What caliber for what animal?

[Rickyy101]

Hey guys, fairly new shooter here and I am starting to get interested in the prospect of hunting. However, as I said I am still new and not familiar with every caliber out there. I was wondering what sort of calibers would be reasonable for game, big or small.

What about milsurp firearms? Thanks!

Hopefully this makes sense

 

[dudu]

Here is a start :

caliber/bullet recommendations

recommended shot size, gauge, choke and barrel length

What about milsurp firearms? Many hunters use them for game. Just keep them out of Bubba's hands, or at least don't come on these boards and brag about it.

Good luck.

 

[blasted_saber]

Hey guys, fairly new shooter here and I am starting to get interested in the prospect of hunting. However, as I said I am still new and not familiar with every caliber out there. I was wondering what sort of calibers would be reasonable for game, big or small.

What about milsurp firearms? Thanks!

Hopefully this makes sense

Rifles, very generally, like this

17-22 - small game

243-264 - "small" big game (antelope, deer, black bear (not in a charge scenario).

264-338 - All big game, excluding the big bears in charge scenario.most popular and common sizes throughout Canada. Contains the BIG 3 (.270, .308. 3006) as well as .303 milsurp, and the classic .3030, the 5 of which have killed a bazillion deer, moose and black bears across canada.

338+ Large, dangerous game

This is very general, and they're are many exceptions, but its a place to start.

 

[Ormachek]

Rifles, very generally, like this

17-22 - small game

243-264 - "small" big game (antelope, deer, black bear (not in a charge scenario).

264-338 - All big game, excluding the big bears in charge scenario.most popular and common sizes throughout Canada. Contains the BIG 3 (.270, .308. 3006) as well as .303 milsurp, and the classic .3030, the 5 of which have killed a bazillion deer, moose and black bears across canada.

338+ Large, dangerous game

This is very general, and they're are many exceptions, but its a place to start.

Pretty well summed up!

 

[thebigslide]

what sort of calibers would be reasonable for game, big or small.

243, 30/30, 308, 12Ga

If you handload them, there are other options, but for factory rifles chambered in ubiquitous calibers, a .243 or 30/30 will work on pretty much anything you want to shoot.

One could add 308, 30-06 and 25-06 to that list, but varmints will get a little messy. .243 will work really well on smaller game and larger as there is such a wide variety of ammunition available.

Every hunter should own a .22 also. If for nothing other than practise.

Don't go hunting moose or brown bear with a .243 unless you know how to shoot ;-)

A 12Ga shotgun can be used on waterfowl, small game, and larger game with slugs also.

 

[grinrgrn]

Rifles, very generally, like this

17-22 - small game

243-264 - "small" big game (antelope, deer, black bear (not in a charge scenario).

264-338 - All big game, excluding the big bears in charge scenario.most popular and common sizes throughout Canada. Contains the BIG 3 (.270, .308. 3006) as well as .303 milsurp, and the classic .3030, the 5 of which have killed a bazillion deer, moose and black bears across canada.

338+ Large, dangerous game

This is very general, and they're are many exceptions, but its a place to start.

Pretty well summed up!

X2....'nuff said.

 

[MD]

I have a simple formula I use now. I have shot black bears for example with a 243, a 30-06, a 7.62 Russian and a 300 Winchester magnum, and deer with the 243, the Russian, my 270 and the 300. The 270 has killed a moose and the 300 moose and elk.

A friend gave me the 270 and and another buddy gave me the 300, so I retired the 243 and Russian for hunting.

Now when I'm deer hunting but may see a bear I take the 270.

If I'm lucky enough to have a draw for moose or elk but may see a deer or bear I take the 300.

12 gauge shotgun for ducks and geese, 410 or 20 gauge for grouse depending which gun I feel like throwing in the truck.

 

[Rickyy101]

Thanks for all the input guys!

 

[Woodsman]

In a nutshell, the average hunter should have a .22 rimfire for pests and potting small game like rabbits, a shotgun in 20 or 12 gauge for birds, and a center fire rifle for big game (a .308 or .30-06) for deer, moose, bear, caribou, etc. With these you'll be able to hunt pretty well anything in North America.