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One hunting rifle!

14 Sep 2016
@ 02:35 am (GMT)

Aussie hunter

If you were to select one caliber to have as a dedicated bolt action hunting rifle what would it be? So it's an allrounder to save deciding which rifle you want to take this time and must meet the Aussie legal requirement for some deer species of being larger than .270 caliber. I have heard many people speak highly of the .270 but don't own one (yet!) in a perfect world I would like more guns in different configurations but I have a few and for example I have a .308 bolt action and would like a .308 pump action. That would be a dedicated pig hunting set up with a low power scope or red dot style sight. (Scrub hunting) . I think the .308 meets the criteria but I am thinking along the lines of if I had a pump .308 then I'd like a bolt action in a different caliber. My thinking is that a 7mm REm mag or .300 win mag should do anything a .270 does and better. I have always had a It has long range potential or would flatten a Dingo at 300 m if you know the trajectory and shoot it well. It could do African plains game or cull camels in central Australia and probably bear in Alaska. I hand load but happy to stick with standard calibers. I have my bunny guns and varmint rifle. I have always had some fascination with the .300 win mag and maybe because of the range of .30 cal projectiles.
But what do others think what's the perfect hunting caliber? If you had one chance to set up the one hunting rifle and hoped to use it for whatever you might be lucky enough to hunt what would it be?

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14 Sep 2016 @ 07:31 am (GMT)	Quote this Mike Davis Re: One hunting rifle! you SHOULD be able to "flatten a dingo at 300" with any of the above without any issue. and as to your question, I'm a .270 man myself but if the larger animals were going to be main target the good old .30/06 would be plurry hard to beat. my .270 has taken just about all game animals here in NZ and the 3 it hasn't would go down like sack of spuds with a 150 grn partition (Nathan you have gone and got me all converticated) through the boiler room/shoulders.
14 Sep 2016 @ 07:39 am (GMT)	Quote this Bob Mavin Re: One hunting rifle! 30-06
14 Sep 2016 @ 08:40 am (GMT)	Quote this Aussie hunter Re: One hunting rifle! Yes, any would drop a dog in its tracks at 300 with correct shot placement. I've shot plenty with a .223, and good shot placement. I am thinking maybe the 270 nod others mentioned have an advantage with trajectory etc and big enough for most game.My HB .223 is accurate and good from a vehicle. What I have observed though is quite a few that get out around 300m and look back, I give these a chance to see another day as I like to see the bang flop as described in another subject. I've head shot pigs with a .223 and believe they were dead before they hit the deck. One hunting rifle and one caliber. Tell me what you think.spark a discussion.
14 Sep 2016 @ 11:01 am (GMT)	Quote this Lane Salvato Re: One hunting rifle! I'm speaking of regular hunting situations, and not dedicated long range calibers, but it's hard to beat the 270 or 30-06. Both will do the job on just about anything, with the 30-06 having some advantage in bullet weight selection. The most accomplished hunter I've ever known has taken everything he's hunted except for dangerous game with a 30-06. Wolves, musk ox, elk, pronghorn, black bear, mule deer, whitetail, cougar, bighorn sheep, aoudad sheep, and most of the plains game in Africa. You'll always find cartridges for either of these calibers wherever you go. My preference between these two is the 270 because I grew up shooting it. In reading Nathan's books I think if I ever do set up a rifle specifically for dedicated long range hunting I'd have to look hard at either the 7 Mag or the 300 Win. Mag., but I'm speaking only from what I've read. Let us know what you decide, as I always get a thrill of seeing other hunters find what they want!
14 Sep 2016 @ 03:55 pm (GMT)	Quote this Paul Yates Re: One hunting rifle! I too am partial to the .270 because that's what I shoot. I find it to be incredibly versatile. You can put little 110 grain Accubonds or TSX in it and have something virtually identical to a .25-06 for lighter plains animals, varmints, etc. or you can work up some 150, 160, (even 170!) grain loads with max powder charges that come fairly darn close to factory 7mm RM performance. Brass and projectiles are affordable and widely available. The .270 has a lot going for it. On the other hand, there are certainly animals that I would not try to take with a .270. Here in BC, there are 2 such animals. 1) Grizzly bear (for obvious reasons) and 2) Bison (because legally one must use a 175 gn or larger projectile that carries a certain amount of energy). I will never kill a Grizzly bear and the chances of winning a draw for a bison are very low. I have no plans to hunt in Africa or any other continents, so the .270 truly is perfect for me. A .30-06 would allow me the option of shooting bison, but then has less options at the "light" end of the scale. Still, it is also a very versatile cartridge and components are widely available as mentioned by others. In hindsight, a 7mm RM might have been the "perfect" cartridge for me, but the difference isn't enough to make me switch at this point. .300 Win Mag - I have a distaste for this cartridge. It seems in my neck of the woods every guy who owns one of these is the type of hunter that I'd rather not spend time with. The type of guy who thinks every other cartridge other than the .300 Win Mag is for girls or "fags". The recoil can be quite punishing and the damage inflicted on most medium-sized game at short to medium ranges is over-the-top (depending on bullet choice, of course, but most of these guys also have to use the biggest, meanest bullets too). Of course, the cartridge really does have practical uses for long-range shooting and has incredible killing power. There's no denying that. I just think the vast majority of people who own one (that I know) would be served just as well or better by a 7mm or .270.
