Which .30 cal would you go with?

[MAG00]

My local gunsmith has all the components to put together a rifle for me. The barrel he has is for .30 cal. What .30 cal would you go with based upon the below information?:

- Not interested in any custom/"wildcat" rounds. I don't reload so I want to be able to easily get ammo?
- I currently have rifles in the following calibers: .300 winmag, 6mm Remington, .223, .22LR
- Uses will be for hunting mostly whitetail deer and some fun/practice shooting
- My .300 win mag is custom and heavy. Wanting something lighter to carry while hunting.

Currently I am not sure if the action he has is a long or short action, but I do know it is a Rem 700. However, I believe he said he could do 308, 30-06, 300, etc.

Thanks.

 

[ZLBubba]

S/A, standard bolt: 308
S/A, magnum bolt: 300 WSM
L/A, standard bolt: 30-06
L/A, magnum bolt: 300 WM

We're going to need to know specifics about the length of the receiver and size of the bolt face to make more precise recommendations.

 

[buckey]

The ole 30-06!!

 

[MoBoost]

30-284 !

 

[roggom]

Depending on twist, but more than anything 308. Will be plenty for deer and can be great for target and steel. If your receiver is long action, you will be able to seat the bullets out pretty far and still use the internal mag.

 

[Deadshot2]

My choice would definitely be .308. Go with a moderately heavy barrel (varmint/tactical) profile but only 20" long like a Rem SPS-Tactical.

Short enough rifle to handle easy in a wide variety of conditions, not too heavy, and the barrel is stiff enough to be accurate at fair distances.

Come to think of it, I'd just build a Remington SPS-Tactical, just leave out some of the crappy workmanship, use a better stock, and get a better trigger than the X-Mark Pro (like a Timney). Chamber it with something less than an "Arms length of freebore" so you can shoot cartridges that will still fit the standard internal magazine box.

 

[308boltgun]

308 would be my choice since you are mainly hunting white tail. 300 WM is a bit much for white tale, 308 ammo is A LOT cheaper than 300 wm ammo.

 

[GhostFace]

.30-06 simple, has more range then a .308. It nips on the heels of a WM but has better barrel life. The AR-10s have made .308 bolt guns obsolete in my stable. The old war horse offers so much more than the .308.

 

[LRDD]

The ole .30-06 has been my hunting rifle since I was 13. If mainly for hunting purpose I would have that.