Rifles

[Rooster41]

Let me pick your brains for a minute. I know the saying is to never get rid of a gun. But I also dont like to hold on to things I am not using with some exceptions. I have several rifles that I use for deer hunting and I am considering reducing that number to having just a couple. But I am not sure of which ones I should part ways with. When I started deer hunting, I would hunt with my family in Otter Tail County MN where rifles are allowed. Over time family has passed away, land has been sold and my dad really isn't into it anymore. Then I started hunting in Southern MN and got into handgun hunting. I also started going on "meat hunts" (does only) in Wyoming. But this will be year the second year I havent been to Wyoming. I have 5 calibers that I use. 7.62x39, 6.5 Creedmoor, 308 Win, 243 Win and 30-06 Remington.

7.62x39 which is an AR I am keeping. I really like this rifle and I shoot it frequently. We have taken alot of deer with this caliber and I like it. My first deer ever was with a SKS.

6.5 Creedmoor I am keeping. I bought this after talking with another guy on the ranch we were hunting in Wyoming. THis was purchased to hunt in Wyoming. It is a Bergara and is a little heavy to be dragging around the Big Horns, but I like it.

I think I will part ways with the 243. This was an impulse buy because I had a lot of 243 Ammo and components. Ive had this rifle 3 years and have only taken it to the range once.

So I am down to the 308 or 30-06. I always like to have 2 rifles when I am a distance from home after having an incident where I steped on what I thought was a snow covered sand bar to find out it was thin ice. Up to my tits in water and my gun was submerged and it was like -15 that day.

I am hoping to go on a Elk hunt sometime before I get to old to hike up and down the mountain areas. So which one should I keep. If you had to get rid of one would you keep the 308 or 30-06. I have plenty of ammo and components to reload both so ammo is not a factor. In fact I have more than I probably will ever use. But both of these rifles I have not shot in about 2-3 years.

I also have 2 rifles and 1 handgun in 35 Remington. So one being better for busting brush is also not a factor if I am to get into a brushy area again like in Otter Tail County.

[Kenk]

The 308 is a a very versatile caliber for hunting and or self defense, not to mention is fun to shoot. Depending on the platform, 10 or 20 rd?s of 308 on tap is some pretty formidable firepower

[Rooster41]

I should mention all of these rifles with the exception of the x39 are bolt actions. The 308 is a Mossberg Patriot and the 06 is a Browning ABolt III Western Hunter. 5 round and 4 rounds mags respectivley. Both of these will shoot. Ive taken deer with both and in Wyoming my shots were 300+ yards. 306 with the 308 and 322 with the 30.06.

[The_Shadow]

It would be hard pressed to get rid of any especially if they had sentimental value!

[Kenk]

I was thinking the same thing

[Barry in IN]

It sounds like a pretty good selection of cartridges to work with, at least to me. 

Regarding specifically your thoughts of trading or selling the .243:  I couldn't help but see that whenever there has been an ammo shortage, .243 was one of the very last to go.  The supply of .243 seems to get built back up readily also.  I have owned them before, but don't currently have a .243, but want to add one or a barrel for that reason.  If I already had one, wouldn't let a .243 go.

[sqlbullet]

Keep the '06.

Here is my reasoning.

The 6.5 has better drops and lacks nothing for hunting north american game compared to the 308.  It makes a great "easy to carry, easy to shoot" overall gun.

The venerable '06 just plain has more than the 308 when you decide you need "more" than the 6.5.  Especially if you look at the heavies.  With a 215 grain bullet, the 308 is a 2300-2400 fps gun.  The '06 is still above 2600 fps with the right powder.  And the '06 still goes up from there with solid ballistics into the 220-230 grain territory, where the 308 falls off fast.

Don't get me wrong...I am NOT dissing the 308.  But really you are deciding what is going to be your "heavy".  And the 30-06 is heavier.