If I was to buy 1 North American Big Game Rifle - What Caliber?

[FISHNFRANK]

All

If I was to own only 1 caliber for North American Big Game (Primarily Mule Deer and Pigs) what would I buy?

Thanks!

Frank

P.S. - I'm a meat and potatoes kind of guy - I like the basics. Good performance, available ammo at a reasonable cost, etc.

[CA357]

30-06 will take pretty much anything in the lower 48 states. It's a common cartridge and is available everywhere. YMMV

[MTMilitiaman]

Of the ones you listed, all would work fine but I would prefer the .30-06 because it does a better job with the heavier for caliber bullets I gravitate to in any caliber.

I would probably prefer a 7mm Rem Mag over the 06, but we've already had that discussion and the 'search' feature is your friend.

[Kreyzhorse]

Any of those are fine for muley and pigs. If I were buying one caliber though, I would go with the 7mm Rem Mag. A little hotter than the 30.06 and flatter shooting.

[Hawg]

30-06 hands down, specially if you roll your own.

[Silentarmy]

.50 BMG. Why Not? It will kill any critter on the continent from Gophers to Brown bear! Never do anything Half Assed!

[taylorce1]

I picked the .270 Win just to be different!:D There all fine but the .270 is plenty for mule deer and pigs with 130 grain bullets. For elk, moose, and black bear just move up to 150 grain in a Nosler Partition and it will cover them as well. While I own and hunt with a .30-06 as well as several other cartridges based of the 06 case my .270 Win is my favorite to hunt with. I've hunted elk, deer, pronghorn, and varmints with mine and have never been let down. The only bear I ever shot I took with the .30-06 because I needed a synthetic stocked rifle due to conditions I was hunting in and it was my only rifle with one, but my .270 would have done the same job.

[Socrates]

9.3 x 62, 35 Whelan, or 375 H&H...

[TPAW]

Nothing is as versitile as the 30.06......You can shoot 110 to 220 grains, ammo is available most everywhere, and it will kill anything that walks in North America and then some. There's a good reason why it's been around for 101 years.......and will be around for many many more......;)

[lockedcj7]

30-06 due to versatility, availability and variety of factory loads but 7mm Rem. Mag. would have to run a close second.

[Picher]

The old '06 can do about anything pretty darned well and it's the first centerfire cartridge I ever owned. It served me very well for both deer and varmints for 30 years, but being a serious long-distance deer killer, I now use the .270 Win, handloaded to levels most people wouldn't believe, but still safe!!

Picher

[armedtotheteeth]

Nah, that wimpy little 30-06 killing deer is actually a myth. Theres no way that little cartridge has enough killing power to stop a mighty whitetail:D. I Use a 300 WInn mag if i have to shoot something really far out there. Lately my AR-15 has servred me well.

[Pilot]

I think 7MM-08 is a great all around hunting round for North American game up to and including Elk.

[jmorris]

I haven’t hunted with a 30-06 in many years because I too use “specialty” rounds (both above and below the ‘06). That being said, a round doesn’t stay around for 100 years because it’s no good. How many of the “super duper” rounds will still be around in 2100? The 30-06 has been chambered in every type of action ever conceived and has undoubtedly dispatched at least one of every critter on earth, so it’s a safe bet.

[JWT]

The 30-06 has more than enough punch for deer and pigs. Readily available in a variety of loads. The 'longevity' of the cartridge speaks for itself.

