[Antsour751]

Hey guys! I have been toying with the idea of getting into longer shots… I want to start practicing with bigger rounds and longer distances so that if I ever do get drawn I am confident in my ability with a rifle (Let’s be honest it’s just for the fun of it) All I own is ARs in .556.. I’m looking at buying my first big bolt action. I’ve read as much as I care to… just seems to be bickering at this point with internet folks (you NEED a win mag for elk MINIMUM) or (I’ve killed dozens of elk with my .243). I want to hear what you guys think the best overall rifle for deer and elk is. I have the smaller game rifles covered with .22 and .556 but want a big game shooter to get efficient with. I don’t know a lot about optics, I have a vortex crossfire on one of my ARs that I’ve been playing with too and ive enjoyed learning about them. Im looking for caliber and optic recommendations for an overall AZ hunting rig. I’ve been leaning towards 30-06 in something like a winchester xpr or wearherby vanguard. But the more and more I look at them I am indecisive. I’m thinking maybe .308 would be cool too since I eventually want to build an AR10 and can use the round for both rifles. I wish A gun retailer would have a test fire day at Ben Avery and let you feel out a few options… lol

 

[Antsour751]

Oh and I also can’t wait for rabbit camp to put a face on some Names that I’ve been internet stalking (unintentionaly) lol you guys give some great insight wether you realize it or not, I’ve learned a lot from this forum 🍻

 

[CMoor]

Oh and I also can’t wait for rabbit camp to put a face on some Names that I’ve been internet stalking (unintentionaly) lol you guys give some great insight wether you realize it or not, I’ve learned a lot from this forum 🍻

I think someone mentioned it was "bring your hunting rifle shoot" at rabbit camp. I will let you try out my 6.5CMoor I use it for to hunt deer, elk, bear and anything else I decide to remove from nature in Arizona...

 

[Robert Gonzalez]

Great question and yes one that is fueled with debate. If you haven't already, you can search for older posts about different calibers, I have posted a few questions myself that have garnered great feedback....
My answer, it is what you are comfortable with to make a good, clean, humane shot.
Yes you can drop an elk with 243 and 6.5 creed, but it comes down to shot placement.
You can watch shows like Meateater and watch Rinella drop cous in AZ with a 7mm Rem Mag, he also uses 300 win mags often.

YOU need to be comfortable with the gun and the caliber, then you need to be proficient at various distances.
My first rifle, which I still have, is a 243. It has dropped many Eastern Whitetail and Western Muleys. I am super comfortable with her up to 5-600 yds.
I also shoot a 7Rem Mag, I love how it shoots but she kicks like a mule! I bought a 6.5 creed for my daughter which is just an awesome rifle, despite the jokes and memes - of which i have posted some myself!
The last few years I have been shooting a Tikka T3 308 - I so love this rifle. Great caliber, allows you to shoot for some distance - I am super comfortable at 300 and have no prob going out to 500. Mild recoil.
Was asking someone a few weeks back about a good round to go out to distance with with power and they said PRC - can't remember if it was 6 or 6.5... but I guess it is the new hotness!?

IMHO, my new/ current favorite is the 308 - versatility, range, power, low recoil.
Cheers and best of luck on your search!
RG

 

[Antsour751]

I think someone mentioned it was "bring your hunting rifle shoot" at rabbit camp. I will let you try out my 6.5CMoor I use it for to hunt deer, elk, bear and anything else I decide to remove from nature in Arizona...

CMoor I would be honored and if you let me know what kind you shoot I will bring a box of bullets for you

 

[Antsour751]

Great question and yes one that is fueled with debate. If you haven't already, you can search for older posts about different calibers, I have posted a few questions myself that have garnered great feedback....
My answer, it is what you are comfortable with to make a good, clean, humane shot.
Yes you can drop an elk with 243 and 6.5 creed, but it comes down to shot placement.
You can watch shows like Meateater and watch Rinella drop cous in AZ with a 7mm Rem Mag, he also uses 300 win mags often.

YOU need to be comfortable with the gun and the caliber, then you need to be proficient at various distances.
My first rifle, which I still have, is a 243. It has dropped many Eastern Whitetail and Western Muleys. I am super comfortable with her up to 5-600 yds.
I also shoot a 7Rem Mag, I love how it shoots but she kicks like a mule! I bought a 6.5 creed for my daughter which is just an awesome rifle, despite the jokes and memes - of which i have posted some myself!
The last few years I have been shooting a Tikka T3 308 - I so love this rifle. Great caliber, allows you to shoot for some distance - I am super comfortable at 300 and have no prob going out to 500. Mild recoil.
Was asking someone a few weeks back about a good round to go out to distance with with power and they said PRC - can't remember if it was 6 or 6.5... but I guess it is the new hotness!?

