What calibre for next rifle?

[sandgroperbill]

Ok, ok, I'm going to be "that guy". If you have settled on .308, it will be solely for hunting and you think you may get into reloading, perhaps consider .30-06. Gives you a little more versatility when reloading. 220gr roundnose, anyone?

But, a .308 is completely suitable for any serious hunting you may do in oz. As for the .308 ammo being more readily available than .30-06? I have never found a store with .308 that didn't have .30-06 right next to it. But... You can get ADI and OSA in .308, which makes it pretty attractive if you won't be rolling your own.

[Gibbo]

30-06

I have a 308 and my mate has a 30-06, both REM700's. Our other mate has a Sako 270. We all reload. My 308 has a varmint barrel (10 twist) and a break fitted and I can shoot it at steel for a bit of fun all day no worries. We have all played with 110 gr on foxes and heavier stuff out to distance. His 30-06 is a deer gun, hunter profile barrel, etc.

For what it's worth my 308 is more accurate, easier on the shoulder and can be shot for fun no worries. I wouldn't want to use the 30-06 for anything other than sighting in and stalking/shooting deer. It is much lighter and an easier carry.

The Sako 270 is a tack driver. Medium stainless barrel roughtech, very nice. But twice the price of our Remingtons and you have to get decent glass or you are letting the gun down... so pricey option.

Anyway... I like my 308, my mate likes his 30-06 and my other mate likes his 270 and all would kill a deer dead.

If I were picking one for strictly deer only i would go the cheap 30-06 because I know I would only end up going deer hunting 1-2 times per year and I would rather save the money for a upgrades to my 223 or 308 or a new shotgun or 22LR or night vision scope or fridge for the ute or a new tent or 7000 rounds of 223 or an exotic animal like a small monkey, etc.

[WayneO]

30.06 for people who want a big caliber but who are to scared to shoot a .375 H&H

[happyhunter]

30.06 for people who want a big caliber but who are to scared to shoot a .375 H&H

375 H&H is not that heavy on recoil. It's more like a 'push' than a 'punch' on the shoulder. My mates little 5'2" hottie missus shot one and after only having shot a 12 guage and her first shot response on the 375 was "Can I have another shot?"

[darwindingo]

Good on Her that's awesome !!!! Hope she has the bug and takes up the sport ! My little hottie's first shot was a .458 win mag... I have to say that she grouped better than 9/10 (rather) experienced mates when they had their turn.. I was seriously impressed and proud !!!

I've told her that a " You name it and you've got it " policy with regard to her choice of firearm will be facilitated...!!

Cheers

Jeff

[Elek]

30.06 for people who want a big caliber but who are to scared to shoot a .375 H&H

One could read that as saying .375 H&H is for people who want to feel tough but not shoot sensibly. Meh.

.375 is a lot of gun, relatively speaking, excessive for the majority of hunting in Australia, including deer.

If you want one for whatever, great. If buffalo or regular big game make it a smart choice, great.

Knocking anyone for not enjoying shooting one is just posturing, poor form IMO, it doesn't make you a tough guy if you shoot one, and doesn't make you a wuss if you don't.

A .270 like OP originally asked about would be fine, as would a .308, 30-06 or similar cartridge. Thousands of deer are cleanly taken every year with these cartridges proving so.

For deer I'll happily shoot the cheaper, gently options thanks.

[WayneO]

30.06 for people who want a big caliber but who are to scared to shoot a .375 H&H

One could read that as saying .375 H&H is for people who want to feel tough but not shoot sensibly. Meh.

.375 is a lot of gun, relatively speaking, excessive for the majority of hunting in Australia, including deer.

If you want one for whatever, great. If buffalo or regular big game make it a smart choice, great.

Knocking anyone for not enjoying shooting one is just posturing, poor form IMO, it doesn't make you a tough guy if you shoot one, and doesn't make you a wuss if you don't.

A .270 like OP originally asked about would be fine, as would a .308, 30-06 or similar cartridge. Thousands of deer are cleanly taken every year with these cartridges proving so.

