Best Rifle/Caliber for North American Hunting?

[akhillbilly]

I have to agree with you on the bullets. I knew that comment would "rattle" some devout 7mm fans. Dead is dead. The outfitter who told me that probably has killed more grizzlies than any person still alive. I think his point was, most people arent afraid of a 243 like they are there magnums, thus make more precise shots. Back in the 60's he used a 3006 for everything..... now he carries a 338. Ive watched woman & kids make one shot kill's at 300 yards using "wimpy" guns and Ive watched big burly dudes empty there bazooka's at a 1500 lb bull moose at 40 yards and watch them trot off. "Beware the person that owns only one gun, they likely know how to use it."

 

[One-Time]

.308 will do everything you need to in America, even a .303 British round will work just as well

if you need more range than 6-800 yds, maybe a 30-06 at most

 

[kludge]

.280 Rem if you hunt more deer than elk.

.338-06 if you hunt more elk than deer.

I would choose either over a .30-06.

 

[Kachok]

The 06 does have more energy and momentum at close range then the 6.5 Sweed does, no doubt about it, but at longer ranges the sleek 6.5mm bullets really shine, I had this debate with an 06 fanatic before, and pointed out to him that my "puney" 6.5x55 has more KE and momentum past 225 yards (where I normaly shoot) then his hottest 06 handload. A 140gr .612BC hunting bullet is hard to compete with at range. Fact is both of these old school thumpers have a 100+year proven track record for Deer-Moose sized game, and both are a little light for hunting brown bear and other dangerous game so in my eyes they are in the same class. Being of small stature like I am I perfer the Sweed, if I were of avarage hight and build I might like the 06 better. You could not possably go wrong with either one, owning both is even better.

 

[Maverick223]

I agree that the 6.5x55mmSwede is an outstanding cartridge, but KE isn't everything and the '06 will best the Swede in the momentum dept. (which is what really counts) at any reasonable hunting range. Additionally it will generally crush more tissue due to the larger caliber. That said, dead is dead...if one can do so with less punishment, less cost (at least for the handloader), with flatter trajectory, and lesser ruined meat, then what's not to like? The Swede can take most NA game species adequately, though i'd prefer a mite bit more for Moose, but I happen to be a big feller and have this crazy passion for big cartridges with big ole bullets (although I don't care too much for the screamin' magnums)...although I do have to admit that I favor the 6.5x55mmSwede more than the .30-06Spd. (personally I happen to like the .280Rem. & .35Whelen better than it's parent case).

 

[Ridgerunner665]

If I had to pick one round in a bolt action....for everything in NA.

I'd get the 30-06 due to the bullet weight selection that is available.

 

[akhillbilly]

speedakl... exactly, if not for brown bears where I hunt, a 243 with 100 gr barnes -X is all I would need. Most people equate magnum power as a for "sure thing",... Ive guided in 3 states for big game, Ive watched guys miss 50 yard shots at broadside animals. TV show's try to convince hunters they need a 3000 yard rifle with a $2500 scope, with a bullet going at 5000fps....... most people cant tell 175 yards from 350 yards. Much less shoot at a running game over 100 yards. A old boss told us at the beginning of season, "I dont care how well your hunters claim they can shoot, "WE" will not allow them to shoot over 250 yards, If you guys cannot get with-in that range? Your not much of a hunter. Although we did. You can tell a real shooter from a "wannabe" with-in a day or 2.

 

[shadow9]

4 different cal's - .30-06 for large game, .243 for mid/small. To pick one, though, I'm gonna agree with the 6.5x55. As for "Crushing tissue", anyone familiar with terminal ballistics knows that the physical action of bullet itself doesn't "Crush" tissue, it's expansion in the tissue uses the water present in soft-tissue to push it aside, and create a hole larger than the bullet itself. This is where the "size" argument with .264 and .308 bullets comes in. Sectional Density, I believe it's called. While the .264 doesn't have as much width, it's LONG. Once it hits and EXPANDS, it makes roughly the same size mushroom as a shorter .308 bullet does when it expands. Also, the 6.5 DOES arrive with the same, if not more force, due to it's higher B.C. Plus, they're known for penetration, as the un-expanded portion of the bullet (still compressed/solid mass) provides more momentum to the mushroomed-top once inside the animal. Speed kept the same between the two, and expansion being the same, a .264 will provide the same primary wound-channel that a .308 will, with a lot less kick on the shooter's end.

The fourth round I'd pick is a 7.62x54R and some windex, out of a M39 Mosin-nagant. Northern Europeans/Russians have claimed Polar bear with the x54R, and it's disgustingly abundant ammunition, not to mention CHEAP. The M-N action is hardcore reliable, and claimed enough Nazi's in sub-zero Stalingrad to earn some sort of credit for working anytime, anywhere.

