How do you chose your hunting cartridge?

[Northman999]

With so many threads asking what caliber is good for what game, and so many varied responses, I'm thinking there are some completely different ways of chosing hunting calibers. So let's look at some possible options and explain why...

 

[Gibbs505]

Depends on what you want to hunt, your budget and where and how you hunt.

If you are hunting deer from a stand, that can mean a different rifle if you are hunting moose in a swamp! Let alone mountain goats up on a 6,000' ridge!

 

[stubblejumper]

I put more emphasis on the specific cartridge,than on the caliber.I choose a caliber range that offers a suitable bullet weight,then pick a cartridge that offers plenty of energy for the game in question,at the ranges that I intend to hunt,with acceptable recoil.

 

[Northman999]

I put more emphasis on the specific cartridge,than on the caliber.I choose a caliber range that offers a suitable bullet weight,then pick a cartridge that offers plenty of energy for the game in question,at the ranges that I intend to hunt,with acceptable recoil.

Okay, you got me there. I changed the title to cartridge, which was what I meant. Obviously most of us would not look at a 375 win and a 378 Weatherby as being the same, despite being the same caliber.

Thanks!

 

[Northman999]

Personally, I tend to chose what conditions I am hunting the game in, as Gibbs505 suggested (too bad I didn't think of it when making the poll ). If I'm hunting moose in an area where I know most of the shots are 300-400 yards then I'm reaching for a .338 win mag or something of the like; if I'm calling them in close quarters then it could be the .58 muzzle loader or most any centerfire.

 

[dirt dog]

i go with the calibre that i think is right for the game i'm hunting small game 22, 204 ruger, medium 30-30, 308 large moose, bear 30-06 300 win.

 

[carbonrod]

You forgot
"use the least powerful caliber that one can use legally without having to pack a load with cream of wheat, then when people ask, say "well, it is sorta like a 30-30".

 

[CreamySmooth]

You pick .308 and realize it's all you need or should ever use. All other calibres should be banned.






Even for ducks.

 

[horseman2]

Whatever gun case I opened first . . .

 

[1899]

I ask CGN members. They know the best.

 

[fiddler]

I look for range and energy.

 

[bogie]

I made a pest of myself and asked lots of questions about what was the most practical cal for deer, bear, moose. I ended up with the 30-06 because it got mentioned so many times and seemed to be a really decent choice when I went and played with the Winchester Ballistics site. Really tells a lot. I also have a 308, 38-55 and a 250-3000 but if there is a potential large variety and possible long or short shots then either the 308 or the dirty '06 or both go along.

 

[Brutus]

I have a wide cross section of interest. The heirloom, my father's 30-30 gets used sometimes. However, I really like my wildcat, calibre .458 x 2inch American, on an FN K98 Mauser action.

I used to use, a 308 Remington 788 extensively for deer hunting. I also have a rarely used 44 Magnum Trapper, that should see some use afield.

If I'm in the mood, even the PSE compound bow, in calibre 1 1/8 inch Muzzy may get used, or even the Browning Fury II recurve with wooden arrows supporting old school, Zwicky Eskimoes!

Plus, always in the back of the gun cabinet, is an M37 Ithaca Deerslayer in 12 gauge, with RWS Brenneke Classic slugs, waiting for a possible launch time.

Variety is the spice of life!

 

[Rod]

I read somewhere at one time that there's two things in life you can never have enough of . . . . "Money and Guns".

What better reason for buying another gun than finding another use for it. This one for that and that one for this, I bought this one because it's lighter and this one because it's best for moose and this one for whitetail and another for open country and this one here for thick bush and I need this one because ammo is cheaper a whole bunch more because the price was right and more because I like them and I didn't have this caliber in featherweight. And of course I need spares. And best of all when you've gathered enough of these prize possesions, your wife won't notice the new recruits. And when she asks, "why do you need all these guns" or the old stand by "you're not planning on buying anymore of these guns, are you?"

And the classic answer is: . . "My Guns will be worth a whole lot more, in ten years, than all those shoes you've got in your closet".

But the best part of all is choices. Which one to take this time. We all know that a good ole 30-06 will pretty much do anything we need but variety adds to the enjoyment of our hobby and sport. At the end, they can passed on or be sold for considerably more than we originally paid. Now what caliber did you say we need?

 

[Camp Cook]

Me I just read what Gatehouse picks as the best and go for something else...

 

[fiddler]

I have lots of guns suitable for hunting. The one-size-fits-all for me is the 30.06 in 180gr. Having that said, I've been hunting a lot of years and to bring in variety, I like to go out in early season with new, old , or milsurp rifles. I'm not fussy about what I shoot for whitetail doe season and you can usually get pretty close to them. SKS, MN 91/30, levers, Mausers, shotgun/slugs, ect. For serious and big animal hunting, its 30.06 all the way. It would be painful for me to see trophy game get away because I was carrying a pea-shooter or something under powered in way or range and/or energy.

 

[t-star]

how about i READ a lot on what animal i'm targetting, find out the CONSENSIS on WHAT CARTRIDGE AND BULLET WEIGHT to use from people that have been SUCCESSFUL, add in the CONDITIONS and variables, AND SELECT FROM THERE- once you have your cartridge and bullet weight, it becomes a matter of PERSONAL PREFERANCE-the one i have in my hands most often is a 308/180 SAVAGE 99

 

[airjmc87]

I do as much research I can about ballistics and study every little thing about the possible calibers I am interested in and choose the most versatile round I can. I want the most out of every purchase I make.

 

[teenahlake]

like airplanes, gun are compromises. Use whatever meets the need with the least negatives. Game, terrain,distance all factor. But as always a four gun arsenal "possible wrong usage of term" should have a .22lr, something in the 260-30/06 range, a 338-375Magnum, and of course a 12 ga. shotgun, that will take care of 95% of your needs.

But hey, any reason for a new gun, Right?

 

[shredder0]

I try to select the CARTRIDGE based on it's suitability for the game at hand. The rifle that fires is comes in second place for me. Not gonna whack a whitetail with a .375 H+H no matter how much I love that rifle, and I won't be hunting bear with my .22. Logic must dictate your choice. Weather conditions sometimes come into play. I have an iron sighted 8mm mauser custom rifle that comes out in heavy snow or rain. I also have a light weight 6.5x55 when a lot of walking and stalking is on the menu. For short range tree stand action, nothing beats the .50 cal muzzleloader. Just my 2 cents.