For deer I'll happily shoot the cheaper, gently options thanks.

I kind of think that you missed the sarcasm in that post, but fortunatly we have that covered; heres your sign

[Oldbloke]

How many times has this been discussed? A hundred times. In my view my preference in order would be:
3006, 308, 270. All good and ammo is easy to obtain, prices reasonable.

If you hunt only ocassionally, dont send a mint on the rifle. Any of the common brand rifles will shoot good enough for hunting if you reload.
I have 2 Marlin bolt actions and they shoot better than moa. Yet everyone reakons they are s**t. And they were cheap as chips.

[WayneO]

if i was going for 1 rifle only for hunting in Australia, I would be hard pressed to choose between the .270, .308, 7 x 57 and 30.06
However just because its not very common and its different, I would probably go with a 7x57, but if being practical is important, then the .308 would get my vote.

[MalleeFarmer]

I think you have made a wise choice on the .308 I have 2 a HB Howa (plinking and longer range hunting) and a MkX Mauser 20" barrel 3-9x40 scope it's my scrub gun and I love it it's my favourite rifle and most accurate. Having said that I probably love the .308 as I have one, it was a toss up between that and the 06 when I bought my first .30
Either the .30-06, .308, or .270 will serve you well and all of them with correct shot placement will not be out of their league anywhere in OZ. Buff may be the only exception.

[Zilla]

Either the .30-06, .308, or .270 will serve you well and all of them with correct shot placement will not be out of their league anywhere in OZ. Buff may be the only exception.

That's the whole conversation in a nutshell.

A 140gr - 150gr hunting bullet and decent shot placement out of any of those will all drop a deer, and anything smaller, just the same.

[Title_II]

30-06

I have a 308 and my mate has a 30-06, both REM700's. Our other mate has a Sako 270. We all reload. My 308 has a varmint barrel (10 twist) and a break fitted and I can shoot it at steel for a bit of fun all day no worries. We have all played with 110 gr on foxes and heavier stuff out to distance. His 30-06 is a deer gun, hunter profile barrel, etc.

For what it's worth my 308 is more accurate, easier on the shoulder and can be shot for fun no worries. I wouldn't want to use the 30-06 for anything other than sighting in and stalking/shooting deer. It is much lighter and an easier carry.

The Sako 270 is a tack driver. Medium stainless barrel roughtech, very nice. But twice the price of our Remingtons and you have to get decent glass or you are letting the gun down... so pricey option.

Anyway... I like my 308, my mate likes his 30-06 and my other mate likes his 270 and all would kill a deer dead.

If I were picking one for strictly deer only i would go the cheap 30-06 because I know I would only end up going deer hunting 1-2 times per year and I would rather save the money for a upgrades to my 223 or 308 or a new shotgun or 22LR or night vision scope or fridge for the ute or a new tent or 7000 rounds of 223 or an exotic animal like a small monkey, etc.

Get the monkey!

[Festus Magnus]

OP here: after further thought, I couldn't make up my mind between a .308 or .30-06. But I knew what I wanted: a Browning X-Bolt (alongside the Miroku MK10 and the Browning T-bolt).

So I popped into my LGS yesterday and found out they had a composite stainless steel X-Bolt in stock, but only in 30-06. That was enough for me to make a decision! Also bought a Bushnell Elite 3500 4-12x40 with Leupold rings and bases.

I was actually after an X-Bolt that had a complete black composite stock, but the faux-maple upper half of the stock is actually starting to grow on me. At least it's something different to look at!

Thanks again for all the advice fellas, and here are some photos for your enjoyment!

[MalleeFarmer]

Looks Good I'm sure it won't dissapoint.

[chrispy88]

If you had have left it at "faux maple upper" and not included pics I'd have turned my nose up. But the pics show a nice contrast on the rifle. Enjoy mate.

[Mongrel]

Looks good mate, but looks to flash to get dirty LOL

[darwindingo]

Nice. Try not to kiss her good night in front of the missus, they get jealous..