What Caliber Is Right

LILTIKI · October 22, 2007, 10:28 PM

I"ve Been A Bow Hunter All My Life.(58 Yrs) I Now Want To Hunt With A Rifle. I Would Like To Know What Caliber Rife Would Be Most Appropriate For Hunting Elk And Mule Deer. I Would Like The Smallest Caliber Possible Yet Have Enough Power As To Not Worry.

Dick

taylorce1 · October 22, 2007, 10:30 PM

.270 Winchester would be the smallest caliber I'd use since you mentioned elk. I've used it on elk and wouldn't be afraid to use it again. I like 150 grain Nosler partitions for elk and pretty much any 130 grain soft point will work for deer.

FirstFreedom · October 22, 2007, 10:37 PM

.270 winchester or .280 remington.

fisherman66 · October 22, 2007, 11:00 PM

6.5x55 or up, although I tend to agree with the above recommendations as a better solution for elk.

Yellowfin · October 22, 2007, 11:52 PM

.30-06. There has not been anything invented which can do the job better in a wider variety of situations.

davlandrum · October 23, 2007, 02:09 PM

+1 on the -06 as my preference, but I freely admit that is the "love of my life" caliber. Never even dated another caliber....

Full-choke · October 23, 2007, 02:37 PM

If you get comfortable with the rifle and become a sure shot, I would say 257 Roberts would be a good choice. It will bring either of those two critters down pretty easily. Past that, 270 would be a good choice, -06 is versatile, and a little bigger.

I would say given everything you offered on info, 257 or the 270 will suite just fine.

F-C

hunter33 · October 23, 2007, 02:38 PM

280,270,06 will do great!

davlandrum · October 23, 2007, 03:04 PM

OK, the caliber I have a crush on is the .257 Roberts, mentioned by Full-choke.

taylorce1 · October 23, 2007, 04:13 PM

I don't like the .257 calibers for elk for the simple reason they don't make a heavier than 120 grain loads. Plus I have to make a cut off some where or I'd go all the way down to a .243/6mm caliber with 80 grain bullet because that is the minimum I can hut with legally in Colorado as long has it has 1000 lb of energy at 100 yards.

Geoff Timm · October 23, 2007, 05:48 PM

Elk to mule deer?

Gotta be .30-06. 220 gr for Elk and 150 - 125 gr for deer. No other cartridge has the range of bullet weights easily available.

Geoff
Who uses .308, but I don't go looking for elk.

davlandrum · October 23, 2007, 05:53 PM

Geoff - 220 gr -06 for elk? Back in the day, I know that was the round, but with the performance of premium bullets now, 180 or even 165s will do just fine. Again, that is premium bullets.

Biggest elk I have ever seen killed was killed by a single shot from a .257 Bob.

fisherman66 · October 23, 2007, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Again, that is premium bullets.

BINGO, many cartridges that were unable to take large game decades ago now have a new lease in life due to modern bullet design. Just don't tell that the Scandinavian folk. They've been doing it for the last hundred years with what many here might consider "sub" guns.

RedneckFur · October 23, 2007, 06:52 PM

I'd go 270. The ammo is common enough you can find it most places, and its not too expensive. I'm one who tends to err on the small side when it comes to rifles. I personally wouldnt go any bigger than 30-06 unless you've got a trip to Africa in your near future.

Also... If youre a bow hunter, you're used to stalking close and making close range shots, I assume? If so, consider the 30-30! Its got plenty of power for mulies and elk within its range. Its quick to shoot, lightweight, leverguns to me are some of the most comfortable rifles to shoulder and shoot as well. Expect hunting ammo for it to be 2/3 to 1/2 the price of the 270 or 30-06

LILTIKI · October 23, 2007, 08:01 PM

Friends
First Of All I'd Like To Think Everybody For There Input On What Caliber I Might Use. I Have Access To The 270, 30-30 And The 30-06. I Guess I Will Be Spending Some Time Shooting At A Shooting Range To See What Gun I Can Handle The Best. Again, To Everybody, Thanks For Your Time And Thoughts.

