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hoppdoc
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Reged: 02/03/06
Posts: 1791
Loc: Southeastern USA
Best American BIG GAME CALLIBER!!
      #101635 - 05/04/08 11:22 AM

We all have personal preferences for our Big Game rifles--

What would be your preference for taking on ALL American BIG GAME-Brown Bear,Polar Bear,Black Bear,Elk,Moose, etc??

Only one caliber for all- Watcha gonna pick?? Why is your caliber the best??
Best American Big Game Caliber!
You may choose only one
30.06
300 Mags
338 WM
340 Wby
35 Whelen
375 H&H
375 Ruger
9.3x62
404 Jeffery
416 Remington
416 Wby
458 Wm
458 Lott
other


Votes accepted from (05/04/08 11:19 AM) to (No end specified)
You must vote before you can view the results of this poll



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An armed man is a citizen of his country, an unarmed man just a subject.

Edited by hoppdoc (05/04/08 11:34 AM)

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hoppdoc
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Reged: 02/03/06
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Loc: Southeastern USA
Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: hoppdoc]
      #101636 - 05/04/08 11:29 AM

I picked the 375 Ruger for ALL game--


Standard length action,excellent bullet selection,decent ballistics, good penetration, and capable of being made in a compact lightweight durable(yes,ugly)rifle package.

New ugly kid on the block but a better mousetrap for me!!

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An armed man is a citizen of his country, an unarmed man just a subject.

Edited by hoppdoc (05/04/08 11:58 AM)

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Ripp
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Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: hoppdoc]
      #101640 - 05/04/08 11:58 AM

Because it included elk and "all" NA big game I chose the .338--perferrably I would choose the 338 Ultra--flat enough shooting for even the longer ranges...more than adequate killing power for anything that walks over here and good bullet selection..

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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peter
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Reged: 11/04/07
Posts: 1493
Loc: denmark
Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: Ripp]
      #101665 - 05/04/08 04:52 PM

i choose the 338 win, i think that would be the most practical application to all NA game. i would have liked it to be the 338 laupua instead though.

best regards

peter

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JabaliHunter
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Reged: 16/05/07
Posts: 1958
Loc: England
Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: peter]
      #101683 - 05/04/08 09:45 PM

How about the 8x68S ? Flat enough for sheep and goats, more than enough for deer, heavy enough for bears (not sure about Polar bears!)

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rscott
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Reged: 21/03/08
Posts: 328
Loc: wyo., USA
Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: JabaliHunter]
      #101686 - 05/04/08 10:02 PM

picked the 338 win. and considered the 30-06 mainly because you can find ammo for them most anyplace. you never know when travelling!
JH, you sure picked a winner with the 8x68s and its puzzling why most of the great continental cartridges, (7X64, 8X68s and 9.3X64)to mention only three, never gained popularity. none of these are new and all perform equal to and in some repects better than many of the much newer american 'magnum' rounds.
any one of them would certainly qualify for this list!

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Landy
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Reged: 05/03/08
Posts: 33
Loc: CA & ID, USA
Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: rscott]
      #101783 - 06/04/08 02:27 PM

The Whelen or the 9.3x62. I voted for the 9.3 for the bullet weight for the big bears, but these two are so close and the Whelen with the 225 grainers is better for everything smaller. If these grand old rounds are not flat enough for you you are not getting close enough.

You did not give the .350RM a spot, which would get my vote if on the ballot. An intermediate or short action just allows a more toteable rifle. Fitting any of the others into about six pounds is just not practical.

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Nakihunter
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Reged: 13/10/07
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Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: Landy]
      #101794 - 06/04/08 05:27 PM

I had to pick the 375H&H over the 338 Win only because of the bears.

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Always shoot through the target & not just at it.

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bwananelson
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Reged: 08/10/07
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Loc: DELTONA FLORIDA
Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: Nakihunter]
      #101830 - 06/04/08 11:52 PM

i have used the 300wby on 14 differant species all dropped near where they had been impacted,including grizzly and black bears.would not count it out on the brownie either when i can get the money i will try it.

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THERE ARE NO DO OVERS IN LIFE DONT LET A CHANCE AT A DREAM SLIP AWAY.

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WyoJoe
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Reged: 18/02/04
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Loc: Cheyenne, WY USA
Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: bwananelson]
      #101866 - 07/04/08 08:51 AM

You can get everything done quite adequately with a .30/06 but I picked the .375 H&H because I flat like that round. Second choice for me would be one of the .300 mags.

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There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor polite, nor popular -- but one must ask, "Is it right?"

Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Luckydog
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Reged: 27/02/08
Posts: 56
Loc: Huntin' In Colorado
Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: WyoJoe]
      #101874 - 07/04/08 10:26 AM

I picked the 300 mag because of the range. I would prefer to hunt bears with my 375 or slug gun, but if I could only carry one gun it would be my 300 RUM. When I hunt elk, I use a long range gun in the morning and the evening. But when It's warm in the afternoon, I will use something like my slug gun or shorter range rifle with a lot of knock down power in the dark timber. I'm sure glad we are not tied down to just one BIG GAME CALIBER.

--------------------
Make Sure You Vote, And Make Sure Your Friends Vote!!

When they outlaw guns...I'll be an outlaw! Reese

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AzGuy
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Reged: 23/03/06
Posts: 388
Loc: Prescott, Arizona, USA
Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: Luckydog]
      #101876 - 07/04/08 11:08 AM

I picked the 404...... because I WANT one

--------------------
Hike the Grand Canyon, you will never be the same!

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Ripp
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Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: Luckydog]
      #101880 - 07/04/08 11:54 AM

Quote:

I picked the 300 mag because of the range. I would prefer to hunt bears with my 375 or slug gun, but if I could only carry one gun it would be my 300 RUM.


***FYI--I have a very good friend who has taken 2 brown bears with his 300 Ultra-mag shooting 200 gr bullets..one just a shade over 9ft..also read where Boddington tipped over a large male lion in Africa using a 300 as well...impressive caliber


Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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bwananelson
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Reged: 08/10/07
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Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: Ripp]
      #101939 - 08/04/08 03:31 AM

MY MOUNTAIN GRIZZLY IN BC SQUARED 9 FEET AND FELL TO A 300 WEATHERBY WITH BARNES X BULLET.

--------------------
THERE ARE NO DO OVERS IN LIFE DONT LET A CHANCE AT A DREAM SLIP AWAY.

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allenday
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Reged: 18/04/04
Posts: 318
Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: bwananelson]
      #101991 - 08/04/08 11:09 PM

I selected the 338 Win. Mag., but I'd be just about as happy with the 300 Win. Mag., which I almost voted for. The emphasis of this thread seemed to be on the heaviest and most potentially dangerous NA big game animals, so the 338 got my vote -- at least this time around!

As far as the 338 Win. Mag. is concerned, though, with premium bullets from 160 grs. (Barnes TSX) to 275 grs. (Swift A-Frame) available, there is simply no hunting task on this continent that the 338 Win. Mag. can't do well, and it's just as capable and versatile for 99% of the rest of the world's big game hunting as well. It's a standard world cartridge that has been used on every NA big game species, all of Africa's Big Five, and just about all points in between.

I like the high SD of .338 bullets, I prefer the belted case, plus you can build a 338 Win. Mag. that's light to carry up the mountain, yet won't kick like five mules, plus it's totally sufficient for hammering big stuff up close, as well as deer-size stuff at long range.

I don't know of anything that's more practical and versatile.........

AD

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szihn
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Reged: 24/06/07
Posts: 2113
Loc: Wind River Valley, Wyoming
Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: allenday]
      #101992 - 08/04/08 11:34 PM

AZ Guy
Did you get a .423" barrel yet?
If not, get in touch with me.

Steve

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Luckydog
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Reged: 27/02/08
Posts: 56
Loc: Huntin' In Colorado
Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: Ripp]
      #102057 - 09/04/08 09:56 PM

Quote:

Quote:

I picked the 300 mag because of the range. I would prefer to hunt bears with my 375 or slug gun, but if I could only carry one gun it would be my 300 RUM.


***FYI--I have a very good friend who has taken 2 brown bears with his 300 Ultra-mag shooting 200 gr bullets..one just a shade over 9ft..also read where Boddington tipped over a large male lion in Africa using a 300 as well...impressive caliber


Ripp



No doubt, it's an impressive cartridge! I have taken sevral big game animals with it here in Colorado. The largest of which was probably 800 to 900 pound bull elk, at about 15 yards. The 300 RUM broke his neck and dropped him where he stood. But if I was hunting bear's, other than black bears, I'd probably want my 375 H&H, not that I think the 300 won't do it, I just think the 375 would do it better. And the 375 would definately be better if you experienced a charging bear!

--------------------
Make Sure You Vote, And Make Sure Your Friends Vote!!

When they outlaw guns...I'll be an outlaw! Reese

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Plains99
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Reged: 10/11/04
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Loc: Dodge City, Kansas, USA
Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: Luckydog]
      #102073 - 10/04/08 12:43 AM

It is interesting that the .375 H&H is doing so well. I picked the .375 Ruger which is basically the same thing. The thing is that you will very seldon run into the caliber in North America in spite of its capabilities. I've seen more .338's in the hands of elk hunters and guides with .300's and .30-06's very close behind.

