I am new to hunting and guns. Was in the Marines but just shot M-16 and .50 cal machine gun so my gun knowledge is not that great outside of those 2. Looking for a very versatile gun. Will hunt mostly large dogs aka Texas deer, and probably some pigs but want a gun with enough stopping power to put down a mule deer if I ever get the opportunity. Any tips on how to tell what caliber size is bigger than another? Like how do you know if a .308 is bigger than a 30-06 etc..? Also suggestions on guns? Any suggestions would be apprecciated.

.308 and 30-06 are the exact same caliber. The cartridge is the only difference. The .308 Win (AKA: 7.62 NATO) has a shorter case than the 30-06 and therefore less powder capacity.

Study up on popular deer cartridges and choose one you like. Look for something that has a flat trajectory. The .308 and the 30-06 are good choices as are just about any of the rounds that originate from those two cartridges.

The .308 is the origin of the .243 WIN, 7mm-08

The 30-06 is the origin of the .270 WIN, .280, 25-06 and others.

All of those rounds are very capable deer rounds. But there's lots and lots of others too.

I like the 30-06 because it very versital you can buy loads from 110grains for varmits to over 200grains for heavy game. I reload and use 165gr.boattail hallow point for deer. Alot of people I know say 165gr bullets shoot best from 30-06.Being new to Texas I'm thinking getting something smaller for these little deer 243 or 7mm08. I'm from northern N.Y. and we shoot 200 pound deer up there.

I agree with RS. I have a number of rifles, but always grab my Savage 30-06. I tend to shoot 150 gr rounds (Remington Core-lok) and my gun seems to like that round. But I have shot 180 gr and 125 gr equally. I think for most anything in North America a good 30-06 will treat you right. Plus because it is popular its easy to find ammo for it, even in some of the smallest towns (in case you forget ammo, but I know none of us ever do that)! Go to a big store like Cabelas to hold a bunch of different guns and get what feels right.
Jayson

Best advise is read, read and read. X2 on hanging out at a big sporting goods store and handling different guns. Some ranges rent guns also. You might give that a try when you have narrowed your choices down. Don't forget the hunters ed. Good luck.

No better all around gun then the 22-250. We use it for all our hunting including deer and varmint. Hardly any damage to the hide if it even comes out on the other side, but it effectively lays the quarry down.

Evelyn

I've always used my 30-06 and it's probably the best all around cartridge ever made. That being said a 270 is a close 2nd in my book especially for anything here in the Lone Star. 270 has less recoil and you can use a smaller cartidge if you prefer. Both cartidges are ultra popular and you should not have a problem finding either no matter where your at.

i have to say something here.......the 30-06 isn't the best all around caliber.


it isn't as flat shooting as a .270 or 25-06 yet dosen't push a 200 grain bullet nearly as fast as a .300 win mag.


for a truly one gun do it all i would say the .300 win mag beats the .30-06 by a wide margin

The 22-250 is a wonderful varmint caliber and will take down most Texas whitetails but is not the best choice for muleys or the big south Texas whitetails.

Well instead of starting a new topic, I figured I would just get on this one if robawiz doesnt mind. I also will be looking for a larger rifle, right now all I own is a 22 hornet that my grandpa left me , old recurve bow and a case pocket knife. I really never had much to do with hunting till my oldest brought me some javi meat and I think Im gonna be hooked. I look foward to learning alot and hopefully make some friends.

welcome to the forum but the whole point is for you to make a new post for you own, not hyjack

Well I know but he already was asking the same question I had so I thought It wouldnt bother anything. Thanks for the welcome.

You got served

I am 40 years old so here is how I see the world........if you were my 20 year old son and asked me this question I would buy you the nicest 25 06 caliber rifle I could afford for Christmas.

Oh, and it being Veterans Day and all. God bless you for your service to our country.

Welcome to the forum

If you are looking for a caliber that will do it all in Texas, the 30-06 is probably your best choice. It is THE most popular caliber ever made for hunting. It has a little more punch than you need for whitetails and mule deer but is big enough to take down elk as well. I have also used it to kill nilgai without any problems. I would rather have a little too much gun than not enough. Most experts will tell you that to effectively kill deer, your buillet needs to have at least 1200 ft/lbs of energy at the point of impact. The 30-06 carries that and more out to at least 500 yards with a 150 grain bullet. The heavier bullets are even higher. It is doubtful that you would ever get a shot that long. The .308 and the .270 have both lost their energy by 400 yards. There is probably more different types of factory loads for the 30-06 than any other caliber as well and it is plentiful. You can buy it just about anywhere that sells ammo.

The other caliber that I would encourage you to look at are the 7mm mag and the .300 win mag. They both have a little flatter trajectory than the 30-06 and a little more punch. They both kick a little harder than the 30-06 as well and are not as comfortable to shoot.

Wow i feel like I am a veteran hunter just from this one post. Thanks everyone for the advice and thank you Mayor 31 for the nod on Veterans Day! It sounds to me like my choice is going to be a 30-06 since the most hunting I will do will be in TX and the deer just dont get that big. I definately want to put them down with one shot as I don't want it to suffer and this round sounds like the one that will do the least amount of damage to the meat while still putting a deer down with one shot. Again thank you everyone for the advise. If you would like to continue to post I will continue to read but otherwise thank you again.

Thank you for your service Robawlz! Welcome to the forum! The standard military calibers, .223, and 308 work well for hunting. The .223 for Coyotes sized game, and the 308 for any North American big game. Except for Grizly, use a hand grenade. The 30.06 is ideal for anything as well. Good luck this hunting season!