[diriel]

Nobody has mentioned the good old .308. Handles .30 bullets quite well of course. .30 cal bullets are almost always the very first to get the Newest perf improved wonder bullets.
Another to consider is 25-06. This is a cal that can drop pigs and deer in there tracks no problem at all, *AND* it has fairly mild recoil.
Now by no means am i slighting the good old 30-06, i own 2 of them and they are going no place soon :) What I am saying is that the 25-06 and the .308win are both very common ammo wise and both are fairly light on recoil. They both have a rock solid history of "just getting it done" period. Hey for me, i personally shoot a 6.5x55 swede BJ-Ack Imp. Trust me this savage semi custom straight up gets it done! No muss no fuss just BANG! and one dead animal. But ammo availability is not up to the two cal's that i mentioned and so it is out of the running. ;) Another caliber that is an awesome "Game Taker" is the old 250 Savage, then if you Ackley Improve it, the thing really shines brightly. Again ammo availability is quite bad for it, and thus it too is out of the running. Just my random thoughts on "getting it done" there really are no "one perfect answers". Pick one that suits you and go get it done!
Oh i mention recoil because one of the first things that hammer accuracy for several reasons is recoil. Both that i have mentioned have a rep for solid accuracy as a cartridge.

Good Hunting,
Gary

[surg_res]

Ditto the last post. Also consider the 22-250 or 220 swift instead of the 250/3000 for ammo availability.

I chose the '06, just because I was thinking of including BIG game. In reality, the 243 or other 6mms are just as lethal for even large game with the proper load/bullet. After putting 100+ rounds through my '06 bolt-action over the past 6 months, I have come to dread the thing and have become more in favor of the whole smaller faster with better shot placement strategy.

In the end, it is not about the cartridge but the match between a shooter and his rifle.

[MacGille]

The post said just one caliber. Hands down the 30-06. Other calibers will do some things better, but there is no caliber that will do everything the 30-06 will do.:)

[bclark1]

I can count on one hand the number of hunted animals in the world I would doubt a well placed shot's effectiveness on with an '06. And to expand its versatility, I've got ammunition up to 240 grain (somewhere), and sabots down to 55 grain. Southern varminting to Kodiak Island, take your pick. Surplus stuff is some of the cheapest practice ammo out there for any centerfire rifle caliber. Can't beat it imvho.

[deathshead]

Ive got a 7mm rem mag. from what Ive found and been told its a good inbetween round, its got enough power to take down big game yet its small profile works well with smaller game. the rounds arnt as comon place as the 30-06 and cost a little more but thay work great. I myself am a bit torn as I mostly target shoot I think a 308 would have been a better choice for me as 308 is quite a bit cheaper than 7mm rem mag. but as far as game is conserned from 308 to 300 win mag you will be fine, I would just consider price of ammo and price of rifle and for that matter what rifle range, weather, and folage will all play in to determaning a good round and rifle

[Mannlicher]

any of the three suggested, and a host of others, will all do a fine job on the game you mentioned.

[45Marlin carbine]

I've got a bolt Ruger '06 I took a 6 point with just to 'bloody' it, but I use my Mini30 with 150 gr. handloads now for Eastern (woods)whitetail and feral hog. this is at ranges less than 150 yards. it's basically a semi-auto 30-30. If hunting the power lines I would take my '06 w/165 gr Noslers. good to 300 yards. you won't go wrong with an '06 due to availability of factory rounds and custom handload components.

[dgludwig]

One caliber for all North American hunting? I'd opt for the Winchester .338 Magnum. A little light for the biggest bear and a mite heavy for the smallest deer but it will do most things well. It shoots flatter than a Winchester .300 Magnum, yet packs more punch than a .35 Whelen. I find the recoil tolerable in a rifle weighing at least 7 1/2 pounds.

However, if you are restricting your hunting to "mule deer and pigs", it's hard to beat the 30-06.

[FirstFreedom]

If you're including very large Canadian/Alaskan mammals, then (1) .30-'06, with (2) .270 win very close behind.

If you're not including very large Canadian/Alaskan mammals, then (2) .270 win, definitely, with (2) .30-'06 very close behind.

:)

[taylorce1]

I'd opt for the Winchester .338 Magnum. A little light for the biggest bear and a mite heavy for the smallest deer but it will do most things well. It shoots flatter than a Winchester .300 Magnum, yet packs more punch than a .35 Whelen.
dgludwig, I can agree with most of it except it shoots flatter than a .300 Win Mag. The only way I can see it shooting any flatter than the .300 is if you are using the same weight bullet. With a 180 or 200 grain bullet you might get a slightly flatter flight path but I doubt it will be enough to matter much. There really isn't a whole lot of difference between a 06 with 180 grains and a .300 Win either within normal hunting ranges.

