WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

I AM PRETTY SHURE I WILL BUY A SAVAGE 16FxP3. however I do not know what the best caliber for my cause is.....
Caliber 223 Rem., 22-250 Rem., 243 Win., 308 Win., 270 WSM., 7mm WSM., 300 WSM., 204 Ruge
I plan on long range target shooting and then mountain hunting as well as small game for that damn varmits....what has the most value (price vs. ability) and what one will fit my cause the best???
thank you for the help
.:SCOPE:EYE:.

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

Without knowing more specifics about what your range of animals and distance will be, I vote for a .270WSM, as it should cover what you want, short of being ideal for the real big stuff.

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

im in the same boat as red lion, dont have all the info i need but for long range and varmits the 22-250 is a real hot round, and 243 win is good too but not quite at flat, however you can get bigger projectiles with the 243 and that will cut down on some wind drifting that a 22 cal can have plus be better suted and leagle for deer, pronghorn, and some say elk.....i might think it would be a little on the small side myself but there are some people who do use and have put alot of elk down with it. i have a 25-06 and am getting a 308 win to cover up the rest of my bases. thats about as much help as i can be. i have no expereance with the wsm at all, you shoud read if you havent all ready the post " best short action" it helped me decide. BRIZBO

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

If you are looking for cheaper priced and more readily available ammo then I'd go with the 308. The 22-250 and 204 arent ideal for deer sized game hunting. I love the WSM's but the ammo does cost more and has less selection then was you'll find with the 308.

The same can prob be said for the 243 also. THat would be my 2nd choice in your situation.

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

That is a wide range of uses for one gun! For the ranges of applications, and bullet selection, you can't beat the 30-06! And this is from someone who doesn't own, or plan to own an '06!!!!!

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

Go with the Savage in 30-06 or 308. The 7mm-08 would be a good choice as well.

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

scope eye - You don't give us much to go on...please define "mountain hunting" and it would make things a bit easier.

The only thing you really describe a need for is long-range target shooting, small game and varmints. These applications scream ".223" or ".22-250". Of these, the .223 probably represents the most value in terms of ammo costs.

If you're going to throw a bit of deer hunting in the mix ("mountain hunting"?), a step up to the .243 would be logical.

If deer hunting is equal to varmint control, then a .25-06 or .257 Roberts are fine dual-purpose cartridges.

If deer hunting is a priority, then start with the .25s mentioned above and include the .260, 6.5x55, .270, .280, 7mm-08, 7x57, .308 and .30-'06 in your search.

If you might take on something a bit bigger than deer, start with the .260 mentioned above...and keep going on up past the .30-'06...

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

You need a .460 Weatherby. Nothing less will kill those pesky ground hogs....

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

sry for that ....basically i want a shot that has formost acurracy 200+ yards and has a punch to knock down a wide range of big animals at far distances...im thinking the 30-06 ???? just have a fealing thats my best bet...(i really dont kno)

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

also i found out that the 16fxp3 did not come in 30-06 but the 116FXp3 does....any bad words about that gun..?

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

Besides the fact that it is a Savage, no.

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

yo reasoning....let me guess ur a remigton fan????

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

Yep, I like quality firearms :D. Remington, Ruger, Tikka, Sako, Kimber, Weatherby, Howa and of course Winchester. ;)

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

IMO 30 caliber is the best. Reasons: 1.Large selection of cartridges. 2.Large selection of bullets and weights. 3.Low recoil and high recoil cartridges available. 4.Capable of taking just about any game from varmint to medium bears. I would only feel under gunned with the largest bears. 5.In the more popular cartridges-like the 30-06, you can buy inexpensive ammo, and that will allow you to shoot alot. 308 is also a good cartridge choice. There is alot of 308 ammo available at a good price.

Alot of the other cartridges people recommended are OK. I just think 30 caliber is superior in each and every category. If you are recoil sensitive, buy a 300 Savage caliber. Or even a 30-30. But If I were you I would get a 308 or a 30-06. They will do anything the other recommedations will do, only better. Tom.

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

I got the varmit model Savage in 270 WSM. If you reload, thats the way to go. If not, the 308 would be my choice.

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

thats a good choice for ground hogs to.......lets say......gray elephants!!!
man i would hate to see what you use for elk and moose....700 nitro!! lol.
ps. whats the reciol like on that thing..ive shot a 458 win and WOW thats a gun now.

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

Sako, quality? thats too funny. I'd say the only guns worth a darn in your list there are Howa/Weatherby, Remington, and Winchester.:D

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

Best calibers are as follows
1. 300 Win Mag
2. 338 Win Mag
3. 375 H&H
You can hunt any game animal on earth with these 3 calibers.

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[Deleted by Admins]

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

30-06

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

7mm-08

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

I have always liked 308. Good knockdown power and can also reach out and touch something way the heck out there too. Consider - many high power super long range rifle comps are shot with 308's. Carlos Hathcock, one of the most successful marine snipers of all time used a 308 during shooting competitions too. Not saying it makes that caliber the top dog, but there must be a reason its so popular for competition shooting.

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

270 WSM is flat, light, would fit the bill. 30-06, 7mm08, 300WSMare nice too.

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

You're kidding right?? Sako/Tikka are one of the best factory rifles you can buy. They are even made by Beretta, since you probably didn't know that.

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

It's either the 7mm Rem Mag using a 160 grain Accubond or the 300 Win Mag using a 180 grain Accubond for me, but Igive the slight edge to the 7 in this regard. You can also opt for one of the short mags but they don't offer any real advantage over the longer actions.

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

I haven't heard too many good reviews about the thier 16 model. But then again, I didn't hear too many good reviews about the Ruger M77 before I bought mine and it turned out to be just fine.

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

Now now, personal insults arn't necessary, I don't but Finish made garbage, I buy American, or Japanese (in the case of HOWA and weatherby)

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

Well I'm an "American Made" guy all the way, but if there is something better made somewhere else I don't care. I really prefer Remingtons and Rugers, but I'll buy anything that is good.

RE: WHAT IS THE BEST CALIBER....
 

thats cool, I didn't mean to sound like a jerk, with what i said.