Which two do you pick, out of three?

[mannyrock]

 
 
   Here is a tough one:
 
   You live East of the Mississippi.  The largest game you hunt is big whitetails, or the occasional black bear.  Most often, you hunt in heavy woods, but occasionally you hunt fields with 150 yard shots. You already have a .22 rifle, but want only two centerfire rifles. 
 
   You have a choice of ONLY two of the following centerfires, to cover ALL hunting, plinking, self- defense, practice, teaching novices, etc:   .308 bolt action, .30-30 lever action, and .357 lever action.   
 
  Which two do you take?  Or, putting it another way, which one do you not take?
 
 

[tacklebury]

Skip the .357 lever in my opinion. 

[mattmillerrx]

This is something you will have to answer for yourself, but I will throw out a couple of thoughts:


(1) 30-30 and .357 - Both levers, so easy to learn one format (most helpful in self-defense and secondly in teaching novices).  Both will take care of whitetails and black bear within there respected ranges.  Although commonly debated, for me it would be 150 yards for the 30-30 (200 under the right conditions) and 100 yards for the black bear and out to 125 for the whitetail with the .357.  Now throw in the mix of small game...you did not specifically mention but implied by the "largest" game you hunt.  The ability to use the 38 special on small game is great with a SWC cast round really opens things up.  Also, the ability to train on cheaper 38 special rounds and train novices with them (low noise level and next to 0 recoil.)  This is assuming you don't reload, as that opens the door for all three to be loaded down and decreases the cost of all.


(2) 308 and 357 - The reasons for the 357/38 special remain the same.  The 308 over the 30-30 only adds range.  The benefit to this group would be to give you another platform to play with (bolt action).  Another thought would be if you ever do decide to do an out of state hunting trip, this would make a great all around caliber for large game.  Think long range antelope hunt, elk hunt, plain country whitetail, ect.


(3)  You said two, but I believe if you wanted only one the .357 would do it all.  So would the 30-30 (if you reload).


Thats my 2 cents, but with the current value of the dollar...it may not be worth more than a half cent or so.

[quasne.inc]

Gotta say if I have a .22 I could get by just fine with just a .30-30.  I think .308 is over kill east of the Miss.  Least in Eastern Texas and Central Alabama where I grew up.  Take away the .22 and I think I would be happy with just the .357 mag.

[mannyrock]

 
   Ooops.  Forgot to mention. No reloading.  Factory ammo only.
 
   Some good posts so far.
 
   Choosing the .357 lever as one of the rifles is somewhat appealing, because it is almost the functional equivalent of an M-1 Carbine.  (Sight in high at 100, and make easy hits at 200, with the same foot pounds as a 9mm handgun point blank.)  Shooting .38s out of it would be difficult, though, because you would have to readjust the scope by almost a foot at 100 yards.  You would may be better served on small game by sneaking a little closer and using the .22 rifle.)
 
   This is somewhat like a Chinese puzzle.
 
Mannyrock
 
 
Mannyrock

[tacklebury]

Well, if you're going to exclude reloading, then I'd have to change.  I'd go .357 and .308.  I would want to shoot .38 specials and .357's for smaller game at a lower cost than the rifle ammo.  If I'm reloading a .30-30, I can make em down to .22 level and use for small game, but a 30-30 is too much with factory ammo.

[Couger]

East of the Mississippi!!??  I'd be pulling my hair out!  Wondering when I was going to get to go the rubber room!
 
I hate the "east" and everything about the "east" and the knowit-alls who live there who think they "know best" how to tell the rest of the nation to live, but stink up things for everybody!  EVERYWHERE.  Am I over the line? 
 
I wouldn't be caught dead in the "east!"
 
But given the original scenario, its a no-brainer for me.  I hate the .30-30 in particular, and leverguns in general!  And regardless of all the big bore wheelguns I might have, I will always have a .357Mag revolver.
 
A .308 in a boltgun is favorite of mine, both the gun AND cartridge!  And while the .308 will never best a .30/06, it comes close with lighter bullets.  A .308 in a 18-20-22 inch barrel offers outstanding performance, certainly on whitetails, black bears, and wild boar/feral hogs.
 
Maybe a .357 levergun might prove fun ( a Marlin, hopefully?), with or without cast boolits, but it would compliment a .357 revolver quite well wouldn't it?  I'd take it if offered even if it sat in the gun safe for indefinite periods of time!
 
Too bad a .223 Remington in a boltgun or AR wasn't in the mix.  A .22LR, .223 and .308 could handle more than 95+ percent of my shooting needs in the "east"     (and a lot of other places if thats all I had).
 
ADDED!:  Made my post, answering the first scenario only to find out the 'goal posts' had been moved!  Gee that's fair!     I'd still choose the .357 with the .308 if that was all that was offered, even without reloading.
 
