I have ordered a 30-06 custom from Weatherby about a month ago.
I plan on shooting for fun and mostly targets.
But I will be learning to hunt. At 67 I figure it's never to late to learn, and I have a very experienced stepson to help.
(ELK)
But with what I'm seeing these days i must have chosen the wrong cartridge.
Maybe I should have gone 6.5 Cm or the new 6.8.
Or the 270 weatherby.
Your opinions are the reason for the post.
Newguy
You are incorrect if you think that your choice of the .30-06 cartridge as somehow being wrong or insufficient for hunting elk or most ANY other game animal on this continent.
As one who has taken numerous elk with the .30-06 round (mostly using my reloaded 180 grain SGK ammo) I assure you that the round is PLENTY capable for the task as well as for deer, antelope and many other game animals, in addition to punching holes in paper targets as well.
Now that is not to say the other mentioned rounds aren't also capable as they are but they are getting a lot of press and claims that if you aren't hunting/shooting with them you are living in the distant past and should be shunned. LOL
Again, all of the rounds are fine for the expected task but you'll more easily find ammo for you -06 on dealers shelves (eventually) than you will all the Johnny Come Lately shootin' irons.
This coming from a 63 year old who has been hunting since he was 10 years old and does the majority of my big game hunting with my Winchester Model 70 in
.30-06 caliber.
Good luck to you, Sir.