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mikeh416Rigby
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Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber
      #3251 - 07/06/03 11:21 AM

OK ladies and gents, here's a topic that I hope generates a lot of comment. What's your favorite caliber for most of your medium and large game in North America. By medium game, I referring to animals the size of Pronghorn and Southern Whitetail, and by large, critters like Mule Deer, Northern Whitetail, Elk, Moose, and Black & Grizzly Bear. I like the .280 Remington, and the 7mm Remington Mag.for the medium stuff. For the larger stuff, most situations would find me using my .300 Winchester Mag, but if I were after the really big bears, I'd opt for my 375 Ackley Improved.

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ovis
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #3253 - 07/06/03 03:14 PM

Mike,

Here in AK I load my .375RUM up or down, as needed. For big Manitoba whitetail .350RemMag. The Ultra is very versatile and the .350RemMag is a whitetail hammer.

Joe

--------------------
"Where there's a hobble, there's hope."


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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: ovis]
      #3257 - 07/06/03 10:12 PM

I have always pictured the .338 Win Mag as the ideal NAmer calibre.


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John aka NitroX

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IronBuck
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: NitroX]
      #3258 - 07/06/03 10:53 PM

I like rifles to much to limit myself to just one! I have centerfires from 22-250 up to 375HH. When rifle hunting whitetails in my home state of Pennsylvania I ususally use my M70 30-06 or my old lever action/ peep sighted Savage 99 in 300 savage. If I am black bear hunting I usually use my Remington 7600 in 35 Whelen.

Heading out west for elk I step it up a notch.Not that the other rifles would not work-they would do fine, but it is $$$ to travel and hunt elk. The tag alone costs almost $500. In that situation I want to be able to take advantage of ANY shot opportunity that comes up. I usually only have a week to hunt. I use either my 300 win mag or my 338 win mag when elk hunting. If I ever get to hunt black or Kodiack bears in Alaska, my 375HH would go with me.

I like the variety!


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iqbal
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #3262 - 08/06/03 12:52 AM

Ithink most of you guys are going for an overkill.For proghorn & whitetail,a .270 would be good enough,for elk,moose etc.a 7mm.mag.would be ideal & for larger game 300WB mag.would do the trick.As someone in this forum rightly says,"its not what you hit them with,its where you hit them".

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mikeh416Rigby
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: iqbal]
      #3263 - 08/06/03 02:34 AM

True, but I'd rather be overgunned than undergunned. I think the late Jack O'Conner once wrote"how dead is too dead?".

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AspenHill
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #3266 - 08/06/03 09:19 AM

Well, my first choice is an arrow, but since I am sure Mike is asking about firearms I will say the 30.06. Very reliable, very versitile, easy to find quality factory ammo for just about anywhere.

Since I have killed eland with it I know it would be very effective with anything on the NA continent. I've taken caribou with mine but it has not seen any other NA action.

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~Ann

Everyday spent outdoors is the best day of my life.

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mikeh416Rigby
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: AspenHill]
      #3268 - 08/06/03 12:02 PM

Ann, I'm so disappointed in your choice of the 30:06. I mean that round is so old that it can't possibly be any good now. I mean next thing you'll be telling me is that the 375 H&H is good for using in Africa. Good Lord woman! Seriously, I think you've made a wise choice. All too often we get caught up in the hype of the new wizz bang super duper ultra magnums, and forget about these venerable, time tested rounds like the good old ought 6. Not spectacular, but it still gets the job done.

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mickey
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #3269 - 08/06/03 03:08 PM

If limited to one I would go with the 300 H&H. If allowed two the .270 Win. and .340 Weatherby in a Winchester rifle.

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Lovu Zdar
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A Man of Pleasure, Enterprise, Wit and Spirit Rare Books, Big Game Hunting, English Rifles, Fishing, Explosives, Chauvinism, Insensitivity, Public Drunkenness and Sloth, Champion of Lost and Unpopular Causes.


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4seventy
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: AspenHill]
      #3274 - 08/06/03 05:49 PM

Well, I've never hunted in any part of America so can't really give an authorative opinion on this one but I'm a huge fan of the old 30-06 and often rely heavily on my care worn fifties featherweight -06 BSA Imperial here in OZ.
Maybe I'll get to try it one day on a nice bull elk.
200 grain Woodleighs I think........
Good choice Ann.


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Miller
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My Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: 4seventy]
      #3276 - 08/06/03 07:58 PM

Mike;

I am glad that you did not ask which was most versatile, because that allows me to indulge in a little fantasy of mine.

You see my favorite North American caliber is the ancient .30/30, yes, you read right. One day when I am financially independent, I want to take every head of game available in the lower 48 with my grandfather's old Winchester 94. Now before you write me and the .30/30 off, take a page from the handgun hunter's book on the old thutty-thutty, and you will see it is quite a capable performer in the TC Contender. I dabbled in handgun hunting a bit, shooting and hunting with a few XP's, heavy revolvers, and such for a few years. I was amazed at the performance of the .30/30 in these weapons.

So I took some of my handgun loads and tailored them to the old Model 94. I loaded everything from 100gr. to 180gr for it, and I could never publish the loads, they are that wild. Lets just say that I would not be afraid to face anything but the biggest bears with my 94, and I would not feel handicapped at all hunting pronghorns, and no, I could not take that trophy elk across the canyon, but there is that thing called stalking, which is becoming more and more a lost art.

Accuracy is excellent, with 125gr Nosler Ballistic Points pushed to an unspeakable velocity, I was getting 2.5" 5 shot groups at 300yds from the bench. The lever action is a very under rated action in both pressure handling and accuracy.

