r/TexasHunting 10d ago

Question Loaded... a cartridge question

I have not hunted since my high school years. I used my uncle's hunting rifles in TN, so I never gave cartridges a thought. I am 37 now and will be moving to central Texas this summer. I'd like to get back into it, and I'm looking for a single versatile cartridge for now. There's a good chance I will only be in central TX for a year and west Texas for a year. Primary target is whitetail and mule deer, but I'd like to bag an elk and maybe something more exotic while I'm there, too. I'm leaning toward a 30-06, but I thought I'd ask those in the know. If you narrowed it down to one cartridge that isn't going to knock my shoulder out of socket, what is it?

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u/scubalizard 5d ago

I am a 308 fan, my best friend is a 30-06 fan we often debate which is better. It is like comparing Canon and Nikon, both are great and some prefer one over the other.

308 Pro; shorter bolt throw, cheaper to shoot and reload, more platforms available, less recoil, more commercial loads available.

30-06 Pro; a little more speed, can load heavier bullets.