Deployed but when I get back...

[A1soldier]

I've never hunted before looking to get into it tho, I'm 22 deployed coming home in June or July but not sure what caliber rifle I should get or anything? I want to do all types of hunting so any tips are welcome lol gonna be living in either centennial or Parker I think if that helps thanks hope for some good tips.

[easeup]

God bless you over there. And when you return there will be lots of hunting opportunity for you!

[AmericanBwana]

A1,
Thank you for your service.

Concerning the choice of a rifle caliber, we'd probably need to know what you intend to hunt.

As for me, I use a .270 for Antelope, Deer and Elk.

I live in Lone Tree, and may be able to help get you started.

AB

[A1soldier]

Thanks a lot, and yeah I wanna eventually hunt all colorado has to offer , fishing has been my thing since I was a kid but wanna take up hunting as well now, and I'll look in to so .270 thanks again

[Triplebhunters]

Thanks for your service.

I'm a .30 cal fan.

[JohnFitzgerald]

.30 cal fan as well

[aron]

Thanks for your service!

Do you reload? That could open up more options. I'm a 6.5 or 7mm fan myself. 7mm-08 would be one I would look at if you don't reload.

[Z Barebow]

First of all, thank you for your service!

2nd- I currently don't have a big game rifle. (I have a 22-250) and that is it. I have been looking at a 30-06. Why?

1-It is one of the most popular calibers out there.

2- Being one of the most popular calibers, mfg make so many different loads which would work for different animals. Rounds which will work for antelope to rounds which will kill a moose

3- Being a popular caliber, ammo is relatively easy to find. (As easy as any ammo in the Obama ammo crisis!). If a convenience store has any shells, they will likely have 30-06

4- Virtually any rifle mfg will be availalble in 30-06

5- With #4, you don't have to buy a limited production rifle (IE Larger expense). Mass production rifle are made in 30-06.

6- It is probably not the best caliber for any specific animal, it is just very good for many animals

For what it is worth, I have been looking at a Savage Rifle (w/accu trigger) combo'd with a Nikon scope. I will be able to buy one for $550 or less and the reviews of these rifles are very good.

Good luck and stop back often.

[Justinhilljah]

The Savage is a tack driver for sure! I use a Tikka T3 Lite in .30-06 and I am a big fan of Vortex optics. Elknut can hook you up there. If you will be doing more deer hunting I would probably go lower to a 270. Thanks for your service and I am sure you will find a bunch of hunting buddies on this forum for when you get back.

[Swede]

A1soldier: Again thanks for your service. I guess I see things differently than z barebow, even though we are probably both almost exclusively bow hunters. I don't like the 30-06. If you buy an 06, you have no good reason to buy more high powered rifles for any hunting in the contiguous 48 States. You are done! What do you say to your wife, if you have one, when you want a 22-250? The 06 will do what the 22-250 does quite well with the right load. If you want to hunt moose, the 06 is plenty. Lets face it, if you buy a good 06 you are in a pickle when you see another gun you like. Your wife will ask, "why do you need that", and you will be unable to give any good answer. Now if you start with a 22-250 or something like a 375 H&H, you will have plenty of reason to add to your gun collection as time goes on. You need to think strategically before it is too late. Stay away from the 30-06.

[>>>---WW---->]

Don't listen to Swede!!! LOL! If you set up on a prairiedog town you'll be thankful you got that 22-250. After 100 rounds in a days time, your shoulder will thank you for not shooting the 06. (Get the right tool for the job at hand)!

[Swede]

Be careful soldier, and heed the Swede. Think ahead. What excuse can you give for that 338 W or flat shooting varmint blaster, when your wife wants the kitchen remodeled, or a new dress with matching shoes and hand bag? Are you going to tell her you need to protect her from hordes of prairie dogs? I don't think so! If you can convince her that you could be in danger from packs of Grizzly bears, you should consider being a car salesman, which by the way reminds me of another reason she will have for not wanting you to get another rifle, while your trusty 30-06 meets "ALL" of your hunting needs. The only 30 cal. I would advise is the M! Carbine. You could possible justify it as a good home protection gun, but other wise it is nearly useless, and will not count against you when you inform her of your need for another rifle.

[WapitiTalk1]

7MM for deer and varmints; 338 for elk, bear, and sasquatch. Go heavy rather than light .. I do like Swede's recommendation for an M1..the 7.62 is a great round (308 WIN). Stay safe in the land of the sand A1Soldier.

[Elkduds]

Your service is genuinely respected and appreciated, your safety is always a concern.

Now, calibers. Nobody has hollered about 7 mm Remington Magnum so I will. Shoots flatter and faster with any weight bullet than '06, so range estimation is less critical. Elk are big and TOUGH, and don't always stand broadside, so the extra thump of magnums is of value, especially for shots over 200 yards. Large selection of bullet weights available, so you can shoot varmints or African game. Though I shoot 175 gr. bullets, 160 gr. partitions are even better on elk. I have pulled the trigger of my 7mm at elk 8 times, taken 8 elk, only one dropped at the shot (spine).

This year my elk fell to a .270 160 gr partition. For all day carry and shots at elk under 200 yards, and for any game smaller than elk, an ultralight .270 just plain rocks. Cheaper than magnums to shoot, easy to reload. Lighter recoil in general, unless the gun is ultralight. +1 on the Savage/accutrigger, same as my Stevens/Timney trigger. Ugly, accurate, terrific value.

My first elk fell to Dad's 30-06, before there were partition bullets. It is the standard and most popular big game caliber for good reason. It is the one all others are compared against, even by me as noted above. If I had it all to do over again I might have stuck with the 30-06, and missed all the fun I've had with all the others.

Good luck deciding! Google Chuck Hawk for endless discussion of big game calibers.

[bnsafe]

first an foremost thanks for your service. it is much appreciated, god bless.
as far as hunting, I completely agree with swede. I have one big game rifle, a 3006, that my wife got me 20 years ago this year. I wanted to upgrade but just cant find a good reason. now, I do own a 223 varmint rifle and a ar 15 but im not goin after griz so im covered.
and when you get back get on here an start asking questions, there are plenty of us that will be willing to help a vet.
good luck an stay safe. my cousins a green beret in 5th group, if you run into any of em say hello for me.

[JJ Overkill]

well everything I was going to say has been said for the most part but I do want to say thank you as well.

for what its worth my sons first big game rifle was an 06. reasons have already been said.