Help with cartridge selection for elk, white tail and moose.. - Page 2

Erik · September 3, 2002, 07:25 PM

The 30-06 will cleanly harvest deer, elk, and moose out to ranges most folks consider reasonable.

Even in Colorado, where most hunters are well advised to stalk closer, despite what ammo marketers might have you believe.

ReadyOnTheRight · September 4, 2002, 08:46 PM

Are we talking an old military BAR or the newer Browning Semi-auto? I assume it's the latter. If it's the former, you certainly would get some funny looks from a guide (aren't military BARs full auto?).

There are a ton of Rem 740-type semi-autos in the northern MN woods (you bet'cha!) and no one looks sideways at them. I'm the only Browning guy in my deer camp, but mine are an A-Bolt and a Buckmark.

The Browning BAR is a very sweet gun and you certainly can't go wrong with a 30-06.

Get the Browning and shoot it forever.

WilsonCQB · September 5, 2002, 05:25 AM

HA!, it is the new Browning Safari BAR (and I picked up the 7mm Rem magnum cartridge with the boss). It is a very nice gun, seems to be some crepe in the trigger and it has a heavier break than some other guns that I have sampled in the past....

I wonder if that will get smoother over time?

Art Eatman · September 5, 2002, 09:21 AM

Wilson, the odds are that it would take a competent gunsmith to make the trigger "righteous". I've never gone inside the Browning, so I don't know if the trigger is adjustable like the Remington 700, e.g.

You might ask George, in the "Smithy" forum.

Art

Dr.Rob · September 9, 2002, 05:17 PM

I'm very much a traditionalist and the 30-06 is my caliber of choice. All game I hunt = 1 Rifle, 1 Cartridge. Thats true for antelope, black bear, mule deer and elk. I use a handloaded Sierra Game King 165 gr SBT bullet at 2800 fps. If you don't handload use federal premium 165 bullets (that's the load I try to duplicate)

Honestly, if I drew a tag for moose I'd get a bigger rifle. In a pinch I could up-load to a 220 gr round nose, but I'd feel MUCH better with a .375, besides it would give me another reason to buy another rifle. The 30-06 is a great "all around" gun, it doesn't shoot as flat as the 7mag, but it gets the job done and is a lot easier on your ears.

As far as "long range out west shots" well it depends on the terrain. On the front range you can have a wide variety of terrain compared to the high altitude meadows of the western slope. Most elk I've shot at, or seen shot have been within 50 yards, then again, I hunt mostly in dark timber.

Spectre · September 12, 2002, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Do you know what 7MM actually means?

Yeah, it means "the mighty .30-06 will copy me!"

(Since the '06 was copied from the 7x57mm after the Spanish-American War.)

Wilson, how often do you see moose? Either caliber is a great choice, given good shots and quality bullets. If I was dead set on a moose, though (given your choice of the BAR), I reckon I'd get a BAR in .338...can't have too many Brownings, anyway, right?

P-990 · September 13, 2002, 09:51 AM

SO, if I were to say that I would feel comfortable with my .260 and stout bullets against elk and moose, would I be crazy to actually go hunting with that combination? Thinking that a 140gr Partition or A-frame would do the job on anything not likely to make me dinner or part of the landscape. Opinions?

labgrade · September 13, 2002, 01:45 PM

Not crazy at all, p-990. The Wife hunts with a 7-08 & Barnes XBT 140s.

I do think though that there's a proportionate relationship of power/penetration, distance & care in the shots that should be taken. Lower "power factor" = closer and better placed shots.

JasonReed · September 13, 2002, 03:54 PM

I hunt with four guys out here in Colorado. Two hunt with 7mm Mag bolt guns (a Rem700 and sumthin' else), two others hunt with BARs in .300 WinMag, and I use a WinM70 in '06. The BAR guys aren't spray n pray, they just like the fast followup shots. Myself, I think the BAR is a bit heavy, plus I just like the '06. The 7mm guys were from North Carolina before they moved out here so they were mostly deer hunters who made the occasional trip out west.

Near as I can tell, none of the elk and deer we've shot can tell the difference one little bit. Or if they could, they all expired before they could tell about it...

I admit I've never gone after moose. 'Course getting an out of state moose tag out here seems to be a bit of a challenge, and it costs a bloody fortune.

JasonReed · September 13, 2002, 03:59 PM

Labgrade & Dr. Rob,

Sorry for the OT, but where do you guys practice? The only range I know of within an hour's drive is Cherry Creek and they only shoot from the bench. I live south of the Tech Center.

labgrade · September 13, 2002, 10:34 PM

Jason, you got a PM.

