Four Best Calibers for U.S. Hunters

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I've met a legion of Texas ranchers and ranch hands who have hunted deer with a .223 or .22/250 for years and will downright laugh in your face for using an '06 for deer.
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Probably so. And a .223 or .22/250 would be fine for many deer in Texas, and here in Alabama, where deer don't often go more than 150-180 lbs. But, for a 300 lbs bruiser of a Wisconson buck, a .22 bore probably won't cut it more often than naught.
 
One more time...

"So - realizing that most U.S. hunters go after "varmints" and Whitetail or Mule Deer, and sommmmmmmetimes hogs.."

NOT Elk, NOT Grizzlies, NOT Cape Buffalo, NOT Pterodactyls, NOT 10,000 prairie dogs per day.

Varmints, deer, maaaaaaaybe hogs.

"Most" is an easy concept, folks, it really is. Honest.:)

And "gauge" is different from "caliber".;)

:cool:
 
Well, then, around these parts, it's deer, hog, and 'yotes. And, given the density and propensity of our vegetation over most of the state, the 30-30 pretty much covers everything we need to have done with a gun. Every other caliber is superfluous, and those who choose something different do so because life would be boring if there were only "one best" in anything.
 
.22
6.5 X 55 (or .260, 7mm.08, etc.) - medium calibers
30.06 (or .308, .270, etc.) - large caliber
12 gauge

If you primarily shoot varmints and occasionally hunt deer then the .243 or 6mm is a good choice but the medium calibers can do it better.

The .223 has standing primarily because of its availability.

Larger "magnum type calibers" are very useful if you can use various loads.

If I truly had to get stuck with only one caliber it would be the .30.06.
 
Hi Hokkmike...


What caliber would you choose if ALL YOU EVER HUNTED was woodchucks, coyotes and Pennsylvania Whitetails ?

?
:cool:

Ojibweindian... "the 30-30 pretty much covers everything we need to have done with a gun. Every other caliber is superfluous,... " and that is a pretty decent situation to be in.

"... and those who choose something different do so because life would be boring if there were only "one best" in anything." Agreed, and there isn't a thing wrong with that - but, as you say, it's a choice, not a need.

:)
 
One more time...

"So - realizing that most U.S. hunters go after "varmints" and Whitetail or Mule Deer, and sommmmmmmetimes hogs.."

NOT Elk, NOT Grizzlies, NOT Cape Buffalo, NOT Pterodactyls, NOT 10,000 prairie dogs per day.

Varmints, deer, maaaaaaaybe hogs.

"Most" is an easy concept, folks, it really is. Honest.
Click to expand...

Shawnee,

What the heck are you on when you post? Some sort of mad trip about hammering YOUR erratic opinion into others minds?

Well, whatever it is, it isn't working well at all. Your style of "reality acceptance" is whacked, and it's pretty apparent. Just look at the way you post, you respond to peoples' thoughts with reiterations of your own, as if they need to take it back and suddenly agree with you. Yet your thoughts are so skewed, you yourself cannot even contain the same rational line of thought through the threads you post in. You say, "anything over .284 is not needed", that they "punch holes in paper as good as anything else", then you start threads talking about how the 300H&H is most wonderful cartridge in the world, designated by yourself.

This whole thread obviously stemmed from your first choice of bad statements here, which was about bad cartridges, not bad deer hunting cartridges: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=383620&page=3. Now you are just trying to somehow extract the very opinion you tried to enforce in that thread, where you set the magical calibers and cartridges, and say that nothing larger is ever needed in the real world. According to you, people should be using 22LRs for long-range target competition.

Wake up and smell the hot coffee, before somebody has to pour it on you.
 
Good grief, Matt - did you have cow patties for breakfast ?

"According to you, people should be using 22LRs for long-range target competition."

You can't find where I said that - or even anything close. I did say .22 rimfires are fine for me. And I also said (in a post to you) to go enjoy your long-range calibers of choice.... and that it would be grand fun to watch.


"...the 300H&H is most wonderful cartridge in the world..."


I haven't ever said that either. :confused:


Dude - read what's actually written before you open fire.


:)
 
What the heck are you on when you post? Some sort of mad trip about hammering YOUR erratic opinion into others minds?
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Shawnee, I'm sure you smile gleefully when you rub your fellow posters the wrong way. In the short time that I have been a member here, I can see it's what you're all about. Nothing wrong with it, regardless that you invoke your criteria to favor your point of view. If I posted a thread as you do, I would try to stack the deck in my favor too. Keep 'em guessing!
By the way, you know my selection of the 4 caliber choices meet your own criteria better than your choices. :)

NCsmitty
 
1) 30-06, the most popular hunting cartridge and the versatility king.
2) .308 Win, very popular military and sporting caliber, very close to the '06 in capability, with 20% less recoil.
3) 243 Win, very popular varmint caliber, will take animals up to Mule Deer.
4) 30-30, outstanding brush hunting caliber, keep the shots under 200 yards.

If I were going to choose (2) of these, I'd take the '06 and 243.
 
Shawnee why didn't you just say: "The hands-down, guaranteed, All-Time Best Champion centerfire rifle caliber for the typical U.S. hunter is unquestionably - as everyone knows - the .243 Winchester." to begin with?

