Caliber for first time deer hunter.

Jdiep

Jdiep

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Alberta!
I got too many options, I just want to take one rifle for my first time, I live in Alberta, I got a 308, 3030, 7mm08,7 rem mag, 44mag and i guess now 223 lol. Been mostly a target shooter, what would be the best first timer caliber to take?
 
Jdiep said:
Thank you. I see now. Appreciate the info
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This follows the "Point Blank Range Zero" which has fallen out of favour to a large degree. Especially with modern optics with Subtended reticles and dialable turrets.

A 100 yard zero is much better.

You need velocities and dope for the ammo you are shooting in whichever rifle you shoot best.
This will allow you to easily (by easily I mean there are a plethora of free ballistic apps that will tell you your holdovers for distance) know how your cartridge will perform and easily compensate for distance.

wayyyyy more accurate than the point blank method.

You want your first experience to be a positive one. Don't risk the probability of wound loss with an inherently inaccurate methodology.
 
Beeron said:
This follows the "Point Blank Range Zero" which has fallen out of favour to a large degree. Especially with modern optics with Subtended reticles and dialable turrets.

A 100 yard zero is much better.

You need velocities and dope for the ammo you are shooting in whichever rifle you shoot best.
This will allow you to easily (by easily I mean there are a plethora of free ballistic apps that will tell you your holdovers for distance) know how your cartridge will perform and easily compensate for distance.

wayyyyy more accurate than the point blank method.

You want your first experience to be a positive one. Don't risk the probability of wound loss with an inherently inaccurate methodology.
Click to expand...
Thank you, ill look up some ballistics apps and check them out.
 
Jdiep said:
Thank you, rifle is sighted at 100 yards. Is that well enough?
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Sight it in for 200, and learn where it hits at 100 and 300. That info will be useful hunting in Alberta, as your shots can be close or far. Sometimes very far. And the pbr method has worked for many decades, without necessitating spinning your elevation dials constantly. Try both methods if you can, see what works for you. I have used both, pbr is much quicker in hunting situations, I find. Your 7mm-08 or 7 mag will work fine, just pick thenproper bullets for the game you're after. - dan
 
depends on where you plan to hunt. In the woods where range will be under 200 yards a 30-30, in the fields where you need extra distance.308 is what I would take.
 
.308, 7-08, 7mm rm , all are excellent cartridges and selection of ammo gr weight and type can be made for the specific animal you are hunting.
So of those three, I would practice standing offhand shots to see which one feels best to you and seems more accurate in your hands.
 
Beeron said:
This follows the "Point Blank Range Zero" which has fallen out of favour to a large degree. Especially with modern optics with Subtended reticles and dialable turrets.

A 100 yard zero is much better.

You need velocities and dope for the ammo you are shooting in whichever rifle you shoot best.
This will allow you to easily (by easily I mean there are a plethora of free ballistic apps that will tell you your holdovers for distance) know how your cartridge will perform and easily compensate for distance.

wayyyyy more accurate than the point blank method.

You want your first experience to be a positive one. Don't risk the probability of wound loss with an inherently inaccurate methodology.
Click to expand...

Do you think the guy is going to be banging deer at 500 yards or something? Before long range shooting became the latest fad, the point blank method was adequate for 99% of hunters. It still is, but marketing seems to have convinced people otherwise.

2” high at 100 means you can aim dead center in the boiler room anywhere out to 300 yards (with many deer calibers) without having to worry about anything.

As a first time hunter, simplicity is key.
 
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Jdiep said:
I got too many options, I just want to take one rifle for my first time, I live in Alberta, I got a 308, 3030, 7mm08,7 rem mag, 44mag and i guess now 223 lol. Been mostly a target shooter, what would be the best first timer caliber to take?
Click to expand...

Any and all guns you have that you’ve listed here are more than adequate for typical shots on deer, unless you’re into long range shooting.

As a first timer, you’ll likely be far more satisfied if you take the hunting approach (getting as close as possible) instead of the shooting approach (long range shooting) as it’s far more rewarding. Play the wind, maybe use some calls and scent, pattern the deer, stalk within range, and when you take that say 25-200 yard shot you’ll be extremely satisfied with yourself for making it happen.

Getting within spitting distance of deer is exciting, suspenseful, challenging, and extremely rewarding.

Close range = roller coaster

Long range = sitting on the couch
 
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