what caliber do i want?

kyle_hoyt · 08-16-2003, 05:48 AM

hey guys im thinking about getting a new rifle(most likley either a tikka or a winchester model 70) I hunt whitetails, and black bear. there is a chance that in a couple years i could be making a trip to hunt elk or moose but i think i will get another gun for that. what would you guys recommend? also i was planning on putting a leupold vx 2 on it. my longest shot would be probably about 250 yards with the average about 100. thanks for any tips or advice you can give me.
-kyle

seattlesetters · 08-16-2003, 07:14 AM

That has .260 Rem or 7mm-08 written all over it. Perfect rounds for your needs!

Vapodog · 08-16-2003, 07:55 AM

Seattleseakers.........right on!!

May I add that if you chose a .30-06, a .280 Rem, or a 7MM mag today you won' t have to buy another rifle later for the bigger stuff.

Personally I think you' re on the right track.....one for deer size and one for the big stuff.

.260 Rem or 7-08.....both very excellent

kyle_hoyt · 08-16-2003, 10:22 AM

thanks guys. what do you think about a .308? Im looking for acuraccy. thats key for me. i was thinking about either a .308 or a .30.06. thanks again
-kyle

stubblejumper · 08-16-2003, 11:01 AM

I would also go with the 7mm-08.They tend to be very accurate and recoil is mild.You just don' t need a .308" bullet for deer or black bear.

TREEDOG · 08-16-2003, 11:57 AM

7mm-08

Ormac · 08-16-2003, 12:24 PM

Personally I would choose a .308 or a 30-06 if I was going to be hunting 400+ pound black bears. Not saying a .260 or a 7mm-08 won' t do the job. Just my preference. Good luck with whatever you choose.

BigEd · 08-16-2003, 12:46 PM

.35 Whelen maybe? If you reload it might fit all your needs Elk included. Just a thought.

bigbulls · 08-16-2003, 01:46 PM

The .308 and the 30-06 would be excelent choices. They are also plenty of gun to handle the elk and moose later on if you don' t have the new elk rifle at that time.

ELKampMaster · 08-16-2003, 02:36 PM

Kyle Hoyt,

Just one little " cross check" question. You said " new" rifle, so is there an " old" rifle? If so, then the rifle you already may have would likely influence my recommendation for the new one as I believe in " spacing out" your calibers. Amazing how there appears to be a tendency for folks to collect a group of different rifles that are (for all practical purposes) essentially suited (limited) to the same thing.

If there is no " other" rifle, then a 30-06 is a good bet. A man with a 22LR, a 12 gauge, and a 30-06 is well prepared for most of what the hunting world in the lower 48 can send his way. If you are sure you want to later acquire a larger follow up rifle for elk and moose (not a bad idea) then the choice of a .308 for now is a fine one as well. They are a pure joy for accuracy/target shooting as they are just inherently accurate and easy going.

THEN when the time comes, for elk and moose, you can get a 338WinMag --- a real *****cat of a medium bore.

Never Go Undergunned,
EKM