Best Caliber
09-25-2013, 02:32 PM
#21
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1,186
After studying some ballistics gel illustrations among many popular calibers on Chuck Hawks site, the .308 makes a messy wound cavity and the 30-30 penetrates better than I imagined. The .308 diameter bullet is the jack-of-all bullet loadings in my opinion, regardless of which caliber its chambered for.
09-25-2013, 07:07 PM
#23
Spike
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 79
Anytime someone asks what is the "best caliber" or "best rifle", you'll always get a lot of different opinions. My suggestion is to identify the calibers sufficient for the game you want to hunt and identify what feels best to you and what you shoot well. Also, consider the availability of ammo. Unless you hand load, you may want to limit your choices to more common and popular calibers.
Some people are more sensitive to recoil than others and a magnum, like a 7MM Mag or 300 Win Mag, may not be very fun to shoot. it's subjective and only you will know what you can tolerate. I will say that people who shoot a rifle they're scared of generally don't shoot it very well.
Also, consider the range of bullet weights available for a particular caliber. A wider range of bullet weights allows you more flexibility in adjusting your ammo for the game you're hunting. A 30-06 has a fairly wide range of bullet weights. You can go lighter for deer (110 grain) and increase significantly for elk (220 grain). Not all calibers have that wide a range in weights, which is one factor to consider if you want to use the rifle for a wide variety of game.
Here are some of the most common and popular calibers suitable for deer and elk:
270 (smallest size I would use for elk)
7mm mag
308
30-06
300 win mag or wsm
You couldn't go wrong with any of those and because of their popularity ammo is generally affordable and easy to find. You can look up the ballistics for each caliber and make your own decision regarding what you think is appropriate for the animals you're hunting, your skill, and hunting style.
There are other great calibers, but they aren't as common and ammo could be harder to find and more expensive. If you hand load you may consider other options, like the 280 AI (may not be available in the rifle you want to buy).
Best of luck in your search for a new rifle and happy hunting!
Some people are more sensitive to recoil than others and a magnum, like a 7MM Mag or 300 Win Mag, may not be very fun to shoot. it's subjective and only you will know what you can tolerate. I will say that people who shoot a rifle they're scared of generally don't shoot it very well.
Also, consider the range of bullet weights available for a particular caliber. A wider range of bullet weights allows you more flexibility in adjusting your ammo for the game you're hunting. A 30-06 has a fairly wide range of bullet weights. You can go lighter for deer (110 grain) and increase significantly for elk (220 grain). Not all calibers have that wide a range in weights, which is one factor to consider if you want to use the rifle for a wide variety of game.
Here are some of the most common and popular calibers suitable for deer and elk:
270 (smallest size I would use for elk)
7mm mag
308
30-06
300 win mag or wsm
You couldn't go wrong with any of those and because of their popularity ammo is generally affordable and easy to find. You can look up the ballistics for each caliber and make your own decision regarding what you think is appropriate for the animals you're hunting, your skill, and hunting style.
There are other great calibers, but they aren't as common and ammo could be harder to find and more expensive. If you hand load you may consider other options, like the 280 AI (may not be available in the rifle you want to buy).
Best of luck in your search for a new rifle and happy hunting!
Last edited by jfarleyx; 09-25-2013 at 08:18 PM.
09-27-2013, 08:09 AM
#24
Fork Horn
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 172
Features of a fine hunting rifle
It takes time to explain how some features enhance the ability and safety of a fine hunting rifle.
Of course a cheap rifle will kill "lots of deer" or whatever some old guy used.
I was given a M722 in 1953 and it got my first deer. What a junky cheap gun. The safety did not control the firing pin nor could I unload it's hot chamber on safe.
Of course a cheap rifle will kill "lots of deer" or whatever some old guy used.
I was given a M722 in 1953 and it got my first deer. What a junky cheap gun. The safety did not control the firing pin nor could I unload it's hot chamber on safe.
09-27-2013, 09:53 AM
#25
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,780
To TheFiganator,
To be frank you need to find out more about guns and hunting.
Six hundred yards is very far to shoot at anything and then to want the rifle not to make a big hole in a deer labels you as a neophyte.
Your choice of a 700 means that you don't know much about hunting rifles yet.
How old are you?
To be frank you need to find out more about guns and hunting.
Six hundred yards is very far to shoot at anything and then to want the rifle not to make a big hole in a deer labels you as a neophyte.
Your choice of a 700 means that you don't know much about hunting rifles yet.
How old are you?
09-27-2013, 11:08 AM
#26
Typical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Buffalo, WY
Posts: 992
To TheFiganator,
To be frank you need to find out more about guns and hunting.
Six hundred yards is very far to shoot at anything and then to want the rifle not to make a big hole in a deer labels you as a neophyte.
Your choice of a 700 means that you don't know much about hunting rifles yet.
How old are you?
To be frank you need to find out more about guns and hunting.
Six hundred yards is very far to shoot at anything and then to want the rifle not to make a big hole in a deer labels you as a neophyte.
Your choice of a 700 means that you don't know much about hunting rifles yet.
How old are you?
09-27-2013, 01:07 PM
#27
Fork Horn
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 172
Socrates
09-28-2013, 09:01 AM
#29
Fork Horn
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 172
My quote above explains why those who cannot debate a topic turn to joking around or worse.
I was specific on what I find superior design for a hunting rifle. Explain your favorite features or learn about mine.
I was specific on what I find superior design for a hunting rifle. Explain your favorite features or learn about mine.
Last edited by Savage_99; 09-28-2013 at 10:53 AM.