With modern bullets and powders, the .30/30 is a classic that has only gotten better. As for its effectiveness, well, the legendary Fred Bear with his recurve, proved that everything that walks can be killed with a lot less.

Lynn Miller


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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: My Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Miller]
      #3278 - 08/06/03 11:46 PM

Miller

What I don't understand is why more tubular lever action users don't use spitzers for longer range shooting.

One round in the chamber and one in the magazine.


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John aka NitroX

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"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
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mikeh416Rigby
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Re: My Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Miller]
      #3282 - 09/06/03 01:39 AM

There's nothing wrong with the venerable 30 30, you just have to get a bit closer, as you obviously recognize by your post.

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Miller
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Re: My Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #3286 - 09/06/03 09:23 AM

NitroX;

You can very easily use spitzers in a tube magazine if you load it as you described, but then you turn your lever action into a 2 shot gun.

Most of the limitations imposed on the .30/30, are because of the need for flat nosed bullets to feed through the tube magazine. It was not until handgun hunters starting using it in the Contender, which is obviously a single shot, that shooters realized how good this caliber was, because they starting using modern spiters and boattails. I always keep a very close eye on pressure indicators, and have had no trouble with the lever action handling very powerful loads. The biggest problem you with a leveraction and a rimmed case is case head separation, which can be remedied by adjusting your resizing die to just touch the shoulder of the case, with the proper adjustment, you can get at least 15 reloads per case.

Of course, the .30/30 will never equal the .30-06 and has nothing in common with the 300 magnums except bore diameter, but if you are looking for a lightweight, packable rifle, it is hard to beat a 94 Carbine with a tang peep sight.

Maybe I will write a brief story about how handy it is to have a quick handling, fast repeater when you are filling the freezer..

Lynn Miller


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Brooks
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #3287 - 09/06/03 06:01 PM

There is no game in North America you cannot kill with a 30/06. But, the one gun if I had to pick, is my 300 H&H. I have killed antelope to moose to grizzly bear with it. It old, reliable, tried and true and has never failed me. I bought it over 20 years ago from a friend of mine Wayne Van Zwoll and he had taken it to africa and had killed Eland, Kudu, waterbuck and other numerous plains game animals with it. It still shoots less than 1 inch groups at 100 yards so what more could I ask.

Brooks

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Brooks


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Robie
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #3332 - 17/06/03 08:16 AM

It will be a .270 Win., and a .338-06.
Robie


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mikeh416Rigby
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Robie]
      #3333 - 17/06/03 08:56 AM

Robie, I'm not too familiar with the 338-06. Why are you so keen on it? I guess what I'm asking is: why not stick with the 338 or 30:06?

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mikeh416Rigby
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Brooks]
      #3334 - 17/06/03 09:14 AM

The name Wayne Van Zwoll sounds very familiar. Is he an outdoor writer?

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Robie
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #3369 - 18/06/03 08:50 AM

Mike. I kind of like the old .338-06. and the recoil is less than .338 WinM. Robie

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mikeh416Rigby
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Robie]
      #3370 - 18/06/03 09:29 AM

Robbie, is this caliber then an ought 6 necked up?

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WyoHunter
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #3784 - 12/07/03 10:24 AM

The .338-06 is simply the .30-06 case necked up. It's close to the power of a .338 Win Mag without the recoil of the magnum. Mine is a Pre-'64 Win M70 that was an '06 and it was simply rebored to .338 caliber. It's been custom stocked in French Walnut with an ebony forend tip and fleur-de-lis checkering. It shoots minute of angle with 210 Nosler Partitions at a chronographed 2810 fps. It's very effective on elk and moose with one shot kills the norm. It's my elk rifle and moose rifle when I draw a tag. Very efficient and practical cartridge is how I describe it!

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Hunting's a lifestyle and a passion not a competition!

NRA Life Member

Edited by WyoHunter (21/07/03 03:57 AM)


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Gibbs505
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: WyoHunter]
      #4170 - 12/09/03 02:50 PM

If I go hunting this fall, the first choice will be my 375 HH and the second will be my 6.5 x 55 with 129 grn bullets. I will be hunting moose in north bc. On the other hand, just maybe I will dig out my old smle and take the most used world wide cartridge into the field. The 303 british!

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So I can't spell, so what?

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mickey
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Gibbs505]
      #4603 - 28/10/03 12:51 PM


In reply to:

If I go hunting this fall, the first choice will be my 375 HH and the second will be my 6.5 x 55 with 129 grn bullets. I will be hunting moose in north bc......




Gibbsy

Why would you have two cartriges so alike? No wonder you can't choose between them.

Robbie, nice rifle, I didn't know that you could get that kind of poop out of that cartridge.

--------------------
Lovu Zdar
Mick

A Man of Pleasure, Enterprise, Wit and Spirit Rare Books, Big Game Hunting, English Rifles, Fishing, Explosives, Chauvinism, Insensitivity, Public Drunkenness and Sloth, Champion of Lost and Unpopular Causes.


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mikeh416Rigby
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: WyoHunter]
      #4607 - 28/10/03 04:41 PM

That's a beautiful weapon. Who did the stock work for you?

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Will
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #4608 - 28/10/03 07:33 PM

I haven't taken a very wide variety of game in the States but have used a .280 Rem. for almost all of it, from deer to moose, bear, and elk.

With 160 gr. Nosler partitions, it has always got the job done.

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_________________________________________________
Bill Stewart

Once you have been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun.


