[Txhillbilly]

While the 308 & 30/06 are great calibers to shoot long range with,the 6.5 Creedmoor or the 7mm-08 would be a better choice for just starting out with Long Range.And the 6.5 and 7mm bullets have better ballistics than the 30 calibers.
Both would also have less recoil than the .30 calibers.

[HockaLouis]

And when you really wanna step up, ream your .30-06 into an Ackley Improved chamber and shoot that ".308 Magnum."

[axxe55]

any of the calibers you listed are good candidates for shooting long range. now is this long range hunting or target shooting? because then depending on the range and what you're shooting will have to be factored in.

there are many great bullets in the 7mm size in many different bullet weights. now buying 7mm ammo factory loaded, regardless of which, there will be a short selection in bullet weights. but reloading the 7mm, you open up options not available in factory loaded ammo.

i have all three calibers and reload for all three. so i can tailor different loads to each rifle. but i also have three different rifles in 7mm, a 7mm Rem. Mag., a 7mm-08 and a 280 Rem. so when reloading i use a variety of 7mm bullets.

[Polygon]

Thanks for all the responses so far. They've been very informative. To answer some questions.... I intend to use the gun mainly for target. I certainly don't want to rule out hunting though. I've got a desire to and it would be nice to do that in the future if I decide to.

I was referring to the 7mm Remington Mag. I really didn't think to include other variants of 7mm. Transversely to the original question, are there any that are better than another?

[jjfuller1]

.308..enough rifle to get the job done. cheapest ammo. less recoil= more shots. shoot more than a box or two of the other calibers and you will not like how your shoulder feels. and for longe range it takes plenty of practice shots before becoming proficient

[akers06]

I like the .270 I have owned a few but I'm not a big rifle guy bc here in Ohio you can only deer hunt with shotguns....but I have killed a few deer with a .270 and I have never had one that didn't drop and man does it do a number on coyotes the furthest I ever shot one of mine is 300 yards and I kept about a 3" group

[TLuker]

All of the 7mm bullets are great bullets (7mm-08, 7mm Mauser, .280, and 7mm mag). The problem is finding them, and then paying for them after you do. Go price a box of any of those bullets and then compare that to their 30 caliber equivalent. Sometimes you can find them for about the same price as their 30 caliber equivalent, but more often than not they are a lot higher (if you can find them). There are also far few choices in bullet sizes. I wouldn't recommend any of the 7mm bullets unless, as axe55 pointed out, you reload. Now if you reload that's another story.

[Polygon]

My father used to reload when I was really young and he still has all the equipment and tools. That's certainly something to consider.

So, the consensus is:

.308 > 30/06 (If you go by the posts).
.308 ≈ 30/06 (If you go by the votes).
7mm > .308 & 30/06 (If you're going to reload).

So, I have to ask. Was my father correct then? Is the 7mm a flatter shooting round than the .308 and 30/06?

[akers06]

Originally Posted by Polygon

My father used to reload when I was really young and he still has all the equipment and tools. That's certainly something to consider.

So, the consensus is:

.308 > 30/06 (If you go by the posts).
.308 ≈ 30/06 (If you go by the votes).
7mm > .308 & 30/06 (If you're going to reload).

So, I have to ask. Was my father correct then? Is the 7mm a flatter shooting round than the .308 and 30/06?

I believe so a 7mm mag is a sweet shooting round a 7mm short mag is even better along with a .270 short mag

[Polygon]

The more I'm looking at the cost of all the 7mm rounds, I must say I think it's out. So, it's down to the .308 and 30/06.