Best do-it-all hunting caliber
- Thread starter RYoung
- Start date
- Location
- WMU247 near Edmonton
well a 308 can't push a 200grn Nosler Accubond at 2960 FPS 
but this is my load for my 300WM
now there is a lot to be said about 7mm Rem Mag
but this is my load for my 300WM now there is a lot to be said about 7mm Rem Mag
Yes, it can, but the 300 can do it about 500 yards farther away.
Ted
The average hunter can't shoot past 200-300 meters. The obsession with calibers that can shoot "500 yards farther away" is asinine for the average hunter. Don't get me wrong, guys can shoot what ever the f&ck they want, but most are lying to themselves to think about getting a .300 WM to shoot animals out to 800 meters...
Definitely not. There are plenty of animals where the 3006 will kill them but its far from ideal especially if you factor in the world where you need to include Lions and Grizzlies on Kodiak and Elephants and buffalo... You get the point.
Even in Canada, you've got Bison and those big coastal grizzlies, although the griz hunt isn't a thing anymore (at least in BC).
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
Come on, a Saskatchewan boy that can't stretch it out?
Them pesky antelope sure can test a fellow.
Any hunter can shoot to 200-300 meters, get buck fever and you can't shoot 25!
Yes, it can, but the 300 can do it about 500 yards farther away.
Ted
I once read the following and it stuck in my memory: at 300 yards a 300 WM is what a 30-06 is at 200 yards and a 308 is at 100 yards. This is in terms of energy for the same bullet weight. The question is whether such energy is needed for the intended hunt.
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I agree on the long range issue. Say 99% should not shoot past 300. To think you or i, are one of those is over confidence and arrogance.
Despite that, 308 is basically a 303 in a modern package. Whereas, 300wm has 308 muzzle performance at say 200-250.
For those days the elk is on the other side of the canyon and the winds are howling! Getting close is for suckers!
99.9 % of virtually any hunting scenario in most of Canada can be handled by the ubiquitous 308 Win or the 30-06 Sprg. So easily obtained practically anywhere and chambered in dozens of rifles from single shots to autoloaders. A bit easier on the shoulder as well so a bonus when dealing with recoil induced flinch from something like a 300Mag.
I was thinking more of 180s at 3150. The belt is passe, so I suggest suspenders. The .300 Suspended Magnum would take the sporting world by storm.
When you are chubby belts don't work anyway (no hips), so suspenders are the only option... despite that, 3150 is possible for the portly b*astard.
Why stop there? Why not go hunting with one cartridge and one cartridge only and leave the rest at home? After all; a good shot only needs the one; right? That would truly display that such a hunter had the courage of his convictions.
Short of that; whether a hunter’s spare ammo is in his pocket or his magazine doesn’t prove much.
Thats not to say that #1s aren’t fun. The fondle factor is very high.
At the end of the day, some company's list of best selling rifles should not be your determining factor on the best rifle/cartridge combination for hunting.
The correct answer for you,is going to be what rifle/cartridge combination is best for you!
It is very similar to buying a good pair of hunting boots; what fits you properly and is most comfortable for you to shoot accurately, while being the cartridge capable of cleanly harvesting the game you intend to hunt, in the area and terrain type where you will be hunting.
While the 300 Win Mag is a great cartridge and does accomplish many things well when hunting big game; can you handle its' recoil?
Recoil is a subjective thing; no two people feel recoil in the exact same way. This is due to our individual physiology and tolerance levels.
The recoil tolerance level of the average person is the 30-06 with 180 gr bullets in a normal weighted rifle (if I recall correctly, in the 7-8 lb range).
A cartridge with larger capacity (read more powder to deliver more velocity and energy) is going to recoil more. Simple physics.
A rifle that weighs less, will also recoil more.
