which gun would be better to use for deer in washington? i no that 30.30s are lighter guns and better for brush and that 30.06s or a little heavier and better for more open areas. which gun would i be better off with for hunting in eastern washington and around the duval area? any info would be great thanks!

I live in SE Washington and hunt Deer, Elk, Bear and someday, if I ever draw a tag...Moose!

I've never been a big fan of the 30-06, but I will say that the 30-30 will NOT be a good choice for shots over 150 yards. I didn't look up Duval to see where it was, but most any kind of Deer hunting in Washington would be well matched to what the 30-06 offers.

And if you ever expand your hunting to Bear and or Elk...you will have a perfect round to take hunting.

I'm not against the 30-06, I'm just more into my 300WSM, Marlin 45/70GG (for elk in the brush) and 375 H&H Mag (someday going to Alaska), I also have a 270 for Deer. BUT If I had to choose one caliber/rifle, It would be the 30-06!

If I were strickly a West Side hunter, hunting Blacktail and short range Black Bear, I would look into a 30-30, but would probably stick with my 45/70...

Hope this helps!

I'd echo what 45/70 said. With a 30-06, you could hunt nearly all big game in the lower U.S. Not saying there aren't better calibers for specific applications, but for an all around, one gun for everything, the .30-06 would be an excellent choice. Good Luck.

30-06 is a much better all-around choice. The bullet it fires will out-perform the 30-30 at all ranges. It gives you the flexibility for open country as well as thicker brush or timber as long as you don't put a huge magnification scope on it. 30-06 shoots flatter than most hunters are accurate. Great caliber!

I'd sell them both and spring for a 7mm. But if that is not an option the 06 would be my choice. lots of loads available for that caliber. just make sure to proactice with it and you'll be fine with any gun.

Being that I own both and have used both and while there is nothing wrong with my 30/30 as it's a pre '64 (1906 vintage), I would go with the '06 as it probably gives you more options than any other round made and it's adiquate for almost all types of game on the North American Continant with the exception of some of the bigger Bears and it's even taken them with proper bullet placement.

With that said there are other rounds which are better suited for specific game or conditions and while I do own and shot or would like to own other caliber rifles. The one gun that seems to get out of the gun cabinet the most is the '06.

A 30.06 is in my opinion the best all around cartridge for hunting anything in the lower 48. Flat enough shooting for any sane distance, great selection of factory ammo if you dont handload, and spit bullets out at the velocities they work best at. Not too much gun for antelope, and plenty for elk. A 30-30 is a great deer gun, but is not enough gun for elk, at least with the factory loads that are available. If you want a light lever gun, go for a .308, also a very good all around gun for deer and elk. Bolt guns can be made pretty light however, and id choose a bolt gun. Levers just feel funny in my hands.

thanks for all the info.

Out of the two guns right there, get the 06

Now if you were asking what type of gun to get, me, I would say get a 300 win mag. I'm just a 300 mag guy so.

Sullie's only about 13 so a .30/06 will suit him fine for the next few years.

the .30/06 offers a little more versatility and a little more growth for future shooting activities over the .30/30. Also the .30/06 can use lighter spire point bullets in handloads should one want to do some varmint hunting.

30-06

I agree Zen. I killed my first deer when i was 12 with dads old 30.06. Then i got my own. Then i bought a 7 mag, hunted with it for a few years, and sold it because i liked the 06 better. Then i bought a 300 win mag and killed my first bull with it, and i just sold that one a couple weeks ago.

I just think the 30.06 is the perfect all around gun. Light recoil, outstanding perfomance on big game, easy to find ammo for, i could go on forever. I think if you want more punch than the old 30.06 provides with good bullets, you need to go bigger in diameter, not velocity. For a 30 caliber, the 06 is just about perfect.

Zen, i am actually 14.

30.06. This was this first gun to take a Grand Slam, every species of big game, in North America. It has killed every animal I can think of also. You can buy rounds from a 55 grain Accelerator to 220 grain soft point. Federal and Hornady make a "magnum" load for .06 from 150-180 grain. I use the 180 on everything I hunt. It ballistically turns the .06 into a .300 mag. Same energy and velocity. You will always have people claiming their 7mm, 300, 338, 3006 etc are best but the one thing you MUST remember is it is the SHOOTER not the GUN that makes the shot and the kill. I own two .06 and have shot a half dozen 7mm and bigger. None have impressed me as much as the versitility of the .06. You can also buy 3006 ammo just about anywhere you will hunt. I have seen it in gas stations with a few boxes of 12ga and some .22's. No other rounds though. I would buy a bolt action since they are the easiest to shoot and maintain. Good luck and staight shooting.

The 06 is by far the way to go. I have owned a couple and still have one in my gun safe. I would have to say that it is if not the best all around big game gun. Then it has to be second to??? Bsically go with the 06. If you are worried about recoil start off with 150 grain bullets and when you get used to those then go up to 180 grns. The 150's will do great for deer. The 180's great for elk and everything else including deer.
Buck

Good reply Big Jim

Also the 06 is the most sold caliber ever.Plus it has the largest selection of ammo ever.

I also recomend a bolt action.

Whatever you get,Shoot it as much as you can,get used to it.and gain the confidence in it that you know you will kill what you are shooting at.

I always recomend you shoot as much as you can.Even if its with a 22 you would be surprised how much it will improve your shootin skills.

6

If those are your options take the 06, probably the best all around gun for hunting western big game. I hunt deer with a .280 rem and elk with a .300 wby mag. But if I was to only own one gun it would be an 06. Can't beat the selection of factory loads if you aren't a handloader. Flat shooting and versatile

i own an 06 myself and love it. use it for deer, elk, and bear. shoots flat, straight, and will reach out and touch something if needed. i would go with the '06

I say forget the 30-06 and go with the 7mm magnum now there's a gun you can't go wrong with.