what caliber for BC?
- Thread starter SanQ
- Start date
BC Bigbore
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- BC's Peace Country
Never felt over or under gunned back when I hunted with a .30-06 and the bullet choices are now incredible. That said, I usually take either my .270Win or .338WinMag 
SanQ said:
Anything from a .243 or .260 up will work.
The 30-06 would be hard to beat as an all-round cartridge for the "one-rifle" hunter.
If you can shoot it effectively without closing your eyes when you pull the trigger the .338 Winchester may well be the ticket.
In short your abilities will decide which cartridge is "enough" gun for BC
I asked this same question in a gunshop when i was staying in Kelowna. Driving there, and stopping to wander the bush, I assumed the 45-70 would be the prefered rifle cartridge. I was surprised when the guy told me the .300's work best, especially the wsm and ultramags, "For those long shots" he said. From what I saw, a long shot was 50 yards! But he was adimant that shots over 300 yards are possible. 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.
busterboy05
Member
- Location
- Red Deer AB
It all depends on what you can shoot comfortably and accurately.
I have used 30-30, 303 British, 280 Ross, and my new toy 270 WSM.
I have used 30-30, 303 British, 280 Ross, and my new toy 270 WSM.
a 7mm Rem Mag or 30-06 is a sensible minimum if you're going to tackle Bison & Grizzly bear, although a 338 Win Mag makes more sense
if you are mainly hunting deer and black bear, with the odd moose/elk hunt thrown in, a 270 Winchester, 280 Rem, 7mm Rem Mag, 308 Win, 30-06 Spfd, 300WSM/300 Win Mag is a good choice.
one rifle to do it all? 30-06 would be my pick, in a stainless bolt action with a good 3-9x scope, shooting a premium 180 grain bullet like a Nosler Accubond or Barnes TSX. Shoots plenty flat for peace country whitetail and hits plenty hard for kootenay 6 pt bull elk, and everything in between. Rifles are easy to master with moderate recoil, and ammunition is priced good and easy to find, with alot of options if you dont handload.
if you are mainly hunting deer and black bear, with the odd moose/elk hunt thrown in, a 270 Winchester, 280 Rem, 7mm Rem Mag, 308 Win, 30-06 Spfd, 300WSM/300 Win Mag is a good choice.
one rifle to do it all? 30-06 would be my pick, in a stainless bolt action with a good 3-9x scope, shooting a premium 180 grain bullet like a Nosler Accubond or Barnes TSX. Shoots plenty flat for peace country whitetail and hits plenty hard for kootenay 6 pt bull elk, and everything in between. Rifles are easy to master with moderate recoil, and ammunition is priced good and easy to find, with alot of options if you dont handload.
I've been hunting in BC for about 30 years. The grizzly thing was always in the back of my mind, and I don't mind a bit of recoil so I went to the 338 then a 35 Whelen. Both great cartridges, though the 338 is a bit more practical. In 29 of those years I saw 2 grizzlies. Last year I saw 6. If it weren't for those critters, there would be no need for anything bigger than a 30-06. On the other hand I'd rather take on a major bear with a rifle I can handle than a bigger one that I can't. Stainless steel and synthetic or laminate would be a bonus.
When you do decide on a caliber, also decide on one type of bullet that will handle deer to grizzly with that same bullet. You aren't going to be unloading your favorite black tale deer load to put in your grizzly load when you here/see the bear coming!
Out here in the east, I use a standard 180 grain .30-06 load for deer, caribou, black bear, and moose. I use to vary from 150 to 180 grain loads, only to find the 180 grainers did it all and blew a big exit hole in everything... even thin skinned deer.
.30-06 will kill Grizzly, but if you are more likely to run into bears, I'd opt for a .300 mag. with premium 180 grainers for everything.
Out here in the east, I use a standard 180 grain .30-06 load for deer, caribou, black bear, and moose. I use to vary from 150 to 180 grain loads, only to find the 180 grainers did it all and blew a big exit hole in everything... even thin skinned deer.
.30-06 will kill Grizzly, but if you are more likely to run into bears, I'd opt for a .300 mag. with premium 180 grainers for everything.
- Location
- Hillbilly shack in the boonies
Not an easy question to answer, as we don't know what, if any you now have.
If you don't own any , and intend on a big game rifle, .375 H&H is the answer, for Deer,Moose, Elk , and Bear.
If Deer only, ,25 cal,6mil,7mil, or 30 cal, all work fine.
If you don't own any , and intend on a big game rifle, .375 H&H is the answer, for Deer,Moose, Elk , and Bear.
If Deer only, ,25 cal,6mil,7mil, or 30 cal, all work fine.
