Author Topic: dream come true (Read 1496 times)

ins.man · « **on:** August 21, 2004, 06:45:03 PM »

I have the chance to hunt larger game than I am use to here in NC. A relative started renting some land in Kentucky. I will be able to hunt elk, boar, and larger deer than I have the opportunity to at home. I am very excited!!! Currently I shoot only a 30-30 lever action and rem. 700 .308 for all my hunting. I need to move up the ladder to a larger caliber. I am lost in this area. I can shoot out 300 yards without fear of missing my target. Clean/clear shot or no shots taken. I went to a large gun store today and there was everything you could ask for. weatherby, rem., win., browning, sako, etc. I would really appreciate recomendations on what caliber to use and manufacturer of rifle. I loved the feel of the weatherby, however the cost is so high. For example is the weatherby worth the $? I do not mind investing $ into this situation. I am open for all suggestions from people that hunt for larger game. I don't want to fall into the whirlwind of advertising. Experience from others is what I want to make my decision based on. Thanks and God Bless!

7magWoodsman · « **Reply #1 on:** August 21, 2004, 07:26:23 PM »

ins.man,
I am from Kentucky and would like to wish you luck and enjoyment while hunting in my home state. Also I have experience with the size game you seek.

The 7mm Remington Magnum has never failed me...but your .308 will do the trick if you stick that bullet where it belongs...the .280 Rem. is good and of course the old 30'06 is GREAT. Something to think about though...at 300 yards the 7mag has "roughly" the same energy at 300 yards as the .308 at 100yrds. and the .280 at 150 yards when using "factory" loaded ammunition with "comparable" weight bullets. Since it is very possible that you may need to make a 300 yard shot on Elk in the eastern hills of Kentucky I would sure nuff keep that in mind.

As far as guns I would go with whatever American made rifle fits you best.

I like the Remington 700 BDL and Ruger M77...I like both rifles for different reasons...this is only my opinion of course...I like the out of box accuracy Remington provides. I like the Rugged construction and the stock of the Ruger, I also like that the rings attach directly to the receiver of the Ruger. I am extremely comfortable with the M77 myself and it's a shooter too...

Also don't overlook the fact that the rifle will "feel" different with a scope on it...I am sure you didn't but I know how exciting it can be in a large Gun Shop :wink:

Happy Hunting, Stay Safe

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** August 22, 2004, 03:49:53 AM »

There is no REAL need to move up at all. Your .308 is perfectly up to the task if you are. There are likely more moose killed in Canada with the .308 and the old .303 British than all others put together as I am led to understand. In Europe they consider the 6.5x55 to be an excellent elk and moose round.

Just use 180 grain bullets and put it where it belongs and nothing you'll be hunting will fail to be yours.

Now a question for you.

Why do you think you're going to be able to hunt elk in KY? Isn't it a very limited draw to get an elk permit? Or is it possible to hunt them on private land not in the intended zones for them if they stray over? Generally speaking in all of the states east of the Mississippi river you must enter a drawing and tags are harder to get than out west. Seems I do recall tho in some places where the states don't really want them the land owners can shoot them if they stray where not wanted.

7magWoodsman · « **Reply #3 on:** August 22, 2004, 05:44:06 AM »

Greybeard,
One person from North Carolina drew a Bull tag, I was kinda hoping it was him. But if not here is the law, although I wish they would restrict it they are the ones making the rules, I just give em my money and fill my freezer.

ELK HUNTING OUTSIDE THE RESTORATION AREA
Kentucky has established a 16-county restoration zone. (Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Perry, Pike, Whitley) 8 northeastern previously listed buffer counties have been eliminated.

With the opening of the 2004-05 deer season, a legal deer hunter will be permitted to take either sex elk from counties not listed above.

Elk taken in counties OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED ABOVE do not count toward the deer season limit. There is no season bag limit on Out of Zone Elk and they do not have to be telechecked. However, these animals must be immediately reported to the KDFWR and checked on site before the carcass is moved. Hunters should, and are recommended to, field dress the animal. However, it cannot be transported from the spot where it was taken until checked by a KDFWR enforcement officer or biologist.

Hunters who harvest an elk outside the restoration zone must call (800) 252-5378 and report the kill. Hunters, who fail to properly report harvested elk taken in counties open to hunting, are subject to severe fines and other penalties.

Graybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** August 22, 2004, 12:37:42 PM »

I knew some states were letting you hunt them if they got outside the area they wanted them in. I think that is a SUPER DUMB law that you can't move it from where it falls until a game officer shows up. What if it takes you days to get one there? What if someone steals it before you get back? Real dumb law.

ins.man · « **Reply #5 on:** August 22, 2004, 02:21:26 PM »

I may be getting a little ahead of myself about hunting elk. The land is private and I don't know alot of the details. Just going along for the ride. I am mostly interested if I need to go larger than the .308. Just wanting to get some info. about larger game and calibers/ rifles that are better suited for the situation. I am just as happy shooting a large deer than an elk. Thanks for the concerns and information about my new adventure. All suggestions and conversation about my situation are very appreciated. God Bless!