P-990 · September 14, 2002, 07:00 AM

labgrade,

Thank You for the voice of experience and confidence. You mentioned that the lower PF of the rifle, the closer a hunter should be and the more careful she/he should be with the shot. That is exactly why I was thinking that my .260 would be adequate for the job if necessary (like I'm ever gonna get lucky enough to draw a moose tag or go on an elk hunt, but, hey, I can dream). I have faith that I can place those little slugs with precision, and I figure that that is all that matters. Provided the animal won't rearrange me if it doesn't die on the spot. Thank You again.

Al Thompson · September 14, 2002, 04:25 PM

Interestingly enough, friend of mine just returned from Africa. He was on a plains game hunt and used a 6.5 x 55 Swede for everything to include Kudu. Bullet was a 140 grain Sierra, worked fine.

labgrade · September 14, 2002, 07:31 PM

P-990,

Betcha. Far as doing an elk hunt = no biggie. CO at the least has over the counter non-res tags - you just plops yer money down & out you go. ou can get more indepth by choosing certain areas, sex, etc. & then start getting somewhat iffy, & more complicated.

Our hunts are basically pitch the stuff in the truck & go to the woods where elk are, eat well, hang out, kill a couple & come home ...

P-990 · September 14, 2002, 08:21 PM

labgrade,
I wasn't just refering to getting the tag but also oppurtunity and means are a problem. Still only 18 so I have plenty of time. No worries, I'll just use the thing that make me an OK hunter: my patience. That and falling asleep against trees in a nice breeze! But it all sounds like fun. Now if only I can convince my family and GF that grizzly hunting would be a good experience for me before I die......

Note: In February I begin 6 years enlisted in the United States Navy. Time to get out of NE! (But I hope to be back, at least for a moose hunt!)

September 3, 2002, 07:25 PM	#26
Erik Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 1999 Location: America Posts: 3,479	The 30-06 will cleanly harvest deer, elk, and moose out to ranges most folks consider reasonable. Even in Colorado, where most hunters are well advised to stalk closer, despite what ammo marketers might have you believe. __________________ Meriam Webster's: Main Entry: ci·vil·ian Pronunciation: \sə-ˈvil-yən also -ˈvi-yən\, Function: noun, Date: 14th century, 1: a specialist in Roman or modern civil law, 2 a: one not on active duty in the armed services or not on a police or firefighting force b: outsider 1, — civilian adjective

September 4, 2002, 08:46 PM	#27
ReadyOnTheRight Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2002 Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Posts: 377	Are we talking an old military BAR or the newer Browning Semi-auto? I assume it's the latter. If it's the former, you certainly would get some funny looks from a guide (aren't military BARs full auto?). There are a ton of Rem 740-type semi-autos in the northern MN woods (you bet'cha!) and no one looks sideways at them. I'm the only Browning guy in my deer camp, but mine are an A-Bolt and a Buckmark. The Browning BAR is a very sweet gun and you certainly can't go wrong with a 30-06. Get the Browning and shoot it forever. __________________ "Personal weapons are what raised mankind out of the mud, and the rifle is the queen of personal weapons. The possession of a good rifle, as well as the skill to use it well, truly makes a man the monarch of all he surveys." -Jeff Cooper, The Art of the Rifle-

September 5, 2002, 05:25 AM	#28
WilsonCQB Junior Member Join Date: August 4, 2002 Location: Minnesota Posts: 10	HA!, it is the new Browning Safari BAR (and I picked up the 7mm Rem magnum cartridge with the boss). It is a very nice gun, seems to be some crepe in the trigger and it has a heavier break than some other guns that I have sampled in the past.... I wonder if that will get smoother over time? __________________ Regards, Steven NRA Certified Instructor Members of GSSF-NRA-IDPA Glock 17-22-23-26-27 Springfield Professional

September 9, 2002, 05:17 PM	#30
Dr.Rob Staff Alumnus Join Date: July 28, 1999 Location: Denver Posts: 2,454	I'm very much a traditionalist and the 30-06 is my caliber of choice. All game I hunt = 1 Rifle, 1 Cartridge. Thats true for antelope, black bear, mule deer and elk. I use a handloaded Sierra Game King 165 gr SBT bullet at 2800 fps. If you don't handload use federal premium 165 bullets (that's the load I try to duplicate) Honestly, if I drew a tag for moose I'd get a bigger rifle. In a pinch I could up-load to a 220 gr round nose, but I'd feel MUCH better with a .375, besides it would give me another reason to buy another rifle. The 30-06 is a great "all around" gun, it doesn't shoot as flat as the 7mag, but it gets the job done and is a lot easier on your ears. As far as "long range out west shots" well it depends on the terrain. On the front range you can have a wide variety of terrain compared to the high altitude meadows of the western slope. Most elk I've shot at, or seen shot have been within 50 yards, then again, I hunt mostly in dark timber. __________________ You broke into the wrong Rec Room!