15 Sep 2016 @ 01:33 am (GMT)	Quote this Paul Leverman Re: One hunting rifle! It was the 303. Then it was the 6.5x55. Then it was the 30-06. Then it was the 338. I'll let you know how it goes this year with the 45-70. But in re-reading the original question, it seems the 45 is out of the running - not a bolt action. And I can drop the 6.5 as well, same reason. Out of what's left, I would have to say it would be the 338WinMag, but the -06 is still neck and neck. I got better groups with the 338. It's a heavier rifle in a Ruger, which I prefer. It does have a synthetic stock that I don't really care for, but the accuracy says it doesn't matter what I like. They both eat just about any powder and bullets, and they both kill animals dead. Either one I guess.
15 Sep 2016 @ 12:58 pm (GMT)	Quote this Warwick Marflitt Re: One hunting rifle! 35 Whelen AI
15 Sep 2016 @ 06:44 pm (GMT)	Quote this Paul Leverman Re: One hunting rifle! Nice gun porn, Warwick. That looks slick.
15 Sep 2016 @ 07:48 pm (GMT)	Quote this Warwick Marflitt Re: One hunting rifle! Thanks Paul. I still have to finish load development for it but it's a great calibre.
16 Sep 2016 @ 12:15 pm (GMT)	Quote this Aussie hunter Re: One hunting rifle! Cool, A few calibres there I had not considered. the .338? well it will cover all bases i guess. Any overseas hunting is really only a dream for me but I would like to have a small collection of decent rifles rather than a heap of crap ones. Im getting there but Id like to have that favourite one in the safe that is my go to and know it is accurate and be confident that I shoot it well and find a pet load that suits. Dangerous game is appealing to me but thats in another class and I have the .458 for that but in reality buffalo may be the best i get. I dont think Id feel justified in spending 20 grand or more on one trip unless my situation changes it seems extravagant One rifle? Its sounding like the .270 is still well regarded and o f course the .30 ought six as the Americans refer to it I like my rifles and i enjoy tinkering and improving and occasionally trading out to something else but i guess Im preaching to the converted.
20 Sep 2016 @ 09:12 am (GMT)	Quote this Shane Llewell Re: One hunting rifle! THERE IS ONLY ONE CALIBER THAT I CARRY, AND I HAVE CARRIED .303, 6.5/55, .308, 45-70, .223, AND THAT IS THE MOST USED CALIBER FOR ALL BIG GAME, THE AMAZING 375 H&H MAG, LOADED WITH A SPEER 235GN PROJECTILE IT IS AS FLAT A SHOOTING RIFLE AS A 308, BUT WITH A LOT MORE STOPPING POWER, RECOIL WITH THIS SIZE PROJECTILE IS VERY MANAGABLE, BUT LOADED WITH THE 300GN HORNADAY YOU CAN STOP ANYTHING ON THE PLANET.... I LOVE IT ( BUT NOT EVERYONE DOES) BUT HAVING HUNTED IN OZ ( WA TO BE EXACT) PROBERLY GETTING ANY CALIBER IS A BLOODY NIGHTMARE.......GOOD LUCK
20 Sep 2016 @ 08:34 pm (GMT)	Quote this Nathan Foster Re: One hunting rifle! For me, possibly the .30-06. I love my .308 hack but if I had to sell off everything including the long reaching magnums but still wanted to be able to shoot relatively long while having plenty of power for all situations, then the .30-06 would win out. I have built a few good .30-06 rifles now and while they do suffer more wind drift than the likes of the 7mm Rem Mag etc, they never fail to please. Its always hard to say though. If we went Mad Max, then the .223 might be the better choice for ammo weight and stock piling, making every shot count. Jeff Cooper preferred a short barreled .308 - short and handy, ammo fairly cheap and I'll bet he stock piled a good amount of ammo. He was a fan of a bolt action as it forced the user to slow down and make shots count (his concern being a complete break down of ammo supply). I do like a short barreled .308- its my general go to, hence why I call it a hack. Jeff was preparing for WW3. The scout rifle was the result and we are still seeing a lot of these rifles with FAL type magazines. I have a Lyman 310 hand tool for my .308. Its easy to make ammo on the go and I can use a range of powders if need be. I could also get by without scales, pouring 2208, 2209, 2213 or 2217 by eye if I had to. Loads would most likely be accurate, thats just how the .308 is. So I guess the question surrounding one rifle, is how we intend to use it. Is it for survival? I would think a good number of people would rate the .22LR as their one rifle for the sake of ammo stock piling costs and weight. This is what you might find in the cock pit of a jet fighter- well at least in days gone by. Bloody annoying having to get up close for head shots all the time though. Worse if you have to do battle with a boar at 1 yard because you thought you would creep up to that possum in the dark with the spotlight off, only to flick the light on and find you are face to face with a big tusker. Been there. The main advantage of the .30-06 is a bit more reach and increased power with heavy pills for large game. If we take the survival element away, the .30-06 has great merit. Steph took one look and this thread and then murmured "easy, .30-06" before carrying on with whatever she was doing. Women are so dismissive.