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mikeh416Rigby
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Will]
      #4623 - 29/10/03 05:16 AM

That 280 packs a lot into a small package. Did you ever question as to whether or not it was a bit on the light side for moose? I know it will kill them, as a friend of mine shot a huge 70" moose up in the Yukon with his pet 270 with 150 grain Noslers. That's too light for my taste, but I'd probably be ok with it on the smaller Shiras.

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Will
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #4628 - 29/10/03 08:22 AM

As a matter of fact it was a Shiras moose, but moose never impressed me as being very tough. If I ever did the moose or elk thing again, I would probably go bigger.

Probably would use a .375 H&H but only because that is the next step up in my arsenal. Actually was going to shoot the elk with a .375 but had the .280 when the opportunity came along. It was plenty and is plenty assuming you hit them in the right place. Right?

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_________________________________________________
Bill Stewart

Once you have been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun.


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mickey
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Will]
      #4636 - 29/10/03 01:45 PM

Will

If you decide to go after a Canadian or Alaskan Moose you should take the .375. You never know when you may have to argue it out with a Grizz. Every year at least one of our hunters runs into a Griz that could be dangerous by accident.

--------------------
Lovu Zdar
Mick

A Man of Pleasure, Enterprise, Wit and Spirit Rare Books, Big Game Hunting, English Rifles, Fishing, Explosives, Chauvinism, Insensitivity, Public Drunkenness and Sloth, Champion of Lost and Unpopular Causes.


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470Nitro
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: mickey]
      #4643 - 29/10/03 08:57 PM

I think so. Always carry a big bore while hunting in a Bear country.

--------------------
-----
down by the river on a friday night
pyramid of cans in the pale moonlight
talkin' 'bout guns and dreamin 'bout women
never had a plan just a livin' for the minute


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mikeh416Rigby
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: 470Nitro]
      #4646 - 30/10/03 12:49 AM

I agree. I'd hate to end up like that bunney hugger and his girl friend did a couple of weeks ago. Now they're just fertilizer for the blueberry bushes.

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Gibbs505
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #4673 - 31/10/03 02:07 PM

Yea that bunny hugger really did his girlfriend in being so stupid.
After reflection, I think that the 303 is my choice for all round use here.

--------------------
So I can't spell, so what?

Those who beat their swords into ploughshares, will plough for those who don't!

Those who fail to learn from history will be doomed to repeat it


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luv2safari
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #4897 - 11/11/03 02:34 PM

A 22 long rifle...it worked just fine when I was a young guy, dirt poor, and had my first kid on the way...Necessary options were 1. good spot light 2. Toilet roll silencer...meat on the table vs nothing on the table...

--------------------
Hunt with Class and Classics


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NONE
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: luv2safari]
      #6690 - 09/01/04 03:09 PM

I find it hard to belive jumping in so late on this discussion it has not yet been brought up but my choice would have to be the 7mm REM mag given the game.

It can be loaded up or down for any game in the US., I have taken everything from white tail in bountiful Georgia to large elk and moose in Montana and Canada with it and not felt under gunned on any hunt to date. I would feel safe with it on bear as well, though I have a .450 marlin I prefer to use with them due to the possibility of tight quarters.

I also love my close second the .308 Norma mag though not winning any popularity contest due to the rarity of the cartridge, it is IMO one the best medium size to larger game rounds this side of the .375 H&H.

James F. Nixon III


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Bigfive
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: NONE]
      #6717 - 09/01/04 07:02 PM

Never hunted there but if I get a chance I thin a 300WM or a 338 will do the trick.Enough power for the animals mentioned and they will cover basically any reasonable shooting/hunting distance.And maybe use 200gr-250gr bullets.



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"Hunting is a way of life"
Bigfive,South Africa


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470Nitro
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Bigfive]
      #6723 - 09/01/04 08:44 PM

Bigfive, if you ever see a charging bear you'll think other way. They're stronger and faster than Lions and you'll only stop them with a big bore .

--------------------
-----
down by the river on a friday night
pyramid of cans in the pale moonlight
talkin' 'bout guns and dreamin 'bout women
never had a plan just a livin' for the minute


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mcb
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: 470Nitro]
      #6732 - 10/01/04 02:22 AM

Hmmm. Well I live here in Ohio and we can't hunt deer with a rifle. Shotgun (slug only, no buckshot) and muzzle loaders only. The past few years I have been using my BPS in 12 gage, but this past year I switched down to a 410. I got one of the new Winchester 9410 lever action shotguns chambered in the 2.5in 410 shotshell. It looks just like a 30/30 win 94. What an excellent and fun gun. I have shot sporting clays, skeet, and a ton of squirrels with it. I was amazed how well it shot slugs when I was at the range, so since 410 slug was a legal deer hunting cartridge here in Ohio I gave it a try. Took my largest whitetail ever with it on the afternoon of opening day. A nice 8pt wieghing about 125 pound after feild dressing. This is far from a nitro express cartridge but it was a fun and challenging deer cartridge.

I have booked an elk hunt for october of this year in Colorado with some of my faimly. I will be using a 270 Win for that hunt. Probably pushing the lower limits on what is a good elk cartridge but I have used that gun all my life hunting groundhogs and I am a good shot with it and comforable with it. I was suprised to read that a 243 win was legal to hunt Elk. That seem pretty light for such a big critter.

mcb


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Bigfive
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: mcb]
      #6851 - 12/01/04 05:25 PM

470Nitro,

Sorry,maybe I took a bear to lightly.It is always a good idea to go hunting with too much gun than too little gun.I thouhgt about it and agree with you that bears may need bigger cals in difficult situations.Please post some facts on grizzly bears, height,weight,etc................

