What caliber rifle should I buy for hunting big game?

MDK-187

MDK-187

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Ok, I have a general idea of what caliber rifle I want for big game like Deer, Elk, and Moose but I would REALLY appreciate some feedback from experienced hunters and shooters. I'm currently investigating: .300 Win. Mag. , .270 Win. , and the 7mm Rem. Mag. I would also be really gratefull if anyone could tell me the pros and cons for each caliber.
 
mdk-187
You must be new. This question will have you douting every caliber choice you have listed. (be afraid very afraid) However the .300 and the 7mm are fine choices for the game you have listed and the .270 is Ok but alittle light for elk and moose. If it were me
I'd recomend the .300 that most effectively will cover your list.

So lets start your CGN lesson: "The .30-06 would also be a fine choice for the game your after. Ammo is always avaliable, lots for action choices and will do everything the .300 will with a little less recoil." Let the fun insue, good luck, you are about to visit the dark side Luke. Welcome to CGN:dancingbanana:
CDN1
 
sweet ####ing jesus and the great pumpkin.

I know you're new, but there are a half dozen threads on this topic on the first page of this forum alone. 100's, if not 1000's of threads on this topic in the last few years.

THE SEARCH FUNCTION IS YOUR FRIEND


welcome to CGN
 
Amphibious said:
sweet f**king jesus and the great pumpkin.

I know you're new, but there are a half dozen threads on this topic on the first page of this forum alone. 100's, if not 1000's of threads on this topic in the last few years.

THE SEARCH FUNCTION IS YOUR FRIEND


welcome to CGN
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Its ok Amphib...Dill is gone
 
cdn1canhunt said:
mdk-187
You must be new. This question will have you douting every caliber choice you have listed. (be afraid very afraid) However the .300 and the 7mm are fine choices for the game you have listed and the .270 is Ok but alittle light for elk and moose. If it were me
I'd recomend the .300 that most effectively will cover your list.

So lets start your CGN lesson: "The .30-06 would also be a fine choice for the game your after. Ammo is always avaliable, lots for action choices and will do everything the .300 will with a little less recoil." Let the fun insue, good luck, you are about to visit the dark side Luke. Welcome to CGN:dancingbanana:
CDN1
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Ya and I am going to have to DISAGREE with your statement on the .270 being too small,.. when my 2 hunting buddies use smaller .243 and 6mm and have shot everything from deer, elk, moose and even black bear. I myself went from a .300 win mag down to a .270, so please stop spreading false information about the .270 and lower calibers being too light.
 
.308 Winchester should not be overlooked either. Ammo is readily available in great selection from many manufacturers. It has plenty of power and good accuracy and manageable recoil. The case (brass) is shorter than the others you have listed and is known as a short action cartridge. These short action cartridges can lend to a quicker handling gun, and definitely a shorter bolt stroke, but it is really a personal preference thing.

Go to a store and handle a few rifles, once you find one that fits you well, ask to see it short and long action both (assuming the model you choose is available in both) and see which you prefer. Another thing to consider is cost of ammo and how much you intend to shoot. Some calibers are double the price of the .308.

Having said all that ... If you are new to shooting, I would suggest your first gun be a .22LR. No, don't take that moose hunting, use it at the range or where ever you shoot to develop good shooting techniques. It is extremely affordable to practice with and has almost no recoil, so you are less likely to develop bad habits, like a flinch or something. Once you have honed your shooting skills, they will carry forward to the high power rifles as well.
It could easily be the best $200 -$300 you spend on hunting/shooting. Using a higher magnification scope (9x) at close range (50 yds) can help you see when you jerk the trigger, take a breath or make other small mistakes that will put you off target.

The worst thing a new shooter can do is jump in behind the scope on a 300 Win Mag (or other hard recoiling rifle) and just start firing, especially if there is no instruction available.

Hope this helps, any other questions feel free to pm me. Welcome to the site.
 
A plain jane 308 or 30-06 will do fine for a general purpose big game rifle. If you want a magnum then that's okay too, but you're looking at extra cost for ammo and more noise and recoil which often (but not necessarily) leads to less practice and therefore less accuracy and familiarity with your rifle. And the bigger your gun is, often the less versatile it is. If you get something like a Stevens 200 in 308, throw a Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x40 on it and spend money on ammo and time practicing you'd have a good all around setup on the cheap that will kill anything on the continent out to normal hunting ranges. Spend more if you like, or go bigger if you like, but spending more and going bigger will likely mean you actually use it less.
 
I really like my 300 Win Mag. At 6' tall and 170lbs I don't find that it recoils too much but it all falls on personal preference. 30-06 is also a great choice.

My father bought a Savage scope package in 7MM Rem Mag for $399 from SIR and I also found it to be a really nice rifle. I would even consider one in 30-06 given the chance.
 
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I wouldnt go magnum, no need. Most game in north america taken by 30-06 . Then again I do shoot a 300 win mag and love it, For a new hunter I would recommend 270, 308 or 30-06, most popular rounds out there, lotsa ammo, cheap. Either will be a great choice!!!!
 
shermdog said:
I wouldnt go magnum, no need.
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Are you kidding ?! For deer and moose ? USE DA' MAGNUM !!!

magnum.jpg
 
Read and heed Ski911's first post.

If you already have, and use a good .22, then something in .260 Rem, 6.5 Swede, 7mm-08, .308 Win, .358 Win, .270, .280, .30-'06, or .35 Whelen, plus about 30 other easy-shooting calibers, will fit the bill.
 
Jasontheterrible said:
Ya and I am going to have to DISAGREE with your statement on the .270 being too small,.. when my 2 hunting buddies use smaller .243 and 6mm and have shot everything from deer, elk, moose and even black bear. I myself went from a .300 win mag down to a .270, so please stop spreading false information about the .270 and lower calibers being too light.
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Jasontheterrible

I never said that the .270 wasn't up to the task, it's just the other calibers
offer a little more punch for the elk and moose. If you disagree read a velocity and energy chart. As for your comment about the .243 and 6mm, hey if its leagal then be my guest, but don't be upset if you have to track your moose thru a mile of heavy bush after a marginal hit with a .243. My question to you would be why would you use a butter knife to carve a steak. If it's the recoil that is the problem there are ways to lower it (pads, porting etc..) I will say this again the .270 will work, the 7mm and the .300 will work better.
See I told you "The dark side of the force is strong with this one.":D
CDN1
 
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