advice on hunting rifle for Bison

[Whonnock Boy]

Hit it low in the chest, the vitals are not where you would think they are.

But keep in mind that there is 6 to 10 inches of hair hanging below the brisket. Shot my bison keeping in mind to shoot low, but did not consider the length of hair. The first two shots were low, the third higher up did the trick.

 

[1899]

let me guess, and we should all own norincos, nothing else.

No self-respecting 9.3x62 fan would own a Norinco!


Having said that, I'd be happy with a 7mm RM/175gr or .30-06/180gr and up type chambering.

 

[newt]

The smallest caliber you can hunt with is a30-06 with 180 grain bullet in Alberta. I just shot one in february.

 

[dgradinaru]

9.3x57 or 9.3x62 would be great since you can buy them for cheap.

 

[Hugh J]

I got mine last fall with a 338 WM, Usually in bison country you are in grizzly country so that may also be a consideration, I had a Ruger Hawkeye with a Bushnell 2x16 6500, I hope to go again and would consider mounting a lower power good quality scope on the same rifle 2x7 or 1x4. It's also good to remember that they are a herd animal and there is good info and tips on the net to ensure you only hit one animal for instance count legs to be sure a smaller animal is not behind a bigger one, deer hunting in slow motion.Good luck.

 

[cody c]

did someone just turn a bison thread into a grizzly defense thread?


my vote is for the govt.

 

[NoBark]

let me guess, and we should all own norincos, nothing else.

If Norinco made a rifle chambered for 9.3x62, that would be like dangling a grenade in front of your face with the pin slowly rattling out.

 

[Gatehouse]

In BC the regulations state a 175 gr or larger bullet retaining 2000 ft/lbs of energy at 100 yards.

Which pretty much limits you to the 30-06, 7RM as minimums. Maybe .280 as well. .308 may just squeak by.

 

[VLT79]

In BC the regulations state a 175 gr or larger bullet retaining 2000 ft/lbs of energy at 100 yards.

Which pretty much limits you to the 30-06, 7RM as minimums. Maybe .280 as well. .308 may just squeak by.

The regulations don't make sense do they?!?! In Alberta you could legally use a 300 Win Mag with a 125gr bullet because it gives you over 2800ft/lbs of energy @ muzzle. But you can't use the 6.5x55 Swed with a 140gr Partition because it only generates +/-2250ft/lbs even though it will punch right thru the animal at @ 100yds.

Folks making these regulations rely a little too much on "paper" ballistics and not enough on real world common sense!

 

[MiG25]

Which pretty much limits you to the 30-06, 7RM as minimums. Maybe .280 as well. .308 may just squeak by.

i think it means a muzzle velocity right around 2500fps with a 175gr bullet, so, handloaded 7x57 or 308 winchester is pretty much the minimum.

 

[carverk]

The regulations don't make sense do they?!?! In Alberta you could legally use a 300 Win Mag with a 125gr bullet because it gives you over 2800ft/lbs of energy @ muzzle. But you can't use the 6.5x55 Swed with a 140gr Partition because it only generates +/-2250ft/lbs even though it will punch right thru the animal at @ 100yds.

Folks making these regulations rely a little too much on "paper" ballistics and not enough on real world common sense!

The 6.5x55 is my all time favorite moose and main land deer round but I am going to get sumthing that will keep me out of trouble with the wild life cop's

 

[Boomer]

If you already own a .30/06 class rifle, you're good to go, but if you want a bison specific rifle, things can get very interesting depending on the thickness of your wallet. Nostalgia suggests a big bore black powder cartridge, a .50-110 should make the 2800 ft-lbs required. But if you prefer modern cartridges, you could try anything from a .338 to a 600 Nitro. But a modern rifle chambered for a medium velocity cartridge loaded with heavy for caliber bullets provides the best answer IMHO.