 

[deacon8]

For me, it's the 7x57 Mauser, loaded with 160 grain Speer Grand Slams.
However, if I couldn't have that, I would take a 30-06, loaded with 180 grain Grand Slams.

 

[Bugman53]

8x57, It does it all well. Can push 125g up to 250g bullets. And exceeds 30-06 performance with heavy bullets for the elk and grizzly.

 

[shadow9]

+1 Bugman. Also, in terms of cost - well, I could have a solid reliable 150 yard hunting rifle for $200. Granted, she ain't gonna be a laminate-stock with some Shilen barrel, and who knows what other goodies, but if the 8x57 doesn't kill my game, a swift hit with that metal buttplate sure will.

 

[Kachok]

I have to agree with Mavrick that the 280 rem is another real standout, real high retained energy at range, flat trajectory and very high SD with 150gr+ bullets. Kind of like a 6.5x55 proportinatly sized up. The 35 Whellen is more of a specialty caliber for Alaskan hunters, I always wanted one but with the exception of the largest hogs I don't think I could find much use for one in the south, unless you like ALOT of overkill.

 

[Kachok]

I did a post several months that was a more scientific comparison of the elk/moose hunting calibers, "head to head practical big game hunting rifles" that has a good breakdown of trajectory, recoil, energy/momentum at range, OGW factor...etc. The 300 win mag took first place with honorable mention going to the 30-06, 280, 7mm rem mag, 270WSM, and 338-06. I still think the 35 Whellen would have taken the whole darn contest if they made a modern poly tipped boat tail 250gr bullet for them. It has the highest score at close range but poor BC bullets held it back. Super zippy calibers like the 257 Weatherby mag did very poorly.
The 6.5x55 took 1st place in the deer sized game catagory in my "head to head low recoil hunting rifles" with the 260 rem, 7mm-08 and 257 Roberts earning honorable mention. Good reading you should check it out if you want to find the perfect caliber for your needs.

 

[Maverick223]

As for "Crushing tissue", anyone familiar with terminal ballistics knows that the physical action of bullet itself doesn't "Crush" tissue, it's expansion in the tissue uses the water present in soft-tissue to push it aside, and create a hole larger than the bullet itself. This is where the "size" argument with .264 and .308 bullets comes in. Sectional Density, I believe it's called. While the .264 doesn't have as much width, it's LONG. Once it hits and EXPANDS, it makes roughly the same size mushroom as a shorter .308 bullet does when it expands. Also, the 6.5 DOES arrive with the same, if not more force, due to it's higher B.C. Plus, they're known for penetration, as the un-expanded portion of the bullet (still compressed/solid mass) provides more momentum to the mushroomed-top once inside the animal. Speed kept the same between the two, and expansion being the same, a .264 will provide the same primary wound-channel that a .308 will, with a lot less kick on the shooter's end.

There are high SD/BC bullets available for the .30cal (.30-06Spd.) you know. They do the same thing...but they start off bigger, end up bigger, and deposit more energy on their way through. Again, I really like the 6.5x55mmSwede (and most any other 6.5mm cartridge), but lets not make it into something that it is not.

The 35 Whellen is more of a specialty caliber for Alaskan hunters, I always wanted one but with the exception of the largest hogs I don't think I could find much use for one in the south, unless you like ALOT of overkill.

To an extent, I disagree. For my Brownchester 1895 I believe it is the perfect chambering. Scopes are not easily added and you can load it anywhere from 9mmPara. ballistics, with a .357cal. pistol projectile and trail boss powder (brass should last, quite literally, forever) all the way up to near-.375H&H ballistics with a heavy well constructed bullet driven at moderately fast velocities. Now that is versatility!

BTW, that .280Rem. is a beast...shame it didn't come into being until after the .270Win. was established.

 

[bowyer19]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned the regular old .270 win. Shoots as flat as the magnums,the 150 grn. bullet penetrates like a 180 grn. '06 with the recoil of the 150grn.'06. Jack O'conner killed everything in North America, including barren ground griz with the 130grn. bullet and now we have better bullets than were available to Jack.

 

[Kachok]

Rest assureed 270s, 30-06s, 6.5x55s, 300Win mags, and 7mmRem mags have taken every species of game the world has to offer. Yes I even read about a man killing an elephant with one shot from a .270win no kidding. If you can place you shot right the sky is the limit. High sectional density bullets will drive deep and if you hit the heart/spine/brain you have a very dead anamal.
I have yet to EVER find a 35 Whellen for sale here in the south, I have long been a fan of that caliber and even though I cannot find a practical use for it I would somehow cook up a handload that would be suitable for deer. Sadly they are imposable to find here, so is the 338 win mag, 375H&H, 416 Rigby. Stores down here only carry very common calibers, I had to order my Tikka from out of state and the rednecks down here look at me REAL funny when I tell them "it's a 6.5x55" LOL. Southerners don't speak metric.