Your post is somewhat confusing if not contradictory. You specify factory ammo as part of your criteria, yet of the four rounds you name, ammunition for the 250 Savage and 257 Roberts will be quite difficult for the average hunter to find in the average store. Why didn't you include the 25-06? It's extremely versatile and though I don't own one, I've bought ammunition for a friend at our local WalMart.
Also, why is the 243 any better than the 6mm Rem.? Except perhaps the same problem with the 250 & 257 in that ammo for the 6mm is not found everywhere, but it is certainly easier to find than 250 or 257 ammunition.

I've never done a formal poll, but I suspect "varmint hunting" to most people involves shooting a coyote that happens by their deer blind. In this case ANY cartridge worthy of downing a deer will certainly work for varmint.

I believe that geographics play a huge role in caliber selection. For example, I live in Texas and every October caravans of vehicle pass down US287 headed to the Rocky Mountains for hunting season. I can think of only a tiny handful of the dozens of hunters I know in this area who have NOT been to Colorado hunting big game. I can also tell you from my experience of hunting the high remote country of southern Colorado that you're as likely to see elk as deer. Where I currently hunt in New Mexico I've seen probably twice as many elk as deer. So, now our "dual-purpose" caliber for your "average hunter" will need to work for elk too. Your Hallowed Four just won't cut the mustard on a 600+ lb. bull. My point here is that someone living say, east of the Mississippi may not be as likely to need a larger caliber as someone who lives closer to the Rockies where an elk hunt now and then is a reality.

Now our "dual-pupose" cartridge/rifle probably needs to start somewhere around the 270 Winchester.


35W
 
One more time...

"So - realizing that most U.S. hunters go after "varmints" and Whitetail or Mule Deer, and sommmmmmmetimes hogs.."

NOT Elk, NOT Grizzlies, NOT Cape Buffalo, NOT Pterodactyls, NOT 10,000 prairie dogs per day.
Click to expand...

In Western Washington, we have way more elk than we do whitetail, mule deer or hogs.
 
Hi NCSmitty...

"I'm sure you smile gleefully when you rub your fellow posters the wrong way. In the short time that I have been a member here, I can see it's what you're all about. "

LOL ! :D

May seem that way but it isn't.

I merely state my opinion based on my observations and experiences - and those opinions haven't changed appreciably.

The consternation comes mostly from the people who regurgitate the tripe found in magazines as if it were knowledge and/or cannot simply agree to disagree.

My only beefs are the mindless carte blanche recommending of calibers that are ridiculously more than necessary and the constant pretending that everyone is a reloader who is going to go hunt Grizzlies and Moose and Wombats and The Death Star three times a week - and using that as the justification to put out all that absolute horse mustard about the 30-ought-Knucklehead. Telling someone to hunt prairie dogs and deer with a rifle people have used to kill thousands of African Lions is, as I mentioned before, purely Insane.:rolleyes:

LOL! :D

If you think your choices fit the criteria better than mine - I'm delighted for you. :D Methinks of the calibers we chose - neither one of us could do much with any of them that we couldn't do with the others. ;)

:cool:
 
Hi .35 Whelen...

"I believe that geographics play a huge role in caliber selection."

You're absolutely right, 35. However - to understand the "average" or the "most" hunters one has to realize the dynamics of the population. Every person above the age of 2 weeks old in Wyoming may hunt Elk - but the population of the city of Columbus, Ohio alone is 50% higher than the population of the entire state of Wyoming. You may see a lot of cars headed for Colorado for Elk - but it's still a drop in the bucket.


Hi Elmer...

I'm sure you are right about the state of Washington. But again - the population of the city of Atlanta - just that one city - is not too far behind the population of the entire state of Washington. So thinking the "average" hunter, or "most" hunters are in need of an Elk rifle is simply incorrect because the "sample" you're using is not anywhere near "average" or most.
The average hunter, or most hunters, in your area my do well to get a rifle that is effective on Elk - but that doesn't mean it's right t go on a nationwide (or worldwide) forum and pretend all God's Children can't live without a 30/06 (not saying you've done that). :)

:cool:
 
One more time...

"So - realizing that most U.S. hunters go after "varmints" and Whitetail or Mule Deer, and sommmmmmmetimes hogs.."

NOT Elk, NOT Grizzlies, NOT Cape Buffalo, NOT Pterodactyls, NOT 10,000 prairie dogs per day.
Click to expand...

And here in Arkansas we don't have anything smaller than a coyote that you cant walk up to and shoot with a .22 revolver

and the constant pretending that everyone is a reloader
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it works both ways buddy, I mean come on you recommend 257 Roberts and 250sav

http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...3&categoryId=9359&categoryString=653***690***

there are exactly TWO factory loads for 250sav. Niether of which in your infinite wisdom could be deemed varmint loads.

http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...3&categoryId=7971&categoryString=653***690***

there are a whopping 8 loads for 257 Roberts again none of which are lighter than 100grs. Try finding either one on the shelf at a wall mart.:rolleyes:

again there are 8 factory 6mm rem loads none of these feature a varmint bullet either
http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...3&categoryId=7959&categoryString=653***690***


My only beefs are the mindless carte blanche recommending of calibers that are ridiculously more than necessary
Click to expand...

Hey Shawnee what engine is in your truck/van/suv/car??????/
 
I'm sure you are right about the state of Washington. But again - the population of the city of Atlanta - just that one city - is not too far behind the population of the entire state of Washington
Click to expand...

I guess that's true if you figure that having less than 10% of the population is not that far behind.

Washington population, (2006), approx. 6.4 million.
Atlanta population, (2006), approx 500,000.
 
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