The thing I always liked about the .338 Win was that it shot a 250 grain bullet with nearly the same trajectory as the .30-06 180 grain. Nothing like having 70 more grains of lead impacting a target you want to knock down. I think the .338 Win is better suited to the 225 grain and heavier bullets than the 180 grain.

[dgludwig]

With equivalent bullet weights (apples to apples), the .338 Win. Mag. is flatter shooting than the .300 Win. Mag. I agree that 225 grain and heavier bullets are more appropriate for the .338 but the op stipulated one caliber for all North American game. The .338 is more flexible than most people give it credit for when you consider the bullet weight range it is suited to.

[taylorce1]

I agree the .338 Win is more versititle than a lot of cartridges, but it isn't one that most people can handle. I personally don't own a .338 Win but I do own a .338-06. I can sure tell the difference between shooting a 200 grain bullet out of it and one out of my .30-06. The recoil from my .338-06 is quite a bit more than that of any of my smaller caliber rifles and I haven't completely mastered it yet and then I went and bought an even harder recoiling .35 Whelen.:D My next project is going to be a .375 Ruger so I will not be under gunned when I go seeking those killer prairie dogs.:eek:

[OJ]

I voted for 30-06 -

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/kmastf/RIFLES/AWINCHESTER95-1.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/kmastf/RIFLES/WFP71GR-XSSIGHTS.jpg

But, a .308 will do the job also -

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/kmastf/RIFLES/M1A.jpg

YMMV
:D

[Fat White Boy]

I have and use all the mentioned calibers but my fave is still the .270 Winchester....

[polarnewfie]

I have to agree and disagree with what dgludwig said about the .338.
Most factory loaded .300 win mags are from 32 to 39 inches low at 500 yards, whereas the .338 in 180 grain is about39-44 along with alot of the 225 grain bullets. I have a ruger .338 model 77 stainless and I love shooting growling creatures with it, but the .300 and .338 shoot completely different weighted bullets with a different ballistic coefficient. It really isnt apples to apples. And the .300 IS a flatter shooting round than the .338. Its just that I would take either one if premium bullets are screaming down the barrel. I have a Savage 116 weather warrior in .300 and both my ruger and .300 have all taken plenty of moose,caribou,bears, and buffalo.(.338) you just cant go wrong with either one. I am just correcting a factual inaccuracy. Check the ballistics tables at
http://www.gunsandammomag.com/ballistics/ballistic-tables
to see what I mean (I think you have to copy and paste the above address)

[boltgun71]

I voted other. For my personal 1 caliber all North American game rifle I chose a .300 Win Mag. With my reloads I have loaded everything from 110-220gr bullets and know I can still go lower or higher if needed. I have taken everything from woodchucks, to coyotes, to deer with it and still waiting for a shot at something larger, I keep getting skunked bear hunting.

Of the three claibers you listed I would choose the 30-06 first with the .308 Win second.

[mountainclmbr]

I voted for the 30-06 since it has the most versatile range of bullets and is readily available. If you reload, the .375 H&H is very versatile and would be a good choice if Alaska hunting were a possibility.

[dgludwig]

Okay, I checked the first firearm catalog that came to hand, my 2007 issue of the Remington catalog. In trying to compare an apple with an apple (that is, bullet weights that are most equivalent in weight and type), with both rifles zeroed at 150 yards, Remington reports the 200 grain, Swift A-Frame bullet, having a ballistic coefficient of 0.395, from a 300 Win. Mag. dropping 2.2 inches @ 200 yards; 5.9 inches @ 250 yards and 11.2 inches @ 300 yards. Remington reports the heavier (225 grain) Core-Lokt UltraBonded (ballistic coefficient being 0.456) and the Core-Lokt Pointed Soft Point (ballistic coefficient being 0.435) bullets having the same trajectories as the aforementioned Win. 300 Mag. with the lighter bullet.

