What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

As most of you know, I've been around these boards for quite a while, and because of it, you know I've seen more than my share of "is a .??? good enough for ???" or "what caliber for ???" posts, and bitten on them more than I should have I'm sure....

Anyway, I want to know what everyone is actually shooting for big game, since whenever a guy posts about a small cartridge for deer, all they get is "buy a .30-06 or a 7mm mag" and whenever anyone posts about what I consider to be a true big game rifle for bears or moose, all they get is "buy a .300 mag or .338 mag".

Does no one really shoot .45-70's anymore, not to mention the .375 H&H, .416 RIgby or Rem. mag, or the .458 win mag, and countless other big bores borne only to bring down big game????? Or is it just that all of us hunt a lot of species but can't afford to have a rifle for only one purpose? I once asked about using a .416 rigby for bruins, basically because I love the round and would like to hunt it on something, bruins being the closest bear hunt available to me, I got shunned like I was asking if a .223 was big enough for mulies, but the other way around....what's up with that?

Screw the 10 ring, keep them in the zero!!!

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

I use a pair of 7mmstw's for deer,sheep and pronghorn and I use a pair of 300ultramags for moose and elk.For big bears I use a 338x8mm rem mag.

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

I shoot a 12ga smoothbore with slugs.
I have heard a 458 would give you a bloody nose if you weren't ready for it. I would like to get a 338.

"Hey ya'll, watch this"

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

I have only hunted whitetails so can't compare to out west. For rifles, I own:
2-.22 lrs
.243
2-6mm's
3-30-06's
45-70 Which I have never shot
3-50 cal muzzies
58 cal flintlock which I have never shot

9- 12ga
3- 20ga
1- 16 ga

For deer I have always liked the light rifles. 243
mostly here in Va we are require to use shotgun in the heavily populated north and east. for this I choose my 20ga A-5

I shot a 460 wby mag when I was in college years ago and know about bloody noses. Good thing I had my Wonderbra on!!!

I don't have anything against any of the ones mentioned and will not get into an argument over them. I know what I like and sure you know what you like. I hate when "mines better than yours" conversations take place. Seems like with the heavies the ammo cost skyrockets.

I don't have enough time to shoot all that I have Or enough places to go to do so. I have a friend who's a member of this board that has a 300wsm for sale. I would like to buy it. For What? I don't know just to have I guess.

Good Luck. Capt Brad.

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

I own a "few" gun and I reload for all of them. My friend has this thing about big calibers and Zeiss scopes..he single and hunts Alaska,Canada,always someplace different every year. He has taken brown bears,mountian goat,moose,dall sheep,you name it he has hunted it! He has Robert W. Hart & Son make him a different gun every time he hunts something different! ...I think thats why he has so much cash,never married! He has a .338,.375,a .416 and so many other calibers I can't remember them all! Were talking thousands of dollars on custom made guns and Zeiss scopes on all of them! I asked him why so many when 1 gun will do it all. His answer.."just because
!&quot; And being the good friend that I am,I reload for ALL of his calibers. Some people are CRAZY and I think he is the Captian of the team...<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Hunt Safe!

Jack

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

I own a 30-06 and a 7mm Rem mag. Th 06 is almost never used though anymore, mostly loan it out to someone in my hunting party. I used it a lot when I was first elk hunting but was impressed with a friends 7mm mag because he always seemed to outshoot me with it. I went out and bought one and he doesn't out shoot me anymore. I like both rifles but I have become very accurate with the 7mm mag and I hunt muleys and elk mostly. The 7mm mag is my favorite cartridge of the two. Flatter shooting and more range. I also handload all of my shells.

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

I have used only 3 different rifles while hnting Mule Deer.
.22-250
.222
.243
Yes I have harvested many Mulies with these rifles and, no, I have never lost one, nor have I had to track one very far. My feeling is regaurdless of what you are shooting, shot placement is the most important aspect. You must feel comfortable with whatever you shoot.

Blackhawk

-----Every day is a great day in Eastern Montana-----

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

God Bless you NoMercy! I thought maybe I was all alone regarding big bores! Seems to be fine to hunt geese with 12gauge 3.5 inch magnums or 10 gauge automatics but inconceivable to most folks to move up rifle caliber along with the body weight of the animal being hunted! I currently shoot a 375HH although I like 338Mags a lot. I've been looking at the 416 Rigby vs 416 Rem Mag and go after something bigger than elk or something dangerous. Any thoughts on the Rigby vs Remington trade off? Also, even though I'm partial to Winchester Model 70's the Czech made CZ-550's are tempting me at $599 new, are you familiar with them - any thoughts?

