I want a new rifle

[swanny]

If this has been discussed before I apologize.

I'm looking to get a new rifle, just not sure what caliber to get. Currently, I shoot a 30-06 but would like something a little "cheaper" to shoot. By "cheaper" I mean caliber. What would you guys suggest? It seems a box of shells is at least $20, but I would like something for deer and possibly elk as well that may be cheaper to go out and shoot at the range for a day. Any suggestions? I have no idea what other caliber shells cost, so I thought I might be able to get a little input here as to what to start looking for.

Thank you!

[Tony 270WSM]

If you want something cheaper, I'd say a 22

If all you're paying, for a high-powered rifle, is $20 a box... you do have a cheap caliber!

[scoyoc5]

 

[carpsniperg2]

22 not legal for deer or elk in this state  i would say 308 243 7mm-08 all these rounds are not to pricey and can kill deer or elk just fine

[jackelope]

the last box of ammo i bought for a deer rifle about a month or so ago cost $70.00
it won't get any cheaper than $20 a box for a big game caliber, and i'd be seriously questioning the quality of bullet that comes out of a $20 box especially for elk sized game...
i don't think the 22 comment was intended as a hunting suggestion...if you want to go shoot at the range for a day, get a 22 or a 223 or something like that. i never really thought hunting caliber type rifles were really meant to be shot all day long anyway...barrel gets hot, accuracy goes away, etc.
 

[BigGoonTuna]

.308 sounds like what you're looking for.  you can buy military surplus steel case ammo for around 7 or 8 bucks a box of 20, but of course you'd want good premium ammo for hunting.  my next rifle is likely going to be a 308 for this reason.

other options would be to pick up a mosin nagant(easily elk capable if you like open sights), ammo is dirt cheap.  a CZ 527 carbine in 7.62x39 would be cheap to shoot also, but i wouldn't hunt anything bigger than deer with one.

[swanny]

Thanks for the replies. I'll look into the 308 and 243's that were suggested.

[lazydrifter]

I would use the money and start reloading.

[NWBREW]

If you want something cheaper, I'd say a 22

If all you're paying, for a high-powered rifle, is $20 a box... you do have a cheap caliber!

If your only paying 20$ a box ....I want to know where you get your ammo. I am paying 24$ a box for 270

If you want cheaper ammo...reload yourself.

[markts]

What type of deer gun ammo cost 70 a box  Mark

[Bob33]

Stick with what you have.  You'd have to shoot something like 100 boxes of the "cheaper" caliber ammunition to make up the difference.  Then you'd have spent $500 for a new rifle, and another $1000 to $1500 of the "cheaper" caliber ammunition to justify it.

[chrisb]

If your looking to stay on the cheap for hunting keep what you have. I also shoot a 30-06 and i spend about $25.00 a box on hunting ammo (Remington Core-Lokt), but i ONLY use it for sighting in and hunting. If i just want to go make noise with it at the range I've got mil surplus FMJ ammo that i picked up in large quantities a coupel years ago for like $.25 a round or something ridiculous like that. There is still plenty of 30-06 "plinking" ammo available on the market if you don't mind paying shipping (try sportsmansguide.com or cheaperthandirt.com). I really wouldn't encourage doing a lot of all day plinking with a 30-06 though unless your shoulder happens to be build like a brick wall.

[Bofire]

 :)You are not going to shoot a "deer elk' cartridge any cheaper than an 06. I have no doubts about 20.00 ammo at all. Rem corelokt and Federal are great kill anything in North america just fine.
Personally I have doubts about anyone buying 70.00 ammo for deer or elk I see it as a total waste of money. If you are gonna try to make your 243 work when a 30/06 is called for you might try expensive ammo? I got doubts about that too.
Carl

[yorketransport]

I would use the money and start reloading.

I can't imagine buying factory ammo anymore. I picked up a box of 300 WSM for a buddy and was blown away by the price!   If you shoot alot, just go grab a reloading start up kit from Lee, RCBS, Hornady or one of the others. It will save you a fortune. If you don't shoot a couple hundred rounds a year, it probably wouldn't be worth it though.

If you just want a new gun, then go for it! You could get something similar to our 30-06 in a smaller caliber. Then you could practice with a gun that feels and handles like your '06, but costs less to shoot. If you '06 is a Savage/Stevens, you could just get a second barrel in a different caliber. Then you're only into it a couple of bucks for a used barrel. But it looks like 308 is the only caliber that might be cheaper than the '06 to shoot, and still be appropriate for deer. And even that is only with surplus ammo.

As for a $70 box of shells, I don't think that would surprising. Federal Premium in amost any magnum caliber will put you darn close to $70, and over in some calibers.

Andrew

[Huntbear]

Reloading is the way to go any more.  Cut our price by MORE than 1/2 of what retail is.  I can load 50 rounds for less than the cost of a box of Federal Premium Ammo.  The main reason I reload, cause I like to shoot.

My standard rounds for deer, cost about 11.00 a box of 20 reloaded.

However, if you are looking for another center fire caliber, that will be cheaper to shoot, you will probably not find one, unless you are planning on shooting military surplus.  .223 or .308 would be the way to go.  You can still get the cheaper ammo at wally world and other locations for 20 bucks a box.