 

[christcorp]

For hunting; I have a 308, 30-30, 30-06, 30-378, and 7mm rem mag. And for my all-around north america hunting rifle, I'll still stick every time with my 7mm remington magnum. I don't need 10 different bullet weights. That's just silly. I've used 110, 140, 160, and 175 grain loads. "There's at least 5 more bullet weights in between there. And if you're into reloading, you can load bullets below 100 grain, and above 180 grain. It has become one of the more popular rounds, so getting ammo is just as easy as getting ammo for 30-06, 308 and other popular rounds. Available at any store; even walmart, kmart, etc...

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a 30-06 or 308. And if you already owned one, there'd be no reason to go out and buy a 7mm mag just for hunting. Unless you were into really long shots for like mountain goat, ram sheep, etc... I'll give the edge to the 7mm mag for flatter and more accurate at the longer distances. I've shot varmints/coyote with the lightest weight, to antelope, to white tail and mule deer, to elk, to moose. As well as goat and bear. There isn't 1 animal that can be found in north america that I would feel undergun or overkill with, having the 7mm mag.

 

[hogcaller]

338-06 has become my favorite. It will kill anything in North America and only gives up about 150 fps with 15% less powder when compared to the 338 WM.

 

[Maverick223]

Yes I even read about a man killing an elephant with one shot from a .270win no kidding.

Shouldn't be a surprise, “Karamojo” Bell is reported to have taken 1k+ elephants with his .275Rigby (AKA the 7x57mmMauser), and also used the .303Brit., as well as the 6.5x54mmMannlicher-Schönauer which is quite a bit weaker. Just goes to show what can be accomplished with proper loads, precise shot placement, and steely determination.

I have yet to EVER find a 35 Whellen for sale here in the south, I have long been a fan of that caliber and even though I cannot find a practical use for it I would somehow cook up a handload that would be suitable for deer.

FWIW I have a handload worked up for the .375H&H for deer. I have other rifles that would be suitable, and "more appropriately sized", but I like the .375 so why not? It'd make one heck of a brush rifle...same for Col. Whelen's .35.

Southerners don't speak metric.

Tell me about it...handloading (and MidwayUSA) is your friend.

 

[D*N*R*]

I also say 30-06. You can use a 110 gr pill at a blazing 3500fps or the heavy 250 gr for the big stuff.

NO -- OMG TWISTRATE google it

 

[Maverick223]

I also say 30-06. You can use a 110 gr pill at a blazing 3500fps or the heavy 250 gr for the big stuff.

NO -- OMG TWISTRATE google it

No, they'll work fine...even the little .30Carbine bullets will hold themselves together (until they hit something that is). For all intents and purposes the twist rate doesn't matter for .30cal. sporting rifles, one only runs into problems with heavy for caliber target bullets. OTOH the 110s and 125s (whether designed for carbines or high velocity cartridges) are not suitable for large game.

 

[1stmarine]

Decide what bullets you need first and then buy the rifle accordingly.
I would say that due to versatility, reliability, cost and easy of use get either the .308 WIN or .30.06. For that reason are the most popular hunting and tactical cartridges in the world. Both based on military rounds, one still in service and going strong.
There are very few things any of these cannot do other than large animals at extreme long ranges and for that all you need is a .338 lapua or a .338-378 Weatherby Magnum and nothing else in your gun safe but that is a different post.
Keep it simple.
Cheers,
E.

 

[Leaky Waders]

7.62 x 63 mm > 6.5 x 55 mm...so says an uneducated Southerner.

 

[skyhorse]

I have never regreted having a 30-06.
I would suggest something close to the 30-06, possibly a 30-05 or a 30-07 just to switch it up a bit!

 

[Kachok]

Not saying that the 7.62x63 aka 30-06 is not a great round, but my 6.5x55 goes with me much more often, no super hot handload will make a 150gr 30-06 compare with a 140gr 6.5x55 past 225yards, not for speed, energy, or momentum. I could shoot max load, heavier, higher BC 30cal bullets but I would loose speed/trajectory vs the 6.5 and gain ALOT of recoil. I have run the math a thousand different ways and the old 6.5 simply outperforms the new kid on the block for my hunting needs (200-400 yard shots on beanfield deer), now if I were hunting world record elk I would perfer to have the 06 with 180gr+ bullets in my hand, but I would not feel underguned with my 6.5 either. Both are about as proven as a caliber could possably be for even large game.