It is a mystery to me, it only takes two, maybe three (depending on your taste) rifles to cover the North American continent. People will make those lexus payments, buy all sorts of other stuff, and then spend thousands and thousands on a hunting trip and just take grand daddy's old deer gun instead of spending a few bucks to gear up. In answer to your question as to &quot;shunning&quot; I think the answer falls to one of the following: &quot;hunting on the cheap&quot; (as above), &quot;fear of caliber&quot; (real or imagined) or &quot;herd mentality&quot; (wouldn't be good to be different).

Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!

EKM

Edited by - ELKampMaster on 12/27/2002 12:24:38

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

Here's the current players one my team:
.22
.270
.30-30
.308
.32 spl
.35 rem
7mm mag
.300 win mag
.50 front stuffer (As Beaverjack would call it!!)

I've hunted deer with all of 'em ('cept the .22) and prefer the .270. For elk I only use the .300 win mag. One doesn't always need the magnum power, but if that big bull is only going to give me a quartering shot, I don't want my bullet skipping off a shoulder blade. Just my personal preference. I may add a .338 to the roster and that would be on the chance that I get to Alaska to hunt one day.

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

223 for coyotes and varmints
270 for deer (130 grain) and elk (150 noslers)


http://members.aol.com/kleuenberg/hunting.html

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

I shoot a .270 most of the time on moose and caribou, but I also have a .307, and an old 303 infield that I like to take a shot out of every now and then.

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RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

I got:
2-22's
1-30:30
1-32spc
1-30:06
1-300 win mag
1-375HH (just bought)
1-50cal muzzle loader
I hunt deer, moose, caribou and elk. Bear this coming spring.
So far the favorite is the 300. Will use the 375HH next season for moose and bear.
I have used 270, 7mm mag, 243,6mm,7x57, 30:06 and 300 win mag on deer and I gotta say i've had to track a lot less with the 300 win mag than any other caliber.
My wife says size does matter.At the least it makes a difference.

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

For most of the big game I have shot, I have used a Win. model 70 in .264 Win. mag. This includes Moose, Elk, Mule deer, Whitetail, Black bear, Pronghorn and Bighorn sheep.(and coyotes)

I have also shot some big game with a:
Savage 99 lever .300 savage
Rem. 788 bolt in .243
Interarms bolt 7X57
Rem 7600 pump in .35 whelen
Rem 1100 semi 12 ga (hastings slug barrel)
Enfield replica .58 cal muzzleloader
CVA Express .54 cal double muzzleloader
T/C Encore 209X50 muzzleloader
Savage O/U .222/20ga (coyotes with the .222)

And a Ben Pearson 210 compound bow.

Robin

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

I own 4 long guns,each for a separate use.I know them very well and in return they treat me very well.

Marlin 22lr semi-auto (squirrels,rabbits)

Remington 870 pump shotgun (geese)

Winchester model-70 30.06 :)(mostly Elk :) some deer)

CVA Hawken .54cal percussion(Elk only)

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

I like to buy guns that are economical to shot when at all possible - that way i can shot then a lot more& for hunting&nonhunting both. so have mostly standard cal,s like 223. .270 30/06 etc.
(id use whatever to hunt with that worked well big bores, mags etc tho)

Aslo loading big those straight wall cases i like (ezier for me lol) but that mostly smaller revolvers 357 mag & 44 mag etc but going to start reloading 45/70,s sometime too.
&gt;&lt;'&gt;

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

I hunt deer with a 243 Win or a 25-06 Rem
Elk I use a 300 Win ,300 Wthby or a compound bow depending on the mood. I Have owned a 416 Rigby but never found anything big enough to need it where I hunted .I took it in on a gun trade and it took forever to find a buyer for it .Four boxes of shells cost more than I paid for the gun .

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

270 Weatherby Mag (sometimes) elk on down

280 Rem. (most of the time) elk on down

Have not shot an elk with either although my brother has, but they're murder on muleys and WT's

&quot;Semper Fi&quot;

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

I'm with ElkCampMaster on this one.

