choosing a caliber

[roadfarmfever]

Is there somewhere I can go to get a list of common calibers for hunting larger game, like elk in Wyoming and still be able to afford to shoot it at the range. I want to see what consistent ranges people are getting out of what calibers, and how much power is left in the round when it gets there.
I've been using a 30.06, and a 308 once in a while. I'm thinking about a 7mm or a 300WM, any suggestions?

 

[highorder]

There is no game in North America that the old .30-06 can't handle.

If you want something else, then by all means get it, but don't feel you have to.
Take comfort in knowing there's nothing wrong with wanting something else.

Welcome to THR.

 

[wishin]

There are many possible calibers and gunmakers that will fill the bill. I suggest you spend some time on Google, narrow it down, then google ballistics for that caliber. Lastly, come back here and have many tell you what are better choices. Wait, maybe you can forget about my first paragraph and just stick with the .30-06.

Added:

Darn, Highorder beat me to it!

 

[jakk280rem]

i think i know what he's after. in the back of the petersens hunting annual, there is a list of common cartridges and a list of some of their current factory loads showing the bullet drop and muzzle energy at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 500 yds.

 

[hammerklavier]

I like this page from Remington, http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/ballistics/

You can compare three different calibers/loads.

Most other ammo manufacturers have similar pages.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Welcome to THR

I've been using a 30.06, and a 308 once in a while. I'm thinking about a 7mm or a 300WM, any suggestions?

The practical gains you MIGHT see by going to one of these magnums would far far be surpassed by spending that money on a pile of 30-06/308 ammo and practicing more with what you already have.

I really don't see a 7mm rem mag as a step up from 30-06 and there's not a spits worth of difference between the 06 and 300wm as far as killing critters inside 3 or 4 Hundred yards.

 

[jjk308]

Some have peculiarities.

For example the 300 Win mag is a touch slower and slightly less accurate than the 300 Weatherby mag. I'm not sure about the Win mag but the Weatherby recoil is so sharp that while its a great hunting round it isn't something you want to spend range time with.

The 6.5 Swede is a better performer than its statistics indicate because the very high frontal density gives it longer range and better penetration than you'd think.

The .30-06 is a great all-around cartridge, as is the .308, except with the heavier bullets the .30-06 can handle and the .308 can't.

 

[essayons21]

I would suggest saving the money you want to spend on a new rifle and put it into reloading equipment.

You will be able to tailor loads for your rifle and its intended purpose. Light loads for range or smaller game, and magnum-range loads for heavier game. There is really nothing that can be done with a 7mm or 300 winmag that can't be done with a handloaded 30-06.

Also look at HSM's offerings, also Hornady's Light Magnum line. Most factory 30-06 hunting loads don't begin to push what the cartridge is capable of.

 

[janobles14]

the way i see it is thus: if i have a .30-06 that can drop anything on this continent but i simply want something different then i have a few options. 1. i can go lighter and faster to increase KE (kinetic energy) and impact. 2. i can go bigger and slower to TRY to increase KE but likely up kill potential by sheer blunt force and diameter. 3. i can go bigger AND faster to do both!

now this seems very easy but one has to factor in things like cost and punishing recoil. followup shots are subsequently affected.

so you wanted suggestions. here are my best guesses and some of my favorites if we use a .308 or .30-06 as a standard:

1. Faster and lighter:
.257 roberts
6.5x55 swede
.243 win
270 win
270 wsm
any of the fast 7's
22-250
.260 rem or 6mm
.25-06

2. big(ish) and slow(ish)
.30-30
45-70
7.62x39
.35 rem
.458 socom

3. big and fast (and brutal)
.300 win mag and wsm
.325 wsm
the .338's including wildcats
8mm
.280 rem
the shoulder ripping .4xx belted mags


hope this helps!

 

[Uncle Mike]

Try Chuckhawks.com...just off the top of my head.

Manufacturer websites tend to fluff up any proprietary cartridges they may make.

