Author Topic: Favorite Handi Hunting Caliber for Big Game? (Read 1730 times)

bb4guns · « **on:** October 17, 2020, 03:04:42 AM »

Well mine is the 308 Winchester. For selection of bullet weights, trajectory and Dow range energy it is hard to beat. Everything from 125 grain Dear loads to 180 grain Elk loads it will deliver.

orerancher · « **Reply #1 on:** October 19, 2020, 10:30:10 AM »

35 Whelen...220g. Cast

ironglows · « **Reply #2 on:** October 19, 2020, 04:14:12 PM »

Mark me down for .308 for all round big game.

geezerbiker · « **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2020, 07:07:37 PM »

I'd say my .45-70 only because it's my favorite rifle. I have a .30-30 Handi I've never shot because the front sight is messed up. I'm about ready to pull off that new target knob peep I put on it and scope it. I think it has the potential of being my next favorite deer gun.

I won't complain here (much) about the futility of hunting black tail deer...

Tony

wtxbadger · « **Reply #4 on:** October 20, 2020, 01:59:08 AM »

My favorite would be 45-70 hands down.

Dee · « **Reply #5 on:** October 20, 2020, 03:14:01 AM »

I wish I had one of my Model 70s in 30-06 back. But I don't.

jedman · « **Reply #6 on:** April 29, 2021, 03:03:44 PM »

I have a 50-70 handi and I have only taken 2 whitetails with it so far but I would use it for larger game with no reservations.
I have other caliber handis that I have taken more game with and would be better at longer ranges but the 50-70 is like a 50 cal. muzzleloader but is a cartridge gun and it plain works.

jedman

fast*eddie · « **Reply #7 on:** May 01, 2021, 12:18:46 PM »

I don't hunt anything larger than deer so my NEF 25-06 works fine . I prefer the single shot rifles .

gene_225 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 01, 2021, 12:49:43 PM »

Haven't hunted in years, but I prefer the 30-40 Krag with a 30" barrel. I used H4831 because it could burn to the end of the barrel. Will admit I used a .308 on a moose at 200 yds. But the Krag did fine on an 8.5' brown bear at 25 yds. so I think it would have been fine for the moose.

Ranger99 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 02, 2021, 11:52:23 AM »

Probably be the 444
After the factory fixed their boo boos
and sent it back I worked with it and
it turned out to be a tack driver.
All the animals shot with it so far
gave up quickly.
Not bad at all for a cheap gun

JimP. · « **Reply #10 on:** May 04, 2021, 11:28:30 AM »

MY FAVORITE IS MY 450 MARLIN CHAMBERED HANDI, OR MY 500 SW MAG HANDI LOADED TO 50-70 VELOCITIES...JIMP.

Ghosth · « **Reply #11 on:** May 20, 2021, 04:15:43 PM »

Would be .30-30 or .444marlin for me with the .357mag running a too close to call 3 way tie.

ironglows · « **Reply #12 on:** May 21, 2021, 12:07:26 AM »

.
I really learned to like the .308, when I transitioned from the M1 to the M14 ....

neckisred · « **Reply #13 on:** May 21, 2021, 12:26:20 AM »

My Model 158 30-30 is probably my favorite right now, but I have a new to me .243 that I have high hopes for.

HWB13 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 21, 2021, 02:37:03 AM »

I would have to go with my 35 Whelen, I fell for it when I saw the RMEF edition in Bugle magazine. Did the research, was living on the left coast then, a d didn't have the funds or had been bit by the handi bug yet
Was glad when they started producing it again. Will do deer, bear, elk, or moose at any ethical range. In the big woods of Maine bigger is better.

45/70fan · « **Reply #15 on:** May 21, 2021, 08:38:26 AM »

It used to be the 45/70 but since I'm down to woods hunting with a max 50 yard shot it's now a 357 Mag. In fact my two biggest deer fell to the the little 357 two years in a row (2018 and 2019). Toted the Maxi last year but didn't shoot anything...

Mule 11 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 21, 2021, 09:43:26 AM »

375 win due to local regs, love it. Oh yeah. It’s a pre Smith encore with a 20” mgm barrel topped with a x3 1.75-6 loopy... and it’s handi...

Capt Danger · « **Reply #17 on:** May 21, 2021, 04:03:57 PM »

.50 cal Encore ML and .357 Max Handi for Eastern Whitetail.

Bolt action rifles are my preference for western big game. I've used a .243 handi rifle for mule deer and antelope and it worked well. Just not as versatile.

Love my R77 all weather boat paddle in 7 RM as my do it all western big game rifle. You can substitute a 30-06 as well. One rifle that does it all.

Woodbridge 30-30 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 26, 2021, 01:51:23 PM »

I agree with Capt Danger about the old 30-06... pretty hard to beat

300winman · « **Reply #19 on:** June 01, 2021, 06:41:18 PM »

Being from Southern Michigan shotgun only zone, my 20ga Tracker II, drilled and tapped, with a 2-7x33 Leupold. It has taken 10+ whitetails. But my 450 Marlin is a close 2nd.