IMHO, my new/ current favorite is the 308 - versatility, range, power, low recoil.
Cheers and best of luck on your search!
RG

The .308 varieties have been tempting me!!! Thanks for the input. My gut feeling has said to go .308 but my research says go with the meaner -06. I haven’t really considered win mag just because I feel it’s a bit overkill but I could be wrong, never shot one. Thank you sir!

 

[Antsour751]

Reading this post after the fact, I realize I’m just opening up another “this is better, that is better thread” the ones I’ve been reading the past few weeks… BUT at least you guys have experience in my area and know the ins and out of hunting in Arizona and I’m weeding out the southerners who shoot 8 deer a year from a tree stand and chime in with the old “all you need is iron sights“

 

[Robert Gonzalez]

Happy to help! Another suggestion; look at what kind of hunting you see yourself doing; environment - brush vs open for example and what distances you think you will be shooting. Look at ballistic info on the various ammos that interest you... here is one I use: Bullet Ballistics & Charts GunData.org

I am really hoping to make Rabbit Camp, if I do I will bring my 308 so you can put a few rounds thru her as well... Cheers!

 

[khmer6]

Any center fire is fine. Shot placement Shot placement. Yes get a scope for elk. You ain't shooting 8 deer a weekend that you can be like oh well ill get him next week. Once in a decade opportunity. Give yourself every advantage. 308 vs 3006. Depends what rifle? Some rifles are all built the same short or long action. Higher end rifles have short actions and long actions. The short actions tend to be stiffer and structurally better? If it's a savage axis or something just get an 06

 

[Robert Gonzalez]

LOL... yeah a 3030 with open sites in NY/PA is really all you need a lot of the time back there!

People will be passionate about what they like to shoot!

 

[khmer6]

Don't get a crossfire for your hunting rifle. You probably won't be able to use the same 308 ammo in an ar10 and bolt gun because of the soft tips and feeding of an autoloader.
If a gun manufacturer let you try every gun they made and every caliber it would be moot. Weight and other factors at play when it comes to recoil.
Are you going to carry up and down canyons? Do you want an ultralight? Just light enough? Do you like carrying a 300 RUM and 10lb rifle and shoot from the truck?

 

[Painter]

28 Nosler .......nuff said

 

[khmer6]

458 lott!

 

[CMoor]

CMoor I would be honored and if you let me know what kind you shoot I will bring a box of bullets for you

I handload so no problem, I will bring a few extras...

 

[az-jim]

Stick with a caliber that has ammo on the shelf during the election cycle panic buy shortages lol.
Buy 2 boxes when you can, shoot 1, buy 2 more. It wont kill your wallet, or empty the shelves for the next guy and it wont take long to get a surplus for yourself.

 

[460 S&W]

Personally, I would go with the 06. Ammo is readily available and it pushes the heavier bullets faster than a .308 can. I like eating elk so, I shoot a rifle that will put one down when everything goes wrong and I don't get that perfect broadside shot. An 06 with 220 grain bullets is powerful medicine. Under 300 yards, it will put a heavy bullet through and elk lengthwise if necessary. I also shoot a 300 Win with a muzzle brake and an older Browining BAR in .338 Win Mag.

 

[Codlew]

30-06. Just the versatility of the round sells me. Anything from a javelina to a bear. It will kill anything in the U.S. just by switching bullets. A nice 30-06 rifle with a vortex scope and your set for life. If I make it to rabbit camp ill bring a 308 bolt and a 30-06 bolt and your can try both. Or if you want to meet up at the range sometime I can bring both for you too try.

 

[Ridgeback]

Get a good 30-06 , put a Leupold scope on it , and you will be set for life.
You will be able to kill anything in North America.

 

[Clifffalling]

Growing up hunting deer in AR, pretty dense woods mostly, I used everything from an old pump 30.06 to a .44mag lever.
Coming out west and elk hunting I moved to a scoped bolt in 30.06 for rifle season. Still do some muzzle loading and bow hunting.
Over the years I migrated to a .308. Now, I strictly run a Mossberg MVP in .308. It is compact, lightweight, and has an excellent trigger. I use a vortex cross fire scope and have no regrets.
I also won't be taking shots over abt 200 yards. I use 180 grain pills for the .308 for elk and deer, keep it simple. I have a good supply (about 800 rounds) of factory .308 for hunting, but also load my own with good success.
I still take my 30.06 for a backup on trips, but am considering just getting a second MVP.
You mentioned an AR10. Have built a couple, the one I have now weighs in at a whopping 15 pounds dry! Obviously, you can build much lighter. It is a tack driver though and will feed any ammo with zero issues. longer range shots I would have no fear, but would most definitely want to be stationary. LOL!

Good luck in your search.

 

[Azblaster]

Greatest Cartridges: O'Connor's Baby, the .270 Winchester

There might be no more celebrated hunting cartridge than the red-hot .270 Winchester. Find out why.

gundigest.com

I’m old school and a fan of this man’s writings. Tons of reading material on one of the most reliable and time tested rounds. Disclaimer. I’m not an expert and not familiar with some of the others mentioned.

AZB