.30-06 Best all Around Cartridge?

[Glenn W]

A light bulb just turned on in my head--- scary, I know.

I'm more of a shotgunner than a rifle shooter, so an analogy just popped into my head: When someone asks me what is the best "all around" shotgun to use for most anything, I say without reservation a Berreta 391 (actually a 390, but they're not made anymore). The 391 may not be the absolute best goose gun, it sure ain't the "best" for Trap or skeet, is not the lightest, or most reliable scatter gun, but for a one size fits all: from upland birds, to clays, to waterfowl, to deer, you just cannot beat the versatility of the 391.

Right or wrong, this versatility analogy brings me back to the good ole .30-06--- hmmmmm?????

[merry marlin]

So much good info on here I thought I'd ask the specialists...
Haven't rifle hunted since we moved here but did quite a bit in the past. My all-Round Cal. was the Mauser 8x68S with a good Zeiss. That thing did not make prisoners!
What would the closest thing be here?
I got a 300 weatherby but have only tried it on deer!
MM

[cravertosu]

Remember, professional snipers, both military and civilian, use .308s 85% of the time. Long range shooting, or killing is about accurately doping the wind and bullet placement.

JPH,

Just wanted to give you a heads up this has changed. In a bolt action platform, it's moving to the .300 Win Mag with some units using the .338 Lapua.
The M24 was originally designed to be upgraded to chamber the .300. It's taken a while but the change is finally happening.

Tim

I miss my baby!

[cravertosu]

So much good info on here I thought I'd ask the specialists...
Haven't rifle hunted since we moved here but did quite a bit in the past. My all-Round Cal. was the Mauser 8x68S with a good Zeiss. That thing did not make prisoners!
What would the closest thing be here?
I got a 300 weatherby but have only tried it on deer!
MM

That 8x68 is going to be a big ol' round for deer! Not really familiar with it at all but looking it up puts the size similar to a .325 WSM which is a pretty new round. Looks like a pretty decent round, I've never shot it. Probably a bit of an overkill for NC whitetail.

Hope that helps.

Tim

[seapower]

It's probably already been said, but the real trick is hitting what you're aiming at. All will kill if they're placed well. Find the gun that shoulder's well (quickly, no straining to get on target) for you, then get it in the 30-06 and go to work. Frank

[nautiduck]

It's probably already been said, but the real trick is hitting what you're aiming at. All will kill if they're placed well. Find the gun that shoulder's well (quickly, no straining to get on target) for you, then get it in the 30-06 and go to work. Frank

Best advice yet.

[dakndug]

Wow this is a huge subject. You could ask this on 20 forums and you'll get 2000 answers.

First off the 06 is the BEST all around caliber. And that could actually be said about 30 cal in general, but that is round dependant. Any (ok most) 30 caliber rifles can be loaded from 110 gr to 220gr. You can't say that about most other calibers. But the 06 and I own 2 and Dave S can tell you I shoot mine alot, are great guns. But any gun is only as good as the person pulling the trigger. I have a Win Mod 70 with the BOSS and I will tell you that it drives tacks and it's killed a ton of game. Deer, elk, hogs, groundhogs, you name it, it's shot it. And done a great job.

I have 2 other choices for Big Game shooting that I like, one is my 300RUM, it's a SAKO and it drives tacks! I can shoot it out to 1000yds accurately and love this gun. It has a Zeiss 6.5-20 on it and is clear as a bell. It really is a nice shooter and it can handle any NA game.

My other choice is the 6.5X284. Another long distance tack driver with great big game knock down power. Very accurate and easy to shoot.

Don't sell the 06 short, if you know the gun and do your work, it'll serve you well your whole life. You have to be comfortable shooting whatever you choose, if you flinch behind a canon it won't get the job done. SO choose a gun you CAN shoot.

Doug