What caliber to use.

[Sourdough]

You know we talk about the caliber we use or like and someone always has something either good or bad about that particuler caliber.  But you know they are all good, within their paramiters.

I read the book about Frank Glasser, "Alaska's Wolfman".  Frank was a Market Huntier, a Meat Hunter for the road commission, Guide, Wildlife Collector for the USGS, and Government Preditor Control Agent.  Frank lived in the wilderness, camping most of the time.  Walking or riding dog sled across much of Alaska.  Frank was able to buy the latest and greatest in firearms and scopes of the day.

Only one time in the book did Frank say he was undergunned.  Frank tried to kill a Grizzly with a .220 Swift.  Frank was hard pressed keeping a tree between himself and said Grizzly, as he kept shooting it every chance he got. 

Now thinking about what I shoot most of the time, Foxes, Lynx, Coyotes, Wolves, Caribou, Moose, and Bears.  I usually carry three guns with me when I go out.  .17HMR, .223, and the old 30-06.

Foxes, .17 HMR works good.  Small hole in and no exit hole.  Can shoot them out to 200 yards no problem.  A .223 blows them in half, same for the Lynx.

Coyotes, a .17HMR just does not stop them, a .223 works good and puts them down in their tracks.  A 30-06 is kind of distructive.

Wolves, the .223 is minimum, sometimes it will stop them and sometimes it won't.  I have found the 30-06 is a much better choice.

Caribou Moose and bears, 30-06 is the minimum.  Yes I could kill Caribou and Moose with smaller guns, but what am I going to do when I run into a Grizzly.  I don't care what anybody says about this or that gun will kill a Grizzly, I will not face one with anything smaller than the old 30-06.

[LONGTOM]

Sounds like those three covers all the bases.
Sure other calibers could be subed in their place but it they work for you and you feel comfortable with them that good enough for me.
Most of the time it is not so much in caliber selection as it is in bullet selection and shot placement.
A small caliber with the right bullet will get the job done most of the time and a lousy shot placement from a cannon don't always kill.



LONGTOM

[rex6666]

Those three sound good to me. But we have BIG problem with these three
Cal. None of them end in mag. and these days, it just will not hunt if
it doesn't end i mag.

[OSOK]

Great book Sourdough! I got it several years ago as a b-day present from my friend in Fairbanks.
I'd say you are well heeled for what you hunt. And, as usual, you have thought it out well.
I keep up with your posts and find some of the comments you get to be funny. Most people from the lower 48 will never understand hunting in the interior of Alaska until they experience it for themselves.
I'd love to come hunt with you some time. I pulled out some old VHS tapes I recorded my last summer up there just last night and watched them...really makes me missed it all.

[S.E.Ak]

22Hornet on the critters and 45cal. on the eating stuff,45/70,454casull and 45colt

[spikehorn]

Sounds like a good selection for what and where you hunt. Not being from Alaska and not having to potentially face down a grizzly, but possibly an angry black bear sow with cubs or a fisher cat which the NYSDEC in thier infinite wisdom released in my area few years ago my choices would be
22mag could and have killed coyotes with it
223
308

[burntmuch]

Agreed with all thats said. But man a 3 gun safe would be boring

[dangerranger]

 Sourdough, I like your thinking.  If I had to limit it to three guns I could get away with alot less. coyotes are much smaller here.[ think fox or springer spaniel size ] we dont have wolves. so foxxes, bobcat, and coyotes can easily be taken with 17HMR. Deer size animals up to the things that might eat me [black bear, and big cats] can be shot with a 3030 in close forest to the 3006 out in open country. or a 12ga with proper ammo would work on most of them [ except for open country]. DR

[manatee1947]

