Help a guy out

[LoneWolf]

Well, I've got that itch, and some xmas money, so I guess it is time for a new gun. My son isn't able to start rifle hunting for deer for another 3 seasons, and my plan is for him to use my 30-30 when its time. So I had decided I'd get a nice bolt action rifle for myself. Am really strongly thinkingof going with Savage, but I can't decide to go with 30-06 or 270.
My hunting will probably always Michingan areas, maybe a western hunt someday (hoping). Average shots for me around here are less than 150yrds. Also, I don't handload at this time, so it will all be factory ammo stuff.

Give me your thoughts, I'm all ears.

[FIJI]

...since you asked


Browning A-Bolt Stalker w/BOSS in .280 Rem was my choice when in a similar situation (I already had a Marlin 336CS .35 Rem for most of Michigan) Works GREAT on wt and mulie deer and antelope...hope to post in the near future its effectiveness on elk.

wide range of projectiles with the .280 and with the BOSS you can use it on varmints to elk.


my .02

[Rocky Raab]

I think if I were a non-reloader (perish the thought!), I'd shy away from the 280. Factory stuff isn't nearly as common for it as other rounds.

Savage is a great rifle. I'm shooting my first one now (well, not mine, it has to go back to Savage someday) and I'm very impressed. The next one I buy will likely be a Savage.

What cartridge? Well, here we go again...LOL! As somebody smarter than I once said, "You can never go wrong with a .30-06." But then, you can't go wrong with a 270, a 308, a 7x57 Mauser, a 7-08, a 260 or a 6.5 Swede, either. Or several others in that mid-power category.

Shun anything with "magnum" in its name, pick something with lots of choices on your dealer's ammo shelf, and you'll be fine - even on the "someday" hunt out West.

[L. Cooper]

What Rocky said.

You can hunt a lifetime and never notice the difference between the .30-06 and the .270. At least not if you just watched what happened to the game after you shot it.

The tiny advantage the '06 has over the .270 is with heavy for caliber bullets on game much larger than deer (moose & elk), but unless you will hunt them often, you will have all the performance you need with the .270.

The agony of this choice is all in your head. Pick whatever you wish (or any from Rocky's list) and don't waste any time on second guessing.

I too think Savage rifles are very good bang for the buck. (all puns intended)

[wrenchman]

take it frome some one that has both a 06 and a 270 you can get a wider range on factory rounds for the 06 and it will do every thing the 270 will or vise versa.
I like both rounds but i find myself hunting with my 06 much more becouse the wife bought it for me when we were dateing.
I have to agree with rocky most guns are personal choice but you are looking at two of the most populer and will be for a long time
and if you dont hand load they are just about the most easy to find rounds for.

[LoneWolf]

Everyhting sounds similar to the arguments that have been going on in my own head over the calibers. (the voices are quiter these days )

Rocky, what Savage are you testing? Everything I have been hearing about Savage lately is just that its the most gun for the money. I like the idea of the trigger adjustment too.
I figure if I get the gun now, I'll have plenty of time to get a top of the line scope on it before it "has" to be used.

[HANDGUNNER]

.308 short action! or 7mm-08!

[rainydays]

Savage Weather Warrior in 7mm-08--Have fun making your choice--tr

[Adam Helmer]

LoneWolf,

You got very good advice. I would go for the .30-06 (I have 12 of them in various makes and models) or a .308 (I have 6 of them) or a .270 (I have three of them). I lean to the .30-06 because it will handle heavier bullets best.

Adam

[Rocky Raab]

It's a custom Savage.

Short action Model 12, varmint barrel, target laminated stock, Accutrigger. It's chambered in 5/35 SMc.

Savage is thinking about introducing the whole lime of SMc cartridges, which were developed by By Smalley and Lee McPherson. Mr Smalley (his first name really is By) is a rocket engineer, and the rounds use a rounded shoulder designed to focus ignition energy back into the propellant, exactly the way a solid-rocket motor is designed. The shoulder is not quite a hemisphere, not quite a parabola.

They've been getting 4700 fps from a 35-grain 5mm (.20 cal) bullet, but need stronger bullets because these self-destruct in flight.

My loads have been milder, but I still get 4100+ even with 40-grain bullets.

The Savage is sweet. I'm in love with the Accutrigger.

[rem 700]

30-06 will give you greater possibilities if you decide to go for a bigger animal in the future. Something to think of if you want to take an elk, caribou, moose etc... sometime in your life without another rifle.

[Dom]

LoneWolf, as far as caliber, I'll throw my .02 in for the ott six. There's more selection, period, whether you're talking factory ammo or reloading. And when the unexpected happens, you're more likely to find 06 ammo in Ol Joe's Country shack 50 miles from the nearest city.

Now to solve your dilema, just get a Sako in .270 and a Savage in 30-06 -- that outta take care of that extra money you got itchin in your back pocket!! Waidmannsheil, Dom.

[LoneWolf]

Originally posted by Dom

Now to solve your dilema, just get a Sako in .270 and a Savage in 30-06 -- that outta take care of that extra money you got itchin in your back pocket!! Waidmannsheil, Dom.

I wish I had that much burning a hole!

[kailua custom]

Just get yourself a GOOD 30-06 and call it good to go! Ammo is EVERYWHERE and usually cheap too. Also you can get loaded stuff all the way up to 220 gr if needed. Hell! A lot of the PMs in Africa are using them as their "go-to" rifles to get food now. I would stick with the 165 myself. Recoil isn`t bad and accuracy with the Savages is ,as a rule, very good. That is just my .02 worth.

Aloha, Mark