Hello all. Looking for perspectives on what to add to my gun locker mostly for hunting in upper Midwest/eastern Rockies. Whitetail/mule deer and possible elk. Looking for larger caliber as I already use 25-06 for deer. Range and knock down power is the goal as well as reliability in back country.
Thanks for any informed input.
For decades the 30-06 was by far the most popular hunting caliber. I believe that the 30-06 is still the most popular hunting caliber in Alaska. In normal times you can find 30-06 ammo just about anywhere due to it’s overall popularity and long term use. Some of the newer hot calibers you won’t be so lucky finding ammo all the time for them and the cost for them will be a lot higher than the venerable old 30-06.
That is definitely at the top of the list. And you have a good point about ammo. I have used 30-06 as well just don’t have one yet. I am seeing a stable amount of 6.5 creedmoor on local shelves in this area.
That is what is so good about 30-06. Go into any small country store, hardware store or bait store in the middle of BFE and you will find 30-06 if they sell ammo. You won’t see much if any 6.5 on many of those shelves simply because the majority of the local population use the tried / true and what they can get locally.
You have to wait for the Jackal release from PSA. Could be, should be revolutionary!
In the worst of the ammo shortfall, I found 6.5 Creedmore fairly regularly. Of course, it goes without saying, I don’t have a 6.5 Creedmore.