Need a Go-To Rifle

[Curly]

For what you're talking about wanting out of a rifle, I'd say In order of preference:

1) .280 AI
2) .280 Rem
3) 30-06
4) .270 Win

Catch me on a different day, I might have those in a different order and/or I might throw in the .300 WSM or 7 mm Rem mag......... 

[Bob33]

All of your choices can easily meet your requirements. Each has pros/cons. The 30-06 is tough to beat. It is "boringly" good for what you are looking for.

[bobcat]

You really can't beat a 30-06, and I sure don't know what's "boring" about it. It's common yes, but that's a good thing. Means ammo is always easy to come by, and always will be. Nothing wrong with the 270 either. Go with the 270 if you want a little less recoil. If you want the option of heavier bullets, go with the 30-06. I have one of each, but my 270 is my "go-to" rifle.

[demontang]

My go to gun is a 338 win. I would like a 25-06 or 25wssm Ar for a go to gun too.

[Ducknut97]

'06 all the way it'll take care of anything you need it to.

[carpsniperg2]

30/06 sounds like your cupcake.

I would also really look at the 270wsm.

[rebal69972]

an 06 always fits the bill for an all around rifle. my savage has been for 20 years

[blacktailcody]

Tikka t3, stainless/synthetic in 30/06

[et1702]

The 30-06 is probably your best option.  This being the case, 25-06, 257, 280 Rem (nice one in classifieds section), and 300WM are great options too.

ET

[pianoman9701]

I just got a .280 Remington this year - won it! I've been blowing through some ammo in it lately and I love it. I also love my .30-06 Remington, both are model 700.

[headshot5]

Go with a 30-06.   

[Skillet]

I have a couple of 30-06's (one is probably going to be the subject of a 338-06 build), a 7 Mag and a 25-06 as my long guns.

Guess what I just bought as my new "go to" rifle?  Tikka T3 Lite Stainless in 270 WSM.  If you reload, it has pretty impressive ballistics.  But if you don't reload, ammo for it has pretty impressive prices... you may want to consider that combo.  Light and has a reputation for accuracy.  I believe it's plenty of gun for the deer as far as you dare shoot and elk out to 400 yards with the right bullet.

I swore I would never, ever, go into the woods without enough shells to get 'er done.  Always thought that "get ammo anywhere" argument was not really valid.  Guess what I did last year?  Spent some on a coyote and some thunderchickens.  Felt a little light in the ammo dep't for the rest of the trip, so I decided to go down into Winthrop to pick up some fresh grub and shells.  Damn glad I had a 30-06 instead of the 270 WSM with me that time.  So, that's a thing to consider as well.

30-06 is boring, yes - but when you're looking for ammo in a small town, do you really need that kind of excitement?

[woodswalker]

Go-To guns...I have a pair of Winchester 70s in 30-06, one 50's vintage Featherweight that is a do everything gun with its ancient (but period to the rifle) optics and can-see-can-hit accuracy with a pet load, the other is a modern SS M-70 Classic with good Leupy glass in a composite stock...its a spitting image of the old rifle...but has all the modern advantages for hunting in the Pacific North'Wet.  Those two go everywhere with me to hunt.  Same load for both, it is a tack driver in the SS, is MOA in the oldster.  I'll take that, yeah it may be BORING....but its BORINGLY repeatably accurate...and BOTH rifles shoot Factory Remmy 165 grain CLSPs more or less to the sights with the custom 165 grain loads.  SO, I can get factory ammo that works in both and hits more or less to the sights even if less accurate than my handloads.

Cant beat that deal with a STICK.

I DO have a 300WM and a .338WM...but I'm mostly duffing around with those.

The Winchester M-70 30-06s just flat DO the job.  Hard to mess with success.

[coachcw]

a great all around choice would be the 300wm or .300 wsm or 7mm . then a 338 ulrtra and a 6.5x284 for back ups !

[Curly]

I saw a potential go-to rifle in the classifieds: Link