Author Topic: "the all around caliber" ? (Read 7823 times)

slickest · « **on:** March 02, 2008, 10:02:12 AM »

If you guys were to choose one rifle/caliber to hunt black bear, Whitetail deer, Moose, and elk what would it be?

If you have read any of my post's I'm leaning towards a .308 but I'm open to suggestions. Also I don't not reload so please take that into mind.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #1 on:** March 02, 2008, 10:13:14 AM »

.280 Remington, 30-06, or 45-70, not in that order but depending on where and how you hunt. And why don't you reload? It's fun and easy....<><....

kevthebassman · « **Reply #2 on:** March 02, 2008, 10:22:11 AM »

Well picking one caliber to do all sorta defeats the purpose! Hunting a new critter is a wonderful excuse to pick up a new rifle!

That said, if you needed a rifle to do all that and were not a reloader, it would be hard to go wrong with one of the winmags.... .300 or .338. If you were to buy a simple reloading setup, your options open up to a whole new world of calibers. .35 Whelan comes to mind.

Freezer · « **Reply #3 on:** March 02, 2008, 11:36:22 AM »

280 Rem if you hand load or 30-06 if you don't. The only problem with 280 is if you loose or forget your ammo you won't find it at the nearest gas station and small gun shops may have a limited selection if they have it.

GameHauler · « **Reply #4 on:** March 02, 2008, 11:46:13 AM »

With the choice of rounds available
and the fire power able to take any north America game
I would have to say the Remington 7MM Mag.
Mike

handi243 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 02, 2008, 11:46:40 AM »

308 gets my vote

deltecs · « **Reply #6 on:** March 02, 2008, 12:23:55 PM »

If you don't handload, the game is those you posted, there is basically only one caliber. That is the 30-06. Ammo is readily available almost anywhere in various bullet weights for the game intended and it will do the job. It may not be the best for any one of the game posted, but for overall use on these game, it cannot be beat with the limitations imposed. Rifles of every make, model, and manufacturer are chambered for the '06 in many configurations and barrel lengths. Reasonbly priced due quantity sold too.

kevthebassman · « **Reply #7 on:** March 02, 2008, 12:37:20 PM »

Quote from: handi243 on March 02, 2008, 11:46:40 AM

308 gets my vote

.308 for moose?

Now don't get me wrong, I think that the .308 is a wonderful round, and I'm sure it's capable of putting down a moose under the right circumstances..... but I think I would want something with a bit more "oomph" if I were chasing anything over 500 pounds.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #8 on:** March 02, 2008, 01:10:01 PM »

Since we're shooting moose and elk, I'd make it easy on myself and get a .300wm. The .308 ain't in the running even tho Grandpaw Pettibone has killed an elk with one every since forever, and I know the merits of the .280 and the 30-06 and the 7mag 'cause I have some of those too. They are all good rounds but we only get one rifle so it had better be one that can get the job done under any circumstances, the worst circumstances. Also the questioner doesn't reload so he has to make do with store bought. I don't know if 200gr .300WM ammo is readidly available or not but I'm sure you can get 180gr stuff anywhere they sell ammo. As store bought ammo is kinda anemic, the .300 would work best because it would be the least anemic.
Since I do reload, I'd work me up a good load using say a 200gr NP and know I was good to go with any of those animals.

drdougrx · « **Reply #9 on:** March 02, 2008, 01:52:44 PM »

06...boring and efficient.

idahomike · « **Reply #10 on:** March 02, 2008, 02:11:50 PM »

I've killed a lot of elk with a lot of different guns but since moose is in the picture I'd have to vote for the 300WM.
Idahomike

StrawHat · « **Reply #11 on:** March 02, 2008, 02:44:06 PM »

If your budget allows it, a 30-06 is still tops.

If you need something more economical, how about the 303 Enfield.

It has slain piles of all game and neither guns nor ammo are expensive.

Given that I have neither at this time, it is just my opinion.

I use a couple of 45-70s and a 405 WCF. My 50-70 is still in the load development stage!

corbanzo · « **Reply #12 on:** March 02, 2008, 03:24:57 PM »

PartsMan · « **Reply #13 on:** March 02, 2008, 04:04:06 PM »

There is no such thing.
You need at least one gun for every species of game.

(My wife is watching me type this.)

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #14 on:** March 03, 2008, 03:24:48 AM »

Quote from: slickest on March 02, 2008, 10:02:12 AM

If you guys were to choose one rifle/caliber to hunt black bear, Whitetail deer, Moose, and elk what would it be?

If you have read any of my post's I'm leaning towards a .308 but I'm open to suggestions. Also I don't not reload so please take that into mind.

The fact that you do not reload would, under most circumstances, strongly suggests a .308 Win or .30-06 due in large part to the availability of inexpensive ammo. Both will certainly work for your intended purpose but of the two I would choose the .30-06 as moose is on the menu and the .30-06 handles heavy bullets better than the .308 Win.

Putting my money where my mouth is, I recently purchased a .30-06 as a wedding present for my future son-in-law, the primary application being mule deer and elk on a limited budget.

