Deer caliber
 

Hi, I have a question, I am looking at a rifle and the 4 calibers I am considering for it are:
308
30-06
270
25-06

I would be happy with any of them, but don't know which one I would want the most. I intend to hunt only whitetails, maybe coyotes (not for pelts but for "pest" control), and will shoot a black bear if one comes by. I will shoot any where from 10-450 yards. I won't be handloading unless I can't find a good load for the rifle. I don't have concerns about recoil as this rifle will be semiauto, and on the heavy side (browning bar mk2 safari). I'm not too worried about bullet drop as all these cartridges are reasonable as I will order ballistic turrets for the cartridge that I choose.

Try to keep this thread argument free, and on this topic.

Thanks, Tucker

my 2 cents
the 30-06 wins here IMO, due to well, ammo is out there normally every where from heavy to light loads, and tons of OEM's make it, so almost sure to find something your rifle likes!
next will be followed closely by the .308-.270
about same reasons, ammo is normally out there, and a wide range of choices
the 25-06, how ever the 25-06, as much s it can be a nice caliber, its more of a novelty caliber IMO ,
(I am sure many may disagree and OK fine with that too)
and ammo is not near as common or easy to find even in the best of times!, never mind the current times were in!
NOT a big deal iof you like to reload, but is a issue the other calibers just don't have as much of!(and you can reload for them as well with a TON of options and data!

from MY experience, barrels on 25-06's don't seem to last as long, so, if you plan to do a LOT of shooting, maybe food for thought, and also, if bears are on the list, it maybe a little on the lighter side of things, with the other 3 calibers being better suited for bears IMO

At those ranges, 25-06. However, you will probably need to handload. Since you say you don't plan to do so, I'd go 30-06 for the versatility of factory loadings and bring ranges down to 300 yards.

All of those caliber will be more than sufficient for what you want to hunt. However, if you plan to sell the pelts you will have to use FMJ ammo for coyotes.

I like my tikka in .270. Fast, flat shooting, no major recoil. I’ve shot two moose with it and it stops them pretty quick.

Any will work. Versatility of the .30-06 makes it the winner here.

But you aren't really looking for versatility. So take your pick.

-Jake

270 Win
 

I think I might pull the trigger on a 270 win

Id go with either the 270 or 308. My personal pick would be the 308 because you can shoot heavier bullets with a little less recoil(not much though) if you wernt planning on black bear I would say 270(now a 270 with a 150 grain bullet will drop a bear, I just prefer the heavier bullets of the 308(150,165,180 grain 308 vs 130,140,150 grain 270) just my 2 cents.

again, the 30-06 an be fired from 55 grain heads to 220+ grain heads, from reduced recoil loads to full power, hard to beat the options of a 30-06, PLUS there can be found at times surplus military ammo, proven to work well in semi auto rifles(full autos too)

30-06 would be your best choice. Well rounded caliber and usually plenty of ammo available. That will be a major concern for the next few years it seems.... again.