But I gotta also add,  what serious gun owners think they'll stay in ammo (affordable and otherwise)  during hard times,
 
if they don't get off their butts and learn to RELOAD!!?? 

[tacklebury]

East of the Mississippi!!??  I'd be pulling my hair out!  Wondering when I was going to get to go the rubber room!
 
I hate the "east" and everything about the "east" and the knowit-alls who live there who think they "know best" how to tell the rest of the nation to live, but stink up things for everybody!  EVERYWHERE.  Am I over the line? 
 
I wouldn't be caught dead in the "east!"
 
But given the original scenario, its a no-brainer for me.  I hate the .30-30 in particular, and leverguns in general!  And regardless of all the big bore wheelguns I might have, I will always have a .357Mag revolver.
 
A .308 in a boltgun is favorite of mine, both the gun AND cartridge!  And while the .308 will never best a .30/06, it comes close with lighter bullets.  A .308 in a 18-20-22 inch barrel offers outstanding performance, certainly on whitetails, black bears, and wild boar/feral hogs.
 
Maybe a .357 levergun might prove fun ( a Marlin, hopefully?), with or without cast boolits, but it would compliment a .357 revolver quite well wouldn't it?  I'd take it if offered even if it sat in the gun safe for indefinite periods of time!
 
Too bad a .223 Remington in a boltgun or AR wasn't in the mix.  A .22LR, .223 and .308 could handle more than 95+ percent of my shooting needs in the "east"     (and a lot of other places if thats all I had).
 
ADDED!:  Made my post, answering the first scenario only to find out the 'goal posts' had been moved!  Gee that's fair!     I'd still choose the .357 with the .308 if that was all that was offered, even without reloading.
 
But I gotta also add,  what serious gun owners think they'll stay in ammo (affordable and otherwise)  during hard times,
 
if they don't get off their butts and learn to RELOAD!!?? 

And we easterners wouldn't be caught dead in your dessicated bland flatlands for love ner money!    But I do agree on the reloading!  hehe

[skarke]

I personally think that the 308 or 30 30 is all that you need.  IMHO, a 357, though powerful, will often fail to drop a 150 lb animal in its tracks.  As we all know, escaping 30 yards into the woods of the South might mean a lost animal.  Tragic.

[mcwoodduck]

My opinion.
Easy - Bolt action 308 Win. and a 357 lever.
The 308 takes big game is acurate and strong. 
A lever in 357 mag with a few ammo changes can go from deer to squirrels and everything inbetween.
the 308 and the 30-30 are so close together why not take the more powerful of the two. 
308 is 7.62X51
30-30 is 7.62X51R
Both shoot factory 125, 150 grain bullets with 165 170 and 180 so close together that game will never tell what hit it.
as far as a survival rifle the 308 bolt can use pointed or round nose bullets but the 30-30 lever can only use round nose unless you want a two shot rifle if you end up extend time and have to reload with what you can find or trade.
The 357 can use both 38's and 357's and a revolver can be added to the kit to share the same ammo.

[charles p]

Don't see an application for the 357.  Go with the other two.

[Duke0313]

The 30-30 and the .357 for ammo availability.

[schoolmaster]

Don't need two. Hands down I would take the 308 bolt. It would handle any big game I might want to shoot and I still have a .22LR for small game, pests, etc. Now I would want a pair of Savage rifles, stainless and synthetic with good scopes on them. I could shoot lots of .22 ammo for cheap practice, and retain the familarity of the .22 when switching to the .308. I like a good bolt action for more pinpoint accuracy at the longer ranges. 

[Bugflipper]

My choice would be the 308 just from an economical stand point. Not reloading, ammoseek shows 30-30 to be about double per round. For sustainability you would probably want to at least get the ammo in bulk if you don't intend to reload.

[Couger]

And we easterners wouldn't be caught dead in your dessicated bland flatlands for love ner money!    But I do agree on the reloading!  hehe

GOOD!      
 
More unfettered,  unsettled wilderness and western lands for my friends and me!        

[Lost Farmboy]

  Is this a weekend hunting trip or for life with no chance for resupply?


It doesn't matter. It's still easy, 308 and 357.  Pick one and it's the 30/30. West of the Mississippi would be harder.

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

  Is this a weekend hunting trip or for life with no chance for resupply?


It doesn't matter. It's still easy, 308 and 357.  Pick one and it's the 30/30. West of the Mississippi would be harder.

This is my answer too.  If you ever get a revolver(s), make it a 357 and/or 22 lr and  now you've got an even more rounded group of guns.


Alan

[Lloyd Smale]

any choise you make out of them will work fine. Me id go with a 44mag levergun and an o6 rifle.

[Couger]

Any choice you make out of them will work fine. Me Id go with a 44mag levergun and an o6 rifle.