Thanx man!!

--------------------
"Hunting is a way of life"
Bigfive,South Africa


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470Nitro
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Bigfive]
      #6858 - 12/01/04 09:27 PM

Grizzly Bear

This large animal reaches weights of 300-1500 pounds. The coat color ranges from shades of blond, brown, black or a combination of these; the long outer guard hairs are often tipped with white or silver giving it a grizzled appearance hence the name. The grizzly has a large hump over the shoulders which is a muscle mass used to power the forelimbs in digging. The head is large and round with a concave facial profile. In spite of their mass size this bear runs at speeds of up to 35 mph.

The grizzly bear is primarily nocturnal and in the winter puts on up to 400 pounds of fat, becoming very lethargic. Although they are not true hibernators and can be woken easily, they like to den up in a protected spot, such as a cave, crevice or hollow log during the winter months. Being omnivores, they feed on a variety of plants and berries including roots or sprouts and fungi as well as fish, insects and small mammals. Normally a solitary animal, the grizzly congregates alongside streams and rivers during the salmon spawn. Every other year females produce 1-4 young which are the size of rats, weighing only 1 pound.


--------------------
-----
down by the river on a friday night
pyramid of cans in the pale moonlight
talkin' 'bout guns and dreamin 'bout women
never had a plan just a livin' for the minute


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Dark_Helmet
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: 470Nitro]
      #7039 - 17/01/04 07:54 AM

I'd have to vote for 30-06 myself.

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Chasseur
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Dark_Helmet]
      #7214 - 21/01/04 02:03 PM

For practicallity my vote is for the classic: 30-06.

>FOr fun either the 9.3x74r or the 9.3x62.

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luv2safari
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Dark_Helmet]
      #7267 - 22/01/04 04:21 PM

Can't do any better than an '06 for most of N. America. It is marginal for big bruins, but has dispatched a bunch of'em. With a good 200-220 gr bullet, anything over here is in big trouble.

You can push a 150-165 gr and get terrific open country performance...moderate recoil, and good ammo available everywhere on the continent.

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buckeyeshooter
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #8857 - 12/02/04 02:25 PM

You said my favorite --- as opposed to most practical?
ok--- for short range-- I have a Marlin 1895 Cowboy lever action rechambered to .50 Alaskan. For longer range I will choose the .338 Winchester Magnum.
most practical-- 30-06


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ChuckWagon
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: buckeyeshooter]
      #8883 - 13/02/04 12:46 AM

My first choice is a 270 weatherby mag. I love the velocity and it gives me the ability to up or down load. As others have suggested the 30-06 is widely popular here for the very same reason. The 300 mag class and 308 is incredibly popular as well. Big five; The majority of hunters here that chase bears either use a 300 mag class, 338 or the 375. One of the most popular calibers in Alaska is to 300 Winchester followed by the 338. The bear is not that hard of a animal to kill but it is generally considered critical to knock the beast down by breaking his shoulder with the first shot. Myself I have seen a average size blackie stop a 300 Winchester with a Nosler cold in the shoulder. It did break the bruins shoulder but I expect you would have to see how fast a 3 legged bear can run to believe it. For grizz I would choose the 375 for cost and recoil considerations. The smallest flinch on the bench is multiplied by 10x in the field plus excitement. Their have however been accounts of a Brownie being dropped with a single .22 lr in a emergency. Not my cup of tea though We often see the charging beast scenario on the forums. I can only wonder what good any caliber might be at that point. Not arguing that bigger won't be better but at 20 paces with a charging angry buff will even the biggest save your hide ??

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ThomasEdwards
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #8899 - 13/02/04 07:06 AM

...30-06...

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475Guy
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: ThomasEdwards]
      #8930 - 13/02/04 10:11 AM

It really depends on what I'm going after. I usually bring my Ruger 375 and a Marlin GG in 45-70 for my back-up. I've shot pigs and black bears with the 45-70 and a whole lot of smaller critters including a cow elk with my 375. Some may bitch that the RSM is too heavy, but having played with those damn heavy 30's that uncle sugar made us carry around, the Ruger is light in comparison.

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zaitsev
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Will]
      #59047 - 20/06/06 10:54 AM

i would go for 300 , if its H&H, Win mag, o Wby doesn `t matter there fine, however i like the bullets a little bit over the 300s so i would also add, 358 norma magnum, and to next spring .323 PH , but the 338 and the 340 is super,but the best choice would be the 375 . Either H&H or WBY. but a 7mm is alright, like the rem mag or the wby. ill have to stop there .

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WyoJoe
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: zaitsev]
      #59059 - 20/06/06 02:07 PM

The good ol' 375 H&H for me. You ought to see what it does to prairie dogs!!

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allenday
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #59584 - 05/07/06 12:17 AM

If I could have only one rifle, it would be a 338 Win. Mag. I don't know of anything that's more versatile for ALL North America big game under all hunting conditions, yet can be housed in a rifle that's light enough to haul up the mountain, and brings with it the luxury of superb, widely-available factory ammunition and brass, with a wide enough selection of bullets to satisfy any requirement.

It's even MORE versatile than the iconic 30-06; hits nearly as hard as the 375 H&H (and it's much lighter to carry); adds a good 200 fps. to the off-beat 338-06; doesn't blow up deer-size big game as much as the 270 Win. (and it drops them even faster); plus it's much more at home on big elk, moose, and grizzly than any 7mm magnum...........

