Which Caliber Rifle for what sort of Game?

[millsboy79]

Hi there, I am new and a sponge for all sorts of information. The newest thing I have been thinking about is how many rifles to most avid hunters own, and along those lines I would also like to know what people are using to hunt various sized animals, caliber wise.

Personally I would probably hunt something from coyote size to elk size. I know obviously that skill trumps size, but you probably wouldn't hunt either with a .22, so what are your thoughts

I was originally just thinking of getting a .243 but buy the look of this chart it seems as thought I would need a .270, would you agree?

[rottie]

Nothing wrong with the .270,a 30-06 or a .308 fit the bill nicely as well

[deepfried]

Do a search of the forum this topic has been done over and over....
But I think a. 270 would be great caliber to begin with. , you'll get addicted soon enough and have an assortment of rifles.

[RoscoeP]

The .243 would be fine up to deer sized game but would be a little light for elk. I am sure lots of elk have been killed with them but just saying. If you are ever going to hunt moose, maybe a 30-06 and use that for elk also.
The .270 would do the job fine but a little over kill for coyotes.
Everyone needs a .22 to shoot, cheap to shoot, no recoil and lots of fun.
You could cover all your bases with 2 or 3 rifles. Have fun. Cheers Roscoe

[mad mountain mike]

300wsm for everything larger than I am, 204 ruger for everything smaller and a 450 marlin for the camp gun.

[winger7mm]

You are barking up a tall tree with this one lmao. In all honesty a .270 is good for all game animals. BUTTTTT This is where opinions will come in lol. You can never have to many rifles. A good starter collection would be a classic .22lr, a 22-250 if you are into varmints and predators. and a 7mm mag Me I have a .22lr, 12 gauge, 22-250, 7.62X39, 7mmrem mag. Looking to purchase a 25-06, and a .303 in the nearish future. Then maybe next season ill add a 30-06 and a .284AI and to top it all of a .243

[winger7mm]

Originally Posted by mad mountain mike

300wsm for everything larger than I am, 204 ruger for everything smaller and a 450 marlin for the camp gun.

The .204, how do you like that? Have you tried a 22-250 or a .223??

[mad mountain mike]

Originally Posted by winger7mm

The .204, how do you like that? Have you tried a 22-250 or a .223??

I have shot the 22-250 and the .223 but not alot. I really like my .204, next to no recoil and a flat trajectory( took more than a few dogs this winter pushing the 300yrd mark). Small entry wounds and alot of the time no fur damaging exit wounds but drops them dead in their tracks.

[Sledder1]

[QUOTE=millsboy79;1510409]
Personally I would probably hunt something from coyote size to elk size. I know obviously that skill trumps size, but you probably wouldn't hunt either with a .22, so what are your thoughts
[QUOTE]

Well you're going to have to decide what you're hunting. In Alberta, you cannot hunt big game animals with a .22 calibre rifle and/or smaller.

[pseelk]

7mm Rem mag for everything that walks in North America.

[pikeslayer22]

Originally Posted by pseelk

7mm Rem mag for everything that walks in North America.

X-2

[biggmac]

3 rifles that will be sufficient are:

223 - varmits
25-06 - Deer
7mm - Elk, Moose

These will harvest any animal you're after IMO.

[Thunder/FX]

In the words of the late Col Townsen Whelen
"The 30-06 is never a mistake"

[daddynate]

.22 and a 4/10 shotgun for all your bird
308 is a nice deer caliber
30-06 is my baby for all the big game
Really its all on personal preference. pretty sure we use to sling shot stuff to death back in the day haha so what ever floats your boat.

[winger7mm]

Originally Posted by daddynate

.22 and a 4/10 shotgun for all your bird
308 is a nice deer caliber
30-06 is my baby for all the big game
Really its all on personal preference. pretty sure we use to sling shot stuff to death back in the day haha so what ever floats your boat.

hehe, for grouse maybe but anything to do with pheasants and waterfowl youll need something bigger, and huns to they dont let you get very close usually lol

[Donny Bear]

Your gut says 270 Jack O'Connor would say well chosen I say It is one of several great great cartriges so if your gut says 270 then go with your gut you will have no regrets, Just remember Good Glass on top

[peakseeker]

ya can't go wrong with the .270. That's where I started as well. But unfortunatly i got the reloading bug quite a few years ago, so for me it's pretty much a new one every year. Last year i used my 300rum for everything,, yeah not so friendly on the small stuff, this year it's gonna be my .257bee for everything. I guess what i'm saying is i prefer all purpose rifles not caliber specific. anything 6mm and up will do the job in alberta, just wait for the right shot and put it where it counts.