Good one!          
 
I was real sorry to see Tinnchester close their doors after a hundred+ year existence.  But all over the west wherever I've been, the most seen hunting rifles are bolt guns, and usually in .270 and then in .30/06 or visa versa, and the 7mm RemMag still outnumbers .300 and .338 mags.  .30/06 ammo sales are #1 in ammo.
 
.243's and even the .25/06 are "common."
 
But rarely do I see .30-30's of any kind unless they're specifcally sought by a newbie, a female, or someone who likes a classic.  Most leverguns sold at our local Ace hardware are Marlin .45/70's.

[SHOOTALL]

308 and 357 .
 
And cougar , come up for air and look around , CA. is the state telling the nation what to do ! The great state of Washington with its liberals , Portland etc. The two leaders in congress with the worst record in leadership both from the west. When zits and moles are counted the west may hold the record.

[evidrine]

.308 and .30-30

[Couger]

CA. is the state telling the nation what to do ! The great state of Washington with its liberals , Portland etc. The two leaders in congress with the worst record in leadership both from the west. When zits and moles are counted the west may hold the record.

Shootall, Ya thinking specifically about krazy Princess Peloetski and PattiCakes Murray!!??  I can certainly understand why you don't like them, I don't either,
But also don't forget Maria Cant[vote]well and Diane FineSwine and Babbs Boxer!!     
I think Nancy-girl is mentally ill, actually. 
 
That first Tuesday in November won't get here fast enough. 

[Empty Quiver]

No good reason to have the .357 mag. It offers nothing the other two do not. With the possible exception of less damage to a fur bearer such as coyote, maybe using  a 38 special through it. There are a lot of odd loads for a .308 and hard to imagine you couldn't come up with something better suited to fur taking.

[SHOOTALL]

The 30-30 offers nothing the 308 can't do. The 357 offers less damage on smaller critters and one can carry more ammo in both pocket and gun.

[Drilling Man]

  If i already had a 22, why would i need more than the 308? 
 
  One big reason i'd pick the 308 is, in a SHTF senario, you probably will be able to find some military 308's.
 
  I just wouldn't need a second CF rifle.  I'd use the money i'd save, to buy a good scope and some ammo...
 
  DM

[Couger]

If I already had a 22, why would I need more than the 308? 
 
One big reason I'd pick the 308 is, in a SHTF senario, you probably will be able to find some military 308's.  (Bingo!  or law enforcement too possibly??)

I just wouldn't need a second CF rifle.  I'd use the money I'd save, to buy a good scope and some ammo...    DM

Good for you Drilling Man!  .30/06 would also abound in your A.O.,  along the many .308's!
 
One of the huge reasons I use the .308 (for sporting as well as preaparedness) is that along with the .223 those are the two top gubmnt'l cartridges in use at present.  Plus both are excellent for citizens and sporting use.
 
Good point about investing in a scope, ammo, or other gear. 

[teamnelson]

Parameters given: East of the mississippi, most often in heavy woods, sometimes open fields with 150 yd shots, to cover ALL hunting, plinking, self- defense, practice, teaching novices, etc. Factory ammo only.


Thinking aloud ... Self-defense with a .308 ... or any bolt-action for that matter ... ain't ideal. Neither is the .22. 357 holds 10 rounds, and packs a good wallop for SD at SD ranges.
Heavy wood hunting mostly, sometimes 150 yds. 308 ain't my favorite in heavy woods ... 30-30 would be better at that and cover 150 yds just fine, as would the 357 with a good factory load.
Training novices ... 308 has hardest recoil of the 3, and one of your choices has to be a lever no matter how you slice it, so sticking with the same action would be simplest.
I'll take the 357 and 30-30 in the parameters given.
If you changed the parameters, I might take the 308 in lies of the 30-30 as ammo is cheaper to stockpile right now, and many are doing it, so it might be a good form of currency. I'm personally not counting on having access to government ammo if the store shelves run out. I suspect it will be busily consumed elsewhere.

[parkergunshop]

Note, the assumption that 150 yards is a long shot in many eastern settings is incorrect.   Here on our farm in the Piedmont section of NC in the foothills, I have 400 yard shots in several fields,  and up to 1,000 yard clear vision in other fields nearby, down east in the coastal plain NC farming areas 600 yard plus shots over the soybean fields is likely.  In the mountains I use a .308, 30-06 and 8x57 with short barrels 20 inches or less.    Else where in NC, I may use a .308 Norma Mag or a .338 Winchester Mag or a .270 Winchester with 24 inch barrels for long range.   The same is true for coastal, VA, SC and GA you often get long shots.
Given the choices the .308 for large game and .357 for smaller game.   These would also be a good choice for Northern Maine where I used to hunt.