What about .308?
10-22-2002, 09:15 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Fredericksburg TX USA
Posts: 123
What about .308?
Newbie question. I've been hanging out here for a while taking in all the info. I will be buying a new rifle for South Texas whitetail in the next couple of weeks. I will use it for a few years and then hand it off to my son. I'm leaning towards the 7mm-08, 25-06, .257 Roberts and the .308. Which of these would be the best choice for a young hunter's first rifle? Why haven't I heard much on the .308 here? Thanks for the help.
10-22-2002, 09:37 AM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Bossier City LA United States
Posts: 2,425
RE: What about .308?
The 308 Win is an excellent cartridge, but depending on how your son handles recoil it might be a bit much. It all depends on the weight of the rifle and the stock design. The 7mm-08 Rem has less recoil and offers excellent ballistics paired with the versatility of the 7mm bullet which can handle anything from varmints to elk.
10-22-2002, 01:05 PM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Bossier City LA United States
Posts: 2,425
RE: What about .308?
DG, when using a 120 grain bullet in both 25-06 and 7mm-08, the 7mm-08 generates higher velocity and flatter trajectory. So in actuality the 25-06 is really no better at long range than the 7mm-08. Both are fine cartridges.
10-22-2002, 01:05 PM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: VA USA
Posts: 570
RE: What about .308?
Any of the cartridges you mentioned should work, but my first two picks would be the .308 or the 7mm/08 for his first centerfire rifle. I'm a big fan of the .308 for many reasons. It's a very accurate cartridge, it allows you to use a short action, and cheap surplus practice ammo can be picked up far cheaper than any of the other cartridges you mentioned.
I hope he's been getting a lot of practice with a 22. It's a heck of lot easier and cheaper to learn with.
I hope he's been getting a lot of practice with a 22. It's a heck of lot easier and cheaper to learn with.
10-22-2002, 02:03 PM
#7
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PA
Posts: 9,085
RE: What about .308?
i love the 308...of the large rifles its definently my favorite...performs great on deer...accurate..and little recoil...and many bullets to choose from...i love it...but i stepped up to a 30.06 when i bought my own deer rifle...if i had the same rifle in 308 to pick from it would took the 308
10-22-2002, 08:23 PM
#8
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 917
RE: What about .308?
If I were picking the rifle for the kid, it would be the .257 Roberts or the 7mm/08. Both will take deer to all reasonable ranges and do so with minimal recoil. They also make excellent "grown up" guns.
Good Dogwork and Good Hunting
Good Dogwork and Good Hunting
10-22-2002, 09:53 PM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Piedmont OK USA
Posts: 839
RE: What about .308?
I personally like the 25-06. The 7mm-08 is, if memory serves me correctly, the most efficient round in terms of powder + performance out there. I like the 308 for reasons described above. None of hte bunch are bad.
Sooner
"Size isn't important, but it HELPS!!!"
Sooner
"Size isn't important, but it HELPS!!!"