One rifle, one cartridge, one load for everything

[0faustus0]

You are absolutely correct!
Almost every trapper I ever met ( me included ) had three guns- a shotgun, usually 12, a .22, and a " heavy rifle",almost always either a .30/30 M94 or a Lee Enfield in .303.
I had other rifles and shotguns, but those were what I used on my traplines
Cat

Thanks Cat ....

I read a couple of first hand accounts of trappers from the 1930s ... the inter war period ... Those trappers lived the winters pretty isolated in the Boreal forest ... They traveled far into the Boreal forest to reach their trapping grounds .... and relied on killing moose and caribou to supplement their rations and to keep the pantry stocked during the winter.

And yes, the two predominant calibers were the 303 British and the 30-30 ... with most trappers preferring the 30-30. The Hundson Bay posts at that time did not stock much else but 303 and 30-30 .... with 30-30 being what was mostly available ....

 

[remington jim]

Hard to argue against the 30-06 but if there could be only one I'd step it up to 30 caliber mag of one type or another.

One can always down load if so desired.

Yup could always do that ! RJ

 

[Ardent]

I’ve been to a lot of dilapidated old trapper cabins in the northwest. If there’s brass around, it’s usually .30-30.

 

[keith mokry]

3006 with 200 gr partition

 

[Brutus]

I would first grab my .308, but with a nagging feeling a 30-30 would do just fine.

 

[murph83]

my old winchester in .308, 165gr BTSP

 

[powerbaitron]

Sks, 7.62x39 123 grain FMJ.

I’m joking but it wld outlast most of what I do have.

 

[Cletus26]

My latest would likely be my choice. Kimber Hunter in 280ai pushing 145 gr Barnes LRX at 3000 fps. Topped with a VX5HD 3-15x44, light and capable on paper to around 850 yards to stay within the 1600 fps expansion limit. Shoots around .5-.75” groups at 100.

 

[ianfroese]

If I've got to choose one gun, it's going to be my Merkel B4 combination gun, 223/12g. Probably using a 75 gr projectile, and 7.5 shot. I'm not entirely sure if I can live without partridge and deer hunting, and that's the only gun I have that enables both, albeit with limitations. And then it is also useful for almost everything else I would want to shoot.

 

[7mag]

I would have to pick either of my 300win mags with 180g ttsx.

 

[DiabeticKripple]

Hunting only - 7mm PRC with 160gr CX or 168gr LRX

 

[savagelh]

My latest would likely be my choice. Kimber Hunter in 280ai pushing 145 gr Barnes LRX at 3000 fps. Topped with a VX5HD 3-15x44, light and capable on paper to around 850 yards to stay within the 1600 fps expansion limit. Shoots around .5-.75” groups at 100.

Ya that would do it. I'm currently building a 280ai right now I'll try the lrx but haven't had a lot of luck with them in the past as far as accuracy. What powder are you using?

 

[Cletus26]

Using H4831sc, 60.3 grains

 

[geologist]

A CRF bolt action 30-06 with good iron sights and a 1-8X illuminated BDC reticle scope in low QD rings. 180 grain soft points that it feeds well and is accurate with.

1907 sling.

 

[Dukester]

300 Winmag with 180 Grn Particians.

Same. Normally use 150's on deer but for heavier game the 180's would be more appropriate.

 

[trevj]

Limiting to just one load seems a poor idea at the best of times, really.

In terms of flexibility and long term support-ability, I rather liked the position taken by one fella I read, who was convinced that a .458 Win Mag was the be-all to end all, as you could load it down for rabbits, with a round ball and light load, or up to deal with Winnebagos and things that go bump in the night if you wanted to.
Maybe a .458 x 2inch American, as pretty much every belted magnum case becomes a suitable donor.

Like the guys with the 30-06's, I don't feel undergunned with a .308 Winchester, and about any 150-180 grain bullet on it. But even with that, I usually have a Hammond Game Getter along for the small stuff that shows...

 

[Buckmastr]

I’ve shot the 140 TTSX from a 7mag at everything from moose to bears to antelope. It’s a pretty good all rounder.

 

[Dorian Gray]

I’ve shot the 140 TTSX from a 7mag at everything from moose to bears to antelope. It’s a pretty good all rounder.

If a guy was going to choose a 7mm Remington Magnum, that sounds like a really good bullet to go with it. Recoil that the majority of average hunters can handle with ease, coupled with really decent speed, penetration and expansion. Hard to go wrong with that.

 

[savagelh]

I used to use the 140 nosler etip in 7mm mag. At 3200 fps it was a hammer. Killed a big bull with it and it died real quick.

 

[Slimbo]

I’ve shot the 140 TTSX from a 7mag at everything from moose to bears to antelope. It’s a pretty good all rounder.

What sort of velocity are you getting with the 140 Barnes?