I'm going to buy a rifle soon and I'm trying to decide which caliber to go with.i was wondering what was still on the shelves during the big ammo shortage panic. I'm thinking between a .270, 308, or 30-06. Any of these will do for what I'm going to use the rifle for. I'm just trying to decide which to choose. 308 and 30-06 cheaper ammo and lots of selection. But I'm probably only going to shoot under 50 rds a year if that out of it so cost of ammo not that big of a deal. But I thought I remember seeing .270 on the shelves during the shortage. Does anyone remember? Also if you were to buy one of these which one and why. I appreciate any help you can give me. I'm leaning toward the 30-06. For range fun and maybe deer next year. I know it's big but I want something I can use for other big animals if that comes up down the road
-
Be sure to read this post! Beware of scammers. https://www.indianagunowners.com/threads/classifieds-new-online-payment-guidelines-rules-paypal-venmo-zelle-etc.511734/
Rifle panic
- Thread starter Yellowjeep
- Start date
The #1 community for Gun Owners in Indiana
Member Benefits:
Fewer Ads! Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership Discuss anti-gun legislation Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses Discover free outdoor shooting areas View up to date on firearm-related events Share photos & video with other members ...and so much more!
Member Benefits:
tradertator
Grandmaster
It seems like the calibers hardest hit are for guns that use a banana mag. Plenty of scary looking black rifles in 308, maybe a couple in 30-06 from WWII, and nothing I can think of in 270. If that's your primary concern, you should be golden with 30-06 or 270. I gravitate towards 30-06 simply because you can find almost any bullet in 30 caliber. That said, even in the worse of times, you should be able to find 50 rounds of any caliber within a years time. Keep your brass, and it should be easy to find someone to reload it.
I agree.
The Drifter
Marksman
270 was on the shelf . 308 - 30-06 were not there as much. 270 shoots very flat , but not as much punch as 308 win or 30-06 can give you. 308 win would be my vote ,just buy 168 gr. 500 rounds all the same . You will hit the same zero with the same grain bullet .
A couple of years ago, I bought a 30-30 and had two boxes of ammunition that a friend gave me. I went to the range a couple of times and shot one box of ammo total, so I never had to buy more. Sold that rifle before I moved out of country, but am now looking for a replacement. Between 308 and 30-30, which rounds are more difficult to find right now?
Thanks. I have my moments.
Even during the depths of the panic, I saw all the usual (non indiana) hunting calibers on the shelf collecting dust.
The chain stores stock this stuff in Indiana even though it can't be used for deer, and what else are you going to use these for game wise?
Now 308 got hard to find even in hunting ammo..... that was the exception.
30-06, 270, 243, 7mm-08, 30-30, .338 etc, heck even 44 mag could all be easily found.
Even in the worst of it, I could still walk into Wall Mart or Meijers and find 30-06
The chain stores stock this stuff in Indiana even though it can't be used for deer, and what else are you going to use these for game wise?
Now 308 got hard to find even in hunting ammo..... that was the exception.
30-06, 270, 243, 7mm-08, 30-30, .338 etc, heck even 44 mag could all be easily found.
Even in the worst of it, I could still walk into Wall Mart or Meijers and find 30-06
avboiler11
Master
As mentioned...anything that went into a modern military-style rifle was scarce.
There was ALWAYS ample 243, 270 and in my experience 30-06 ammo on shelves; same for 7mm Rem Mag and 30-30. 300WM not as much and 308 was mostly gone. I didn't see much 7-08 and still don't, as it is much more popular in the southeast than it is in KY/IN.
As for reloading components...30 cal stuff was gone REAL fast and stayed gone for a long while; 7mm got pushed aside in favor of making 30cal stuff so its supply dwindled and still hasn't come all the way back yet, 6mm stuff wasn't hit nearly as bad and not many folks care about 270 because it is more of a hunting cartridge than something used for plinking or target shoting.
There's nothing in the world wrong with a 243, and for something that is going to be used as an occasional 'plinker' I'd much rather have it than a '06.
There was ALWAYS ample 243, 270 and in my experience 30-06 ammo on shelves; same for 7mm Rem Mag and 30-30. 300WM not as much and 308 was mostly gone. I didn't see much 7-08 and still don't, as it is much more popular in the southeast than it is in KY/IN.
As for reloading components...30 cal stuff was gone REAL fast and stayed gone for a long while; 7mm got pushed aside in favor of making 30cal stuff so its supply dwindled and still hasn't come all the way back yet, 6mm stuff wasn't hit nearly as bad and not many folks care about 270 because it is more of a hunting cartridge than something used for plinking or target shoting.
There's nothing in the world wrong with a 243, and for something that is going to be used as an occasional 'plinker' I'd much rather have it than a '06.
Around here I always saw 43 270 and 30-06 when everything else was out. I have a 30-06 and buy a box just about every time I made the trip to the store. I am set for a long time. Seriously thinking about getting a 270!
Slawburger
Master
I was able to find 30-06 and 7mm Rem Mag without problem during the "great ammo shortage". The 30-06 is widely available, the 7mm was available because not as many people shoot it.
However, as MCgrease08 noted, if you are only shooting 50 rounds a year, stock up now and enjoy whatever you want.
However, as MCgrease08 noted, if you are only shooting 50 rounds a year, stock up now and enjoy whatever you want.
I would just get a 30-06 and be happy, it's easily the most common caliber the panicers won't take out....
It allways seems that if someone is selling even a little ammo, one of the things stocked is 150 grain Core Lokt in 30-06. And it's not all that of a "hot load" ether.
It allways seems that if someone is selling even a little ammo, one of the things stocked is 150 grain Core Lokt in 30-06. And it's not all that of a "hot load" ether.
