What caliber should I buy???

yankee

yankee

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Vernon, Ontario
I am just getting into hunting and am trying to figure out what caliber to start with. I need something big enough to take moose but small enough to not dismantle a deer. If the shoulder didn't hurt for a week after I go to the range, that would be a plus, too. I have kind of narrowed it down to 30-06, .270, .308, and .300WSM. Any thoughts??? Is there a caliber that I may not be considering that can take care of my needs?

Thanks in advance
 
All are good choices. I like the 300WM myself but thats me and what I hunt with here in Alberta. I will suggest the 270WSM though- I have 2 of them in the Tikka T3 LS models. Great caliber with 140gr Accubonds...all you need for your game. Best bet out of your list...cant go wrong with the 30-06 or the 270 win. Easy factory ammo to find in the smaller towns.
 
here we go again! :rolleyes: :D

Of the cartridges you mention for a first hunting gun you can't really go wrong with any of the first three standard cartridges (.270. .308 or the 30-06). I would lean toward the short action .308 in a fairly light and handy carry all day rifle. You will never regret the purchase as at some point nearly every hunter seeks to aquire one but as I said you really can't go wrong with any of these they will all get it done.
 
Of the 4 that you mentioned, in order of my preference; (#1) 30-06 (#2) 30-06 (#3) 30-06 (#4) 30-06. Oh and the 308 is a nice cartridge too.
 
A question that comes to mind is...are there any squirrels where you hunt?...Get a .30-06 and stuff it with the biggest bullet you can get...then be afraid, be very afraid...;) :D

Salty

Originally Posted by Doug
So tell me, dear chap, what about this B&C squirrel? Was he attacking you at the time? Did you use a double rifle? Details, man, we need to hear the details!

Doug
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Well, if I must...

This was last year and actually I was prospecting up the Wannaganish valley near Mudslide. I had recently recieved my permit to pack and felt quite at ease even with all the fresh bear sign, with my 45 colt in the cross draw holster.

I came out of a steep draw and crested a rocky ridge and there he was. Squirrelzilla. Man this puppy was light years bigger than any western red I've ever seen. Now I'll admit I didn't have my squirrel tag, and I did take this up with the game warden. But this was self defence, pure and simple.

He launched out of a tree, lit on the ground and squeeled at me in a stance like a centre line backer. I could see right through his eyes, they were red like Lucifer himself. He was ready to attack.

I drew my six shooter and centred the sights on the brute and squeezed off a round. The 300gr slug struck him centre of mass. He was about 20 yards away, and reared at the impact, squeeled like the demon he was and was down for good. Skull scored 3 and a quarter. :shock:
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__________________

Foxer

An enraged bull squirrel can be up your leg and have your nuts off in seconds. They're nothing to play with. Way to stay cool Salty - i don't think any of us can say what we'd do facing the pure heart-stopping terror of a monster like that. Its things like that which really test a man's metal
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All good choices. The 7mm Rem Mag, .280 Rem (my fave!) are also good choices, and if you were recoil-shy, which it doesn't sound like, I'd consider the .260 Rem or 6.5 X 55, though they are a bit light. Of your list, I like the .308 best.
 
Gun choice

You should consider the 7mm/08 a fine cartridge, light recoil and good accuracy.
Or just get a 7mmwsm it will do it all and very well.
 
1. .30-06 in a good bolt gun. Superior to the .270 for larger game like moose. It's THE most popular hunting round in the world which means ammo in any store anywhere and at affordable prices.

2. Short action bolt in .308 if you want a condensed, lighter version of the
.30-06.

3. .270 if recoil is an issue. You don't want to develop a flinch that will keep you from being a crack shot. Accuracy trumps power every time in hunting.

4. .300WSM if you are not sensitive to recoil and want the most powerful, flat shooting of the bunch you mentionned.
 
Going with a 30-06 or 270 or 308 all nice round if you are looking for cheap ammo personal I go with the 30-06 cheap ammo and a wide bullet selection.
 
Which Calibre??

A .270 will do just fine if your shot placement is good. I started with a 7mm Mag. for deer and moose and had good luck with it. I am now going to just a .270 for deer and 7mm STW moose. .30-06 Is also a great calibre.
 
yankee said:
I am just getting into hunting and am trying to figure out what caliber to start with. I need something big enough to take moose but small enough to not dismantle a deer. If the shoulder didn't hurt for a week after I go to the range, that would be a plus, too. I have kind of narrowed it down to 30-06, .270, .308, and .300WSM. Any thoughts??? Is there a caliber that I may not be considering that can take care of my needs?
Click to expand...

Of your choices, I'd be inclined to go in this order:

1) .30-06 Springfield
2) .308 Winchester
3) .270 Winchester
4) .300 WSM
 
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