Freezer · « **Reply #15 on:** March 03, 2008, 05:57:23 AM »

303 British

, There's only two bullet weights (150gr, 175gr) available and I don't think any modern firearms in America are chambered for that round.
7Mag

Not a bad choice. If you need the rifle to reach out and touch someone that is a real good choice. Most full length mags have long barrels and are rather heavy.They're also known for their recoil. If this is mainly a woods or 300yrd gun I'd still stay with the 06.

deltecs · « **Reply #16 on:** March 03, 2008, 08:40:47 AM »

Quote from: Freezer on March 03, 2008, 05:57:23 AM

303 British , There's only two bullet weights (150gr, 175gr) available and I don't think any modern firearms in America are chambered for that round.
7Mag Not a bad choice. If you need the rifle to reach out and touch someone that is a real good choice. Most full length mags have long barrels and are rather heavy.They're also known for their recoil. If this is mainly a woods or 300yrd gun I'd still stay with the 06.

The '06 150 gr bullets can achieve 3000 fps so reaching out and touching someone is only effective past 600 yards with the 7mm mag. The heaviest bullet in the 7mm mag that is factory loaded is 175 gr. With an '06 it is 220 gr. The 220 gr at 2450 fps has momentum value of 77. The 7 mag with a 175 gr at 2850 fps has a momentum of 71. The '06 factory bullet has better momentum value for moose and elk. It has better sectional density than the 175 gr 7mm bullet too. Much better. With 150 gr and 165 gr, it can reach out and touch any of the game listed at ranges further than needed for a clean kill, so what advantage does the 7 mm mag have over the '06? NONE, that answers the post.

Freezer · « **Reply #17 on:** March 03, 2008, 09:18:23 AM »

Good point! I've never been a big magnum fan any ways

1sourdough · « **Reply #18 on:** March 03, 2008, 12:05:15 PM »

My all around round has been the 308 for a long time, though 99% was deer hunting. I could get by with my 3 308's if I had to. A few years ago I got a 300WSM for black bear hunting & possibly out West & I just got a used Savage 110 30-06 on somewhat of an impulse buy, though I had reloading dies & plenty of empty cases around for 30-06. Since I load just about all my ammo I can make the 300WSM a 308 if I want. I would look to a 308 or 30-06 if I wanted one to do many things. If I'm going to hunt deer 95% of the time I don't need anything larger.

corbanzo · « **Reply #19 on:** March 03, 2008, 12:55:47 PM »

Quote from: Freezer on March 03, 2008, 05:57:23 AM

303 British , There's only two bullet weights (150gr, 175gr) available and I don't think any modern firearms in America are chambered for that round.
7Mag Not a bad choice. If you need the rifle to reach out and touch someone that is a real good choice. Most full length mags have long barrels and are rather heavy.They're also known for their recoil. If this is mainly a woods or 300yrd gun I'd still stay with the 06.

My old man used to live out in the bush, he would hike about 8 miles from the nearest road to get there, and the one gun he carried was an old .303 brit. It was enough for bears, and he could take the heads of spruce chickens for food. He did end up getting a single six after a couple spensive grouse....

longwinters · « **Reply #20 on:** March 03, 2008, 01:06:54 PM »

Especially with todays bullets, I just dont see a need for magnums for anything up to moose.

Long

Dave in WV · « **Reply #21 on:** March 03, 2008, 01:07:14 PM »

Best all around caliber? 7mm
Best all around cartridge? 30-06
It's my post and my opinion, don't try logic and reality on me.

burntmuch · « **Reply #22 on:** March 03, 2008, 01:13:01 PM »

30-06 would cover all the bases ,but dont tell the wife that

azmike · « **Reply #23 on:** March 04, 2008, 04:35:49 AM »

30-06
338 Federal
358 Winchester
35 Whelen

I'd suggest a magnum, but I don't enjoy the one I own. Sure works, though.

Savage .250 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 04, 2008, 05:02:15 AM »

30-06......................Get-er Done!

flyboy · « **Reply #25 on:** March 04, 2008, 05:30:04 AM »

Quote from: drdougrx on March 02, 2008, 01:52:44 PM

06...boring and efficient.

Yeah, what he said!

Freezer · « **Reply #26 on:** March 04, 2008, 06:35:57 AM »

I didn't mean to berate the 303 cartridge or insult any ones dad but it's just not a versatile cartridge. To two bullet weights, limited ammo, no modern chamberings and a rimmed cartridge. To my knowledge there are only three cartridges that use a .311 bullet, 7.7 Jap, British 303 and the Arg or Belgin Mauser 7.65x53 (I have a sporter that's getting re-bareled). That said for a new or custom gun it's not a good choice. Not that it can't get the job done but it limits the owner even if he handloads.

flyboy · « **Reply #27 on:** March 04, 2008, 08:11:17 AM »

Quote from: Dave in WV on March 03, 2008, 01:07:14 PM

It's my post and my opinion, don't try logic and reality on me.

It is a Fine and Pleasant Madness, isn't it?

dw06 · « **Reply #28 on:** March 04, 2008, 08:46:54 AM »

30-06

thumbcocker · « **Reply #29 on:** March 04, 2008, 10:53:19 AM »