caribou

ammo.crafter · June 9, 2007, 01:51 PM

Any one have a rifle calibre suggestion for caribou? I was thinking of a 7-08 as I prefer a light-handling bolt action.

kaboku68 · June 9, 2007, 09:12 PM

You might get lucky and ambush the caribou but it is more likely that
you will have a longer range shot from 200-400 yards.

You should make it a point to practice with your rifle to be able to
put your caribou down.

I have shot them with everything from 22-250 to 375 h+h.

The best bet is picking a gun that you are very good with and practicing a lot
with it.

You should also practice in windy conditions.

With all this said, sometimes you can get really close to them and even toll them in with a hanky.

Good luck and remember that summer practice leads to a full freezer.

Thomas

tronman · June 10, 2007, 01:10 AM

It depends...the caribou hunting in say Labrador...you can basically walk up to the herd and put a rope on the one you want. I'd imagine anything from a 22lr up in that area would suffice. I took my 7 mag and felt I was being silly.

Wildalaska · June 10, 2007, 01:18 AM

In Alaska, caribou is bear country, choose your calber accordingly.

Wildifigothisyeariwilluse6.5x55Alaska

moose fat · June 10, 2007, 01:56 AM

ammo.crafter where are you going and what time of year?

In my neck of the tundra it is a winter hunt. About a four hour cruise up the the river on snow machine. And you may have to pick the caribou out from somebodies herd of raindeer.

As for rifle, anything that can knock down a white tail. Like kaboku68 says something you're comfortable and proficient with.

ConcealCarryNY · June 11, 2007, 11:39 AM

When I was a teen I was lucky enough to be a camp hand at a caribou camp in Northern Quebec. I saw guys use everything under the sun. As long as its flat shooting and has some punch it will work. Just make sure you make some time to practice long range shooting. If the herd is in you won't need it but if your timing is off and the herd hasn't gotten there yet you will be doing so long stalks and long shots. Also do your self a favor and do some cardio be for you head up there. Walking on the tundra for 8 hours a day will wear out even the most fit individuals.

Leafs · June 12, 2007, 06:47 PM

Go Caribou hunting with my dad every year in either NFLD or Labrador. We use .308's and all the locals seem to use either .308, 30-06 or .303

bcarver · June 13, 2007, 02:05 AM

I would think 7mmX57 Mauser or 7mm08 or 270 Win as ideal.

Wayfaring_Stranger · June 13, 2007, 03:43 PM

I shoot a .270 WSM for Bou. I'd think a 7-mm-08 would be fine out to about 400 yds or so, if you can get it there accuratley.

I've always wanted to try a 7mm08 loaded to the max with 120 gr Barnes X. I think it'd be a killer all around load.

June 9, 2007, 01:51 PM	#1
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 1,970	caribou Any one have a rifle calibre suggestion for caribou? I was thinking of a 7-08 as I prefer a light-handling bolt action. __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

June 9, 2007, 09:12 PM	#2
kaboku68 Junior Member Join Date: June 9, 2007 Posts: 4	Flat shooting is key You might get lucky and ambush the caribou but it is more likely that you will have a longer range shot from 200-400 yards. You should make it a point to practice with your rifle to be able to put your caribou down. I have shot them with everything from 22-250 to 375 h+h. The best bet is picking a gun that you are very good with and practicing a lot with it. You should also practice in windy conditions. With all this said, sometimes you can get really close to them and even toll them in with a hanky. Good luck and remember that summer practice leads to a full freezer. Thomas

June 13, 2007, 02:05 AM	#8
bcarver Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2007 Location: Jackson,Mississippi Posts: 838	sevens I would think 7mmX57 Mauser or 7mm08 or 270 Win as ideal.

June 10, 2007, 01:10 AM	#3
tronman Member Join Date: April 24, 2007 Posts: 39	It depends...the caribou hunting in say Labrador...you can basically walk up to the herd and put a rope on the one you want. I'd imagine anything from a 22lr up in that area would suffice. I took my 7 mag and felt I was being silly.

June 10, 2007, 01:18 AM	#4
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,172	In Alaska, caribou is bear country, choose your calber accordingly. Wildifigothisyeariwilluse6.5x55Alaska

June 10, 2007, 01:56 AM	#5
moose fat Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2006 Location: Alaska, Yukon R. delta Posts: 421	ammo.crafter where are you going and what time of year? In my neck of the tundra it is a winter hunt. About a four hour cruise up the the river on snow machine. And you may have to pick the caribou out from somebodies herd of raindeer. As for rifle, anything that can knock down a white tail. Like kaboku68 says something you're comfortable and proficient with.

June 11, 2007, 11:39 AM	#6
ConcealCarryNY Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2007 Location: Owego, N.Y. Posts: 218	When I was a teen I was lucky enough to be a camp hand at a caribou camp in Northern Quebec. I saw guys use everything under the sun. As long as its flat shooting and has some punch it will work. Just make sure you make some time to practice long range shooting. If the herd is in you won't need it but if your timing is off and the herd hasn't gotten there yet you will be doing so long stalks and long shots. Also do your self a favor and do some cardio be for you head up there. Walking on the tundra for 8 hours a day will wear out even the most fit individuals.

June 12, 2007, 06:47 PM	#7
Leafs Member Join Date: November 21, 2006 Posts: 38	Go Caribou hunting with my dad every year in either NFLD or Labrador. We use .308's and all the locals seem to use either .308, 30-06 or .303

June 13, 2007, 03:43 PM	#9
Wayfaring_Stranger Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Location: North Idaho Posts: 64	I shoot a .270 WSM for Bou. I'd think a 7-mm-08 would be fine out to about 400 yds or so, if you can get it there accuratley. I've always wanted to try a 7mm08 loaded to the max with 120 gr Barnes X. I think it'd be a killer all around load.