How much thump does your bullet need while hunting

thanks guys,

the main issue with getting my guns from Nova Scotia to me is that all my riles are rust inhibited, wrapped (I just treaded all my rifles the same as my original lee metfords/enfields) and stored at my parents house that is a few hours from my house, in my house I have a room I'm using for storage, I have all my reloading gear and other accessories for my rifle stored in there, but that room is sealed off from the rest of the house as I have a family friend staying there and I didn't want my stuff touched and it would be a head ache to try and explain how to get into it, as you need to go in the attic and basement to remove screws to remove blocking, and the walls have 3/4 plywood on the inside.
so to get a rifle id have to get my dad to go through and cut open the wrapping on each rifle until I found the one I wanted, it may be the first rifle or it may be the 27th rifle, then id have to buy reloading gear and brass that I already own.


I am down for getting a new to me rifle. I wouldn't mind one of these magnums that really get the bullet flying to use for hunting while in BC. there is a mark V in 300 weatherby for a grand I've been eyeing although I do like the idea of a 7mmSTW or a 257 Weatherby

I do plan to get a nice scope, a used fixed 4 power in the 300-500$ range but id be open to any light weight good deal on the EE


I have a spotting scope but I plan to upgrade it this year, I'm not sure I'm confident in judging a ram, so even if I get to take some pics of one ill be happy (the tag is just incase I don't really plan to fill that one), as for goats I feel a lot more confident in shooting a Billy, and I defiantly don't want a nanny as I understand the effects shooting a female ca have over a male and I want to be able to post about my first goat hunt online lol

thanks southcountryguy, ive watched videos of people using archery gear. and ill look into them I have the hornady 129 SST's now
 
You will have fun on your hunt. Hopefully the weather cooperates for you.

I love the 129 sst’s in many 6.5’s.

Regardless which caliber you choose try and pick a bullet that will do a lot of damage over penetration on goats. Ideally, IMHO, you want to take at least one front shoulder out and plant the goat where it stands.

I usually also take a rock I find beside the fallen goat home. Often it is better eating. Lol. Kidding.
 
I take it that this is not going to be an annual hunt for you... if you really don't care if you harvest a sheep or goat, by all means, bring along whatever you want to. Yes, all species have been taken with archery gear, I have been bowhunting for more than 4 decades (oops) and know how to get that done. However, if this is a one-off or two-off trip for you, and you really do want to harvest an animal, I would ignore the "use whatever" advice... you might be successful, you might shoot one at 50 yards, but more often than not, despite what some may say, that strategy is going to cost you a good opportunity to successfully harvest an animal. "Prepare for the worst case scenario" is good advice... there are many, many times where it is virtually impossible or unsafe to get within 4 or 5 hundred yards of your quarry. Be smart and bring the right tool, and know how to use it.
 
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hoytcanon said:
I take it that this is not going to be an annual hunt for you... if you really don't care if you harvest a sheep or goat, by all means, bring along whatever you want to. Yes, all species have been taken with archery gear, I have been bowhunting for more than 40 decades and know how to get that done. However, if this is a one-off or two-off trip for you, and you really do want to harvest an animal, I would ignore the "use whatever" advice... you might be successful, you might shoot one at 50 yards, but more often than not, despite what some may say, that strategy is going to cost you a good opportunity to successfully harvest an animal. "Prepare for the worst case scenario" is good advice... there are many, many times where it is virtually impossible or unsafe to get within 4 or 5 hundred yards of your quarry. Be smart and bring the right tool, and know how to use it.
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Success is measured differently by every individual. Some of my best hunts in memory I didn’t harvest an animal. If it’s only about harvesting, yes, get a .338 Allen or lapua and pop it at 2000 meters or more. Some of us hunt for the hunt and harvesting an animal is the bonus, regardless of cost or availability. Each to their own. The OP already stated the ranges he/she will hunt at and for those ranges the rifles on they have on hand will work. I guess in traditional CGN style we do need to suggest bigger better and faster cartridges and sway folks to hunt the way we do. Enjoy.
 
well the thing is, I live here (British Columbia) for work and ill be here for a few years (3 year contract but ill probably stay 5 years) so I'm going to use all the hunting opportunities I can get my hand on while here. the last trip into the alpine was for fishing last September out past Gold Bridge. and the first time going to telegraph creek was for hiking and photography. I'm down for adventuring even if I'm not hunting.

