What is the cheapest, most effective, versatile rifle caliber for the average hunting / target shooter?

Question

Looking specifically in the .308 - 7mm range.

Answer 1

It is my belief that the 308 is the most versatile, just look at the bullet selection available for it.
From 100 grains to 200 grains of every style conceivable.
I reload and know of no caliber that is as diverse and numerous of selection as the 30 caliber.

Now that’s the true definition of Versatile.

Not to mention the 308 has won so many long range competitions up to and including 1000 yards.

You can hunt everything from Mice ( ok Prairie dog it’s a rodent ) to Moose with the 308 and only God knows how many Bear it has sent to the happy hunting ground.

308 all the way.


D58


Hunting with Rifle, Pistol, Muzzle loader and Bow for over 3 decades.
Reloading Rifle, Pistol and shotgun for over 3 decades.

Answer 2

Everybody so far has just about agreed the 30-06 is the most versatile cartridge out there. And I agree. Ammo can be found almost anywhere from a small town gas stations to the big dealers. In so many different bullet weights and configurations it is in my opinion the best you can get. However having said that the next thing to consider, as previously mentioned, is what you are going to hunt. Not to mention the conditions your hunting in. What I mean by that is the terrain and the typical yardage you you could be shooting. For me I wouldn't necessarily take a bean field light caliber bolt action rifle into dense scrub brush where your typical yard shot may be 50 yds or less. You might be better off with a slug gun, handgun, lever gun or semi auto carbine. Chances to take the game your hunting may be really quick so a fast sight acquisition and possible second shot might be a consideration. If you've ever taken a shot in deep brush while stalking just to have the shot spoiled by a twig or branch you know what I'm talking about here. By the same token unless you have the necessary skills to stalk up on very wary game out in the wide open plains I wouldn't use the aforementioned firearms either. But that's just me. For me in the areas I hunt I have several I take to camp. Ruger .44 mag, for brushy areas, Remington 700 BDL in .308 for the longer (fields or pastures) or more typical ranges in Missouri and a Remington 700 in 300 Win Mag. just because I like a little more range for the vary wary big Whitetail Bucks that got that way cause they ain't stupid. So you check it out and decide whats best for you. You can't go wrong with almost any American manufactured firearm. All of them have really good ones and a few have a model I wouldn't own if it were given to me. Nobodies perfect. Good luck.

Answer 3

You can't beat a .308 as the most adaptable cartridge ever, and if you reload you can make a .308 do everything you need a rifle to do unless you plan to go to Africa and hunt huge game. The 7mm is good for lots of things, but you can't get once fired military brass for it like you can for a .308, and there are not nearly so many different bullet weights and designs available for the 7mm as for the .308.
The .308 has earned a reputation as one of the most accurate cartridges ever designed, and all 5 of my .308s shoot great. If you reload for a .308 try the Hornady 150 grain soft point boat tail bullet (catalog number 3033). It's cheap and shoots great in all of my 30 caliber rifles.

Answer 4

The most versatile would be .308, or .30-06. There is not an animal in North America or any target out to 300 yards you can't kill with it.
You will have to check in your area which is cheapest, but cheap is not a comparison when looking for best versatility.

Answer 5

The .308 Winchester.

H

Answer 6

I would say get a 30.06 cal. The most overall one around. You mentioned the .308 or the 7mm, go for the .308. Either way check in on reloading your own shells, may save you some money. I have both the 30.06 and the .308 in the Remington 700 and they both are good hunting and target shooting guns.

Answer 7

Some calibers in my opinion are the .270, 30-06, 7mm Rem. Mag., and .308.

Answer 8

If you want cheap, get either a Spanish M-1916 Mauser in either 7x57 mm Mauser or .308 Win, an Ishapore Enfield Mk 4 in .308 Win. Cheap, older, and somewhat rough, but good value for the bucks.

Next cheapest would be a Savage M-110, either new or used. Wally World generally has a few Savage M-119's with scopes priced under $400.00.

The Savage, particularly new will be the most expensive choice, but it is also probably the most accurate, and most easily tuned. Of the three, I believe it is the best, and least likely to need any work or adjustment before taking it hunting.

Doc

Answer 9

7.62 x 39 Russian, along with the rimmed 7.63x54. Both are extermely cheap, effective against deer sized game, and can be acquired in guns that can be both cheap, and accurate. The various american companies have released bolt guns, and even a few auto-loaders in these calibers. I really like rugers mini-30 ranch-rifle, though it might need some tuning to perform real well at the range. I also think I remember remington putting out a model 700 afew years back in the 7.62 russian.

If you look at the gun shows hard enough, you can find guns in 7x57 mauser, ry ruger, remington, sako and others, and you can get surplus ammo cheap, but the companies also make some good high end hunting loads, though I never needed anything fancier, then Federal Blassic 175g roundnose. Killed boars and bears just fine.

I love the 06, 270 and others, but I would not categorize any of their ammo as particurlarly cheap.

P.s. dont buy into the 500 yard hype. the truth is it takes a specialized rig with some mighty fine glass to"reach out and touch someone" at that range, unless you went to sniper school. And Miguel, the .308 IS a 7.62. unless you are referring to a .300 magnum, 30-06, you aren't going to hugely effective at that range. and the russian calibers are closer to.311. get your facts straight before you try to impress people buddy.

*listen to D58 and Doc, as they too speak reason.

*BigolBoy, before you knock people about the lines of B.S. without answering the question........why don't you try actually reading the question yourself...."LOOKING SPECIFICALLY IN THE .308 - 7 mm RANGE." Guess what? a .22 does not come close to answering his question!

Answer 10

It depends on several factors, not the least of which is what you're hunting. I use the 7 and 7.62 mm calibers primarily for hogs and whitetails, and I handload, so I'm happy with 7mm08 and 7mm Mauser, with essentially no difference in cost among the standard cartridges. On the other hand, if you're using it for elk, and in the spotty war-time market for those who don't handload, your best bet right now is probably 30-06.