I have shot more game with the .375 H&H than I have with all other calibers combined. I am literally in love with the 300-grain bullet, which, in my mind, is capable of handling any job that can be reasonably expected of a big-game rig.

Rather than changing bullet weights, I tend to choose different designs within the 300-gr lineup (spitzers, boattails, roundnoses, solids, etc). My favorite all-around bullet is the Winchester Fail Safe, which I push at a somewhat conservative 2,550 fps in my handloads.

My 2 favorite rifles so chambered are a Sako 75 and the Ruger 77MkII Magnum.

Of all the other calibers I use constantly, there are a few exotic British rounds for which I have some neat rifles, and there is the 30-06, which is a joy to shoot and has NEVER let me down.

Now, to answer Elk's question on the .416, I think that, ballistically, there is little to choose between the Rem and the Rigby. However, at least on paper, the Rigby has some slight advantages in the sense that it operates at 10,000psi less than its cousin and that it feeds more smoothly thanks to its non-belted design.

Also, if you are a handloader, the Rigby offers quite a bit more powder capacity, which becomes a plus if you want to try out lighter-weight, faster bullets. For instance, I have used Hawk's 350 spitzers, and they are real screamers ~ making the Rigby a potential long-range number.

As far as the Winchester Vs. CZ, they are both good rifles. The CZ is a bit gritty out of the box, although once you shoot it in, it normally performs really well.

Greetings from Blue Ridge Country

Edited by - .333 Nitro Express on 12/30/2002 09:29:11

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

I carry the rifle that works for the biggest game I might be after at the time. When elk is on the plan, its a 338 win... and I usually hunt deer along with the elk, so that 338 works there too... now if I am in KS for whitetail, its the 30-06, same for antelope.

For coyote, .243.... hell on the pelt, but it reaches out.

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RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

My wife asks me why would I possibly need more than 1 gun. I can only hunt with one at a time, Right?

My Reply; Why do you need more than one pair of shoes...You can only wear one pair at at time, Right?

Some women just don't understand!!!

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

Elkampmaster, In fact, I'm planning on purchasing a CZ in .416 RIgby soon, I've been looking for a new one recently, but hate that all american makers want more than a grand for their big bores, and I'm leary about buying a savage in big bore ($502 for a .375H&H), I've found a couple CZ's at the closest cabela's who naturally marked them up to $691. The only thing that I feel that the CZ lacks that the Winchester has is the weight, the CZ feels like a fat deer rifle, not a big bore...but it's never bothered me before so why not right? I love the express rangefinding sights on the CZ's too, even if they don't work as well as I'd like, it's a good idea in my book.

I'm probably never going to own a .416 Remington magnum, mostly because I'm in love with traditional rounds...I've heard guys boasting either way that one is more powerful or more accurate, but it's always the gun they own, so I take it with a gallon of salt. I've always had someone build rounds for me, and have just recently gotten into reloading myself, so it won't be that big of deal to me as far as ammo availability goes. As far as I'm concerned, it's kinda like comparing the .300 win and the .30-06 (both of which I've owned BTW), one's more powerful in some loads, the other in others, and one's more accurate in some while one's in others, and no deer is going to tell the difference, while no moose nor bear will know the difference in the .416's, it's a big @$$ bullet Moving right along (for a fat guy), and hitting like a truck...I'll just stick with what I like.

Screw the 10 ring, keep them in the zero!!!

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

No Mercy, this post will probably only be of interest to a handful but may interest you. I talked to the safari guide down at our local range/big bore shop/shooting center (takes clients to Tanzania every year). He indicated he would be willing to sell me whatever I want (he had the full selection); however he recommended against either the 416 Rigby or 416 Rem Mag, indicating they were worthy calibers but there were better alternatives. In his view point the 416 is a &quot;filler&quot; caliber between 375 and 458 and not a particularly good one.

He pointed out that 416 bullet selection is rather limited and that 400 gr is pretty much the standard. He also pointed out a 458mag (with a &quot;30-06&quot; like range of bullet options) shooting 400 grain bullets will do everything a 416 shooting 400 gr bullets will do (velocity, energy, AND trajectory) with way LESS RECOIL because there is no shoulder on the case and its on the low end of the bullet weights for that caliber. He said, check the ballistic chart and you'll see it's true, I was on my heels at this point - kinda like taking a sip from a fire hose. He finished up with this. &quot;Let me take you to Tanzania and lets go hunt some hippo or lets go hunt some cape buffalo or elephant = I'll take the 458 and you take either 416 and we'll see which is better. His point was that the 416 with 400s versus the 458 loaded up with 500s aren't even in the same league.