21 Sep 2016 @ 12:29 am (GMT)	Quote this Aussie Hunter Re: One hunting rifle! Thanks, Im not surprised you suggest the .30-06, I was once told by a Northern territory gun shop that the .30-06 was favoured over .308 in the territory, It seems the Americans quite like it but it also was there military cartridge at one time I believe but I hear a lot of reference on the net or Tv about the Ought Six! For one hunting rifle or carry rifle may be it is the one as I pointed out I have a HB .223 for spotlighting, varminting and ideally I would like a .308 pump for the scrub and pig shooting etc. There will always be some debate about the best aussie all rounder but its a good way to start a discussion. I have a few mates who are accomplished shooters that carry a .22-250 in the bush as their one main go to rifle or tool to shoot pests.
21 Sep 2016 @ 04:34 am (GMT)	Quote this Martin Taylor Re: One hunting rifle! 30-06 30-06 30-06 And if l had to think about it a bit more a 30-06! Steph nailed it
21 Sep 2016 @ 08:44 am (GMT)	Quote this Aussie Hunter Re: One hunting rifle! Well , it seems like the general consensus is that .30-06 might be an ideal hunting calibre. No mention of AR2206H from Nathan so a subject for another thread
31 Mar 2020 @ 03:49 am (GMT)	Quote this Ricardo Laborin Re: One hunting rifle! Gentlemen (and lady), it seems "Hollywood" cartridge projects are going to be slowed down in this global situation, and the One Rifle takes more relevance for the ones of us who have not had the chance to stockpile reloading supplies. Is the .30-06 still the crowds favorite? I'm sticking to the .270 as per the 90% rule. Saludos! PS:Just want to get the ball going....
31 Mar 2020 @ 06:05 am (GMT)	Quote this Joshua Mayfield Re: One hunting rifle! Ricardo, thus far I have not run into any home defense scenarios or any need to go out and procure meat out of season. I hope and pray it stays that way. But if things deteriorate to the point where either or both of those come into play I will take great comfort in knowing I have both a .30-06 and a shotgun that will chamber any 20 gauge shell in the state. I would not trade the .30-06 for any other rifle chambering. My debate would come in the scenario where I had to choose whether to keep the rifle or the shotgun to meet all my needs.
31 Mar 2020 @ 06:19 am (GMT)	Quote this John D. Hays - Re: One hunting rifle! In 1974, I graduated high school and with my graduation money I bought a Winchester Model 70, push feed, in .30-06. It was the first real hunting rifle. I have gone on to use other rifles and it sat in the back of the safe. I recently restocked it with a Bell & Carlson aluminum-core synthetic stock and ordered a reamer from Dave Manson. It is being rebarreled and fluted to a .30-06 AI FMR with the Foster-Manson Reamer and with a Wyatt box and topped with the Sightron STAC 4-20x50. This will allow me to keep my beloved Winchester Model 70 — except there’s nothing left of it but the trigger and the action.
31 Mar 2020 @ 03:32 pm (GMT)	Quote this Paul Leverman Re: One hunting rifle! Since the original post, I've added a 308 Norma magnum to my safe. It's a winner, for sure, but not as a daily hunter. It is a dedicated long range rig; sit and wait, spot and shoot. I would still lean towards the 30-06 or the 338WM, both are handy, deadly accurate, and easy to shoulder and easy to pack around all day. If it came to a survival situation, much like Joshua, I'd have to make the decision between those two and the SXS shotgun. I have lots of ammo for all three, but can only make ammo for the rifles. That could be easily remedied, but would a guy have time to re-learn and find all the components necessary for shot loading. The 12ga would take care of everything in this country, but I've also taken grouse with the -06. Overkill, for sure, but it does work. I think it would be the 338WM, but that may change by tomorrow.
