ssternadel

I'd have to go with the 30-06 because of a few of reasons. Plenty of factory ammo at a reasonable price no matter where you go. Flat shooting and carries energy very well. Of the two .30 caliber bullets listed, the 30-06 will out perform the .308 will not much more recoil. Another reason is that if you ever get a chance to go hunt somewhere for something like really big moose in alaska or canada, i feel it is the caliber suitable for those. You may get that oppurtunity, but you'd hate to have to buy another rifle if you get the chance. From experience, a 180gr nosler partition from a 30-06 can kill moose and bear in alaska without any trouble, it also handles a much smaller deer/hogs in texas with a lighter 150 grain soft point. It is simply the most versatile rifle that can be bought, just my opinion.

speedgator

Look at the .270 WSM, it'll surprise you.

speedgator

.30-06 is flat shooting? From the trajectory charts I've seen they're a bot of a rainbow compared to many other rounds like the .270, .270 WSM and 7mmRM to name a few.

Superpig

I will assume you aren't a handloader. Going on this assumption I would choose the 30-06. There are more available factory ammo loads for this caliber than any other. You can use 150 gr. for deer, 165 gr. for black bear, & 180 or 200 gr. for moose. Factory rifles are plentiful in this caliber so you can find the exact model you like from the manufacturer that you like. The 30-06 can and has taken all big game on the North American continent. I wouldn't recommend it for the big bears but I'm sure it has been used.

NJ-Bowhunter

I recently posted a similar question regarding either a 30.30 or 30.06 for similar usage. After many responses to my post and visiting a local sportsman's center, I think that I have settled in on a .308 (either the Browning BLR or a used Savage because I lean towards the lever action) It seem that this will provide a nicely balanced combination of range, versatility, knock-down power and availability of amo. My buddy's dad and brother each have different guns in this caliber and I am lookig forward to shooting them at the range before making a final decision, but my heart is saying .308 -- good luck

NVMIKE

06 its the only real BIG game caliber you listed. All you listed are bonafide great deer rifles and may work for bigger animals in a pinch, but are not universally accepted big game rounds, the 06 is.

James B

I got them all. Problem solved. The 280 and 30-06 are nearly interchangable. Both have heavy enough bullets and enough power for all North American game.

Carpmaster

If I was limited to one........it would be the 30-06!!!

jaybird2

They will all work fine but if had to pick one it would be the 308

ELKampMaster

In direct answer to your question, the 30-06.