Then he switched over to the North American continent, &quot;Now for big bears a 458 can be a problem (too much penetation on a &quot;soft&quot; hide critter and not too thick a meat mass) go with no bigger than the 400 grain soft point bullet, they're great fun on bears, just flaten's them and it is easy to shoot. Then he switched back to Africa again, &quot;Now the 458 gives 5000 ft pounds of energy, if you need more just get a 458 Lott it will give you 6000 ft pounds of energy. I must have look puzzled so he explained, its esentially a 375HH necked out to 458 (long action required) - and it will shoot BOTH 458 Win Mag (5000 lbs) AND 458 Lott (6000 lbs) cartidges, kind of like a 3 inch 12 gauge shooting both 2 3/4 inch and 3 inch shells.

With my &quot;416 dream&quot; possibly in tatters and wanting to make a &quot;smart&quot; decission, I bought a new reloading book (with 416 and 458 data) and grabbed Federals and Winchesters Ammo literature and went home. As far as I can tell ballistically every thing he has said is true. I know for a fact he's been going to Africa 10 plus years and the fact he has it all in inventory and is willing to sell me what ever I want adds legitimacy to what he says. Am I missing anything here? Any pro-416 considerations?

As a side note, he cautioned me against the CZ because of the stock design. &quot;You are a pretty long guy.&quot; &quot;With these biggest bores fitting the gun to you is essential.&quot; &quot;The way the CZ stock 'turns down' at the butt means that when we insert plates to lengthen the stock for you, this curve downward will become even more exaggerated thus ruining the fit and the &quot;lineage&quot; and it will kick you way harder than necessary because of it.

Wish I was giving out first hand experience, but big bore players are fewer in number and advice more scarce. Any comments are welcome. Never thought I might own a 458 of any sort but so far it sounds very versatile and I guess it would certainly anchor the upper end of my rack and the cost is about the same.

EKM

Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!

Edited by - ELKampMaster on 01/01/2003 15:36:57

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

.458 Win Vs. 416s

Elk,

PLEASE take what your acquaintance told you with a sober and judicious grain of salt.

First of all, the .416 is not merely a &quot;filler&quot; between adjacent bore-sizes. Unless I'm missing something, the .416 Rigby was introduced a good half-century before the .458 Win as the PRIMARY bolt-action dangerous-game cartridge. The .416 was (and still is) used extremely successfully, and I predict the various .416s will outlast the .458 Win in popularity now that cheaper rifles so chambered are readily available. Also, the increasing acceptance of the.458 Lott is evidence of the fact that the Win is falling in disfavor.

In recent years, the .458 Win has been gradually but steadily falling out of favor with both rifle and ammo manufacturers, while more and more firms are churning out products in the various .416s. That's because more and more hunters are abandoning the former for the latter.

Also, many experienced professionals greatly prefer the .416 and lament the fact that the .458 Win is barely able to break 2,000fps with the 500-gr load (meaning that it doesn't even approach the 5,100 f/lbs of the .416). Conceived in the era of the short-magnum craze, the .458 Win simply lacks the powder capacity to comfortably surpass that barrier.

With its 2.5&quot; case, the .458's &quot;versatility&quot; is mainly in the fact that you can load it down to 45-70 levels. Sure, this makes it fun to shoot and a joy to handload.

But the versatility of the .416 stems from the fact that it remains comfortably above 5,000f/lbs in ANY form, and that you can comfortably and easily approach the 3,000fps barrier with some bullets that still retain good sectional density and ballistic coefficient (like the 350gr). This makes the .416 a long-range rig, in a pinch. Not so the .458 Win.

But let me counter numbers with numbers.

1) In factory form, the 500-gr .458 Win clocks at 1,950fps, with an energy level of 4,000f/lbs. The 410-gr .416 Rigby, instead, comes out at a full 2,350 fps for an energy of well over 5,000f/lbs. Sectional density (SD) of the two bullets, incidentally, differs by only 0.003. Advantage: .416.

2) In handloaded form, you can beat these figures. But you can beat them more easily in the case of the .416, with its lower pressures and ample case capacity. In factory form, the short, stubby .458 case is almost completely crammed with powder ~ if you want to put more in, you have to carefully compress your loads and you still won't be able to beat 2,050 fps consistently. Try and believe.