AD


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yellowhammer
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: allenday]
      #59598 - 05/07/06 06:40 AM

30-06

Edited by yellowhammer (05/07/06 07:37 AM)


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gatsby
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #59610 - 05/07/06 02:35 PM

I have used the 270 winchester and the 358 norma exclusivly. I intend to add the 12 bore paradox latter this year.

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gatsby
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: gatsby]
      #59611 - 05/07/06 02:37 PM

PS I have used the 454 casull also

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"Recoil is insignificant when there is a tiger on the head of your elephant" The Maharaja of Cooch Behar



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Taos
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Will]
      #59929 - 14/07/06 02:11 AM

.264 Win mag by far. I have used it for game up to elk size and a bunch of coyoes have fallen to one or another in my families hands. With 140 grain noslers it is flat and deep penetrating. I have never found it wanting in any respect for me it is the perfect all around cartridge and the one I depend on in almost any situation.

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Plains99
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Taos]
      #60109 - 19/07/06 02:34 AM

The .30-06 will do it all with mild recoil, easy to find & inexpensive ammunition, forgiving accuracy, and broad versatility.

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hoppdoc
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #60354 - 26/07/06 04:10 AM

If I were forced down to one gun the choice wouldbe simple-a 300 mag in a bolt rifle. My particular favorite is a 300WSM Browning Stainless Stalker with a synthetic stock and a Ziess scope. It can be carried all day and do it all out to 400yds It weighs 7.25 pounds with scope and shoots great!!

In reality I grab the 300 WSM and roll or specifically select the 7mm08 for most of my deep woods whitetail, a 7mm Mag Sendero for beanfield shooting, a 338 for elk/moose, or a 416 Rem bolt for big bear .

A hunting fella just has to have options!!

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Edited by hoppdoc (26/07/06 04:12 AM)


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Tightloop
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: hoppdoc]
      #65417 - 07/11/06 10:52 AM

300 H&H with 180 grain and some 200 grain stuff..if not that then a 375 H&H with some 300 spitzers and some 300 grain round nose...

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hoppdoc
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: hoppdoc]
      #65425 - 07/11/06 01:39 PM

After further thought--

Picking one caliber/rifle is impossible!!

A proper response would be region/situation specific--

300 WSM Browning- 180 gr-best Western allrounder
7mm08- 140 gr-Best Southern whitetail allrounder

300 ultramag with 200 grain partitions-Western long range
7 Mag-150 gr for Southern beanfields.

The long range 300 ultra may be being ursurped by the 338-378 WBY for Moose/Elk. Time will tell


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Yochanan
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: hoppdoc]
      #66632 - 09/12/06 05:54 AM

Gentlemen,
If limited to one, I would pick an 8X68S, if two rifles were permitted, a 7 mm wby mag and a 9,3X70

Cheers
Johan

--------------------
© "I have never been able to appreciate 'shock' as applied to killing big game. It seems to me that you cannot kill an elephant weighing six tons by ´shock´unless you advocate the use of a field gun." - W.D.M. Bell: Wanderings of an Elephant Hunter.


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vapodog
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Yochanan]
      #67872 - 23/12/06 09:53 AM

like so many places, the one gun theory just don't work well here either.....for pronghorns and smaller deer the 257 Roberts/6.5 X 55 style of cartridge is what works well but as we head out for the really big bears the 375 and 338 mags are what I want to carry.....that said however...If I was relegated to one rifle...yes that 100 year old 30-06 with the right hand loads will take care of business anytime!

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Boomer
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: vapodog]
      #68319 - 30/12/06 03:08 AM

Like Ovis, I load my 20" .375 Ultra to match the occasion. When I head out the door, this is the rifle I grab - year round. I load 260 gr Noslers down to 2600 for game under 500 lbs, and I use 300 gr TSX's at 2600 for moose, and the 380 gr Rhinos at 2300 is in case I get mixed up with a cranky bear. I generally use Hornady 270 gr Interlocks for more economical practice.

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Schamankungulo
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Boomer]
      #77620 - 29/04/07 08:38 AM

I had a 338/06 M760 pump a great thumper ( on both ends ), but now its either the 375 Holland or the Lott as my first two choices ..
There are many degrees of wounded but only one degree of dead so with that there is no such thing as overkill ..


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walksfar
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Schamankungulo]
      #77863 - 02/05/07 02:18 PM

.458 Lott
Seriously, I'm not joking.

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DarylS
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: walksfar]
      #77892 - 03/05/07 05:16 AM

For praticality, the .376/06IMP wins with identical capacity to a .375 Hawk/Scovil, 78gr. water capacity. It shoots 235's at 2,845fps, 270's at 2,650fps and 300's at 2,470fps, none are case stretching loads in my rifle - 25" tube. In B.C. it does it all perfectly well.
: Most favourite is a .458 2", with tied for second place with the .375, a 7x57 Mauser on an old BRNO.

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Daryl


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

Edited by Daryl_S (03/05/07 05:16 AM)


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gallatin
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Will]
      #79726 - 01/06/07 02:16 PM

My Marlin 1895 cowboy in handloaded 45-70 does it all.
John


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458Win
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #79850 - 03/06/07 04:52 PM

30-06
If I could choose a second rilfe it would also be a 30-06
If you can't do it with a 30-06 you probably can't do it with anything.

--------------------
Anyone who claims the 30-06 is ineffective has either never used one - or else is unwittingly commenting on their marksmanship
Phil Shoemaker
www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.com


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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: 458Win]
      #349808 - 28/01/21 04:03 PM

I wonder if the choices have changed in 14 years. I see one is very close still to a recent post.