31 Mar 2020 @ 07:52 pm (GMT)	Quote this Magnus Vassbotn Re: One hunting rifle! If I were to never set foot outside Scandinavia, it's the 6,5x55 for me (currently Tikka T3). Plenty of reloading components and factory ammo available, and it's legal for every species here. I don't live in moose territory, so this is my hack for everything - red deer, roe deer, ptarmigan (mountain grouse), goose and other small game. Although I have other rifles, this is the one I always fall back on. And when hunting ptarmigan, I carry a shotgun in the hands and the rifle on the daypack. 2 out of 3 birds are shot with the rifle. Same goes for goose, so could live without the shotgun. For forest birds, especially with pointers, it's another story though.. If I bring South Africa and other countries (and perhaps moose territory) into it, it's without a doubt the 30-06. Unbeatable selection of factory ammo and components world wide, and good for just about anything. Could always borrow a 375 for my imaginary cape buffalo. And as Paul says, it also works for grouse. I shot quite a few ptarmigan with my first rifle, a mauser 06 (this one is even worse off than Johns M70 now, only the action left, trigger and bolt replaced). But when hunting ptarmigan, more often than not, shots have to be taken from very awkward positions, in steep angles, and in a hurry. In a light wight weight mountain rifle, the 6,5 is slightly less sensitive to poor recoil absorbtion, and slightly better on wind. Very relevant on a 3-4 inch target at 200 meters, and also for long range hunting deer. Also, I can hand the 6,5 to any fresh hunter/ shooter, and he will shoot as well as can be shot. For these reasons, the 06 is my second choice. But considering the premise is one rifle for all hunting, that also means other countries. So the 30-06 wins at the end of the day. I enjoy magnums, but they have 1 or 2 shots less in the mag, and ammo/ componemts are more scarse and expensive, and less barrel life, so out of the question for this purpose.
01 Apr 2020 @ 02:57 am (GMT)	Quote this Frank Vallich Re: One hunting rifle! Preferred firearm and cartridge at current state in life: .308, 1 in 11 twist, 26 inch heavy barrel, (Scoped) 175 grain cartridges is the choice I’ve made for long distance and a .308, semi auto , 22 inch barrel with open sights for bush walking. Calibre selection over the years has been: .303 - first big game rifle at age 12 with cost being $10 at the Army and Navy dept. store 30-06 - I thought this was the king of cartridges reloading cartridges with 180 grn. spitzer boat tails and scoffed at anyone using a .308 300 Win Mag: punishing recoil to the end result of hating the thought of shouldering the rifle. The thought of using shooting grouse with any of the above firearms brings back the image of feathers flying and picking through a mess of guts and feathers to find pre cut and tenderized meat. But, better than going without any meat. Currently for grouse the wife uses a .410. I use 20 guage.
01 Apr 2020 @ 04:03 am (GMT)	Quote this Magnus Vassbotn Re: One hunting rifle! Hi Frank. With FMJs or narrow tipped hp match bullets, any of the above cartridges work well on grouse. The bullets zip right through. In fact, when hit in the stomach by a 30-06 fmj, the grouse can fly quite a distance. Only when the breasts are hit at the edge have I had some blown out meat. That, and a couple of incidents when match bullets have opened up. That is exactly as you describe it. A very sad sight. M
08 Apr 2020 @ 11:51 am (GMT)	Quote this [email protected] Re: One hunting rifle! 300 H&H
08 Apr 2020 @ 03:21 pm (GMT)	Quote this Paul Leverman Re: One hunting rifle! Hey Frank, what Magnus said, plus because the grouse aren't usually more than thirty feet, head shots are the order of the day. If you aim roughly at the base of the neck, the head comes off, sometimes not so clean, but they do the dance and supper's in the bag.
09 Apr 2020 @ 03:40 am (GMT)	Quote this Frank Vallich Re: One hunting rifle! Magnus and Paul. You two are marksman! Head/Neck shots! The little buggers are skittish on oil lease roads. (Well where we travel the oil lease roads are not really roads but well packed gumbo) Lucky to approach and shoot within 70 feet. Although trails off oil lease roads I've thought the 20 gauge at twenty feet overkill but I aim high and usually no shot enters the breast. The grouse hunts are cruising on quads. Thought about using a pedal bike. Possibly now that the oil patch is virtually non existent I may give it a try. I'm cognisant of bears and as a result a 30 cal is being carried at all times. Yeah, NO, I'm not shooting grouse with a 30 cal. HAHAHA! Waiting for the RS-3 sling to arrive as it appears practical for securing a rifle up front allowing free hand and body movement. Will provide a review in the near future. Thanks for thinking I'm that accurate though! Probably should pull out the 70 year old .22 Mossberg and do some plinking. I could hit the base of the neck. Although...... I've been told the grouse moves its head when the firearm reportsand this accounts for missing the target. Any takers for that story????