September 13, 2002, 09:51 AM	#32
P-990 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2002 Location: Only1/2WayThere Posts: 1,316	SO, if I were to say that I would feel comfortable with my .260 and stout bullets against elk and moose, would I be crazy to actually go hunting with that combination? Thinking that a 140gr Partition or A-frame would do the job on anything not likely to make me dinner or part of the landscape. Opinions? __________________ NRA Master, Highpower Rifle, Across-the-Course NRA Expert, Highpower Rifle, Mid-Range Prone

September 5, 2002, 09:21 AM	#29
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Wilson, the odds are that it would take a competent gunsmith to make the trigger "righteous". I've never gone inside the Browning, so I don't know if the trigger is adjustable like the Remington 700, e.g. You might ask George, in the "Smithy" forum. Art

September 13, 2002, 01:45 PM	#33
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	Not crazy at all, p-990. The Wife hunts with a 7-08 & Barnes XBT 140s. I do think though that there's a proportionate relationship of power/penetration, distance & care in the shots that should be taken. Lower "power factor" = closer and better placed shots.

September 13, 2002, 03:54 PM	#34
JasonReed Member Join Date: December 15, 1999 Location: Colorado Posts: 91	I hunt with four guys out here in Colorado. Two hunt with 7mm Mag bolt guns (a Rem700 and sumthin' else), two others hunt with BARs in .300 WinMag, and I use a WinM70 in '06. The BAR guys aren't spray n pray, they just like the fast followup shots. Myself, I think the BAR is a bit heavy, plus I just like the '06. The 7mm guys were from North Carolina before they moved out here so they were mostly deer hunters who made the occasional trip out west. Near as I can tell, none of the elk and deer we've shot can tell the difference one little bit. Or if they could, they all expired before they could tell about it... I admit I've never gone after moose. 'Course getting an out of state moose tag out here seems to be a bit of a challenge, and it costs a bloody fortune.

September 13, 2002, 03:59 PM	#35
JasonReed Member Join Date: December 15, 1999 Location: Colorado Posts: 91	Labgrade & Dr. Rob, Sorry for the OT, but where do you guys practice? The only range I know of within an hour's drive is Cherry Creek and they only shoot from the bench. I live south of the Tech Center.

September 13, 2002, 10:34 PM	#36
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	Jason, you got a PM.

September 14, 2002, 07:00 AM	#37
P-990 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2002 Location: Only1/2WayThere Posts: 1,316	labgrade, Thank You for the voice of experience and confidence. You mentioned that the lower PF of the rifle, the closer a hunter should be and the more careful she/he should be with the shot. That is exactly why I was thinking that my .260 would be adequate for the job if necessary (like I'm ever gonna get lucky enough to draw a moose tag or go on an elk hunt, but, hey, I can dream). I have faith that I can place those little slugs with precision, and I figure that that is all that matters. Provided the animal won't rearrange me if it doesn't die on the spot. Thank You again. __________________ NRA Master, Highpower Rifle, Across-the-Course NRA Expert, Highpower Rifle, Mid-Range Prone

September 14, 2002, 04:25 PM	#38
Al Thompson Staff Alumnus Join Date: May 2, 1999 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,611	Interestingly enough, friend of mine just returned from Africa. He was on a plains game hunt and used a 6.5 x 55 Swede for everything to include Kudu. Bullet was a 140 grain Sierra, worked fine. __________________ http://www.scfirearms.org/

September 14, 2002, 07:31 PM	#39
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	P-990, Betcha. Far as doing an elk hunt = no biggie. CO at the least has over the counter non-res tags - you just plops yer money down & out you go. ou can get more indepth by choosing certain areas, sex, etc. & then start getting somewhat iffy, & more complicated. Our hunts are basically pitch the stuff in the truck & go to the woods where elk are, eat well, hang out, kill a couple & come home ...

September 14, 2002, 08:21 PM	#40
P-990 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2002 Location: Only1/2WayThere Posts: 1,316	labgrade, I wasn't just refering to getting the tag but also oppurtunity and means are a problem. Still only 18 so I have plenty of time. No worries, I'll just use the thing that make me an OK hunter: my patience. That and falling asleep against trees in a nice breeze! But it all sounds like fun. Now if only I can convince my family and GF that grizzly hunting would be a good experience for me before I die...... Note: In February I begin 6 years enlisted in the United States Navy. Time to get out of NE! (But I hope to be back, at least for a moose hunt!) __________________ NRA Master, Highpower Rifle, Across-the-Course NRA Expert, Highpower Rifle, Mid-Range Prone