 I have been thinking about the same thing, so much of the stuff here is about the "Mag" as another stated, or the big stuff. I already have too much "big stuff" . Deer, feral hogs, an occassional coyote, that is the sum total of anything sizeable that I will ever shoot. There are groundhogs, coons, increasingly armadillos, possums, gophers, squirrels, rabbits, pests. The 357 is actually too much gun for this, because even bouncing my 185 gr cast loads across the landscape requires considerable care. Actually, the 22 mag is a very appropriate and useful cartridge for my uses, but at $10 a box- that is over 20 cents per shot. Just about like shooting quarters at something. This is one reason I am such a fan of the proposed 327 mag in a handi- especially since the 32-20 or 25-20 do not look very probable. I can reload any of the previous cartridges for 5 CENTS a shot. That means 20% of the cost, or 500% more shooting. The bullet weight is from 65 to 115 gr, with 2-10 gr of powder. Can anyone tell me of a chambering that will currently fill this niche?? The Hornet comes close, but that would not be easy to cast (I think) and would still be pretty fast. Time goes on, and every year the neighbors get nearer, noise becomes more problematic, and recoil more of a consideration. As retirement rapidly approaches, I would like something quiet, pleasant to shoot and affordable, and as much as I love my BC, that will not be the gun.

[Rifleman1000]

Those three sound good to me. But we have BIG problem with these three
Cal. None of them end in mag. and these days, it just will not hunt if
it doesn't end i mag.

OK  so it doesnt end in Magnum but .17 HMR has magnum in its name .

[yukondog]

Those three would work just fine anywear.

[tykempster]

I'd go for the bigger end of the spectrum, especially if I lived in Africa...probably 22 LR for ease of cost and availability, 223 for the second gun, same reasons as before, or as an alternate 308.  Last would be a 375 most likely.  This list is ONLY if I could have 3 though...not what I would choose.

[BBF]

whatever the first two would or could be, the last one would be a 35 cal other then the old Rem

[243shooter]

what's wrong with you guys? i have sereval rifles in a dozen different calibers and i'm starting to have a hard time convincing the wife that i need more, good thing she doesn't read this.

[45-70.gov]

I have been thinking about the same thing, so much of the stuff here is about the "Mag" as another stated, or the big stuff. I already have too much "big stuff" . Deer, feral hogs, an occassional coyote, that is the sum total of anything sizeable that I will ever shoot. There are groundhogs, coons, increasingly armadillos, possums, gophers, squirrels, rabbits, pests. The 357 is actually too much gun for this, because even bouncing my 185 gr cast loads across the landscape requires considerable care. Actually, the 22 mag is a very appropriate and useful cartridge for my uses, but at $10 a box- that is over 20 cents per shot. Just about like shooting quarters at something. This is one reason I am such a fan of the proposed 327 mag in a handi- especially since the 32-20 or 25-20 do not look very probable. I can reload any of the previous cartridges for 5 CENTS a shot. That means 20% of the cost, or 500% more shooting. The bullet weight is from 65 to 115 gr, with 2-10 gr of powder. Can anyone tell me of a chambering that will currently fill this niche?? The Hornet comes close, but that would not be easy to cast (I think) and would still be pretty fast. Time goes on, and every year the neighbors get nearer, noise becomes more problematic, and recoil more of a consideration. As retirement rapidly approaches, I would like something quiet, pleasant to shoot and affordable, and as much as I love my BC, that will not be the gun.

38  in a rifle  when quiet  and discrete  count  or  small game
357  when  you need a little more power

44spl /44mag   same thing
45lc/460snw    same thing  [new]
your same caliber  handgun  for  fire power

[McLernon]

Griz and even blacky are in a special category IMHO. A wounded bear or even a heart or double lung shot bear will NOT plant them if the bullet does not expand. Most of us would employ a strong bullet construction (not a Ballistic Tip) to break bone and anchor a bear but if you miss bone you will likely get a pass-thru (regardless of caliber) which would likely result in a wounded animal that can really move FAST. I double-lunged a blacky this season with a 350 gr. 45-70....................got a 458 cal pass-thru and that bear went 40 yards at mach 1  before running out of air and blood. Fortunately I was up a tree stand at right angles to his path. If I had been on the ground I would not have been able to get a second shot away it was that fast. I know better than to make such bad shot placement but in the excitement of the moment I treated the bear like a deer................................ My point is, for bear you need a heavy enough caliber with a structurally strong bullet and you must break some big bones with the first shot to put the bear down and then give it a killing shot. Just my 2 cents worth.