Just remember...you must use a round that burns no less than 623grs. of powder, launches bullets in excess of 486 grains that are VLD projectiles and it must achieve muzzle velocities in excess of 7000 FPS! ;
The round must posses the ever magical 'belt'; Must have no more than 45 degree or no less than 12 degree shoulder angle; Must have a neck long enough to seat any bullet touching the rifling; Must fit into any standard magazine; Must have moderate or no case taper; Should be rimless or rebated rim design; Should be used by all militaries around the globe; Must have the 'sniper' moniker attached to it; Must be used by all mall ninja sniper wannabes everywhere; Must be able to purchase from local sporting goods stores; Should be packaged in a flashy, multi-color box that utilizes a 'plastic' divider or must include a safety colored belt attachable ammo carrier; Should be loaded by a company that is so clandestine the use of only its initials are used to describe its manufacturing name; Must burn powders that exhibit an even pressure gradient at any temperature; Case may not rust, corrode, tarnish, bend, dent, split or blow out; Primers must be crimped in unless used in bolt actions and or break action rifles; Must feed from any magazine or through any action; Must be able to be re-loaded at home or in the field or at the range; Cartridge must burn clean enough to allow for use all hunting season without the need to clean the firearm; The bullet must never foul the bore; Cartridge must have some ridiculously small groups shot at unimaginable ranges associated with it; Ridiculously small groups shot at unimaginable ranges must be substantiated by pictures of such on internet shooting forums; Case must be made from brass, chrome plated brass or chrome plated brass and or brass; Bullet jacket must not be too thick nor too thin; Bullet must expand to at least 5 times its original diameter and retain all or gain some weight upon expansion; Bullet must pass through animal while offering 200% killing potential or not pass through animal and offer at least 500% killing potential; Projectile cartridge uses must drop no more than 1" out to 1000 yards and exhibit no more than 1/2" of drift in 40MPH wind from 3 or 9 O-Clock position over the same yardage; Cartridge must have some kind of hi speed, sporty, catchy nickname associated with it...such as the 'ought six'; and cartridge must, beyond a shadow of a doubt, be called....A MAGNUM!

Find a cartridge such as this...and you have indeed found the 'perfect' deer hunting cartridge...LOL hehehehe

 

[roadfarmfever]

Thanks a lot, I really do appreciate it. Guess I probly keep using the 30.06 for a bit, look for a used reloader and a better scope. What are you all reloading with? Where is a good place to go to get started?

 

[janobles14]

hit up the reloading section. there are tons of pictures and descriptions of most all of our setups. some simple some could take an engineering degree to operate.

where in alabama do you live? i can suggest some places if you are up in north alabama where i am. you can get into a single caliber reloading setup for only a little cash. you can also spend as much as you want!

 

[ColtraneM3]

Welcome to THR! Glad to see a new face!

I have a deep respect for the 30-06, and if you love it, keep loving it! However, I personally prefer to shoot the .308, they're more convenient to store and carry and feel better when fired (to me).

 

[Innovative]

My favorite hunting cartridge is the .308 Winchester. However, I was shooting 8" steel gongs this weekend at a 1,000 yard range. We used a .308 Win. and a 300 Win. Mag. (both were custom built rifles). Both rifles made several good hits - even in the 20 mph wind. However, At that distance it's pretty easy to see which one hits harder. It's like comparing a .22 rimfire to a .45 ACP.

Another interesting piece of information ...... the average 30/06 (or .308) is capable of shooting bullets between 125 and 220 grains. However, the rifling twist used on production rifles "usually" won't stabilize bullets over 180 Grains. The 300 Win. Mag. with 220 gr. bullets is a genuine long range hammer. U.S. Sniper teams use the 300 Win. Mag. for good reasons ....... long range accuracy & down range power.

- Innovative

 

[jbech123]

U.S. Sniper teams use the 300 Win. Mag. for good reasons ....... long range accuracy & down range power.

true, but unless you practice about as much as a sniper team, a person has no business shotting an elk past about 400, for which the 308 is fine.

 

[essayons21]

Lee equipment is a good way to get started in reloading equipment. Don't let the price fool you, there isn't much you can do with higher cost equipment that can't be done with Lee.

