Big game calibers
 

I am looking for a rifle with great knockdown power for bear, caribou, elk, moose, deer, well just about all big game. Which caliber rifle will fit best for this, and what kind of accurate distance will iget from them?

RE: Big game calibers
 

The .338 Winchester Magnum will hammer any animal on the planet, with the exception of cape buffalos and elephants, and it has dispatched plenty of those.

RE: Big game calibers
 

My next rifle will be a .325 WSM. It will take out pretty much everything in the lower 48 states and then some. Close to the same ballistics as the .338 Win Mag with a little less recoil.

RE: Big game calibers
 

You might also consider the.375 H&H, it has taken every big game animal on the planet, and is a popular choice for a one rifle safari.

RE: Big game calibers
 

In IMHO they don't have the kick of a 338 either, I love 'um. Although I will admit the ammo is pricey.

RE: Big game calibers
 

If you don't want a big kicker, a .35 Whelen would fit the bill nicely. Or the 06'.

RE: Big game calibers
 

I shoot everything with the .300 Win Mag. Antelope to elk. I would take it to AK for Griz if I could afford it. I's shoot moose and bison too with no worries if I could draw a tag.

I'm a firm believer in "shoot 'em with a big gun, and you won't have to chase them". BUT! There is a limit to what your shoulder should have to take to achieve this. I believe the .300 WM satisfies all aspects of your search.

Also consider this, the long range balistics for a .338 180gr is identical to the .300 with 180gr. Check it out at Federals sight. They have easy to use and read ballistic info. And, there is more over the counter ammo avail for the .300 than the .338, or any of the other calibers mentioned. If you do roll your own, you know how many 30 caliner bullets there are out there on the market.

I believe the family of short mags is just another way for the gun companies to spice up sales. Other than a shorter action (1/4"?), what's the point?

I firmly believe (cause I've done it) that just about any caliber from .270 on up can and does drop all the big game you have listed. And out here in the west, the two most popular calibers are the 7mm Rem Mag and the .300 WM. Lots of knockdown power, readily variety of ammo, not to tough on the shoulder, all combine to make (for me) the ideal caliber.

RE: Big game calibers
 

ya,...it's that thread again!somebody is going to getso lets sit backand enjoy the
myself i like a 270, i don't care what elkmaster thinks!

RE: Big game calibers
 

If your talking about all those big game animals stick with .30 caliber or larger. Really it all comes down to shot placement . Learn the vital areas of whatever your after. As mentioned the .325 wsm and .338 are great cartridges.The .375H&H is overkill for mostbig game in North americaand you dont need all that power unless your after big bears like grizzlys. But it will do the trick for sure with minimal if any tracking if you want to shell out$65.00 or more for 20 shells, and have a large enough frame to handle the serious recoil. The 30-06 has relatively light recoil and has taken every big game animal in North America as well. Best of all you can find ammo for it anywhere. Everyone stocks it.Bullet weights range from 130 grains up to 220 grains with both pointed bullets and round nose bullets. It all boils down to personal choice and what you can shoot well.

RE: Big game calibers
 

I'll second the vote for the Whelen. It can produce higher velocities with lighter bullets like the 180 grainers, but can handle bullets of up to 300 grains if you can get them. It has the legendary knock down power of the .35 bore, but doesn't hurt your shoulder like the big magnums. It can even be had in a quick shooter if you're hunting the thick stuff in the east.

It can shoot accurately and effectively beyond my ability to shoot it, but others would probably be better able to comment on those aspects.

RE: Big game calibers
 

300 WBY MAG!!!!!!! In the Mark V

RE: Big game calibers
 

Overkill[8D]

RE: Big game calibers
 

What he said, except that you don't need anything more than the '06 for even the really big bears.

RE: Big game calibers
 

If you like big bores the Win. 358 with 250's out to 250 yds. is really nice. It doesn't give nothing to any of the others and won't tear your shoulder off![8D]

RE: Big game calibers
 

Well, as usual, the discussion drops off from the original request (great knockdown power) down to simply what folks think you can "just get by with". The two ain't the same.

Of the assortment of rifles I have to choose from to satisfy that order, I'd go for the 375 H&H.
IMHO, it is a really easy going "hammer".

Got bigger.
Got smaller.

BTW, 270Win makes for a very satisfactory speed goat rifle.

RE: Big game calibers
 

I have a feeling that with that broad a range of critters mentioned by the poster, he's looking for a "first" real rifle. In that case, get the 30-06 in a solid bolt action with some good glass, get some decent priced ammo, and go to the range to see how it all works for you.

RE: Big game calibers
 

I recommend 9,3x62 a great big game caliber, Tikka & Sako chamber it...

RE: Big game calibers
 

Wby .300 Mag

RE: Big game calibers
 

I second B.B.A. on the 9.3 x 62...

Handles bullets from 232 to 320 grains, is capable of 250-300 yard shots and kicks noticeably less than a .338...

I have one in a CZ 550 American and it groups under an inch at 100 yards with Barnes 250 grain X bullets... Nice cartridge...

I've used mine on coyotes, whitetails, caribou and moose and it performed well... Everything I hit with it was DRT..

RE: Big game calibers
 

I would use my 45/70,it has great knockdown power.If that is what you are after.Farther out the .300wm or .338wm will serve you well.Take bear out of the question and I would use my .270wsm.

RE: Big game calibers
 

I would have to agree, a 300 win. mag or a 7mm Rem mag would fit the bill very well.

