But tundra caribou are out in the open. I've seen guys on TV get plains caribou with bows, but they're guided by a very knowledgeable guide. I'd want a rifle that can reach out there, with a trajectory of the .35 whelen or better preferably.
I voted .45-70. Not only is it a nice powerful cartridge, but you can get it in a lever gun! There is no finer gun designed specifically to lug around than a lever gun. Plus follow up shots are fast and smooth.
p.s., don't worry about ammo availability. DON"T FORGET YOUR BULLETS! The problem with the theory that if you forget/lose your exotic ammo, you will not be able to replenish it at a gas station is flawed. I only know of a handful of places where I can buy 30-06 ammo in my rather big city, let alone a podunk town. Also, what about every other piece of gear? Your broken-in boots, your GPS with saved waypoints, your rifle (sighted in for your perfect ammo), your keys to your quad... etc. My point is: ammo is one of the many irreplaceable items on a hunt, don't exclude certain calibers because you want to have the choice of loosing or not loosing your ammo.
I agree completely. My friend the internet makes all kinds of ammo readily available and even delivers to my door at discount prices. That internet's a real nice guy and will deliver to you people too. So I can buy all I need and then take it with me to where I want to hunt. And most any place I can take my rifle I'm likely to be able to take ammo. So what's the big deal?
p.s., don't worry about ammo availability. DON"T FORGET YOUR BULLETS! The problem with the theory that if you forget/lose your exotic ammo, you will not be able to replenish it at a gas station is flawed. I only know of a handful of places where I can buy 30-06 ammo in my rather big city, let alone a podunk town. Also, what about every other piece of gear? Your broken-in boots, your GPS with saved waypoints, your rifle (sighted in for your perfect ammo), your keys to your quad... etc. My point is: ammo is one of the many irreplaceable items on a hunt, don't exclude certain calibers because you want to have the choice of loosing or not loosing your ammo.