Caliber choice ?

Ok so i want a gun good for just about anything. I have a 30-06 that i use but when i want to shoot a fox and its runnin that 30-06 blows it to shreads and i want the skins. So i want something that would be smaller than a 30-06 and good for hunting predators and wild boar i go boar hunting but alot of times im hiking alot when hunting so i want something thats a little lighter wait. But what im trying to get at is whats a good caliber gun thats smaller than the 30-06 for my uses. THanks

I think a 223 and a 30/06 is a great 2 gun combination. It's not my first choice for pigs but I have killed a whole lot of them with it along with lots of deer and who knows how many varmits. Cheapest and most fun to shoot centerfire I 've ever owned. Flat to 300 yards and and 2-1/2- 3 inch groups at 500 yards.

I concur

Easy to find and lost of ammo out there

Huge fan of the 25-06, for deer and down may be imo one of the best! My wife currently shoots one in a Sako and I shoot a 257roy. So we are huge fans of the .25 cal guns

I have one also. Great caliber but a bit heavy for pelt hunting.

If you are looking for the perfect caliber for everything, it doesn't exist. That's why we have options.

Sflutes said:

Ok so i want a gun good for just about anything. I have a 30-06 that i use but when i want to shoot a fox and its runnin that 30-06 blows it to shreads and i want the skins. So i want something that would be smaller than a 30-06 and good for hunting predators and wild boar i go boar hunting but alot of times im hiking alot when hunting so i want something thats a little lighter wait. But what im trying to get at is whats a good caliber gun thats smaller than the 30-06 for my uses. THanks

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.243 Winchester is a dual purpose caliber from varmints on up to and including big game. It's a very flat shooting round that can be found in bullets 55 grains up to 115. It's my favorite and a very popular cartridge. 30-06 is way over kill on predators and even deer in my honest opinion. The .243 hits with authority without the overkill. We hunt bear here with the .243 without issues. The .243 is the rifle you should be looking at. More power then a .223 and cheap and easy to reload. .243 is a pleasure to shoot at the range all day long and you won't do that with the 06. You can get a Remington 783 .243 for about $300.00. Top if off with a Nikon Scope for around $150.00 and your in the game with a accurate rifle out to 500 yards. Hope this helps.

Colorado Luckydog said:

If you are looking for the perfect caliber for everything, it doesn't exist. That's why we have options.

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He s not. He is looking for one to go with his 30/06.

.243 Winchester is a dual purpose caliber from varmints on up to and including big game. It's a very flat shooting round that can be found in bullets 55 grains up to 115. It's my favorite and a very popular cartridge. 30-06 is way over kill on predators and even deer in my honest opinion. The .243 hits with authority without the overkill. We hunt bear here with the .243 without issues. The .243 is the rifle you should be looking at. More power then a .223 and cheap and easy to reload. .243 is a pleasure to shoot at the range all day long and you won't do that with the 06. You can get a Remington 783 .243 for about $300.00. Top if off with a Nikon Scope for around $150.00 and your in the game with a accurate rifle out to 500 yards. Hope this helps.

Use a non-varmint bullet in that '06. Maybe a all-copper too. It should punch a tiny little he through a fox without expansion.

You can always Start handloading for the 06 and use the 110 ultr light 110? Grainers

My favorite varmint rifle is a 20 tac followed by a 204 ruger. But if I had hogs around then I'd probably even consider a 223. Not much of a step up but that little heavier bullet weight should help on the hogs and not do too much damage to the coyotes and foxes with the proper bullet.

Personally for a hog/predator rifle I would have to agree that a 6mm is probably a better option. Might be a bit tougher to find a bullet that is fur friendly but it will sure take a hog with authority! Weather you choose 6mm creedmoor or 243 Winchester bother are excellent options