Shane

RE: Big game calibers
 

Great idea, 375, he can end up shooting like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okzKO8x6XGY



Josiah

RE: Big game calibers
 

nothing better than a .280 with a good premium 160 grain bullet such as the A-frames. And you would be good out to at least 350 yards with them as long as you put it in the right place.

RE: Big game calibers
 

I want to thank everyone for their opinions. I have heard great things about the .325 wsm. I think I am going to stick with that. They say it has plenty of power to deal with anything that i plan on hunting and close to same ballistics as the .338.They say it's extremely accurate out to around 300 yards, but who knows. Do you think that it willbe a good choice?

RE: Big game calibers
 

Don't know what rifles you already have....
Don't know what you've handled or can handle....

By itself, the 325 WSM should be fine. It gets close to light 338WinMag performance and it's sexy and new so that will help with the bragging rights.

If you are new to the "high power" game, then I'd encourage you to blow a few bucks with an NRA instructor who is a larger rifle expert and make sure you get off on the right foot.

BTW, I'd recommend the same thing for 270 on up. I got bit by my 270 more times than any rifle I've ever owned.... it was a long time before I learned the stock was too short and didn't fit me right, fixed that and itbecame a piece of cake to shoot.

RE: Big game calibers
 

The .338 Win mag would be a superior choice, but, you do what you want.

RE: Big game calibers
 

Buy a bow

RE: Big game calibers
 

Its kinda funny we all talk about what caliber is best but think about it. All these north american critters have been taken with a bow and are hunted this way every year. Besides when in doubt think about Mr. Jack Oconner. Doesn't mean I am hunting with a .270 but you don't need anything more really. But then I am a chicken and want somthing bigger than my 7mm 08 for black bears here on the east coast lol. <at least thats what my wife thinks... My gun cabinet isn't quite full yet ;)


BP

RE: Big game calibers
 

That .325wsm should be a great choice. I have heard a lot of good things about it and saw something on tv about it. Youll soon find out if thats what you get. good luck.

RE: Big game calibers
 

I am going to vote for the .338 WM, because that is whaty I have and I love it. I am actually going to load the 180 Accubonds for deer and antelope.

RE: Big game calibers
 

I have a 30-06 for small critters and a .338 Ultra mag for large critters. I dont like the short mags. If your going to go magnum then get a magnum. Not an almost magnum.

RE: Big game calibers
 

The 300 wsm shoots faster and hits harder then a 300 win mag its just makes for a shorter action. Check out the ballistics. So that would be a magnum not an almost magnum. Im not 100% with the 325wsm but like i said i have heard good things. But yes the remington ultra mags are nice and more potent then winchester short mags and are definately a no questions asked magnum.

RE: Big game calibers
 

.325 WSM and the 7mm WSM are total failures.

RE: Big game calibers
 

How about some data to back that up or is it just your 16 years of experience on this earth that you are speaking from?

I personally own .243WSSM, 7mm WSM, 300 WSM, 325 WSM. Getting ready to buy a .25 WSSM and have shot them all a whole bunch of times.

My favorite of the bunch is the .325 WSM. It shoots flat, and has very good ballistics. Kinetic energy equal to a .338 with less recoil and a lighter gun with a shorter action.

The WSM and WSSM are both new technology rifles that were based on the original short action theories. They came up with the .308 based upon the .30-06. They wanted a more reliable round that would chamber better, shoot flatter, and work off of a shorter action stroke which in turn accounts for higher rounds per second on target. The new WSM and WSSM's are no different equal, or in many cases better, velocities and knock down power with less powder, less recoil, less rifle weight, shorter action length, and less overall rifle length.

In my opinion the person asking the question would be served just fine from either the .325 WSM or the .338 Win Mag.

RE: Big game calibers
 

You have no idea what you are talking about. The 7mm WSM and .325 WSM are flopping dismally in the market place, anybody with a grain of intelligence can see that. The WSM's are in no way superior to their long action counterparts, sans the .270 WSM, it seems that you are speaking from a Winchester catalog, and not from actual experience.

RE: Big game calibers
 

I think they need to go back to the drawing boards if they wanted the .308 to shoot flatter than the .30-06...

RE: Big game calibers
 

Guess I read different ballistics data then you guys do.

Although I think the 7mm WSM is not selling like they hoped I don't see the other WSM's selling that bad at all. The .270 ISN'T the only short mag that performs better then it's parent cartridge.

Post up your ballastic information with documentation and I can post mine.

RE: Big game calibers
 

With factory ammo, the WSM's are loaded to a higher pressure then the long action magnums, while the long action magnums are down-loaded just a tad. However, with handloads, the long action magnums can have a 100-200 FPS advantage with heavier bullets, this goes against your claim that the WSM's are superior to their long action brethren. Even with factory ammo, the WSM's show no distinct advantage. Here is proof http://www.federalpremium.com/ballistics/Ammo_Search.aspx?act=choose&firearm=1&s1=1

RE: Big game calibers
 

Beartooth you prove nothing when you compare factory loads to handloads. Either compares factory to factory or hand to hand. That is like saying an aftermarket tricked out Ruger shoots better then a factory Remington Police rifle so therefore it is the better choice off the shelf.



If it is based upon your opinion then say in your opinion. However don't try to pass it off as a fact and then post a ballistics chart from Remington that only lists two of the Short Mag calibers in it anyway.

RE: Big game calibers
 

He's not comparing handloads to factory, he's comaparing pressure in the cartridges, since the ammo companies load the long-action magnums down, and load the WSM's up, they probably do that to sell more WSM's, to make them normal cartridges, and not have a trace of wildcat in them.
They're doing it intentionally.