The 2007 issue of the Federal catalog, Federal reports the 180 grain Nosler AccuBond bullet, from a 300 Win.Mag., zeroed @100 yards, drops 3 inches @ 200 yards and 11.2 inches @ 300 yards. Firing the same bullet (make, weight and configuration), zeroed at the same distance, Federal reports this bullet from a 338 Win Mag. dropping 2.8 inches @ 200 yards and 10.6 inches @ 300 yards.

Finally, Winchester reports in their 2007 catalog that 180 grain Ballistic Silvertip,from a 300 Win Mag., zeroed @ 100 yards, drops 3.0 inches @ 200 yards; 11.3 inches @ 300 yards and 25.5 inches @ 400 yards. Using the same bullet but 20 grains heavier (200 grains), fired from the 338 Win. Mag., zeroed at the same distance, @ 200 yards the drop is 3.2 inches; @ 300 yards the drop is 11.9 inches and @ 400 yards, the drop is 27.2 inches.

For all intents and purposes the .338 Win Mag shoots as flat or flatter than the .300 Win Mag. when equivalent bullets are compared. The only downside with the bigger caliber in this case is increased recoil- a very subjective matter in terms of tolerance that only each individual can decide for himself.

[Old Time Hunter]

Since my preference is to HUNT, not necessarily just SHOOT....I'll make mine a .444. Everything from squirrels to elephants.

[A/C Guy]

I had a 30/06 and almost voted that way, then I thought what about the big bears in Alaska and the Moose and Caribou, so I changed to my newest favorite; the 450 Marlin.
From deer to Alaskan brown bear

[nate45]

The .338 is more flexible than most people give it credit for when you consider the bullet weight range it is suited to.

The stock answer is 30-06, but I agree the .338 Win Mag would be the better choice if you only had one rifle for all North American big game.

I have not owned one, but the new .325 WSM looks like it would be a good one too.

[FISHNFRANK]

The Finnlight. Thanks for the advice

Frank

[BusGunner007]

.308

OOPS...you said that 10 minutes ago! :o:rolleyes::D

[Bazooka Joe71]

What was the point of this poll?

93 to 25 30-06 over .308 and you got a .308?:confused:

[nate45]

What was the point of this poll?

93 to 25 30-06 over .308 and you got a .308?lol

He'll be OK all a .308 is, is a short action .30-06.

Same bullet weight range and within 100 fps albeit with increased pressure.

[Bazooka Joe71]

lol

He'll be OK all a .308 is, is a short action .30-06.

Same bullet weight range and within 100 fps albeit with increased pressure.


Yeah I know what the difference is...Plus the .308's trajectory is more flat...I was just curious as to why a pole was needed if he already knew what he was getting.:)

[dgludwig]

Since when is the .308's trajectory "more flat" than the 30-06 ? :confused:

[FISHNFRANK]

All

I did not know what I was getting ahead of time. I did know it would be one of those 3 calibers because they are the most universal, common calibers that are proven over time. That also means that there will be a lot of ammo available and it will be lower cost.

The deciding factor was consulting some recoil charts. I am a shotgunner; I shoot trap, skeet and sporting and also duck hunt (those 3" duck loads are murder in a light Benelli if you shoot 25 rounds or so). I'm aware of the effect that recoil can have on performance. According to several charts, the .308 has to lowest recoil between the three, although it is almost identical to the .270. The .30-06 is 2-3 lbs more recoil. Given that inside 200 yards the performance with a 150 grain bullet between an .30-06 and a .308 is identical, I went with the .308. I also wanted a light rifle (Opted for the Sako), where the effect of recoil wil be more pronounced.

I do appreciate the help - I bought a hell of a nice rifle. If big game hunting is for me; I'm sure I'll eventually own a .30-06.

Frank

[FISHNFRANK]

I don't always like to follow the crowd....

Frank