Anything but a .308

30 Rigby

IMG_6313.jpeg
 

Attachments

  • IMG_6313.jpeg
    IMG_6313.jpeg
    1.2 MB · Views: 70
30-06. I own two. As a lefty I can say it's rare that a company doesn't make a rifle in it. From basic Remington's to high dollar Rigby's. Ammo is everywhere and it's got plenty of history. Teddy Roosevelt used it on his safari, as did Hemingway and Ruark. Harry Selby had a Remington in it for a camp and rental rifle he raved about in an American Rifleman article I read not too long ago. Plenty of other outfitters agree with Harry and have one for rent.
 
The context is that the .308 common so if you wanted a nice scoped rifle in some other cartridge that is better or has a bit more prestige, history or classic status what would you choose?
The 300 H&H comes to mind.
Nothing wrong with the 30-06, the 303 or the 7X57.
The 300 H&H is just classy.
 
300WM or 300 H&H if something like Grizzly might be on the dance card. I’d add 300PRC and 338WM to this list too but don’t own one any more.

Other options in my safe that I wouldn’t hesitate to use for ungulates up to/including Moose, or PG like Eland/Giraffe, especially with modern good quality ammo like a Terminal Ascent, LRX, TTSX, Accubond, TSX, A-Frame, or Sciroccos
30-06, 270, 280AI, 6.5PRC, 7PRC, 275 Rigby, 257Wby, 25-06, 257 Roberts, and potentially even the 6.5CM (with the +Peak).

I’ll always own a .308 and a .375 H&H though. There’s nothing on the planet you can’t hunt or shoot with that two gun pair.
 
375 H&H if handloaded. But that's not my reality.
 
The .303 was in service 112 years for a reason
I read once that hand loaded it is close to .308 ballistics.
For nostalgia or history it certainly makes the list and in a nice rifle it would make a nice piece to have something different.
 
hands down - .300 win mag

I own 30-06's and a whole raft of 7mm's - anything they can do, the .300 does it better
Yea
But then might as well get the 338 wm
I could not see any difference in recoil
And it hits harder
 
I read once that hand loaded it is close to .308 ballistics.
For nostalgia or history it certainly makes the list and in a nice rifle it would make a nice piece to have something different.
I really have never understood why the 308 was such a big deal. Military yes I can see the 308 over the 30-06
But hunting nope. At least locally back in the 80s the 30-06 rifle was cheaper for the most part. And the 30-06 cartridge were a lot cheaper. 165-180 corlock 9.99 for the 30-06 14 or so for the 308. At times the 303b was cheaper than the 08.
Short action but lose of fps
So I would have take a 06 over the 08 but if I was using a 06 might as well get the 300 wm
But taking the extra recoil and more cost on ammo
Just go up to the 338 and you were set for all
Most everything.
 
If someone wanted one good versatile hunting rifle as opposed to multiples what chambering or cartridge would you suggest.

Where I’m saying hunting rifle I’m thinking hunting deer and pigs in Australia, Plains game in Africa, Deer in the UK or Elk or whitetail in the US or something in Europe. Generally any huntable species excluding varmints and dangerous game or rifles configured to those purposes.

The context is that the .308 common so if you wanted a nice scoped rifle in some other cartridge that is better or has a bit more prestige, history or classic status what would you choose?
30-06 is never the wrong answer.
7-08 is very capable, flat shooting, mild recoil but I'm sure a lot of people will poo-poo it.
if you're looking for something with a bit more ass, 300WM or PRC. Lots of variations for Winmag ammo and good availability.
 
@Flbt I think the .308 may have been adopted by Australian military earlier the US. Soldiers carried the SLR in Vietnam
Either way it became popular and affordable here.
.223 and .308 are probably the most reasonably priced readily available factory rounds available in Australia and it has been that way for years due to volume sales.
I’ve owned a few .308 rifles but still think it’s pretty common, and it works.

@ElevenBravo I have never owned a .30-06 but I considered it.
I really like the 7mm-08 and would have liked to have one in a REM Model7 or a Barrett Fieldcraft. That’s back to something nice or something matched to the action size.

A .30-06 would be a good one rifle option in Australia.
 
How about a 280 Ackley???

Definitely a contender due to performance.
I think the only drawback is factory rifle offerings and factory ammo in remote areas.

As for a “nice rifle” given its pedigree I would think it suits an American rifle. Much the same way I like the idea of a a European cartridge in a European rifle. So a Sako 7x64 sounds nice.

I would not ask Rigby to build me a rifle in .308 or .280ai but I would think a .275rigby would be “a classic “ maybe I would go .30-06 or research other period cartridges to suit the theme.

Maybe I just have funny ideas.
 
The only sensible cartridge that ticks ALL the boxes is the 30-06.
From a Dik-Dik to a water buffalo, the 06 can handle them all.
Ammo is available all over the world.
If you hand load, the modern bullets and powders make an already fantastic cartridge truly exceptional!
 
If someone wanted one good versatile hunting rifle as opposed to multiples what chambering or cartridge would you suggest.

Where I’m saying hunting rifle I’m thinking hunting deer and pigs in Australia, Plains game in Africa, Deer in the UK or Elk or whitetail in the US or something in Europe. Generally any huntable species excluding varmints and dangerous game or rifles configured to those purposes.

The context is that the .308 common so if you wanted a nice scoped rifle in some other cartridge that is better or has a bit more prestige, history or classic status what would you choose?
Dear CBH, this is the question of all questions. If one had to have only one rifle for going into the wilderness then it would have to be 100% safe. In addition to other high-quality and much more expensive rifles that I have, I prepared my oldest Zastava M70 carbine for such an undertaking. It was made in the 80s and is of exceptional quality. Everything on it is made of steel and it has a perfect puller. It works like what. It has a fixed, non-removable Picatinny steel mount. The sight is a Zeiss clasic 3-12x56 (I currently have a red dot on it). The caliber is -06. For all the game you mentioned I would use Accubond 180gr or UNI Clasic Rws 180. With Accu I have accuracy under 1 MOA
 

Forum statistics

Threads
69,796
Messages
1,556,822
Members
165,202
Latest member
LasonyaOld
 

 

 

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

Member of the South African Hunters and Game Conservation Association
supergrizzly wrote on AZDAVE's profile.
Dave, I could use both of them if still available. I just picked up a new .22 mag and a .22 pump that they would be perfect on.
MHYOUNG 375 wrote on DLSJR's profile.
Dan who is C. W. Richter? He seems to not be a fan of myself!
MHYOUNG 375 wrote on DLSJR's profile.
Who's this C. W. Richter? Seems to have a chip on his shoulder.
 
Top