This. All day long and twice on Sunday.

Can't remember the last time I bought ammo in a regular store instead of online. I have tried, but the local places don't carry what I like. And if they do, it's higher than giraffe nookie.

I would never buy anything based on walmart. Sorry SOB's caving to a few comments and most no longer sell ammo at all.

Jwalker for a few dollars you and your son can get a press dies components and tailor your loads. Wally world may not tote the bullet type or brand but Dave Dillon's ammocranker always is full. UncleHuck is onto something.

.308 or 7-08 I use 7-08 but honestly the ammo selection is better for .308

Another vote here for the 25-06 . I've had it in a A-Bolt , 700 and now a TC Encore and have loved them all . My second choice would be my Model 7 in 7mm - 08 . These guns are getting used more and more as I leave the Magnum at home . Plenty of gun with plenty of range and a lot lighter , quieter and softer on the shoulder .

.260, 6.5gaymoooore, 7-08, 257bob in that order. I really like the the .260 and 257 but ammo choices are limited if you’re buying local. I had to throw the gaymoooore in there ammo is plentiful, cheap and the it just fits your criteria. The 7-08 is probably the closest middle ground you’re gonna find all things considered. Do get me wrong I like a 308 as well but I’ve sat behind some that would leave a bruised shoulder after 10 rounds a lot has to do with the particular stock design and round fired.

.308 definitely.

Agreed. I almost didnt buy my first 7mm08 because of listening to a few complain about couldnt find ammo anywhere and it was expensive. Found out that wasnt true in either case shopping online.

Does a 140g 7-08 really recoil much less than a 150g 308 in the same gun? I have each caliber but in different guns and I really can't tell any difference. The 6.5c definately has less recoil than either.

Just to throw another in the mix. I been killing deer and hogs with a 6.5 Grendel and I like it too but it’s not really a step up.

I went to. 7mm-08. My son got. 7mm-08 when he was 8 and shot managed recoil rounds. It was like shooting a 223. I’m getting my wife a 7mm-08 before long.

300blk

Another vote for 708 and then a 308 in that order

I don’t own a .308 but years ago I shot one and I remember the recoil was comparable to a 30-06. My 7-08 has substantially less recoil than my 30-06. Is a .308 lighter recoiling than a 30-06?

,300 Blck is fun to shoot but it runs out of gas pretty quick if you get much past 100 yds. It would be perfect in a pistol configuration to put in a backpack while bowhunting.

6.5 Grendel.

My Ruger American 308 with 165g SSTs does not have as much recoil as my A-Bolt 30-06 shooting 150s and nowhere near as much with 180s. My 7-08 is a TC Venture with 140g Fusions and it's about the same as the 308. The 7-08 and the 308 are comfortable for range days, the 30-06 is about 10 rounds and I'm done. It does however have the hard rubber factory recoil "pad".