Dick

CamoCop · October 24, 2007, 05:57 AM

.30-06

bswiv · October 24, 2007, 06:39 AM

LILTIKI said it like a experenced hunter......................

He's going to take 3 guns to the range, all of which are up to the task at hand, and then he is going to do a very reasonable thing.

He's going to "see what gun I can handle the best."

Talk about a sound approach to the question........................!

king.460 · October 24, 2007, 08:03 AM

If you still love the challenge of bowhunting but not the complexity of it, do what I did and take up handgun hunting. Great challenge and the blood trails are a lot shorter!

lockedcj7 · October 24, 2007, 08:26 PM

If I wanted the lightest-kicking rifle that I'd still feel 100% confident with, I'd take my 7mm-08 loaded with the best premium bonded bullet I could get.

.270 win is almost ballistically identical and is a lot more common in backwoods grocery stores.

jrothWA · October 24, 2007, 11:01 PM

I've talked with a Dad @ work who's twelve-year old took an Elk with a .243.

Can your shoulder stand the recoil of an 30-06 or above?

What caliber allows you keep all shots on a paper plate @ max range e.g.: 10, 150 or 200???

Jack O'Connor love and promoted the .270 Win, based on the 30-06 case,
look at the list from RCBS 30-06 leads the most popular caliber, meaning it will be readily available, 30/30 has been used on Elk but placement and range are critical.
The Swede's use the 6.5X55Mauser on Moose, again its placement.
Tell us more, so we can refine this.

PS, I use nothing but .308Win, not able to try Elk this year but will next.

CamoCop · October 25, 2007, 12:46 AM

a .30-06's recoil is not bad, you can buy bullets anywhere for it, it has a wider selection of bullets than any other caliber AND it will take down ALL North American game animals. need I explain more?

jaymag · October 25, 2007, 06:39 PM

Could stop a gobblin

jhgreasemonkey · October 25, 2007, 07:38 PM

I agree with the .270 win being the least I would use and not have to worry about it being underpowered. It is a great choice for elk and mule deer. Excellent long range performance and it deliveres a lot of energy.
I do however preffer the 30-06 even over the fantastic .270 because it does have that slight edge as it produces similar ballistics but with slightly larger and heavier bullets. And if you can shoot the .270 comfortably you probably wont notice a difference when shooting the 06.

Jack O'Conner · October 25, 2007, 07:49 PM

My wife is very fussy about recoil. But she does real well with a Browning BLR I had re-barreled to 6.5mm Swede. Within 275 yards accuracy and trajectory are about the same as 7mm-08 or 270 . The 140 grain bullet is a deep penetrator and hits harder than charts would suggest.

I'm no fan of recoil either. .308 has been a keeper for me!

Hope this is helpful.

Jack

fisherman66 · October 25, 2007, 08:11 PM

Quote:

The 140 grain bullet is a deep penetrator and hits harder than charts would suggest.

A nice, high sectional density will do that on deep chested game.

October 22, 2007, 10:28 PM	#1
LILTIKI Junior Member Join Date: October 22, 2007 Location: michigan Posts: 2	What Caliber Is Right I"ve Been A Bow Hunter All My Life.(58 Yrs) I Now Want To Hunt With A Rifle. I Would Like To Know What Caliber Rife Would Be Most Appropriate For Hunting Elk And Mule Deer. I Would Like The Smallest Caliber Possible Yet Have Enough Power As To Not Worry. Dick

October 22, 2007, 11:00 PM	#4
fisherman66 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2005 Location: Rhome, TX Posts: 4,630	6.5x55 or up, although I tend to agree with the above recommendations as a better solution for elk. __________________ la plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu'il n'existe pas!

