which for all around north america big game?

which one for all around north american big game?

  • ruger no.1 in 35 whelen

    Votes: 19 30.2%
  • cz 550 9.3x62mm

    Votes: 22 34.9%
  • browning BLR .358win

    Votes: 22 34.9%

  • Total voters
    63
  • Poll closed .
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Ian Johnson

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Ponchatoula, LA
just for fun I got to thinking about what would be an awesome rifle\cartridge combo if I ever had the chance to hunt in alaska or somewhere out west
 
Any of the guns listed in your pole would be awesome in the role you propose. I chose the CZ simply because I am most comfortable with that platform. I like all three cartridges. The Ruger #1 is an elegant rifle in a classic caliber. I have always wanted a BLR in 358 Winchester.
 
Great choices all. But an American made Ruger No. 1 in an classic American cartridge eeks past the post first.
 
I picked the No.1 in .35 Whelen, but my personal pick would be the .30-06 due to ammunition availability. Good luck finding 9.3x62 anywhere except the internet :).

Just my .02,
LeonCarr
 
I picked the No.1 in .35 Whelen, but my personal pick would be the .30-06 due to ammunition availability. Good luck finding 9.3x62 anywhere except the internet .

Ammo availability is a non-issue for the handloader and I think given the poll, the OP is obviously a handloader. I never understood why anyone would pick a .30-30 over a .35 Whelen just because they could get the ammo at walmart, but I handload and don't buy factory ammunition for my rifles. I can load better for less money. I think the last box of factory ammo for a hunting rifle I might have bought was in the early 80s.
 
Hey MC I understand, I have been handloading for over 20 years. I also understand the various snafus involved with hunting way out in the boonies where stuff can get bashed around while riding on horseback or misplaced by baggage handlers. If you and your rifle get off the plane in Anchorage and your 9.3x62 ends up in Seattle...

Just my .02,
LeonCarr
 
Ammo availability is a non-issue for the handloader and I think given the poll, the OP is obviously a handloader. I never understood why anyone would pick a .30-30 over a .35 Whelen just because they could get the ammo at walmart, but I handload and don't buy factory ammunition for my rifles. I can load better for less money. I think the last box of factory ammo for a hunting rifle I might have bought was in the early 80s.
The hell it ain`t, you gota start somewhere...............
 
Hey MC I understand, I have been handloading for over 20 years. I also understand the various snafus involved with hunting way out in the boonies where stuff can get bashed around while riding on horseback or misplaced by baggage handlers. If you and your rifle get off the plane in Anchorage and your 9.3x62 ends up in Seattle...

Well, I usually take a hundred rounds with me, enough for snafus. I usually take a spare rifle, too, just in case the snafu involves a busted scope or something. Of course, I've flown commercial twice in my life and that wasn't hunting trips, so I don't relate to that sort of thing, ROFL.
 
Honestly I thought all three choices were a little weird. I voted for the CZ 550 because I like bolt action rifles for hunting. The Ruger No. 1 is a great rifle, I just like having more than one shot. Caliber wise I'm not very familiar with any of the choices. Would probably go with something along the lines of the 338 Win Mag.
 
A single shot can be reloaded pretty quickly. I hunt a lot with a TC Contender pistol. I prefer the accuracy of that gun to the firepower of a revolver. It only takes one shot in hunting. If the animal is going to stick around if you missed, you have time. Most times, even a semi auto doesn't load fast enough for a second shot. :rolleyes:

I'm stickin' with the BLR choice, though. I just like that gun a lot. I may get one some day. My buddy has one and has hunted with it for many years, very accurate rifle. Shooting lefty, though I'm a right hander, the lever gun makes more sense for me than some. I have one lever gun, a .357 magnum. I need one in a bottle necked hunting caliber and the BLR is one fine lever gun. :D
 
None of the listed cartridges are a good all around chioce. They are good choices for a specific purpose. All are OK at close to medium range for the largest game in NA. Which are the least likely to ever actually be hunted. Yet they do not offer any advantages over a 30-06 when hunting the same animals. In fact a 30-06 with heavy bullets actually outperforms all of them on the largest NA game. They are un necessarily large for the type of animal that most actually shoot and have much more limited range and much more recoil than a 300 magnum.

A 30-06 or one of the various 300 Mags, (I'd go with the WSM version) are not only more versatile by allowing you to shoot light bullets fast and flat enough to work well on deer at any reasonable range. But when loaded with slower heavy bullets they outperform the rounds listed on the largest game in NA. And do it with less recoil, less cost, and with easier to find ammo.

Now if you just want one of the above, they will all work. Any can be used for all game in NA, but none are the best choice. I actually own a 338/06 which can also be put into this category as well as a 45-70 and 35 Whelen. I use them because I like them, and if you want to use one, then any will work. But when it comes down to actual performance, they just won't beat either a 30-06 or 300 mag.
 
Sure, but point is, I think the OP is a handloader just going on his suggested calibers. If he's not, why would he be suggesting weird metric Euro stuff?
Only one of them is weird metric Euro stuff, that`s the 9.3x62, the other two are American Cartridges...............and they are both 06 derivatives.
 
With bullets ranging from 110 grain to 220 grain...30-06.

I'm not going to disagree with you on the 30-06, it'll do anything I need it to and more, but this keeps getting thrown around. Does anyone actually shoot anything smaller than 150's or larger than 185's? I know it'll shoot a vast range of bullets, but I can't imagine my deer rifle will accurately shoot at both ends of the spectrum without swapping barrels.

Unless someone has done this and wants to inform me of my ignorance...I've never tried anything outside of that range.
 
odd balls

I have always been intrigued by odd calibers-- .300 Savage, .375 Winchester, & .280 Remington are a few that I own. Having never shot any of the above cartridges, my vote was for the 9.3x62. I do like the lines of a Ruger #1, but I would rather have more shots. I handload for all my cartridges, so none propose a problem for me.
 
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