spaniel

For deer/yotes, I agree with .243. Based off the .308 but ballistically superior and can handle the game you speak of perfectly.

If you want a larger caliber in case of larger game, both the .30-06 and 7mm-08 are better options than the .308. There is nothing wrong with the .308 but honestly I think its popularity has more to do with its military legacy than anything else. It has nothing on the .30-06. It's hugely popular in tactical matches (legacy to military marksmanship), but in true target circles, at all ranges, there are superior options.

Rammer

For all you guys telling him he needs a 30-06, if you look at his signature this is what you see:

Browning BAR 3006
Winchester M70 270
Remington 870
Browning A-Bolt 270 WSM
CVA WOLF
Mathews S2
T/C Prohunter 300 Win Mag
Mossy Oak Prostaff

So I'm guessing he was intitially looking for a more "fur friendly" cartridge to fill the gap on the lower end of his spectrum, that would be able to serve dual duties...

bigpapa

Ahhh the ole' .308, .270, 7mm, 30-06 question. I'll simply quote the great tome Cartridges of the World. "Discussing which of these rounds is superior is akin to the ancient Greek pastime of discussing how many spirits can dance on a pin head." I personally believe the 30-06 is the best overall round. But I do own a .308 and there isn't much a 30-06 can do that a .308 loaded properly wont. However, I feel the .308 would serve you well for varmint shooting. Just lighten the load. As for deer the .308 will put them down with ease. It's a strong choice for all around caliber.

jrfrmn

6mm. If you reload. Same bullet, more punch, longer distance.

homers brother

I would tend to agree here. The .270, .270 WSM,.30-06, and .300 WinMag are a story in redundancy, but to each his own (I'm guilty, too). The obvious gaps here are .243/6mm and .338+. Since he's talking deer and coyotes, a .243 would bethe solid recommendation.

jerry d

I'm buying the Tikka T3 in .243.After doing alot of research {mainly on this site} I decided on this gun & cal. It was a tuff decision between the .243 & 7mm08.I chose the .243 because I want minimium recoil. The Tikka is a fairly lite rifle,6.44 lbs. Chambered in 30 .06 I think it would have a pretty good recoil. Then buy looking @ your signature I see you already have an .06.

stubblejumper

The 30-06 offers slightly more than the 308win for larger game,but the 7mm-08 actually offers a little less for larger game.After all,the 7mm-08 is basically just a necked down 308win.With the same case,the slightly larger bullet makes the 308win slightly more suited to larger game like elk or moose than the 7mm-08.

Edcyclopedia

All around...
My vote gets the .30-06.

But the .308 is a very good round, without a doubt.
Probably only splitting c-hairs for the average Joe???

[email protected]

I think the 260 Rem would be the best for your stated use, or maybeeven a 6.5x55 .
6.5 mm bullets are very efficient and would maintain energy much better down range than a 243.

JagMagMan

IF, I were to have only one gun, it would probably be the 30-06! I do not have only one gun and I DO NOT, and never will have a 30-06!
That said, a 30-06 IS a great cartridge, and the .308 Winchester is basically its equal.
But......
For deer size game, anything from .243 to 7MM-08 will do just as well, with less recoil.
For larger game, (especially at longer ranges) the magnums will do it better than the '06 or the .308!
To me, the .243 is a perfect duel game cartridge! (Varmints/deer)
The .308 and '06 are perfect duel game cartridges too! (deer/elk)
But, there are better "specialty" cartridges for all needs!