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John aka NitroX

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EDELWEISS
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: NitroX]
      #349858 - 29/01/21 08:18 AM

Wasnt there somebody who used to say 375 H&H-one planet, one rifle?

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DarylS
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: EDELWEISS]
      #349859 - 29/01/21 09:49 AM

Well, now I no longer have the .458 2", however do have a Sharps in .45 1.9" that dupicates lever gun loads in .45/70.
I also have a .45/70 Model 1886/71 and a model 1876 in .50/95.
Still have the .376/06IMP with a muzzle break now that's easier shooting, but the favourite is my new 1936 Model 70 Winchester in .30/06.
I also have a couple 9.3x62's that get very little use.
The '06 is the new favourite with 165's and 180's. So much so, that I took the Burris scope off the .375 and put it on the model 70. The stadia
wires should give zeros to 400yards as they are set for 270gr. .375H&H factory ammo. The 180's from the '06 should be close. Shooting at the big
range next summer will tell that tale.


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Jim_C
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: DarylS]
      #350056 - 05/02/21 03:22 PM

As a kid, I thought the 30-06 was the rifle to compare everything to. In the years since, I've tried lots of others but keep coming back to it. I recently acquired the 30-06 I'd long since given up on finding, so now my hunting rifles are 30-06/30-06/9.3x62.

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: 458Win]
      #350075 - 05/02/21 09:55 PM

Quote:

30-06
If I could choose a second rilfe it would also be a 30-06
If you can't do it with a 30-06 you probably can't do it with anything.




I think Phil still posts very similar.

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John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
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458Win
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: NitroX]
      #350200 - 09/02/21 04:42 PM

Having tried everything on Alaskan game , from the .17 Rem to the 505 Gibbs, I still like the all around versatility of the 30-06.
No other caliber has factory loads available in such a wide variety. 110 to 220 grains.

--------------------
Anyone who claims the 30-06 is ineffective has either never used one - or else is unwittingly commenting on their marksmanship
Phil Shoemaker
www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.com


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Ripp
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: 458Win]
      #350221 - 10/02/21 04:48 AM

Quote:

Having tried everything on Alaskan game , from the .17 Rem to the 505 Gibbs, I still like the all around versatility of the 30-06.
No other caliber has factory loads available in such a wide variety. 110 to 220 grains.




I would think, based on all your experience and where you live, if anyone would know, it would be you..

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Ripp]
      #350248 - 10/02/21 03:23 PM

With my non existent North American experience, but I would choose a .30-06, .338 Win Mag or .338 of some type, or a 9.3x62 as an all rounder North American hunting rifle.

Of course there are many choices in the same ranges.

I bought my .30-06 as my first medium game and medium calibre rifle for hunting internationally anywhere in the world.

Quote:

I have always pictured the .338 Win Mag as the ideal NAmer calibre.





Haven't changed my opinion much in 17 1/2 years.

I was supposed to be hunting in the USA in 2020, and was planning to take my 8x68S with me.



--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


Edited by NitroX (10/02/21 03:43 PM)


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Marrakai
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: NitroX]
      #350255 - 10/02/21 10:25 PM

Quote:

I would choose a .30-06, .338 Win Mag or .338 of some type



Well, I was keeping out of this, having never hunted in North America, but if we can interpret this as my favorite hunting calibre from North America, it could very well be the .338-06. Bit more wallop than the .30-06 when heavier bullets are loaded, and similar performance with similar weight bullets, given that I am talking actual hunting, not long-range sniping!

Bit like a .318 WR with modern easily-available components.

In terms of general usefulness, and the bulk of game taken in Oz with North American cartridges, it is the .308 Win by a country mile!

Ok, ok, I know this is the "Hunting in the Americas" forum so back to you guys.....

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Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
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Yochanan
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #350256 - 10/02/21 11:23 PM

I have hunted white tail, black buck, ferral hogs/ wild boars in Texas, Oklahoma and South Carolina. 270 win, and 7mm mag worked just fine loaded with nosler partitions.

Ar 15 in 556/223 rem was a great combination for coyotes.

--------------------
© "I have never been able to appreciate 'shock' as applied to killing big game. It seems to me that you cannot kill an elephant weighing six tons by ´shock´unless you advocate the use of a field gun." - W.D.M. Bell: Wanderings of an Elephant Hunter.


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Rod4861
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Yochanan]
      #350329 - 12/02/21 09:43 PM

When I think of a cartridge for North American hunting I see either the 300 Winchester Magnum or the 30/06.

When I finally got to go and hunt there I took a 30/06 loaded with the 180 grain Nosler Partition. In my mind you can’t get more apple pie than that. It’s worked well for me 👍.

Rod


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Ripp
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Rod4861]
      #350339 - 13/02/21 07:14 AM

Quote:

When I think of a cartridge for North American hunting I see either the 300 Winchester Magnum or the 30/06.

When I finally got to go and hunt there I took a 30/06 loaded with the 180 grain Nosler Partition. In my mind you can’t get more apple pie than that. It’s worked well for me 👍.

Rod




The 300WIN is one of the most popular cartridges used here in the Western US.. especially when elk are involved.. I used only that caliber for about 15 years.. very accurate, hard hitting and can get ammo for it everywhere..well, when you could still buy ammo..

Agree, very apple pie..

