Aside from the 30 Cals, what's the most versatile caliber for hunting NA big game?
- Thread starter Northern Shooter
- Start date
The .338 Federal has mild recoil and great performance.
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/2403838-338-Federal-Results
Model 70 Alaskan. It now sits beside my Model 70 Safari Express.
I have a 7mm08 that works just dandy as well with 140 gr TSX, but was intrigued with necking a .308 win up, instead of down. Those 200s work great, and recoil is about the same as a .30-06 shooting 180s. Not bad at all. I like the idea of having that bigger bullet and energy for elk and moose.
Nice! Congrats
If that old dagga whitetail buck did charge though, you were ready! Especially if it was a CRF. You might need to kill him while upside down.
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Smaller than 30, makes Bison marginal. A 7rm, pushes a 175gr bullet, which in BC is minimum. You have to ask yourself how much it would be used for those big critters you listed. If very seldom, one of the 7mm, including some of the new calibers. If all of the time on big critters, 338 bore would be good. My personal favorite, 338wm. Think of it as a 308 pushing big bullets, not a 300wm with bigger bullets.
The merits of the 7RemMag speak for itself however I actually purchased a 7RemMag and ended up selling it/trading for this 338 WinMag.
I felt like the 7RM was much closer to my 6.5/30cal offerings and wanted something a little different.
"My personal favorite, 338wm. Think of it as a 308 pushing big bullets, not a 300wm with bigger bullets."
Why do you say that? 338WM following similar trajectories to .308 vs 300WM? The 338's seem to be moving quite a bit quicker than the common 308 loads unless we're talking the 250gr+ options.
Why do you say that? 338WM following similar trajectories to .308 vs 300WM? The 338's seem to be moving quite a bit quicker than the common 308 loads unless we're talking the 250gr+ options.
I'm a big fan of my 45-70 levers but I'm having difficulty imagining using one on a Sheep/Goat hunt in mountainous terrain with the typical distances those game are hunting at.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
6.5x55 was 30 years old when the .270 debuted, and 115 when the Creed did, whilst producing performance of the same class when loaded light for caliber and heavy for caliber respectively. I can’t see its enduring appeal as a mystery unfortunately. 
It was one of the handful of chamberings that nailed the recipe. But no… I don’t own or use one, just respect it.
It was one of the handful of chamberings that nailed the recipe. But no… I don’t own or use one, just respect it.The 338 is a great round. Very effective on game, and not a real chore to get to shoot well. I was just out finalizing a load in mine this morning.
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6.5x55 was 30 years old when the .270 debuted, and 115 when the Creed did, whilst producing performance of the same class when loaded light for caliber and heavy for caliber respectively. I can’t see its enduring appeal as a mystery unfortunately.
Old or historic is fine but can it be safely loaded to compete? Depends on the gun I’d guess. Mid length cartridges have no advantage imo.