ideally, yes I would get a goat, that would be the top of the list check off as far as hunting goes, there is no animal in North America that I would rather hunt. sheep is the second on the list but I'm not sure id risk judging the the first time I ever lay eyes on one. and to go after both I will probably get neither, if I focus on one and see the other then so be it

this next trip in September will be started in telegraph creek then I'm going to charter a jet boat to were the Iskut meets the Stikine and get them to drop me and a buddy off for 12 days. (I loved my time spend in the north, I know there is sheep and goats way closer then that, that area just seems to be quite remote and I love the Stikine river)



I do want this to happen so I am going to buy a flat shooting rifle and modern glass, practice to 400 yards, then judge what my max distance will be after that. as much as I want to bring my 6.5x53r this isn't the hunt for its madden voyage. as lots of you pointed out, why handicap my self on a trip that I do want to be successful (it doesn't have to be but I do want it to be or id be going fishing). maybe after I shoot a few ill reconsider but for the first one I shouldn't limit my self on purpose.

I only get 2 weeks a year off for vacation, so I can do one 12-14 day hunt or two week long hunts per year and a few 1-3 day hunts if a sneak away when its slow. the main animals I want to hunt in my time here is a goat, a sheep and a bison, any others will just be animals of opportunity, ill bring black bear and mule deer tags on all my hunts that the GOS over laps
 
Hunt how you like and use what works for you at the range you want.

Only thing to remember in your list is bison require a certain energy to be legal to hunt in BC.

Good luck.

I will add one bison hunt I was on my partner used a cartridge at the minimum legal limits. When we found a bison he took 3 shots all under 100m. First two didn’t get through the ice on the hide. It was -32c.
 
^ as well as a draw, sleds, a bunch of friends and some knowledge of the area

I was not aware one could charter jet boats, certainly a consideration vs flying I guess

Definitely a pretty remote area compared to most of the province, plan accordingly
 
Southcountryguy said:
Hunt how you like and use what works for you at the range you want.

Only thing to remember in your list is bison require a certain energy to be legal to hunt in BC.

Good luck.

I will add one bison hunt I was on my partner used a cartridge at the minimum legal limits. When we found a bison he took 3 shots all under 100m. First two didn’t get through the ice on the hide. It was -32c.
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Thanks for the info and the good luck wishes
good to know but if I get my self a LEH for bison ill be bringing my 375 H&H its a 1976 Winchester model 70, my load is a 300gr bullet that leaves the barrel at 2465fps, it has irons on it now but I have mounts and rings for it.


Conor_90,
and by charter its more so a "river tour" but I get off at the end when the turns around. then I book another river tour that I don't get on until it gets to me. so just 2 "river tours" 12 days apart.
 
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Southcountryguy said:
Success is measured differently by every individual. Some of my best hunts in memory I didn’t harvest an animal. If it’s only about harvesting, yes, get a .338 Allen or lapua and pop it at 2000 meters or more. Some of us hunt for the hunt and harvesting an animal is the bonus, regardless of cost or availability. Each to their own. The OP already stated the ranges he/she will hunt at and for those ranges the rifles on they have on hand will work. I guess in traditional CGN style we do need to suggest bigger better and faster cartridges and sway folks to hunt the way we do. Enjoy.
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It seems as though you didn't read the post you quoted... you missed where I have been bowhunting for 40+ years... I spend more time in the bush in a year than most do in a decade... I work hard and get close... nowhere did I recommend a .338 Lapua and shooting at unreasonable distances. 400-500 yards is not an unreasonable distance and intentionally hamstring(ing) yourself by choosing inadequate equipment is just that... like going into a fist fight with one arm tied behind your back... you better be prepared for a black eye. Nothing wrong with enforcing limits on yourself, I do it happily every time I go afield with a bow in my hand, but I accept the results of that handicap. Having guided for many years, I can't count the number of times I have had a client bemoan his choice of equipment when it ultimately cost the opportunity to harvest an animal.

To recap; My point was not to get an animal at any cost, my point was that "if" harvesting an animal is something that is a goal, then recognize terrain and potential realities and use equipment that can increase your chance of success. If you don't want to harvest an animal, then leave the rifle at home and bring a camera.
 