Rick Teal · « **Reply #6 on:** August 22, 2004, 03:40:02 PM »

ins.man:

As others have said, you .308 is plenty of rifle, however, it looks like you're looking to buy a new rifle, and just wanting one is more than enough reason to get one. :twisted:

I've been leaning more toward the larger bores in recent years, and my two most recent "moose" rifles are examples of this. From '92 to '01, I carried a .358 Winchester, and over the last two years my moose gun has been a .35 Whelen.

A Whelen or .338-06 might be a good choice. Both can be loaded down for deer, and full loads are more than enough for bear and Moose (and likely hogs and elk). A 300 yd shot (if you're into that sort of thing) is well within the capabilities of these rounds.

Rick

7magWoodsman · « **Reply #7 on:** August 22, 2004, 06:32:51 PM »

Quote from: Graybeard

I think that is a SUPER DUMB law that you can't move it from where it falls until a game officer shows up. What if it takes you days to get one there? What if someone steals it before you get back? Real dumb law.

I have thought this myself numerous times and agree with you 110%.
I guess it is to keep "Cousin Bob" from "poaching"

From experience I know how it feels for someone to steal your kill. kind of like this: :eek: :shock: :evil:

:twisted:

Quote from: Rick Teal

A Whelen or .338-06 might be a good choice. Both can be loaded down for deer, and full loads are more than enough for bear and Moose. A 300 yd shot is well within the capabilities of these rounds.

I wish Kentucky's deer where big enough to "require" a big bore. :lol:
Firstly, I agree to an extent...I love the .358 and the .35 Whelen but
to be honest a lot people here in Kentucky and Tennessee still use the old 30-30 for "EVERY" big game critter around here and fill their tags without a problem, including big hogs and black bear...again I like the 7mag, personal choice really, but for North American Game short of Grizzly and maybe Moose, I draw the line at the 30.cals...again I adore big bores, the .375 sure would fill your tag and that is for sure....but I honestly believe that for "around here" the 7mag is pushing "too" much gun and actually think some of the "lesser" cartridges are MORE than IDEAL...a lot of hunter's can not handle the 30'06 and 7mag recoil and still be able shoot accurately, or at least choose not to handle it, and in those cases the .308,7mm-08, or .280 would be the BEST choice....

Happy Hunting

John Y Cannuck · « **Reply #8 on:** August 30, 2004, 12:51:27 AM »

Have to agree with the above, both cartridges you already own are quite capable of taking larger game. My moose camp is almost exclusively 308Win. With one guy still using his 30-30, and one a 30-06.
But, in your situation, it would be hard to pass on an excuse for a new rifle.

Cabin4 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 30, 2004, 03:07:27 AM »

Since you already own 2 30caliber rifles and you seem determined to move up, then I would look at something in the .338 class. 338 win mag or the 338 win ultra mag, 340 weatherby mag.

However, your 308 is more than enough gun for elk in KY.

cam69conv · « **Reply #10 on:** September 23, 2004, 11:56:47 AM »

hehehe Are you in for a treat and a shock...Deer in Ky are around double in size compared to most deer in Nc....I lived in Ky for a few years and killed MANY deer dressing over 230 ...Gotta love them corn fed country bred critters...As far as Gun choice Im with the crowd on that one...Your .308 will do its part as long as you do yours...As Graybeard said Load up some 180's and pop away...There are places in Ky where you will get 300 yrd shots and many more where 100 will be a stretch...Good luck to ya and have a Ball

sport240 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 06, 2004, 07:15:11 PM »

Well...here's my experience......

This year I moved down the caliber scale from a .300 Win. Mag. to a .308 Win. for recoil sensitivity reasons. Also, I had been developping a twitch with the .300 Win. Mag. that I really was'nt pleased about. My smitty sold me Remington Scirocco's in 165gr. for the .308 Win and low and behold I popped a 700-800 lbs moose with it out at 200 yards (measured). I put 4 shots in it, but one probably would have been enough as the three first shots hit lung-heart-liver and the fourth was a dropper to the spine. No bullets were recovered. Upon inspection, the wound channel testified to massive internal damage allowing me to assume that all the energy was dispensed in the animal. The opposite side of the "torso" was damaged but the bullet's did'nt go through the opposite side (I am assuming that they stayed in the opposite side hide- I did'nt skin it so I can't confirm).

I think that what you may be looking for is high performance ammo for the .308 Win. you already own. If your comfortable with the .308 don't go bigger, it really is'nt necessary. Right now I've got a $2000.00 .300 Win Mag. in my gun safe that I really don't see much purpose for anymore...I,m sure I,ll think of something...but the .308 is so much more comfortable...BTW...short action too....

Sport240

7mm MAGNUM · « **Reply #12 on:** November 07, 2004, 04:45:33 AM »

I agree with the majority here,... your .308 is plenty of gun for what your intending to do. You are already familiar with this gun so go out and enjoy it!

Use that $$ you would have spent on that new rifle for those little extras you might need for your hunting trip.

(If you have a wife back @ home bring her a gift back and earn yourself some extra points for your NEXT trip away from home! :wink: )