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DarylS
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Posts: 26535
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Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: Plains99]
      #102090 - 10/04/08 05:46 AM

We are talking about use for ourselves- no one else. I wanted a .375/06 IMP, so settled on the 9.3x62 as it's so close to my little .375. Good to 300 yards on all buy big bear - capable, but not advisable. 50 yards is a good range for those.
: .375 makes more sense than the larger calibres due to lower recoil, better trajectory and wide range of bullets available. The 232gr., 250gr. and 286gr. bullets for the 9.3's will cover everything, especially since I made a swage for reducing .375's to .367", so I also shoot 300's in mine.
; For a guide gun for North America, the 9.3 x57, 9.3x62 or .375 Ruger would be my choices. .375H&H is in the same ball park as the Ruger but is generally heavier. Light weight, sufficient power and low recoil puts the 9.3x57 with handloads at the top of that heap.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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CptCurlAdministrator
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Posts: 5273
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Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: DarylS]
      #102335 - 12/04/08 11:33 PM

My choice would be .338 Win. Mag., except for the big bears - Brown and Polar.

These bears made me choose .375 H&H.

Curl

--------------------
RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



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buckeyeshooter
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Reged: 04/02/04
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Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: CptCurl]
      #102360 - 13/04/08 07:09 AM

I picked the .375 H + H, but agree a .338WM is a viable option.

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allenday
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Reged: 18/04/04
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Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: buckeyeshooter]
      #103955 - 01/05/08 03:15 AM

The idea of carrying some big, heavy 375 H&H year-in and year-out as the one and only rifle for everything in NA from from Coues deer to Alaskan brown bear is absolutely irrational, especially since most of the hunting, by far, will be for stuff like deer and elk, with coastal brown bear being hunted perhaps once or twice in a lifetime - if that.

AD

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9.3x57
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Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: allenday]
      #103961 - 01/05/08 04:40 AM

Quote:

The idea of carrying some big, heavy 375 H&H year-in and year-out as the one and only rifle for everything in NA from from Coues deer to Alaskan brown bear is absolutely irrational, especially since most of the hunting, by far, will be for stuff like deer and elk, with coastal brown bear being hunted perhaps once or twice in a lifetime - if that.

AD



Good observation. I didn't want to be first to say something like it...

I have no problem with anyone who wants to use a .375 as his only gun or picks it as the favorite here, and I used mine for years on most game I shot {as you say, deer and elk} with excellent results. But on deer and elk, a number of other calibers have suited me just fine, and since switching primarily to the 9.3x57 and 6.5x55 in the timbered and mountainous country where I live and hunt, I've not missed the ballistics of the .375 at all, and no deer or elk shot with either of those lighter calibers {or the others I've used} has taken any longer to die than the critters did that were shot with my .375...

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What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

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AspenHill
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Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: 9.3x57]
      #103965 - 01/05/08 10:00 AM

I don't know 'who' invented specific calibers or if my choice was developed here but....

For North America I would not hesitate to use my sporter 1909 Argentine Mauser in .30-06 for any species. Though it wasn't made here it seems like an American gun to me. It has killed stuff from whitetailed deer and George River caribou to eland. This is an easy shooting rifle and the versatility of bullet weights make it quite capable for anything on my continent. Even better is that I shoot it well! I have never had to shoot an animal twice with this rifle though I am always ready in case I have to.

The rifle belonged to my grandfather, who was an excellent hobby gunsmith and gun dealer before the ATF slammed honest people. Consider he was originally from downtown Detroit and was raised there in the Great Depression and before the riots. He came from a very wealthy family who lost a lot back then and he lost more when his family stripped him of his inheritance <<<greed>>>. He is one of the people who also influenced me, though it kicked in post mortem, to go hunting and not be afraid because I am female.

I still miss him, he was one of the most positive influences in my life. He passed away in May of 1995 just before his 81st birthday. I am sure if he was still here he would be very proud of me and we would have shared some great memories afield.

I wish I could have done more for him. I regret I did not have more time with him as an adult.

I've arranged for a cull shoot at a red stag preserve in Maine this fall and will use this rifle to fill my freezer.

--------------------
~Ann

Everyday spent outdoors is the best day of my life.

Aspen Hill Adventures

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JabaliHunter
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Reged: 16/05/07
Posts: 1958
Loc: England
Re: Best American BIG GAME CALIBER!! [Re: AspenHill]
      #104054 - 02/05/08 05:08 AM

Well no-one seems to want to go with the .303 so...
I still reckon the 8mm has got all the bases covered for the one rifle sport hunter. You can can take your pick of bullet weights and speeds (8x56R, 8x57, 8mm-06, 8-338, 8x68S, 8mm Remington, ...) and if you could cope with hunting with a cartridge younger than yourself how about the .325WSM ?

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