what caliber for BC?

That's not an easy question to answer. BC is a big province that varies from open prairie to alpine to mixed brush to coastal rain forests.

As has been said, for any conditions where grizzlies are not a REAL issue, anything from about a 25-06 on up with good bullets is absolutely fine. Just like Ontario or Nova Scotia. If you are hunting moose or elk in grizzly country, something larger is comforting.

I've played with a lot of rifles over the years, and am finally down to 3 using rifles. A 280AI lightweight sheep rifle, which is just about unbeatable for an all-arounder. A 358 Norma on a M70 classic stainless action which feels very good in the hands when the trail I'm on has fresh grizzly tracks. And #3 is my beater/truck gun, a SPS stainless 25-06 which was bought for wolves and such, but will also kill a moose as quickly as the Norma.
 
Just curious about the one rifle concept.When using different loads how much does zero move? If you wanted to use one 30/06 say sighted in for 200yds with 180gr how much will zero change when you put in your 150gr deer load?Enough to worry about? Always kind of wondered about this but never bothered to try it at the range.
 
xcaribooer said:
Just curious about the one rifle concept.When using different loads how much does zero move? If you wanted to use one 30/06 say sighted in for 200yds with 180gr how much will zero change when you put in your 150gr deer load?Enough to worry about? Always kind of wondered about this but never bothered to try it at the range.
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i don't bother with different loads for different game. one load for a rifle is enough for me.
 
Two loads for each hunting rifle. One is the best bullet I can get, which I use for everything while hunting. For example, a good 165 grain bullet in a 30 cal works just fine for anything you will point it at. The other is the cheapest bullet I can get for practice.

The one exception to this is my 25-06. In it I use a 75 grain V-Max at 3600+ fps for coyotes and such, and a second heavier bullet load for deer and moose.
 
RickF said:
Two loads for each hunting rifle. One is the best bullet I can get, which I use for everything while hunting. For example, a good 165 grain bullet in a 30 cal works just fine for anything you will point it at. The other is the cheapest bullet I can get for practice.

The one exception to this is my 25-06. In it I use a 75 grain V-Max at 3600+ fps for coyotes and such, and a second heavier bullet load for deer and moose.
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i suppose i do that as well, except using fmj for targets.
 
For the rest of BC I like the idea of 30/06 or 6.5x55 or .303.

For Brush on Van island 30/30, or 7.62x39 or 12 gauge. :)
 
SanQ said:
what is a "enough" caliber for BC?
want to hear experience from BC hunters.
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BC does have a "minimum" requirement for Bison (175 gr & 2000 ftlbs min at 100 meters) so if you are Hoping for an LEH that includes Bison then you'd need to meet that ;)

Now if your like the rest of us that never get drawn for Bison...:rolleyes:
Then Choose the Rifle that Feels the best in your Hands and that you can accurately shoot in a variety of field positions....this is by Far more important then whatever Cartridge you choose !

I've taken Game here with most Cartridges and none have killed anything any deader then another that I can recall :)

Carrying around a "Huge" Gun because you think a Bear may eat you isn't entirely realistic nor needed either. Any Rifle is suitable for "defense" in the unlikely event it is needed. I've outgrown my days of Packing around a 458 Mag deer hunting....:p

Bison and Coastal Brownies aside I can't think of any critter here I wouldn't Hunt with my 260 :onCrack:
If drawn for one of those(grizz or bison) a "new" Rifle that is up to the task will be the cheapest part of that hunt anyways.


I agree 100% with the Suggestion of the 30'06 as it meets the requirements for Bison and is without a doubt "enough" Gun for everything else:)

Have Fun:cool:
 
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BCWILL said:
Carrying around a "Huge" Gun because you think a Bear may eat you isn't entirely realistic nor needed either. Any Rifle is suitable for "defense" in the unlikely event it is needed. I've outgrown my days of Packing around a 458 Mag deer hunting....:p
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AMEN!!!!

I think we need another Bear Defense thread :runaway:
 
What calibre

though I don't own one I have several friends that shoot everything from Island blacktails to grizzlies with the .300 Win Mag,and 180's.You could do the same with an 06',or a .300WSM,or a .300 H&H. A 180gr bullet moving 2800-3100fps is pretty versatile and should handle just about anything for the guy who wants just one rifle.I am definitley not in that category!:) Mur
 
I have been thinking of a 300 H&H, but mostly I use a 7-08 for everything from goats to moose. In case I ever get the Bison draw my 375 H&H is cleaned and ready to go.
 
pharaoh2 said:
To be honest, I never saw a place that didn't have enough cover to get closer than 45-70 range while i was there. I guess it's what ever you want.
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You find very few big game animals in the BC Interior in heavy timber unless they are holed up out of the weather.

Here is a picture of some pretty typical real estate that the majority of BC hunters shoot over. (Those that actually get their ass off the truck seat that is! ;) ) Shots out to 300 yards or even a tad further are rather common.

474346-big.JPG
 
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[QUOTE='Boo]You find very few big game animals in the BC Interior in heavy timber unless they are holed up out of the weather.
[/img][/QUOTE]

they're in there if you look. lots of treed slopes and creek bottoms that have animals hiding out in them.
 
And on Vancouver island...

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MeadsCreek5.jpg


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Good luck with a 300 yard shot. :D

And yes all of these places had Deer, and these pics were taken within 5km of each other. :)
 
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Calum said:
Good luck with a 300 yard shot. :D

And yes all of these places had Deer, and these pics where taken within 5km of each other. :)
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Yeah, no way are you gonna shoot 300 yards on the island.:bangHead:

And yeah, key word in the second part of calums sentance is had:(
 
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