Good long-range deer calibers.
#103
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 9

I've hunted with 3006, 270, 308 winchester, .243'sand 300 mag and a 338 for deer (too big).The most versital is the 06. I have shot and killed deer withem all the 06 is the smoothest shooting gun with the most thump except for the magnums. With magnums you burn alot of money/powder for very little gain and alot of recoil. I have shot the short mags and don't care for them much lets see in 10 years if they are still around ask your dad or grandpa if they rember the 6.5 MM rem mag once i think these will go the way of that. My choices are 257 Roberts, 270, 3006 or if you need a magnum for some reason a 338 loaded way down with hand loads to 06 velocities we are not killing grizzlies just the Whiley whitetail.
#104
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: fort mcmurray alberta canada
Posts: 5,667

With magnums you burn alot of money/powder for very little gain and alot of recoil
#105
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA
Posts: 494

Truer words were never spoken.Far too many people buy a rifle chambered in a cartridge that has long range potential,then sight it in at 100 yards and figure that they are now ready for long range shots at game.In reality it takes a great deal of shooting to learn your cartridges trajectory and even more to develop and maintain the shooting skills necessary to accurately place bullet at distances out to500 yards.In fact far more shooting thana box or twoof ammunition per year.
It is indeed always an eye opener for me when I start practicing shots at even 200 yards after sighting in at 100. Going out from there it gets bleaker and bleaker!
#106
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: fort mcmurray alberta canada
Posts: 5,667

That's why my mantra always is thatthere is no functional difference between so many calibers and cartridges - there just isn't any functional difference in trajectory or power delivered at the maximum range most of us can and should be shooting at.
#107
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA
Posts: 494

ORIGINAL: stubblejumper
You are correct in that there is little functional difference between so many cartridges at the ranges that most hunters can actually shoot accurately at....
...However for those fewof us that shoot hundreds of rounds per year practising at ranges out to 500 yards or more,some cartridges do indeed offer advantages....
You are correct in that there is little functional difference between so many cartridges at the ranges that most hunters can actually shoot accurately at....
...However for those fewof us that shoot hundreds of rounds per year practising at ranges out to 500 yards or more,some cartridges do indeed offer advantages....
#108
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 22

I do believe that higher powered rifles make up for bad shots placed on animals at say within 150yrds or closer.I once was a bad shot cause I shook alot when seen deer and was unable to keep the bullet from going every where except where I wanted it to. I have learned to control that somewhat till after the first shot is placed in the vitals. Many rifles I haved used in my time and still own a variety of them I like my 30 30 in a bolt action.It can plug deer out to 200yrds with no problem.For longer shots out to 300yrds I would have to say the 280 for bringing down elk size animals.I can't say there is just one gun for all game.My opinion is start with something that you would feel comfortable with to shoot.I myself don't like high speed calibers includeing and under a 270.And for semi automatics and pump riflesfor big game, I find them less accurate than a bolt action.But for if you only want 1 gun for everything from deer to moose and grizzly and didn't have plans of buying anymore.I would say the 7mm mag or the 7mm rum= remington ultra mag 140 and 175 grain bullets.This is just my opinion.