 Apr 2018, 4:35 pm
I wouldnt consider .30-06 when buying a rifle for everyday hunting(Different story if buying a piece of history).
Nothing wrong with it, but the action length for .30-06 is longer than the .308, 7mm-08 or .260, and the .308 does everything an '06 does, in a shorter package.
.308 takes some beating for versatility; huge range of projectile options, and a good all-rounder rifle.
110gn V-max projectiles fairly scream out of the barrel of a .308, and explode on impact.
It is highly unusual to not be able to buy a box or two of .308 ammo from nearly any gun store across Australia, if you get caught out on a hunt.
Projectile options range from 100gn, right up to around 225gn, though you will need a pretty fast twist for anything above ~170gn.
7mm-08 is a pretty nice shooting calibre, but more limited in projectile options.
MUCH more limited in what you can buy off the shelf in the way of factory ammo, if needed.
[I find the 7mm-08 really needs the touch of 'Roll Your Own' ammo...]
Projectile options range from 100gn to 180gn.
A 6.5mm calibre like a.260Rem would be another flat-shooting option, and a LOT of pigs & deer have been shot by 6.5mm across Europe for most of the last century.
[AGAIN; nowhere near as much availability for factory ammo or projectiles in your average LGS]
Projectile options range from 95 to 160gn.
Even .243 will nail pigs and smaller deer, while still accurate for medium range.
[Lots of off-the-shelf options at the LGS, though]
Projectiles range from 58gn to 108gn.
I have a mate who has a Tikka T3 in .260 Rem, and it has nailed a LOT of roos at distance, the past few years.
Also very good at nailing pigs.
For roos, he mostly shoots 95gn V-Max, and they are pretty nasty.
I saw a rabbit explode from one shot.
The Hornady 143Gn ELD-X projectile is supposed to be for medium/large deer.
All 4 cartridges listed above are based on the .308 case, so lots of options for brass, and share a common action/magazine size.
Having seen the long-range performance of the 6.5mm calibres, I'd NOT consider the .270 in a new rifle, myself.
I'm pretty sure .270 is based on the parent of the .30-06 case; the .30-03.
I have two .308's, and a 7mm-08, and while I think they are all fantastic, I am seriously considering a .260 re-barrel for one of the .308's.
My suggestion is that if you are mostly reloading, I'd consider .260Rem, or .308 as a second choice.
My 2 cents..
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