October 23, 2007, 02:09 PM	#6
davlandrum Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 2,546	+1 on the -06 as my preference, but I freely admit that is the "love of my life" caliber. Never even dated another caliber.... __________________ U.S Army, Retired Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. -Potter Stewart

October 23, 2007, 02:37 PM	#7
Full-choke Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 617	If you get comfortable with the rifle and become a sure shot, I would say 257 Roberts would be a good choice. It will bring either of those two critters down pretty easily. Past that, 270 would be a good choice, -06 is versatile, and a little bigger. I would say given everything you offered on info, 257 or the 270 will suite just fine. F-C __________________ TC Encore -6mm Rem Rifle; Ruger 10/22; Ruger 10/22 Ultimate; Stoeger Condor 20; ; Remington 1100 12; Stoeger 22 Luger; Taurus PT1911; Ruger SR40c God gave us the gift of life. It is the most precious gift ever. To be unarmed is to be helpless to protect that gift; that is outright irresponsible. - Ted Nugent

October 23, 2007, 03:04 PM	#9
davlandrum Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 2,546	OK, the caliber I have a crush on is the .257 Roberts, mentioned by Full-choke. __________________ U.S Army, Retired Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. -Potter Stewart

October 22, 2007, 10:30 PM	#2
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO & Lubbock, TX Posts: 4,694	.270 Winchester would be the smallest caliber I'd use since you mentioned elk. I've used it on elk and wouldn't be afraid to use it again. I like 150 grain Nosler partitions for elk and pretty much any 130 grain soft point will work for deer.

October 22, 2007, 10:37 PM	#3
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,452	.270 winchester or .280 remington.

October 22, 2007, 11:52 PM	#5
Yellowfin Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2007 Location: West Upstate NY Posts: 2,303	.30-06. There has not been anything invented which can do the job better in a wider variety of situations.

October 23, 2007, 02:38 PM	#8
hunter33 Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2007 Location: oregon Posts: 289	280,270,06 will do great!

October 23, 2007, 04:13 PM	#10
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO & Lubbock, TX Posts: 4,694	I don't like the .257 calibers for elk for the simple reason they don't make a heavier than 120 grain loads. Plus I have to make a cut off some where or I'd go all the way down to a .243/6mm caliber with 80 grain bullet because that is the minimum I can hut with legally in Colorado as long has it has 1000 lb of energy at 100 yards.

October 23, 2007, 05:48 PM	#11
Geoff Timm Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 472	Elk to mule deer? Gotta be .30-06. 220 gr for Elk and 150 - 125 gr for deer. No other cartridge has the range of bullet weights easily available. Geoff Who uses .308, but I don't go looking for elk.

October 23, 2007, 05:53 PM	#12
davlandrum Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 2,546	Geoff - 220 gr -06 for elk? Back in the day, I know that was the round, but with the performance of premium bullets now, 180 or even 165s will do just fine. Again, that is premium bullets. Biggest elk I have ever seen killed was killed by a single shot from a .257 Bob. __________________ U.S Army, Retired Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. -Potter Stewart

October 23, 2007, 06:52 PM	#14
RedneckFur Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2007 Location: Sotheastern US Posts: 1,416	I'd go 270. The ammo is common enough you can find it most places, and its not too expensive. I'm one who tends to err on the small side when it comes to rifles. I personally wouldnt go any bigger than 30-06 unless you've got a trip to Africa in your near future. Also... If youre a bow hunter, you're used to stalking close and making close range shots, I assume? If so, consider the 30-30! Its got plenty of power for mulies and elk within its range. Its quick to shoot, lightweight, leverguns to me are some of the most comfortable rifles to shoulder and shoot as well. Expect hunting ammo for it to be 2/3 to 1/2 the price of the 270 or 30-06

