RE: deer rifle caliber
 

While I am speaking of the .30-06 in terms of deer, I am also saying it's quite suitable for both larger and smaller game. In addition to deer/elk/moose, I plan on using mine for black bear, hogs, and maybe even coyotes.

What I'm trying to say is that I've never been charged by a brown bear. I'm not confident that I would be able to place a clean kill shot on such dangerous game running at me at full speed. It's a matter of safety; I don't have a death wish. The .30-06 is plenty for anything else in my hands.

RE: deer rifle caliber
 

When I think in these terms I think of a round for deer, elk, black bear, antelope, maybe moose, cariboo. I agree for big, dangerous game a bigger caliber is better. I agree the '06 is ok for these game species. So is the 7mm's and some would argue the 270's. You can probably kill anything with a .22 but that isn't the best option for most hunting.

RE: deer rifle caliber
 

Power. I am not sure but I have probably had this name longer that you have. 60 years?:D:D If I do the Alaska thing I will have the 45-70 for a back-up gun. I already have a 30-06 Pump and a Lever action Marlin 45-70. A guy at coffee this morning told me if you carry a flashlite in the woods then the bears can't hurt you. I told him I didn't believe that but he assured be that if you carry it fast enogh they can't get you.;)

RE: deer rifle caliber
 

LOL! You got me beat James B but not by twice at least.

RE: deer rifle caliber
 

I like the 270, 280 & 338-06.:D The 30-06 would be my last choice but it would also work just fine.:(

RE: deer rifle caliber
 

Actually I hunted with a Grizzly Bear guide and his weapon of choice and the one he carried was a 30-06 Pump with five 220 grain Barnes bullets in it. He figured five shots with the 220 grain 06 would stop anything. Also there was nothing else that he could get off more than a couple shots in a pinch. The sectional density of the 30 caliber 220-250 grn bullets is extremly high and at near point blank range it will out penetrat the faster cartridges because of slightly less velocity therefore expansion. If you have ever seen anything hit at close range with a 220 grain round nose from a 30-06 you will know why he chose that combo. I was once quiding a hunter who shot a mule deer buck broadside in the hind quarters. There was nothing left of it and I do mean nothing. A grizzly is not a mule deer but that bullet even at only 2400 fps will do terrific damage to any thing in its path. After hunting with him I would choose the same combo. If I could work a lever gun anywhere near as fast as a pump then I would use the 45-70. In any event I would have them both along and want for nothing more. If I were going just to hunt Grizzly where I might shoot at longer range I would use a 375 H&H. Its miles ahead of about anything else for hunting the big bears but for self defense which would be a closer range there is nothing I would have more faith in than my 30-06 Pump. I alredy have a couple of clip fulls of 220 grain Hornad RN loaded for just that reason. I also load a box of 190 grain BTSP for big game trips.

RE: deer rifle caliber
 

for bear or dangerous game up close, my choice is a pump action 12 gauge loaded with 3 rounds of 00 Buck and 2 slugs. But that's just me. Even i couldn't miss with that combo.

RE: deer rifle caliber
 

Semi that was his second choice. He really didn't like for them to get that close if there was any way around it. If the animal was down he used the 12 Ga to approach the downed beast.

RE: deer rifle caliber
 

7mm

RE: deer rifle caliber
 

i am deffinitely not going to do any DG, so i don't need to worry about that.. i may carry my 12 gauge for protection, and maye approach, but i would only kill DG if it were life and death for me... i still think i will get the 270 and use it on eder/smaller game, maye even mulies or something...