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450_EXPRESS
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Rod4861]
      #350364 - 15/02/21 03:02 AM

Bought my first rifle when I was 16, Weatherby Vanguard in 30.06. Killed some game including what's still my biggest whitetail. Liked the caliber but thought recoil was a bit much. When I was in gun school I built an '06, '98 Mauser action, Douglas barrel, English Walnut stock (stock & barrel were blanks to begin) and with a stock that fit, the '06 was a pussy cat to shoot and it killed any thing it was pointed at. Had a friend that for years tried to get me to try the .338, but I liked my '06. Finally in the late 80's he shows up with a Winchester 70 (in the box) .338 and says "here you go, now maybe you'll try it ". First thing I did was restock it in a heavy dense piece of English and get some brass & dies & bullets. Since then that's all I've used, the load I shoot isn't hot ( going by the book about 2700 fps ) but with the heavier (225 grain) and bigger dia. bullet it sure does have a greater difference. I use either Hornaday interlock or Nosler Partition, both in 225 gr depending on the size of the game. I get far less blood shot meat than the smaller faster cartridges and with a gun that fits and handloading it is my favorite, kills like a "grown up" '06, have put literally tons of meat in the freezer with that gun. All that said though if I had to stick with factory loads I'd go back to my 30.06 and do just fine. Like has been said, it's the one all others are compared to.

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DarylS
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Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: 450_EXPRESS]
      #350369 - 15/02/21 05:59 AM

I bought a Browning A-3 in .300 Win. Mag. some time ago, now. I bought it for long range shooting, mind you, around here, 110yards or closer is the longest range for most all of my big game shooting. Some years ago, I 'took' a moose at something over 300yards, but that was with a .45/70.
Anyway, since the local gun store had a big sale on, I bought a box of 180gr. Winchester bonded loads & from a friend, a box of Remington 180gr. Corelocts.
Both of these clover-leafed on top of each other at 100 meters.
I downloaded a ballistic program, guessed at the BC's of the Winchester bullets and out to the range I went. With 4 shots, I hit the 200, 300, 385 and 500 meter 14" x 16" AR500 plates hanging, then got a bit cocky and said to my brother, watch the buffalo (1000meters). Of course, I held for the chart's 1,000 YARDS and shot just barely under it's chest, as it was 1,100yards, not 1,000. He said HA! you missed.
I said keep watching, added 1 1/2 MOA - 27 1/2MOA on the scope's stadia wires and shot the buff in the heart. So - took 2 shots to hit the 1,000meter buffalo, if I hadn't gotten cocky, I'd have hit it with the first shot. Well, so much for long range shooting.
I packed that rifle on an elk hunt, got called home due to Mom being admitted into the hospital, so shot no critters with the rifle.
Couple weeks later I rapped 5 off onto the buffalo in a row from cold to hot barrel, again with the Winchester factory bonded 180's.
I sold the rifle next spring at our gun show.
Don't need it, I have my '06 now & a bunch of thumpers, .375, .45 and .50 cal. Of course, there is my 14 bore Sporting Rifle moose thumper as well.

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


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


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NitroXAdministrator
.700 member


Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39065
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: DarylS]
      #350383 - 15/02/21 08:33 PM

I'm surprised not more .270 Win which would have been a big favourite a few decades ago.

7 mm Rem Mag? Once a favourite.

Not more .308 Wins?

No .338 Win Mags, except for Marrakai's .338/06 which copies the great .318 WR.

***

The .30-06 and the .300 Win Mag make sense, as does any .300 Mag, whtether H&H, Norma etc. The .30 calibre after all is a USA calibre design.

Seeing the nature of our membership, I'm glad we do not see a lot of these new wannabe sales and marketing choices. Good old vintage choices.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


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DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26414
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: NitroX]
      #350402 - 16/02/21 05:37 AM

Most or many of us are of "vintage" age ourselves.

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


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


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Iowa_303s
.400 member


Reged: 22/03/13
Posts: 1014
Loc: Iowa, USA
Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: DarylS]
      #350411 - 16/02/21 11:22 AM

The title is "Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber*.
I see a lot of caliber "X" or caliber "Y" would be the "best" all rounder.
My favorite North American hunting caliber is neither flashy nor popular (south of the 49th parallel).
From mice to moose, the .303 British just plods along and knocks critters over without much recoil or muzzle blast.

--------------------
Matt

formerly known as Iowa_303

"Once your reputation is ruined you can live your life quite freely."

"Enkelkinder über alles"


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tinker
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Reged: 12/03/05
Posts: 4835
Loc: Nevada
Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Iowa_303s]
      #350412 - 16/02/21 01:51 PM

I've killed more with the 22lr than anything.
I'm not sure that makes it my favorite.

Really, the favorite changes from time to time.
Recently the 22 Hornet has been high on the list.
It's a dandy of a hunting cartridge.

I don't expect any time in the foreseeable future where I'll have or want to settle on a single rifle cartridge.
If I *had to* I hope I'd be able to be handloading for it. I'd probably have to choose 308 or 30-06

Thankfully right now I don't have to limit myself to just one.

--------------------
--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--



"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...


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szihn
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Reged: 24/06/07
Posts: 2100
Loc: Wind River Valley, Wyoming
Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Will]
      #350420 - 16/02/21 05:59 PM

I can't say I have a favorite caliber or cartridge because I often have the most enjoyments using guns that are not as easy to make kills with. Flintlock Muzzleloaders and old fashion guns with irons only, and a lot with regular holster revolvers are most fun for me.

But the one cartridge I have killed the most big game with is without a doubt the 270 Winchester. The reason I don't use it all that much now days it that it is just too easy and my hunting stops too soon.

In the last 54 years I can't count the number of game animals I have killed but I would guess that I have used about 60-70 different cartridge's to kill them all. If I were to divided the number of kills in half I would guess that 50% were killed with 270 Winchesters. The other 50 % with the other 60-70 cartridges combined.