October 23, 2007, 08:01 PM	#15
LILTIKI Junior Member Join Date: October 22, 2007 Location: michigan Posts: 2	wHAT CALIBER IS WRIGHT Friends First Of All I'd Like To Think Everybody For There Input On What Caliber I Might Use. I Have Access To The 270, 30-30 And The 30-06. I Guess I Will Be Spending Some Time Shooting At A Shooting Range To See What Gun I Can Handle The Best. Again, To Everybody, Thanks For Your Time And Thoughts. Dick

October 24, 2007, 05:57 AM	#16
CamoCop Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 133	.30-06

October 24, 2007, 06:39 AM	#17
bswiv Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Posts: 1,031	LILTIKI said it like a experenced hunter...................... He's going to take 3 guns to the range, all of which are up to the task at hand, and then he is going to do a very reasonable thing. He's going to "see what gun I can handle the best." Talk about a sound approach to the question........................!

October 24, 2007, 08:03 AM	#18
king.460 Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2007 Location: Hale County, AL Posts: 103	If you still love the challenge of bowhunting but not the complexity of it, do what I did and take up handgun hunting. Great challenge and the blood trails are a lot shorter!

October 24, 2007, 08:26 PM	#19
lockedcj7 Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2007 Posts: 922	If I wanted the lightest-kicking rifle that I'd still feel 100% confident with, I'd take my 7mm-08 loaded with the best premium bonded bullet I could get. .270 win is almost ballistically identical and is a lot more common in backwoods grocery stores. __________________ To a much greater extent than most mechanical devices, firearms are terribly unforgiving of any overconfidence, complacency or negligence.

October 24, 2007, 11:01 PM	#20
jrothWA Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 1,813	what are you comfortable shooting with? I've talked with a Dad @ work who's twelve-year old took an Elk with a .243. Can your shoulder stand the recoil of an 30-06 or above? What caliber allows you keep all shots on a paper plate @ max range e.g.: 10, 150 or 200??? Jack O'Connor love and promoted the .270 Win, based on the 30-06 case, look at the list from RCBS 30-06 leads the most popular caliber, meaning it will be readily available, 30/30 has been used on Elk but placement and range are critical. The Swede's use the 6.5X55Mauser on Moose, again its placement. Tell us more, so we can refine this. PS, I use nothing but .308Win, not able to try Elk this year but will next.

October 25, 2007, 12:46 AM	#21
CamoCop Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 133	a .30-06's recoil is not bad, you can buy bullets anywhere for it, it has a wider selection of bullets than any other caliber AND it will take down ALL North American game animals. need I explain more?

October 25, 2007, 06:39 PM	#22
jaymag Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2005 Location: springfield,MA Posts: 239	30-06 all the way! Could stop a gobblin

October 25, 2007, 07:38 PM	#23
jhgreasemonkey Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2006 Location: 46.199ºN 122.188ºW by way of Tacoma Wa Posts: 2,235	I agree with the .270 win being the least I would use and not have to worry about it being underpowered. It is a great choice for elk and mule deer. Excellent long range performance and it deliveres a lot of energy. I do however preffer the 30-06 even over the fantastic .270 because it does have that slight edge as it produces similar ballistics but with slightly larger and heavier bullets. And if you can shoot the .270 comfortably you probably wont notice a difference when shooting the 06. __________________ S&W 5906 9mm, FN commercial Mauser .270 win, Winchester 94 .30-30, Ruger Redhawk .44 mag, Ruger 10/22 .22lr, Ruger P-95 9mm, Savage 110 .30-06, Marlin 983 .22wmr I support our constitutional right to arm bears.

October 25, 2007, 07:49 PM	#24
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Posts: 1,319	My wife is very fussy about recoil. But she does real well with a Browning BLR I had re-barreled to 6.5mm Swede. Within 275 yards accuracy and trajectory are about the same as 7mm-08 or 270 . The 140 grain bullet is a deep penetrator and hits harder than charts would suggest. I'm no fan of recoil either. .308 has been a keeper for me! Hope this is helpful. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.