Welcome to Bc hunting. It’s pretty diverse. I personally like the hunt the most.

I hunted bison around pink mountain. No jet boats.

Did many fly in hunts to remote lakes up north which you may consider.

Now that your into a new to you gun I may have something I would trade for your 6.5. Lol
 
Comment on jet boats was unrelated to Bison hunting in pink mountain.

I don’t know how much jet boat tours cost but they may be considerably cheaper than charter floatplanes. Definitely cheaper than jet boat ownership…
 
You said you didn’t use a jet boat on your bison hunt, no ####. I assumed this was in response to my post about both needing a draw and equipment to hunt bison in the north peace in the winter and an unrelated comment about jet boats

If you need me to explain a third time I’m tapping out, it’s like an Alzheimer’s ward half the time in here
 
conor_90 said:
You said you didn’t use a jet boat on your bison hunt, no ####. I assumed this was in response to my post about both needing a draw and equipment to hunt bison in the north peace in the winter and an unrelated comment about jet boats

If you need me to explain a third time I’m tapping out, it’s like an Alzheimer’s ward half the time in here
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Assuming, you know where that gets you. Tap out, your done.
 
Do you normally just note that your hunts don’t include jet boats?


Hitting the egg nog early or just not much of a reader? Try saying the words aloud…
 
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conor_90 said:
Do you normally just note that your hunts don’t include jet boats?


Hitting the egg nog early or just not much of a reader? Try saying the words aloud…
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Haha, the op stated how they were using a jet boat on the hunt they were doing. I stated I didn’t use one for the bison hunts I did.

Do you not realize not everyone is familiar with every particular place, especially in BC? Have you rented jet boats or float planes? While you may be a reader comprehension escapes you. Lol
 
Regarding equipment. Your two most important pieces of equipment on a.wilderness hunt, are your rifle and yourself. Cost, and you mentioned $500 tradex rifle is relative, Your big expenses are the time off, money to travel to your hunt, everything else is minimal. Hunting sheep your in Grizzly country, and they are.looking for.a large protein feast before hibernation. Use enough gun, with enough energy and trajectory to take your sheep, with ONE good hit, at the distance you will shoot. Ditto for Grizzly. To me that sounds like a 7mm or 300 magnum. Make it lightweight, practice and practice more.

Put some weight in a.backpack, and walk ....walk....walk, starting months before.your trip. Work hard.at it, too the point your needing new clothes. Take your lightweight rifle, and all the gear you need. Go camping, cull out what you don't need, add what you can't buy at 8,000 ft.

Save the 6.5x53r for a treestand whitetail close to home.
 
conor_90 said:
Do you normally just note that your hunts don’t include jet boats?


Hitting the egg nog early or just not much of a reader? Try saying the words aloud…
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I can read the writing in the wall... just adding another douche to the ignore list... just a thought.
 
Any 270 win with 140 /150 gr or 280 Rem 140/150/160 gr
Theses two are very capable of 400 yd kills
I would not go lighter than 140 gr FPS muzzle 2850-3000
 
nowarningshot said:
Regarding equipment. Your two most important pieces of equipment on a.wilderness hunt, are your rifle and yourself. Cost, and you mentioned $500 tradex rifle is relative, Your big expenses are the time off, money to travel to your hunt, everything else is minimal. Hunting sheep your in Grizzly country, and they are.looking for.a large protein feast before hibernation. Use enough gun, with enough energy and trajectory to take your sheep, with ONE good hit, at the distance you will shoot. Ditto for Grizzly. To me that sounds like a 7mm or 300 magnum. Make it lightweight, practice and practice more.

Put some weight in a.backpack, and walk ....walk....walk, starting months before.your trip. Work hard.at it, too the point your needing new clothes. Take your lightweight rifle, and all the gear you need. Go camping, cull out what you don't need, add what you can't buy at 8,000 ft.

Save the 6.5x53r for a treestand whitetail close to home.
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You guys crack me up. We went from calibers the OP asked about, that will effectively kill a goat to protection from grizzlies. I fear with our state zombies may be our biggest threat. We know a belted magnum works best on them. Lol
 
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