Hunting Caliber Questiom
- Thread starter Tjv787
- Start date
Dorian Gray
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
308 or 30-06 will probably fit the bill. Prices are about the same for off the shelf regular stuff. Both are extremely easy to find. As for accuracy, it has lots to do with ammo but lots to do with the rifle too...So that part is hard to answer. You can't go wrong with either one though. 300WM deserves and honorable mention as well.
Which hunting caliber is the easiest to find, least expensive and accurate for big game in Canada ?
I was thinking .308.
I would bet that you are right about .308 but others will speak from knowledge rather than guess. Nice collection of FMJ military cartridges of the world,
except that my favorite: 7.62x54r is missing in action.
"hunting caliber"...
30-06 and 300 win mag guys hunt with, I guess you could use a .338. But at the cost of a .338 is a major factor that will keep practicing down to a minimum.
If you asked me what a hunting caliber was, I would have to ask what you are hunting for. 223, 22-250, 243, 270, 308, 30-06... these are for anything small to elk etc.
Guys do shoot .303, but I don't think there are any modern firearms made in that caliber anymore.
As Robert Nicholson mentioned.. the pic you posted is of military full metal jacket, non hunting type ammunition.
30-06 and 300 win mag guys hunt with, I guess you could use a .338. But at the cost of a .338 is a major factor that will keep practicing down to a minimum.
If you asked me what a hunting caliber was, I would have to ask what you are hunting for. 223, 22-250, 243, 270, 308, 30-06... these are for anything small to elk etc.
Guys do shoot .303, but I don't think there are any modern firearms made in that caliber anymore.
As Robert Nicholson mentioned.. the pic you posted is of military full metal jacket, non hunting type ammunition.
They are all calibres that are used for hunting, the bullet shape makes the picture a military collection (except, maybe, for those two round points).
Interesting to see cartridges lined up side by side with their competitors. Seems that the field was pretty level, no country had a big advantage.
I am surprised at how squat and bulbous the French Lebel casing is though, I was expecting something more elegant.
Okay, I'll play. Big game in Canada and a cartridge that is commonly found even in tiny town stores? Are you including BC grizzlies in your list of Canadian big game?
30/06 Springfield. If big bears are included, you may want to look at a cartridge with a little more wallop.
30/06 Springfield. If big bears are included, you may want to look at a cartridge with a little more wallop.
There is not going to be a big difference in price between the three. Cartridges loaded with 'premium' bullets will cost more than rounds loaded with conventional cup & core bullets.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Being a bigger is better type of guy I would have to say that if you want a hunting rifle chambered in a cartridge that you'll find in the store everywhere from Canadian Tire in Yarmouth, to the Co-Op in Kugluktuk, you want a 30-06. I don't think I have ever been in a store that sells ammo that hasn't had 30-06 in stock. Sure, it might not be the exact brad you usually shoot, but it's a certainty that you will find 165 or 180gr 30-06 ammo. That could be the difference between a successful hunt and feeling like a complete jackass for forgetting your ammo. I have a 300 H&H but I wouldn't ever expect to find ammo for it unless I was going through a city with a very well-stocked gunstore.
dgradinaru
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- British Columbia
Most forgot to mention the old 303 british which can handle most north American game well. Ammo should be available through out Canada and usually runs 25-30$ a box. Having said that I would still take a 30-06 if I had the choice.
I think a twenty round box of .303British with hunting bullets, Winchester, Federal, Remington is likely to be $40 retail. I reload, but I check the price of my calibres when I'm in C.Tire, Wal-Mart, Wholesale Sports, Cabela's.
Tjv787 if I didn't have a sentimental attachment to the .303British I'd make .30-06Springfield or .308Winchester my general purpose big game calibre, partly for the reasons you are asking.
Tjv787 if I didn't have a sentimental attachment to the .303British I'd make .30-06Springfield or .308Winchester my general purpose big game calibre, partly for the reasons you are asking.