Yes, muzzle brakes are going to reduce felt recoil, but they come with the additional costs in muzzle blast and extreme discomfort to anyone else around you when you fire that rifle, as well as the fact that they will blow dust, dirt, gravel, leaves, grass or snow around at the shot, which can limit your visibility after the shot momentarily, making it more difficult to ascertain the animal's reaction to the shot or hit.
Obviously you can tolerate your waterfowling firearm and its recoil; and if that is a 12 ga, it has a hefty recoil with most loads people use for duck/goose hunting.
Just keep in mind shooting a centerfire cartridge for big game hunting is not the same thing and cannot be compared in an apples to apples comparison.
Your best option is to go a range where you can try several different rifle/cartridge combinations to get a feel for how various rifle makes and models and cartridges feel to you. Or try the rifles of your friends and family members. Find out what they have, buy some ammo to try and compare for yourself, firsthand. This small cost will save you money in the long run, as you will be buying a rifle that you know you will be comfortable with versus buying the rifle the kid behind the counter recommends (who may or may not have any real field experience) only to find you do not like the rifle, and will sell to buy another rifle, losing money in the process.
When at your local gun store , shoulder a number of different rifles and makes and models and see what feels good to you.
This will all help you in your buying decision. Best of luck!
The correct answer for you,is going to be what rifle/cartridge combination is best for you!
It is very similar to buying a good pair of hunting boots; what fits you properly and is most comfortable for you to shoot accurately, while being the cartridge capable of cleanly harvesting the game you intend to hunt, in the area and terrain type where you will be hunting.
While the 300 Win Mag is a great cartridge and does accomplish many things well when hunting big game; can you handle its' recoil?
Recoil is a subjective thing; no two people feel recoil in the exact same way. This is due to our individual physiology and tolerance levels.
The recoil tolerance level of the average person is the 30-06 with 180 gr bullets in a normal weighted rifle (if I recall correctly, in the 7-8 lb range).
A cartridge with larger capacity (read more powder to deliver more velocity and energy) is going to recoil more. Simple physics.
A rifle that weighs less, will also recoil more.
Yes, muzzle brakes are going to reduce felt recoil, but they come with the additional costs in muzzle blast and extreme discomfort to anyone else around you when you fire that rifle, as well as the fact that they will blow dust, dirt, gravel, leaves, grass or snow around at the shot, which can limit your visibility after the shot momentarily, making it more difficult to ascertain the animal's reaction to the shot or hit.
Obviously you can tolerate your waterfowling firearm and its recoil; and if that is a 12 ga, it has a hefty recoil with most loads people use for duck/goose hunting.
Just keep in mind shooting a centerfire cartridge for big game hunting is not the same thing and cannot be compared in an apples to apples comparison.
Your best option is to go a range where you can try several different rifle/cartridge combinations to get a feel for how various rifle makes and models and cartridges feel to you. Or try the rifles of your friends and family members. Find out what they have, buy some ammo to try and compare for yourself, firsthand. This small cost will save you money in the long run, as you will be buying a rifle that you know you will be comfortable with versus buying the rifle the kid behind the counter recommends (who may or may not have any real field experience) only to find you do not like the rifle, and will sell to buy another rifle, losing money in the process.
When at your local gun store , shoulder a number of different rifles and makes and models and see what feels good to you.
This will all help you in your buying decision. Best of luck!
Come on, a Saskatchewan boy that can't stretch it out?
Them pesky antelope sure can test a fellow.
Any hunter can shoot to 200-300 meters, get buck fever and you can't shoot 25!
I personally prefer to keep my shots under 350 meters and still, a lot can happen on the windy prairie at that relatively short distance. I know sooooo many good ol' Sasky boys who boast about having shot a running coyote in the head at 700 meters, only for them to take ridiculous shots at deer in the field and not even attempt to look for it afterwards.
On your buck fever comment, I completely missed my first ever antelope at 50 or so meters BUT ended up shooting it, twice in the boiler room at 342 meters, after a 30 min stalk/run. Sometimes she goes, sometimes she doesn't!!!