[jryley]

Get a cheap .22 and any one of the listed above calibres. Guys that recommend a magnum are absolute gomers as theres absolutely no reason to go bigger than the most common calibers. Ive been in the field as long as the next guy and have taken everything from moose to whitetail with a 30-06. Magnum syndrome seems to be the same syndrome the guy had that made the "makemy hemi louder" thread

[densa44]

If you start reloading you can shoot 22 caliber bullets out of the same gun! Lots of fun.

[winger7mm]

Originally Posted by jryley

Get a cheap .22 and any one of the listed above calibres. Guys that recommend a magnum are absolute gomers as theres absolutely no reason to go bigger than the most common calibers. Ive been in the field as long as the next guy and have taken everything from moose to whitetail with a 30-06. Magnum syndrome seems to be the same syndrome the guy had that made the "makemy hemi louder" thread

LOL, I only suggest the 7mag as it has been my only rifle since being able to hunt my own and was given to me by my grandfather. I dont have mag syndrome, just the only rifle iv ever owned until recently

[Ryry4]

Buy a 30-06 and never look back.

[bb356]

Originally Posted by jryley

Get a cheap .22 and any one of the listed above calibres. Guys that recommend a magnum are absolute gomers as theres absolutely no reason to go bigger than the most common calibers. Ive been in the field as long as the next guy and have taken everything from moose to whitetail with a 30-06. Magnum syndrome seems to be the same syndrome the guy had that made the "makemy hemi louder" thread

........... and the award for most ignorant post of the day goes to ......... Drum roll !!!

[Ryry4]

Originally Posted by jryley

Get a cheap .22 and any one of the listed above calibres. Guys that recommend a magnum are absolute gomers as theres absolutely no reason to go bigger than the most common calibers. Ive been in the field as long as the next guy and have taken everything from moose to whitetail with a 30-06. Magnum syndrome seems to be the same syndrome the guy had that made the "makemy hemi louder" thread

There is no such thing as over kill, but there is such a thing as under kill.

[Bassett]

Originally Posted by Thunder/FX

In the words of the late Col Townsen Whelen
"The 30-06 is never a mistake"

30.06 165gr bullet will never fail you.

[elkhunter11]

Get a cheap .22 and any one of the listed above calibres. Guys that recommend a magnum are absolute gomers as theres absolutely no reason to go bigger than the most common calibers. Ive been in the field as long as the next guy and have taken everything from moose to whitetail with a 30-06. Magnum syndrome seems to be the same syndrome the guy had that made the "makemy hemi louder" thread

You must realize that many magnum cartridges such as the 7mmremmag, are actually smaller caliber wise, than the 30-06.

[357mag]

Love how anytime someone mentions a magnum, some other guy (my mom taught me not to call people names) pipes up about how magnum shooters are compensating for something Really? Who cares what you use, as long as you get the job done. Me, I love both my .270 and 300WM. I know a pretty little girl that has shot far more elk than me with a 6mm. I love every caliber I have ever shot, and dead is dead when hunting game. Shoot what you like and let everyone shoot what they like without opening your fat yap (oops slipped a bit there)

[6mmhunter]

Originally Posted by 357mag

Love how anytime someone mentions a magnum, some other guy (my mom taught me not to call people names) pipes up about how magnum shooters are compensating for something Really? Who cares what you use, as long as you get the job done. Me, I love both my .270 and 300WM. I know a pretty little girl that has shot far more elk than me with a 6mm. I love every caliber I have ever shot, and dead is dead when hunting game. Shoot what you like and let everyone shoot what they like without opening your fat yap (oops slipped a bit there)

X1000000000000000 well said!!!

[Sealclubber]

.303 Brit all tha way.

[jackrabbit000]

I'd go with the .270 Win. or the .270 WSM.

[unclebuck]

.22 lr gophers & upland
.204 coyotes etc, including wolves
.25.06 deer & antelope
7mm Rem Mag everything bigger
.410 bush grouse
20 ga upland & ducks
12 ga ducks & geese