First hunting rifle, what caliber?

[Barlow]

I agree with Dave Petzal. 7-08, 7x57, 260 Rem, 6.5x55, 308 Winchester, take your pick. Barlow

 

[Rem06]

Hey all,

I'm looking to get into hunting possibly next year but I'm finding the task of finding a caliber a little daunting. I've settled on a rifle, a ruger m77 rsi that has an 18.5 inch barrel and only weighs 6.5-7lbs. The vast majority appear to be in .243 or .270 and if I look long enough I can find a .308 or 30-06 for a couple hundred extra bucks.

I'm not entirely sure where I'll be hunting, as now I am in college and don't know where I'll end up. My home state is Virginia, but I would love to head out west or maybe even Alaska if an opportunity presents itself. Really, it's wherever offers a half decent paying job lol. I'd more than likely be hunting deer or pronghorn at first, but I certainly want to try for elk and black bear. If I end up in Alaska or somewhere else far north perhaps a moose, but everything else is certain. Range would ideally be 200m or less.

I've never shot any of these calibers before, the biggest stuff I've shot is a double barrel 12 gauge and an old surplus czech mauser in 8mm mauser using surplus ammo. I handle both just fine, but the metal buttplate gives you a less than friendly reminder if you don't have a good shoulder weld.

I know all of these CAN bring down everything from a 90lb cous deer to an 800lb elk, but which is most realistic for a new hunter? If it is the 308 or 30-06 is the difference worth the couple hundred extra bucks I could put into practice shooting, tags, and licenses?

Thanks

is the 308 or 30-06 is the difference worth the couple hundred extra bucks

YES!

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