Post by: swanny on October 24, 2009, 10:53:46 PM
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!
Post by: Tony 270WSM on October 24, 2009, 10:55:44 PM
If all you're paying, for a high-powered rifle, is $20 a box... you do have a cheap caliber!
Post by: scoyoc5 on October 24, 2009, 10:58:22 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on October 24, 2009, 11:00:37 PM
Post by: jackelope on October 24, 2009, 11:17:31 PM
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.
:twocents:
Post by: BigGoonTuna on October 24, 2009, 11:40:25 PM
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.
Post by: swanny on October 25, 2009, 09:06:26 AM
Post by: lazydrifter on October 25, 2009, 09:08:53 AM
Post by: NWBREW on October 25, 2009, 09:15:53 AM
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. :chuckle: I am paying 24$ a box for 270
If you want cheaper ammo...reload yourself.
Post by: markts on October 25, 2009, 09:17:57 AM
Post by: Bob33 on October 25, 2009, 09:46:04 AM
Post by: chrisb on October 25, 2009, 09:52:01 AM
Post by: Bofire on October 25, 2009, 10:20:01 AM
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. :chuckle:
Carl
Post by: yorketransport on October 25, 2009, 12:17:18 PM
I would use the money and start reloading.:yeah:
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! :yike: 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
Post by: Huntbear on October 25, 2009, 01:08:18 PM
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.
Post by: Galpster on October 25, 2009, 01:17:37 PM
No offense but $70 a box! Did you find a money tree I have heard about but have never run into?
Post by: MuleySniper on October 25, 2009, 01:40:28 PM
MS
Post by: Holg3107 on October 25, 2009, 01:46:52 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on October 25, 2009, 02:11:13 PM
Post by: markts on October 25, 2009, 05:13:57 PM
man people who don't think its easy to get to 70.00 look at weatherby 30-378 factory will set you 120.00 for 20 rounds even reloading them that weatherby brass is spendy there is a few that cost some dollars 30-378/338-378/338-06 square and a few moreAre these common deer cartridges :chuckle: Mark
Post by: Jamieb on October 25, 2009, 07:01:49 PM
Post by: jackelope on October 25, 2009, 07:32:18 PM
Quote
$70 a box. WOW. I have been shooting for 20 years and have never nor will I ever pay $70 a box of shells. No reason too. Remi, Federal and others for around $25 a box have great ballistics and accuracy. I also have never seen $70 a box for your normal hunting rifle calibers.
No offense but $70 a box! Did you find a money tree I have heard about but have never run into?
it's a .257 weatherby magnum.
there's nothing like it for $25.00 a box and no money tree...i just don't go to the range blazing away with it.
i actually don't own the rifle anymore. i also never have seen any weatherby calibers available from federal or remington, though i never looked very hard for it either.
Post by: Jamieb on October 25, 2009, 07:55:18 PM
WBY sure is proud of their cartridges. The 257 is the only WBY cambering I'll have and only becuse I can form brass from cheap 7mag brass.
Post by: Galpster on October 25, 2009, 08:43:34 PM
I have been schooled. Anyways, I think the 30-06 at $20 a box is great. I shot remi 30-06 as my primary hunting rifle 150 grain corelokt. Good accuracy, never had one misfire and have dropped elk at 300 yds. ( A little tip for sighting in your odd 6, if you sight in at 25 yards dead on, I mean 2 to 3 rounds right on top of each other, use a vise to ensure accuracy and practice your shooting later, you will be 6 to 8 inches high at 100, dead on at 200 and 6 to 8 inches low at 300 yds, all kill shots for just about all big game in this state.
Post by: MHWASH on October 26, 2009, 06:25:12 AM
Post by: coachcw on October 26, 2009, 09:33:59 AM
Post by: mossback91 on October 26, 2009, 09:39:51 AM
Post by: jackelope on October 26, 2009, 09:41:28 AM
Post by: Bofire on October 26, 2009, 06:59:31 PM
Carl
Post by: TheSilverSlayer on October 27, 2009, 08:58:05 AM
Also, .30-06 is one of the cheaper calibers to buy factory ammo. Have you checked out how much a box of .300 RUM costs?!? Its crazy.
Post by: phishisgroovin on October 27, 2009, 10:56:28 PM
and they are fun to shoot.
that and if you are only popping holes in targetsm its funny as hell seeing peopleattherange with a $2000+ rifle and scope set up see me nail the bull on the target next to his with OPEN sights lol!
No, its hillarious actually, they piss, moan and cuss while they pack up their $3000 worth of target stuff and leave lol!
Find a mosin 91/30, you can get one for around $100 online or pawn shop in great condition, the ammo is cheap as heck. If you want to shoot a deer or elkl with it, the scop setups are cheap also. just need a one piece 22 rifle double ring scope mont, remove the three pins holding the rear sight base on ans slip the 22 base right on the dovetail.
SNIPER rifle at the ready! AND ITS CHEAP!
Did i tell you its CHEAP? it is.
PS: shoot at thick steel if you use a steel target.
steel gong at a range. bottom hole is a mosin.
also, search Mosin Long range on youtube, they are awsome long shot rifles and since they are cheap sportering one isnt a cardinal sin to a purist like my Enfield 30-06 was when the P/o sported it.
Post by: phishisgroovin on October 27, 2009, 11:01:43 PM
Post by: Intruder on October 28, 2009, 10:36:05 AM
Post by: Elk-aholic on November 05, 2009, 02:47:00 PM
Post by: dbllunger on November 05, 2009, 03:02:02 PM
Post by: NWBREW on November 06, 2009, 02:31:39 PM
Wow, I knew prices went up, but wow. I thought you could still get 30-06, .270, .308 for $10-$12 bow for Remmy ammo.
:chuckle: :chuckle: :lol4: :lol4: :chuckle: :chuckle: sorry but that was funny. Thats what I thought before I bought a box of 270 for 24 bucks.
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on November 06, 2009, 02:40:12 PM
The only round that's not quite worth reloading for is the 30-30. I see quality 30-30 ammo on sale once in a while for less than $15./box. That said, no it's not a 30-06, but in a quality singleshot like a TC, you can use it as a prime practice rifle, expand on the barrels/calibers in the arsonal, and still have a round that's a great backup gun to your '06.
Other than that, buy a quality single shot bolt action, (I said quality), rimfire rifle to practice with year round. Sure, the smaller center fire calibers are fun to shoot, but unless you reload, the ammo isn't all that cheap. If you need a Varmint gun, then fine, but don't consider one good for a backup hunting rifle. So.. Define the real need, as a backup, or cheaper to shoot practice rifle.
-Steve
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on November 10, 2009, 11:31:32 PM
Highway robbery!
Not in my lifetime! Nope, I won't pay it. So after five boxes of what-every that was, you could have purchased reloading equipment. No, the next five boxes wouldn't be free, but probably closer to $20/box. I dunno about you, but that adds up to more fuel in the tank for more hunting trips. Will I pay $5/gal for fuel? I've paid it once or twice. Will I pay $7/gal? No, I'll start making BioDiesel!
-Steve