Thinking back and trying to remember them all they are:

22 LR rifles and handguns
22 WMR rifle and handguns (Nothing larger then a coyote)
222 Rem
223 (Nothing larger then a coyote)
22-250
6MM Rem
243 Win
250 Savage (Nothing larger then a coyote)
257 Rob
25-06
6.5 Swede
6.5X54 M/S
6.8 SPC
270 Winchester
270 Win Short mag
7X57
280
7X64
7MM Rem Mag
7MM S/H
7MM Weatherby mag.
7MM STW
30-30
30-40 Krag
7.5 Swiss
308
30-06
300 Norma mag
300 H&H
300 Win Mag
300 Weatherby Mag.
30-378 Weatherby
7.62X39
7.62X54R
7.65 Belgian
303 Brit
8X57
8X68
32-20 (Nothing larger then a coyote)
338-06
338 Win Mag
348 Winchester
35 Remington
9MM Luger handguns (Nothing larger then a raccoon)
38 Special handguns (Nothing larger then a coyote)
357 magnum handguns
9.3X57
9.3X62
9.3X74R
375 H&H
41 Mag handgun
416 Taylor
416 Rigby
404 Jeffery
44 mag handguns
44 mag Rifle
44/77 Sharps
45 cal Ruger Old Army cap-and-ball
45 ACP handguns
45 Colt handguns
454 Casull handgun
45-70
458 Win
460 G&A
50-140 Sharps
577/450 M/H
50 cal flintlock round balls
54 cal flintlock rounds balls
58 Cal Cap-Lock Hawken with Lee REALs and round balls both
62 cal flintlock round balls
Wood arrows

And I may have missed a few.

But if I look at all the kills I have made of game over 50 pounds in all my life, probably close to half of them were killed with 270s.

Edited by szihn (16/02/21 06:01 PM)


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Rule303
.416 member


Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 4896
Loc: Woodford Qld
Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Iowa_303s]
      #350447 - 17/02/21 09:58 AM

Quote:

The title is "Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber*.
I see a lot of caliber "X" or caliber "Y" would be the "best" all rounder.
My favorite North American hunting caliber is neither flashy nor popular (south of the 49th parallel).
From mice to moose, the .303 British just plods along and knocks critters over without much recoil or muzzle blast.




I have to agree. I tried a 30-06 and it left me cold, wouldn't do anything the 303 wouldn't. Best thing the 30-06 can be used for is to neck the case to a 270,280, 338 or 35. :-)

If it is a North American calibre then it would be a toss up between the 270win & 35 Whelen.


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DORLEAC
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Reged: 22/01/12
Posts: 464
Loc: Perpignan, France
Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: Rule303]
      #350722 - 22/02/21 02:29 AM

I'm sorry if I offend the sensibilities of some members but I'm definitely a .270 Winch. man!
I love the 250-3000, a superbly balanced cartridge that requires a 10 " twist to get the most out of its capabilities.
The .338 is excellent, especially with us, continental hunters, on heavy game and although it isn't purely an US creation the .300H&H is my second favorite cartridge ... after the .270WCF.

DORLEAC
www.dorleac-dorleac.com


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JHeath
.224 member


Reged: 26/07/21
Posts: 30
Loc: British Columbia and Washingto...
Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: DORLEAC]
      #356319 - 24/08/21 04:51 AM

Quote:

I'm sorry if I offend the sensibilities of some members but I'm definitely a .270 Winch. man!
I love the 250-3000, a superbly balanced cartridge that requires a 10 " twist to get the most out of its capabilities.
The .338 is excellent, especially with us, continental hunters, on heavy game and although it isn't purely an US creation the .300H&H is my second favorite cartridge ... after the .270WCF.

DORLEAC
www.dorleac-dorleac.com






I just saw this, hope it is not too late to reply.

You love the .250-3000, but did not mention the .257 Roberts. I am curious why. I moved to Canada from the USA was surprised to discover the .257 Roberts is almost unknown here. Ammunition is not for sale and most people have never heard of the cartridge. In the USA, the Roberts is fairly common and has a long history as a factory offering.

Is the .257 Roberts unknown in Europe so you prefer the .250-3000?

The Roberts has slightly better ballistics and is almost perfectly balanced re case volume. But more importantly, the Roberts is a necked-down 7x57 so a simple rebarrel in a '98.


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Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: Your Favorite North American Hunting Caliber [Re: JHeath]
      #356335 - 25/08/21 12:06 AM

Quote:

Quote:

I'm sorry if I offend the sensibilities of some members but I'm definitely a .270 Winch. man!
I love the 250-3000, a superbly balanced cartridge that requires a 10 " twist to get the most out of its capabilities.
The .338 is excellent, especially with us, continental hunters, on heavy game and although it isn't purely an US creation the .300H&H is my second favorite cartridge ... after the .270WCF.

DORLEAC
www.dorleac-dorleac.com






I just saw this, hope it is not too late to reply.

You love the .250-3000, but did not mention the .257 Roberts. I am curious why. I moved to Canada from the USA was surprised to discover the .257 Roberts is almost unknown here. Ammunition is not for sale and most people have never heard of the cartridge. In the USA, the Roberts is fairly common and has a long history as a factory offering.

Is the .257 Roberts unknown in Europe so you prefer the .250-3000?

The Roberts has slightly better ballistics and is almost perfectly balanced re case volume. But more importantly, the Roberts is a necked-down 7x57 so a simple rebarrel in a '98.




The reason, and you can check with Daryl on this, is Canada is not a very advanced nation.. Give them another few decades, it will probably catch on by then..

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


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