3) There are a lot of excellent, easily-available bullets in .416. There may be a few more for the .458 diameter, but not enough to qualify the .458 Win as a &quot;better choice&quot; as a consequence.

4) With all due respect, comparing a 400-gr .458 bullet and a 400-gr .416 is comparing apples to oranges. The 400-grainer *IS* pretty much the standard load for the .416, while, as you know, it is 100 grains lighter than the standard 500-gr .458. Let's compare, instead, a 400-gr .458 to a 350-gr .416 ~ the latter will have still more sectional density, ballistic coefficient and a lot more veloclty ~ approaching the 3K mark. Incidentally, I don't believe that, even if the two 400-grainers were pushed at the same velocity, the Win will kick MUCH less (as your acquaintance claims). The nominal variation in recoil would be more academic than &quot;felt&quot;.

Now, are more velocity, energy and SD always a good thing? No, not always. And the more &quot;economical&quot; .458 may have its advantages in other regards. But to place it so categorically above the .416 is more a sign of personal bias than fact.

Please don't let one man's opinion spoil your &quot;416 dream&quot;. You may also hear people who poo-pooh the .375, even among professionals (I know some who do!) ~ hey, some hunters in this country hate even the 30-06!. Does that make the .375 (or the 30-06) bad cartridges? Hardly.

The .458 is a nice cartridge that is a lot of fun to shoot (especially if you handload ~ up or down), but I don't believe it can be ranked above a .416, which I think has all the advantages and none of the disadvantages.

Remember that for every opinionated guy badmouthing the .416 there are ten Harry Selbys who founded their whole legendary careers on this cartridge to the exclusion of all others!

Now that I gave you my rant, my advice to you is to hear as many opinions as possible and than make up your own mind based on your individual needs. Big bores are a lot of fun, but they are very personal BECAUSE they are more of a want than a need in this country. Don't do yourself the disfavor of letting someone else (me included <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>) choose for you out of their own biases. If in doubt, get two cheap Ruger #1s (as I did) and compare them for yourself.

Since from your posts I can see that you are a serious student of the big bore, if you haven't already, pick up a copy of John Taylor's African Rifles and Cartridges and of Craig Boddington's Safari Rifles and read them cover to cover. They are tons of fun to read, but they are also extremely instructive and fact-based books, especially on big bores. Boddington's last chapter, BTW, features a very extensive poll of the most relevant African PHs about their cartridge preference AND their reasoning behind it. Read it and see what they say.

Incidentally, I once had the rare fortune of discussing big-bore cartridges with Mr. Boddington, and he greatly prefers the .416 to the .458 (of which he is not a big fan). He may not be a PH, but as far as clients go, I think he is possibly one of the most experienced African hunters of today.

With all due respect to your acquaintance, his personal experience with cartridges and his subsequent opinion, I think his conclusion about the .416 is very debatable.

Tom

Greetings from Blue Ridge Country

Edited by - .333 Nitro Express on 01/01/2003 22:34:39

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

Nitro,
I read your post both before and after it was edited and appreciate the degree of thought and articulation you put into both. The research continues. Will absorb all the info and then decide. Thanks

EKM

Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

I got a couple cannons for sale

can prolly get ya a tank too

Edited by - capt brad on 01/02/2003 00:44:07

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

Captain, n/a, too bad -- some folks worlds are bigger than others.

Edited by - Rackem on 01/02/2003 08:18:40

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

Rackem
That was meant as a joke. Never meant to offend anyone.
We all come here to gain knowledge and BS and we like it to be fun too. These guys know how I feel about their big bores, as well as I know how they feel about my .243
They also know that I like to tickle a rib and if I can get one in I will.

Please accept my apoligy. And Lets all have fun....

Good Luck. Capt Brad.

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

Okay, sorry fer de flame! By the way I hear they're coming out with a new small bore fer small game huntin'; them market'n boys keep workin' thet bore size down! Was .22, then down ta .17 and now introducing the .09 cal -- perfect for stalking them horse flies, kills the fly ands dont hurt the hoss! <img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle> .243 is now a big bore!<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

In northern MN where hunting deer with rifles is allowed I use .30-06 with 180 grain soft-point. Rarely need to shoot greater than 100 yds there with heavy cover. In the southern 2/3 of state we can only use shotgun with rifled slug/sabot, bow or blackpowder rifle. They're afraid high-powered slugs in more populated open farm country will cause problems. There I go with 12g and sabot slugs, which seem very effective.