Check out their website and sites like MidwayUSA for deals on reloading starter kits. You can save a bit of money this way, get everything you need, and most everything in the kit is high enough quality to last a lifetime of reloading.

I started reloading with Lee equipment and was able to get handloads to shoot 1/4" groups at 100 yards out of my custom rem700 in 30-06. I have since upgraded some equipment, but it is almost entirely for convenience and speed, not accuracy.

If you are only loading 1 caliber for 1 gun, I would suggest Lee collet-neck sizing dies. They are inexpensive, yet one of the most accurate neck sizing dies on the market.

 

[Uncle Mike]

If it's a caliber/cartridge that will routinely take deer sized game and be affordable for range work, it'll be hard to beat the .308WIN. or the .30-06!

Both are excellent all around game cartridges and are fairly inexpensive(comparatively) to shoot often....which makes for the perfect round. lol

The more you shoot, the better you get, the less you miss, the better the round becomes in your mind....and it's all about confidence in the cartridge to begin with!

 

[52grain]

In factory loads there's really not much difference in performance, bullet choices, availability or price between .308 or .30-06. I shoot too much to be able to afford .300 mag (Winchester or Weatherby) though it does have advantages at long ranges.

 

[monwa]

30 '06 for all big game on the NA continent.

Keep it simple.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

It seems I've been doing this alot lately...not that its a bad thing (its not)

But I agree with krochus again...

 

[billyhornsby]

You might look at the 270 WSM...it has better trajectory after 200 yards if you just have to have another rifle. I say there is always a need for another rifle and you don't need a reason....go get one. Billy

 

[saturno_v]

Is there somewhere I can go to get a list of common calibers for hunting larger game, like elk in Wyoming and still be able to afford to shoot it at the range. I want to see what consistent ranges people are getting out of what calibers, and how much power is left in the round when it gets there.
I've been using a 30.06, and a 308 once in a while. I'm thinking about a 7mm or a 300WM, any suggestions?

From what you say, you should consider a 338 WM.

The 7mm Rem Magnum, 300 Win Mag or 300 Wby are not really that much more capable than a good old 30-06.

The 338 is a significant step-up (heavier bullets, larger caliber, shoots flatter than a 30-06 and it hits much harder at long ranges), very easy to find ammo and reasonably priced (considering the performnance class) both ammo and rifle....you can buy a good .338 brand new rifle for $350-500.

 

[elkhunter101]

i shoot a 300 win mag and they will stop the biggest of elk in theyre tracks i have been shooting one since i was fourteen. the recoil argument is another i do not understand? i have never felt the kick

 

[rangerruck]

there is no game in north america, a 30.06 cannot take. It it also the most common ammo, cost effective, cheap, comes in a wide variety of flavors and sizes, and even the cheapest of factory made store bought ammo, made by Monarch, can be had for 8 bucks a box, at about 150 grains, in steel case.
So no reloading with that one; but the monarch brass is Serbian made, same folks who do PRVI partisan, and some wolf flavors, and can be quite good, for a few bucks per box more.

If you can get one in 30.06 with a tube that has a faster twist than 1/10, I would get that.
If you cannot get that( look at Savage first, then remmy), then look at a 300 winmag.
For snipers usually the nonimal stats that seem to be the norm are; at least 180 grains bullet,
doing at least 3000 fps. this gets downrange, real fast, with lots of power and energy,
and the weight keeps it from moving in the wind and atmosphere so much.

 

[joed]

If you want to see velocity and energy figures a good place to get that is in a Remington catalog that lists their ammo. That was what I used to make my choice 35 years ago.

The hard kickers are no fun to shoot at a range. I sold off my 7mm Rem Mag because it kicked as hard as the .300 H&H Mag I have and wasn't as versatile as the .300.

For something that you can hunt with and shoot quite a bit at the range look at a .25-06 or .270. I have a .25-06 which is a very potent round and it sees a lot of use. Some don't recommend the .25 for Elk but I don't think you'd be out of place with it.