Mc

[Big Blue]

The older I get the more I love the 30-06. I have two loads that I use in mine, a 168gr Barnes TSX and a 220gr. Hornady RNSP. With a sectional density of .331 there is little that the 220gr. bullet won't penetrate and it's very accurate to boot. I now have the 220gr. load zeroed at 100 yards and the 168gr. load 3" high at 100 yards.
Don

Horn. 220gr.


Barnes 168gr.

[S.E.Ak]

Nine bears,two brownies and 45/70 with 350grrn took all but one with one shot and no tracking.375H&H got the other

[mechanic]

22 lr.

38/357 Handi

45-70 Handi

I'm covered...just don't tell sweet thang' as I'm working on a few additions......

[Daman]

Personally (because I live in South Alabama and don't need a 416 Rigby in the Safe) I would have to go with the following if I could only pick three guns  :::

Henry 22 lever action
Browning Bar Safari 30-06
Remington 870 Express 20 gauge

And if I can sneak a pistol in:

My Colt Diamondback 38 special for ccw and a back up weapon.

Daman

[PHATINJUN]

Jay I think those are just the 3 he has strapped to the snow machine. Kurt

[burntmuch]

Yeah I kinda figured that . I guess my 3 would be  22lr compact little Marlin 60
                                                                      357 max compact little handi   These two would cover anything in Michigan  Throw in my Model 7 7mm-08 just because

[aromakr]

Its interesting to me, one of the comments was "If it doesn't end in Magnum I don't hunt with it". Its amazing how the American sportsman has gobbled up the firearms manufactures advertising, "if its bigger its better" and magnum means its bigger so it must be better. To those with that belief I would suggest you read the book "The Perfect Shot" By Robertson. Kevin is an African PH as well a being a Veterinary. He states most PH's shutter when American hunters arrive in camp with those large Magnum rifles. One because most can't handle them, but most importantly because with so much velocity the bullet exits the animal before it expends its energy. Instead of expending it in the animal.
He states that ideally the bullet will be found just under the hid on the offside for the animal, where it has shed all its energy in the animal. Just some food for thought.
Bob

[catman50plus]

My preference is the 6.5x55, or 260 Remington. Reason being, it is one of the most accurate cals. the 6.5 that is, even at long ranges. If you have any doubts about it, visit a long range match, and now a days, that is the main cal. in the money at them, and yes there are others,  but the 6.5x284 is just 200 fps faster than the other 2 mentioned and is the main round used in the last few years. Like the post before me, many rounds are way over kill, or seems to me, but seems if the Swede round works on Moose over there, and being in the same size class, I figure since it worked there for a hundred years or so, should here as well. But then, that is just my 2 cents worth.

[briannmilewis]

Down-load a 22 Hornet to subsonic and put a suppressor on it.

[Elkoholic]

Tough not to throw in a rimfire, but I'm thinkin' my 3 would include:

Small: 204 or 223  (handloaded from popgun to max)
Med:  7-08 or 308
Large: 35 Whelan or 45/70   (Elmer Keith always said - "carry enough gun")

And of course a shotgun for Ptarmigan, ducks and such...

Fun to consider!

