The Ultimate North American Hunting Round?
- Thread starter Ardent
- Start date
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
^^^+1 To AG and Douglas
A lot of the cartridges in the poll can be used for 80% of Canada. Only a few for everywhere, and anything. People sneer at "overkill" for the medium bores. One good hit and the animal is down, with authority. hit in the heart and lungs any of the discussed calibers gets the job done, none given proper bullet placement ruins any more meat than another.
The real difference is hunting in areas with alpha predators. The 338 WM is popular as a Elk round because when one is bugling in Big bulls you are also bugling in Grizzlies. Anyone who has hunted along a river and encountered monster tracks and piles of Bear Shot the size of microwaves already knows that there is no such thing as kicking to hard.
Each of the calibers offer a range of use, if one is picking only one why use a caliber that is at its extreme and optimistic upper reach when more suitable choices are available. I carry a 30-06 in the South Province. Grizzly are infrequent, studied, collared and named. They are not uncommon in the north. Everyone is choosing based on their own experiences, not on the basis of every situation, every animal, anywhere in NA.
For years my 375 Rum was my go too. I didnt have to go downrange 50 yards to retrieve a quarter. Still had too gut the animal. Unpleasant without a break and time shooting it. One good hit, 260 partition handloads...DRT.
A lot of the cartridges in the poll can be used for 80% of Canada. Only a few for everywhere, and anything. People sneer at "overkill" for the medium bores. One good hit and the animal is down, with authority. hit in the heart and lungs any of the discussed calibers gets the job done, none given proper bullet placement ruins any more meat than another.
The real difference is hunting in areas with alpha predators. The 338 WM is popular as a Elk round because when one is bugling in Big bulls you are also bugling in Grizzlies. Anyone who has hunted along a river and encountered monster tracks and piles of Bear Shot the size of microwaves already knows that there is no such thing as kicking to hard.
Each of the calibers offer a range of use, if one is picking only one why use a caliber that is at its extreme and optimistic upper reach when more suitable choices are available. I carry a 30-06 in the South Province. Grizzly are infrequent, studied, collared and named. They are not uncommon in the north. Everyone is choosing based on their own experiences, not on the basis of every situation, every animal, anywhere in NA.
For years my 375 Rum was my go too. I didnt have to go downrange 50 yards to retrieve a quarter. Still had too gut the animal. Unpleasant without a break and time shooting it. One good hit, 260 partition handloads...DRT.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Doug's certainly been there, done that, when it comes to hunting as much of North America as possible. Both he and sheephunter, another been there done that for this continent, sure seem to like the .338 mags as an all round, and I'll take their collective word for it. Arctic knows his big stuff too and also advocates the magnum end of the stick. For me, case closed. It has been bloody fun, sure it will continue a good ways from here, and with enough time the .308 Winchester may well win. 
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
It's valid. That's why I take two rifles. You have to be really dedicated to messing up to lose both sets of ammo.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Doug's certainly been there, done that, when it comes to hunting as much of North America as possible. Both he and sheephunter, another been there done that for this continent, sure seem to like the .338 mags as an all round, and I'll take their collective word for it. Arctic knows his big stuff too and also advocates the magnum end of the stick. For me, case closed. It has been bloody fun, sure it will continue a good ways from here, and with enough time the .308 Winchester may well win.
Agreed. Experiences that far surpass anything I'll ever have. I guess that's why so many of the monthly hunting publications out there do so well. So those like myself can at least read about it, and dream.
Considering you are looking at around $400k to be an "Ultimate" North American hunter....I'd say that question answers itself. Lots of Ultimate local hunters I'm guessing though...just not a lot with extensive experience in all corners of the continent.
You guys are making this NA29 sound almost like a challenge............with the exception of Desert sheep I have most of the big and expensive ones, it would just be a matter of putting in the time on stuff like Coues deer, Blacktail, Shiras moose and the like. However there are species that are unobtainable like the Jaguar, nothing one can legally do about that I guess.
Jaguar is not part of the 29....you are likely a lot closer that you think.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
338 Lapua = très tacticool milspec. Never mind that it is fatter and thus has less magazine capacity than the weatherby which is a consideration when hunting.
The funny part about all this is that I only know of two individuals that have taken all of North Americas big game species with one cartridge. Both of them did it with the 30-06. One of them before the advent of the Nosler Partition.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
When I purchased my 1st 358NM from Ted, with it I also acquired another little goodie and one nolonger available. A box of Hornady 275gr RN. Those I have set aside and will keep for a special hunt, unless Marshal at Matrix eventually puts some into his production offerings.
This wasn't the "Ultimate North American Azz shooter" thread. Though I would not hesitate to shoot any Bull Elk or Moose that walks square in the wazoo with a 220 grain bullet launched from a 30-06. Or a 175 grain bullet from a 280 Remington either.
Bigfoot 870
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
I do believe you, medvedqc, as for those who grow up and live in what I deem a special place, there`s a special perspective. Like Alberta guys shooting deer at 500 yards, a bluenoser might think it`s crazy. I look at your scenario SIMILARILY to when the gent from Nunavut, suggested that the .243 Win is good for moose, because he shot a polar bear with one..............most agreed that `sure it can be done, but it`s not the best tool for the job.
Doug, I agree with your .300WM minimum for everything in NA.
Last edited:
Not sure why that's funny. I know several guys that have done it with a bow, including one with a recurve, one that did it with a muzzleloader, several that did it with a 3000WBY,one that did most of it with a .30-06 and several ,more that did it with a variety of cartridges and weapons. It really proves nothing other than it can be done. By your logic a .22 rimfire should be included in the list of Ultimate grizzly cartridges. I'm sure it could be done with a .223 but again.....I think we can agree that wouldn't make it the Ultimate. Heck even a fat old guy like me killed a bighorn with a muzzleloader but I can assure you it does not belong on the list of ultimate sheep rifles. Not surprising it was done in pre-partition days with a 30-06...considering the choices available.
Last edited:
I've got a buddy in Whitehorse that has killed several grizz and many Yukon moose with a 270.....it can be done no doubt.....but ultimate?
There is a world of difference between the 22 LR and the 30-06. But I will contend there is not the same difference between the 30-06 and the 338 Win Mag TJ.
