Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Favorite .30 caliber cartridge

308 Win

I've had a 30-30, 30-40, 308, 30-06. I really like them all but I came to really like the .308.

300 Weatherby followed by
30-06 as my second choice.

I would like to someday try the 300 Holland and Holland.

300 Ultra,300 winmag, 300 wsm and 30-06 in that order.

308 Win

I dont have a 30 cal. but my dad is most likely going to hand me down his Savage 99 in 300 Sav. I am fond of that rifle. He is 83 now and has not decided which son he is going to give it to. I remind him every now and again how much I like that rifle. He agrees but I dont think he is getting the hint. If he gives it to me , I may very well hunt deer and bear with it in remembrance of him. I hope to shoot a bear with it and a big buck. He paid $110 dollars for it new in Utica NY. in 1956. Here is a pic of him in Wyoming in 1963. He didn't get the buck . My uncle did with his 300 Win. Mag. The 300 WIN. was new then and he HAD to have it.

I used a 300 WSM for about 12 years. I shot 9 or 10 elk and a bunch of deer with it. There wasn't a single one that I couldn't have taken just as well with a 30-06. So, this year I got an '06 that weighs a lb. less. I don't need to pack any more weight than necessary.

I really like the .308, but it would have to be 30-06.

I have to say 30-06, .300 savage, .308. In that order. The 06 has always done me right!

I watched and participated in a lot of caliber crazes over the years.
My favorite is the 30/06 .

Of the 3 I've owned, Marlin 30-30, Rem700 308 & a Rem78 30-06 the one that I've regreted selling is the '06.

being you said ALL N.American big game my favorite is 308 norma the is nothing that it can't handle

Not hard to make a .30-06 also be a .300sav or a .308W if you are inclined.

.308W is my choice as the all-rounder.

300 SAUM! What's not to like about a true short action .30-06 +P?

Can't believe these aren't more popular

I started down the path with .30 caliber rifle cartridges in the summer of 1976 when I purchased my first rifle. I previously used my dad's rifles in 22LR,222,30-30, 270 and 308 for hunting. After studying all of the "Shooter's Bibles", Gun Company materials and being a JOC fan, with my limited savings I was sure that I wanted a Winchester Model 70 XTR in 270 WCF.
I had discussed the topic with my dad as we drove to the gun shop and he recommended the 30-06, and I'll never forget his words "a properly loaded 30-06 is all you'll ever need".
At the shop I found a Remington 700 BDL in in 30-06 that caught my eye and that was the beginning of my "loonyism".

In the intervening years I have played with just about all of the .30 caliber cartridges; currently I have several Sako L579 and AII rifles that are some of my favorite hunting rifles, several 30-06's and one 300 H&H.

As of late my "Campfire Rifle" has become my favorite .30 caliber rifle. It was purchased here from forum members, it's a 1993 Stainless Steel Rem. 700 30-06 Mountain Rifle (blind magazine), put into a Ti Stock with a Zeiss Conquest 2.5-8X32 mm scope.

So I have come full circle - 30-06.

StarchedCover

Haven't hunted all North American big game with any single .30 caliber round, but have hunted big game with various rifles in .30-30, .300 Savage, .308 Winchester, .30-06, .300 WSM, .300 Winchester Magnum and .300 Weatherby. The winner is the B-29, a slightly "sub-.30" that has a magic none of those others possess.

It would be the .30-06 for me, killed my first 10-15 deer with it and my first bear, boar, ground hog, porcupine, etc...sentimental value for sure! I have been eyeing up a .300 Weatherby, though- and I killed my best whitetail with a .300 Winchester a few weeks ago...what is a loon to do? The struggle is real.

Yep, I agree.

I have had 308's, 30-06's, 300 WM. Could not warm up to any of them.

So after I sold my last 338-06 to a good friend, I got the 300 H&H itch for a something bigger than my 270's.

I found a Winchester classic donor, have a #2 pac nor, and an Echols Mickey edge. All put together and should be cerakoted shortly.

1tnhunter: For back pack Hunting I usually take my customized lighter weight Remington 700 in 308 Winchester.
I have killed Black Bear, three species of Deer, Elk, Antelope and Mt. Goat with this Rifle.
For day Hunting or when specifically Hunting Elk or when Hunting in Grizzly country one of my 30/06's would be preferred.
Tough to pick just one 30 cal.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

For everything? A .338 Win Mag.

For everything except big bears? An '06. Lately.I've caught myself using it for elk most of the time.

I once thought it would be a .308 Norma but both of mine seem to kick harder than my .338, .375 H&H and 13 ga loaded with slugs.