Hunting in North America can be an exciting adventure for any sportsperson or hobbyist. With a large variety of game, hunters are always looking for the right gun. Unfortunately, most hunters cannot afford a gun for every type of game they pursue. Chuck Hawks, an avid sportsperson and gun enthusiast, offers suggestions for matching your gun to your game.
In North America there are primarily three categories of game: CXP1, CXP2, and CXP3 species. The List below identifies the various CXP game animals.
CXP1 - Small Game / Varmints - Animals less than 50 lbs.- Squirrel, Fox, Coyotes, Javelin
CXP2 - Average sized animals less than 200 lbs. - Goats/Sheep, Pronghorn, White-tailed deer, Mule Deer, Feral Hogs
CXP3 - Large animals over 200 lbs. - Wild Boar, Caribou, Bear (Black, Brown, Grizzly), Elk
Matching the proper gun with the right game can become very expensive. It is best to have calibers in your battery that will overlap the various species types. Having rifles that overlap will provide you with alternative options if or when your “tried and true” rifle goes down. It is always a good idea to have a back-up plan. A good rifle battery (a group or collection of rifles) will include a model within the following calibers. .17-.22, .24-.25, .26-.32, and .33-.45 . Having rifles in each of these calibers will allow for ultimate flexibility and alternatives. For Instance, a hunter with a .22LR, .243, .308, and .338 Magnum caliber rifles can hunt every type of game on the above lists.
It is important to remember that the appropriate bullet and proper powder load are key elements in the performance of any hunting/shooting rifle. Using a bullet that is too small or too large for the game can leave you a tired and frustrated hunter. Below is a summary of recommended calibers and recommended bullet weights for the various game types.
CXP1 - .22LR (36-37 grains), .223 (50 grains), .243 (80-95 grain), .257 (100 grain)
CXP2 - .243 (95-100 grains), .260 (130-140 grains), .270 (130-180 grains), .308 (125-170 grains), .30-06 (130-180 grains)
CXP3 - .308 (165-200 grains), 7mm Mag, (150-170 grains) .338 (225-250 grains), .350 (250 grain), .458 (250-350 grain)
Regardless of your hunting needs, your rifle battery should be consistent with the game as well as comfortable for you. Find opportunities for overlap to increase your hunting flexibility by using various bullet types, weights, and powder loads. Enjoy the sport of hunting and shoot and most importantly---Stay safe!
