.303 vs 30-06

[samwyse]

So I'm considering my first rifle. For a while now I've settled on the 30-06 in a bolt-action. Recently my interest has been piqued by Parker-Hale .303
Anyone have experience with both of these. It looks like the .303 has less powder but also slightly less mass?
also the question of ubiquitous ammo in terms of purchasing. Can you buy .303 anywhere?

[Remington721]

As this is your first rifle I would maybe take a look at the 7mm-08, its a very light recoiling and very versatile cartridge. A lighter recoiling round would help you develop your shooting skills. But to answer your post, i would definitely be choosing the 30-06 over the 303.

[scotty30-06]

30-06 all the way...way more versatile

[pricedo]

Your rifle ought to be an "ought six".
Sold my "disposable" rem 742 off the epps website last fall.
Those 742s had about 1000 shots max in them factory new out of the box and mine stayed fairly solid for not quite that before major shake rattle and roll set in permanently and accuracy started slipping .
I bought a savage 116 stainless weather warrior with the accutrigger and accustock which puts 5 x @165 grain accubond bullets in a group less than 3/4"consistently off benched sandbags.
Great calibre and you can get ammo and loading components just about anywhere.

[pricedo]

My 118 pound wife hunts with a inherited from her dad Mannlicher Schoenauer carbine in 30-06 that weighs less than 6 pounds and she has no problem with the recoil with full power ammo so I can't see that being a problem for a full grown guy.

[ACE]

Bolt action 30-06 .......
Common ..... ammo of all weights.
Versatile .....
East to shoot ...

[M.Dean]

There's nothing wrong with the 303 cartridge, but the 30-06 is better. With the Ott Six you can load real light bullets, and real big bullets, and you can buy Ott-six shell's darn near anywhere. And I'm pretty sure the 303 bullet is .311 in dia, where as the Ott-6 is .308 in dia, so there fairly close in size. Let us know what you decide.

[Foxton Gundogs]

'06 is the best all around cartridge for HN game, it will do the job from yotes to big bears and bison. As mentioned cheap readily available ammo and bullet variety are two huge plusses

[adriaticum]

I believe I've seen 303 at CDN tire but that doesn't mean it will be available at your local CDN tire.
On the other hand even my grandma's pasta closet may contain a box or two of '06.
You have a range from 110 gr to 220 gr with '06, so you could pick your own poison.

[Surrey Boy]

30-06 has every advantage.