This was my first year to hunt Elk in NW Wyoming. Found my .30-06 was barely adequate for the range most Elk we saw were. But filled my tag anyway. Thinking of buying a .300 Win Mag if I'm able to go there again next fall.

You asked, &quot;Does no one really shoot .45-70's anymore?&quot; The fellow we hunted with in WY carried 2 of them in his truck. One a Marlin I think for Elk (along with a .338). The other a .45-70 revolver made by Magnum Research. It weigh 6 lbs, as I recall and he claims it doesn't kick as much as you'd think, due to the weight. He wore this in the back country in case he had an encounter with a grizzly, which they have around that area. Thank God we didn't run into any while we were there! :-)

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

Well for me I use a 270 weatherby mag for deer and I also use my 7mm mag for deer also. I do have a 338 win mag that is for deer too. It all comes down to what I just feel like carrying with me that day in the field. To me it comes down to a old friend my rifles that is and who I want to take with me. I have the confidence in all my rifles and could take any game with any of them. So I really don't specify what they are used for just who I feel like carrying with me.

brian

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

MinnFinn,
Your experience is fairly common (I think I need more gun for next year.) Before you buy though, I'd encourage you to pickup Federal's Ammo catalog and study the difference between a &quot;High Energy&quot; 3006 using 180gr and a 300 WinMag using 180gr. Its not much difference. If you are going to buy, please consider putting some seperation between your calibers. If you have a 3006 and something on the order of a 338Mag you've got North America covered in spades! Note: even your guide had a 338, must have been a reason.

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

I've killed game animals (deer, elk, hog, pronghorn) with the following:

.257 Roberts
.260 Rem
6.5mm/.284 wildcat
.270 Win
.270 Wby Mag
7mm-08 Rem
.284 Win
7mm Wby Mag
.308 Win
.30-06 Spgfd
.300 H&H Mag
.300 Wby Mag
.338 Win Mag

Of these, my personal favorite is the .270 Wby Mag. It is very flat-shooting and kills as well or better than any of the other cartridges, even on long, tough quartering shots on elk. I am recoil-sensitive and can handle this round in a 8.5 lb. rifle, so I don't see a need for the bigger magnums on the game I hunt. It seems to kill with equal authority at short or long range (Shortest shot: 40 yards. Longest shot: 377 yards).

All this aside, I am having a custom rig built in either .338-06 or .350 Rem Mag on a Mauser action for close-quarters elk hunting that will be done in grizzly country.

I also like 6.5mm cartridges, and will have another built on a pre-'64 Model 70 action chambered in .260 Rem or 6.5x55mm Swedish. With these three, I should be well-equipped for anything.

Good Dogwork and Good Hunting

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

T/C Contender 375JDJ for Elk and Bear. T/C Encore 308 or 30'06 for Deer. T/C Contender 223 or 6.5JDJ for chucks n such. Custom Win M70 Match rifle for CMP Hi-Power accross the course rifle, and a full blown Bushmaster AR15 flattop Match for the same. I like choices. I shoot a Sig/Hammerli 22lr for NRA small-bore, Kimber Custom combat .45 for IPSC steel and trespassers. Walther P99 or Beretta M92 for carry concealed. I also just picked up a Ruger SBH Hunter that will get used for white-tail this year. I forgot to mention my Browning Gold 10 for geese, and my Win M1200 laminate 22&quot; for Turkey, and my 1100 Spec Field 20 for upland. Did I miss anything---only maybe my wife on occassion!!! I fish in the off-time (rainy days)

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

I shoot a 30-378 wthby mag for elk and bigger, and my old reliable at times 338 win mag, and for deer size 257 wthby mag.
the wife shoots 308 for all.

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

First gun I ever owned was a 338 (for moose). From there I bought a 340 Wby, then a 300 WBY and finally broke down and bought a 375 H&H.

I've used them exclusively for moose, where we hunt deer only 12 Gauges are permitted. I've never used anything smaller so I can't comment on that. I might be weird but my favorite is the 375.

340,

RE: What do you shoot: poll kinda?
 

All depends on where I'm hunting.....bearing in mind I'm thinking whitetails.

- 30-06
- 30-30
- 12ga & slugs

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