A pal of mine killed a couple of dozen in the course of a cropping exercise using his .300 Winchester loaded with 180s. The range was short, and he essentially walked amongst the herd dumping the designated animals. He could have used his .44 belt gun doing it like that, although he was required to make neck shots only, which with an animal of that size is tricky as the location of the spine can be deceiving due to the thickness of the neck.

 

[accumark]

bison

I got my leh 7 years ago by in northern bc before I went I contacted a buffalo rancher I know to see if they have any secrets for shot placement, he informed me 2" behind in ear in line with the horn. If you hit them there they will drop flop over on side and their top leg will lift up at an angle, believe it or not been there done it and it works! just done a picture to prove it.

 

[carverk]

If you already own a .30/06 class rifle, you're good to go, but if you want a bison specific rifle, things can get very interesting depending on the thickness of your wallet. Nostalgia suggests a big bore black powder cartridge, a .50-110 should make the 2800 ft-lbs required. But if you prefer modern cartridges, you could try anything from a .338 to a 600 Nitro. But a modern rifle chambered for a medium velocity cartridge loaded with heavy for caliber bullets provides the best answer IMHO.

A pal of mine killed a couple of dozen in the course of a cropping exercise using his .300 Winchester loaded with 180s. The range was short, and he essentially walked amongst the herd dumping the designated animals. He could have used his .44 belt gun doing it like that, although he was required to make neck shots only, which with an animal of that size is tricky as the location of the spine can be deceiving due to the thickness of the neck.

Im getting a new rifle for this hunt it is part of the fun .
Im looking for sumthing Stainles in the $1000 to $2000 for rifle so I can get a new rokon trail braker to go with it
the older I get the bigger the toys lol

 

[burnt_servo]

The 6.5x55 is my all time favorite moose and main land deer round but I am going to get sumthing that will keep me out of trouble with the wild life cop's

you need to tread carefully ...... if you thought the 6.5x55 was addictive , just wait till you start playing with a 9.3

in europe , browning makes a really ###y bar in 9.3x62 .... if it was ever offered here in canada , visa would absolutely love me .

 

[carverk]

you need to tread carefully ...... if you thought the 6.5x55 was addictive , just wait till you start playing with a 9.3

nop no 6,5 for this hunt never shot 9.3 but naw you got me thinking

 

[Gatehouse]

The regulations don't make sense do they?!?! In Alberta you could legally use a 300 Win Mag with a 125gr bullet because it gives you over 2800ft/lbs of energy @ muzzle. But you can't use the 6.5x55 Swed with a 140gr Partition because it only generates +/-2250ft/lbs even though it will punch right thru the animal at @ 100yds.

Folks making these regulations rely a little too much on "paper" ballistics and not enough on real world common sense!

Most minimum caliber rules don't make sense. In BC you can shoot moose with a .204 Ruger with a 35gr bullet, but it's illegal to use a shotgun with slugs.

 

[NoBark]

i think it means a muzzle velocity right around 2500fps with a 175gr bullet, so, handloaded 7x57 or 308 winchester is pretty much the minimum.

It is not by muzzle velocity, it is by foot pounds of energy at 100 meters.

The 7x57 does not make it as acceptable for bison. Even handloads are still not acceptable.

 

[VLT79]

you need to tread carefully ...... if you thought the 6.5x55 was addictive , just wait till you start playing with a 9.3

in europe , browning makes a really ###y bar in 9.3x62 .... if it was ever offered here in canada , visa would absolutely love me .

A few years ago a Browning dealer told me that with the code# for the specific model they can order the guns even if they aren't listed in the North American catalogue. Would be interesting to talk to other dealers and see if that is still possible today? The Europeans do get some nicer guns and calibers that we do that's for sure!

 

[MiG25]

It is not by muzzle velocity, it is by foot pounds of energy at 100 meters.

The 7x57 does not make it as acceptable for bison. Even handloads are still not acceptable.

ok, tell me what happens at 100m when you load a 7mm 175 grain spitzer with a BC of approx .500 to around 2500 fps muzzle velocity?