Mike

[Frank V]

Nine bears,two brownies and 45/70 with 350grrn took all but one with one shot and no tracking.375H&H got the other

This is exactly what I'd expect from those two calibers! The .375 H&H Rules! 
Frank

[Austin1]

I am late comming to this post. I like the pick of three cals you just can't go wrong with a 06, I love my .222 for yotes, the now forgotten .222?
I don't own a 06 right now I made the switch to a 8x57 the outcome when you pull the trigger is the same. Because I hunt in ''Rifle country'' most of the time open area shot's of 300yds or more are not that rare so the 06 family is a wise choice and the big .300 mags even better.
 I love the long range yote hunting with my trap door I miss more than I hit but when I hit one with a paper patch bullet at 1200 fps at 300yrds or more I feel like I really did something! but it is not a practical hunting tool but dam fun.
Don't forget the .308 the under rated short brother to the 06 or the stumpy dads brother (uncle) .300 savage both are great too. 

[Austin1]

Its interesting to me, one of the comments was "If it doesn't end in Magnum I don't hunt with it". Its amazing how the American sportsman has gobbled up the firearms manufactures advertising, "if its bigger its better" and magnum means its bigger so it must be better. To those with that belief I would suggest you read the book "The Perfect Shot" By Robertson. Kevin is an African PH as well a being a Veterinary. He states most PH's shutter when American hunters arrive in camp with those large Magnum rifles. One because most can't handle them, but most importantly because with so much velocity the bullet exits the animal before it expends its energy. Instead of expending it in the animal.
He states that ideally the bullet will be found just under the hid on the offside for the animal, where it has shed all its energy in the animal. Just some food for thought.
Bob

Magnum to me is just a word used in ad's yes the big .300 Mags  will let you shoot and hit game with enough punch out to 500yrds, but ya got to practice with that tool. I am lucky in that I can do that paper targets can teach I have a area I can shoot that far and practice. I can and do shoot out my back door to 300yrds but then I see some of the groups that 1000yrd shooters turn in and it blows my mind how good a shooter and gun they are & have.
About the bullet in the animal I personally rather have it pass through, but have a few I found and the Deer or Elk have died on the spot with the bullet that did not go through. It's more important to put the bullet in the right place to start with in 30 years of big game hunting I never had a animal move more than 75 yrds after the hit thats counting two large Grizzly's. Most animals go 20 yards and pile up. I lost one animal in my life the blood trail was small the shot bad with a 7x57 I now if I had hit it with my .375 it would have been the same thing a lost animal. It was a whitetail and I am sure I clipped it just enough for it to bleed right behind and low of the front leg.
I kept tracking or watching him for the whole day,at the end of the day he was even chasing doe's. I still counted it as a wounded deer and did not hunt whitetail any more that season. To me if you hit a Animal your tag is filled even if you do not tag it. Any way with Bow season, Rifle Season and musket season I can fill the freezer, one Moose draw and I am begging friends to take some meat of my hands lol. Same with Elk they are so big, Moose and Elk grow in size once they are down.     

[Austin1]

My preference is the 6.5x55, or 260 Remington. Reason being, it is one of the most accurate cals. the 6.5 that is, even at long ranges. If you have any doubts about it, visit a long range match, and now a days, that is the main cal. in the money at them, and yes there are others,  but the 6.5x284 is just 200 fps faster than the other 2 mentioned and is the main round used in the last few years. Like the post before me, many rounds are way over kill, or seems to me, but seems if the Swede round works on Moose over there, and being in the same size class, I figure since it worked there for a hundred years or so, should here as well. But then, that is just my 2 cents worth.

Your thinking right! but the big .300 and the like of 8 mag 340 wby do really hit hard, Dam hard and shoot very flat but it depends on the shooter they all kick hard. I pride myself on gutting a Deer and getting no blood on me but one day I walked back to camp to get my Game cart and my best friend said I finally saw it you had blood on your nose. The scope on my .300win cut me open I didn't even notice it!I was too pumped! Iam still waiting to get that muley back from my taxidermist.
You can only make use of all that extra power if you shoot often, I say just stick to a 6.5 or 7mm of any type or the 06 family. And make your shot count !!!