Two rifle set for North America hunting, what cartridges would you pick.

Status
Not open for further replies.
Historically, I do more coyote calling with a rifle than anything else. In many years, I call coyotes around 100 days per year, at least 50 days, whereas we only have 10-14 days of rifle deer season here. Such, I tend to consider a distinct separation between a “deer rifle and a coyote rifle,” rather than a “deer and coyote rifle,” differentiating a vicious calling AR in 223/5.56 and a fast 6mm bolt gun for deer. So immediately, I want to change the rules and have a 3 rifle battery, one for coyotes, one for deer, and a big gun for everything else.

Unfortunately, I have to go against my better judgement in most years when choosing my “big gun.” In general, I am quite confident a 7-08 or Mauser, 7RM or 6.5 PRC, and cartridges in this spectrum would be absolutely efficient and even ideal for any North American Big Game. If I were living just down the road from these hunting spots, instead of a full day’s drive (or more), I would choose something different than I do now in these circumstances. I always default to upsizing my rifle choice because 1) I have limited time to scout and limited time to hunt, so I have less control over when and where I get a shot on game, and will not have the familiarity for how game may travel to nearby concealment after a shot - so I want to anchor quickly, even if I need to take a bit longer shot than I might otherwise desire, and 2) inevitably, there’s a lot of money invested in tags and travel for out of state hunts, so capitalizing on opportunities when presented comes at higher stakes. I can control my circumstances on my land at home in KS, so I almost always end up shooting under 50 yards, unless otherwise desired. Alternatively, for out of state hunts, I practice to at least 800 yards to be ready for 600-700 yard shots if presented. So instead of a 7-08 or 6.5 PRC, I default to something much larger, 300win mag as my minimum.

My third complaint about the restriction of these particular rules, naturally, is the simple fact I really like rifles, so condemning myself with only 2 rifles would take away dozens of rifles I dearly enjoy.

Within the constraints of the game - I wouldn’t necessarily love either of these for all uses, as I consider only 2 rifles for these tasks to be making far too many concessions - but these are my two picks:

• 243LBC custom AR-15 w/ 20” barrel

• 300 Win Mag custom bolt action rifle with 24” barrel
 
Varminterror said:
Historically, I do more coyote calling with a rifle than anything else. In many years, I call coyotes around 100 days per year, at least 50 days, whereas we only have 10-14 days of rifle deer season here. Such, I tend to consider a distinct separation between a “deer rifle and a coyote rifle,” rather than a “deer and coyote rifle,” differentiating a vicious calling AR in 223/5.56 and a fast 6mm bolt gun for deer. So immediately, I want to change the rules and have a 3 rifle battery, one for coyotes, one for deer, and a big gun for everything else.

Unfortunately, I have to go against my better judgement in most years when choosing my “big gun.” In general, I am quite confident a 7-08 or Mauser, 7RM or 6.5 PRC, and cartridges in this spectrum would be absolutely efficient and even ideal for any North American Big Game. If I were living just down the road from these hunting spots, instead of a full day’s drive (or more), I would choose something different than I do now in these circumstances. I always default to upsizing my rifle choice because 1) I have limited time to scout and limited time to hunt, so I have less control over when and where I get a shot on game, and will not have the familiarity for how game may travel to nearby concealment after a shot - so I want to anchor quickly, even if I need to take a bit longer shot than I might otherwise desire, and 2) inevitably, there’s a lot of money invested in tags and travel for out of state hunts, so capitalizing on opportunities when presented comes at higher stakes. I can control my circumstances on my land at home in KS, so I almost always end up shooting under 50 yards, unless otherwise desired. Alternatively, for out of state hunts, I practice to at least 800 yards to be ready for 600-700 yard shots if presented. So instead of a 7-08 or 6.5 PRC, I default to something much larger, 300win mag as my minimum.

My third complaint about the restriction of these particular rules, naturally, is the simple fact I really like rifles, so condemning myself with only 2 rifles would take away dozens of rifles I dearly enjoy.

Within the constraints of the game - I wouldn’t necessarily love either of these for all uses, as I consider only 2 rifles for these tasks to be making far too many concessions - but these are my two picks:

• 243LBC custom AR-15 w/ 20” barrel

• 300 Win Mag custom bolt action rifle with 24” barrel
Click to expand...
The 2 gun limit kinda comes from the idea some place in Africa you can only have 2 rifles, I thought I would be lol to try to stick to that rule. And I limited cartridges that fit in a mauser style action. I picked bolt actions because they seem legal in most states, off course there many other laws like needing a shotgun or like the straight wall cartridge laws.

thinking more 4 guns would be perfect.
1. Rimfire of choice
2. 223/243
3. 375 or a 7mm rem mag.
4. 12ga shotgun.
 
I think most of us would like a three rifle battery over a two rifles. I remember reading an article about a four gun battery for North America. This requirement actually makes it easier.

12 gauge shotgun- good o/u
30-06 bolt rifle
41 rem mag revolver
22 mag rim fire

I know that the bear gun is the question, I will never spend the money it costs for a big bear hunt . The 30-06 and 12 gauge will be enough for protection against bears.

Just a thought :thumbup:
 
WisBorn said:
How about the 375 Ruger it's gaining in popularity?
Click to expand...
Nothing wrong with the .375 Ruger, I've just always wanted a Win. 70 Safari in .375 H&H, (read too much Capstick and Finn Aagard as a kid) and have no reason to justify the cost. Even when I was looking for a moose rifle, I went with a Ruger 77 in .300 Win. Mag. One dropped into my lap for next to nothing.
 
troy fairweather said:
The 2 gun limit kinda comes from the idea some place in Africa you can only have 2 rifles, I thought I would be lol to try to stick to that rule. And I limited cartridges that fit in a mauser style action. I picked bolt actions because they seem legal in most states, off course there many other laws like needing a shotgun or like the straight wall cartridge laws.

thinking more 4 guns would be perfect.
1. Rimfire of choice
2. 223/243
3. 375 or a 7mm rem mag.
4. 12ga shotgun.
Click to expand...

That one little word - “Perfect” - tends to be the bane of my existence.

It’s always interesting to challenge ourselves to thought experiments like this, adopting a paradigm which doesn’t suit our own.

I looked around in 2008 when I moved, which at the time meant effectively closing one moonlight gunsmith shop without a clear view at the time whether I would sustain the business in the new location, and I realized I simply had too many guns. My collection had grown organically for about a decade - I was smithing and dealing, and had worked for auctioneers for a while which gave access to thousands on thousands of guns in a multi-state area, so I bought a great number with “investing” in mind (which largely did pan out well for me). I had literally hundreds of guns, for most of which I had no use. I had found myself a collector/investor, which wasn’t a passion, and I owned a lot of firearms (several of some) I didn’t really want, but “gun guys” seemed to think every gun guy should have. So I selectively sold out over a couple of years, “simplifying my life.”

During that process, I kept finding myself putting certain rifles and revolvers back into the safe because I had used it for this or that hunt here or there. I realized at the time I had taken game with - imbued memories upon - nearly a hundred rifles. But none were really “my rifle.” Lots of girlfriends, but no wife. So I set about converting some of my investment gains into a multi-upper AR-15 and a custom switch barrel bolt action for big game. The intention, of course, to create two rifles with extreme versatility which could serve all of my needs forever onward.

Unfortunately, neither plan panned out for very long. My count isn’t back into the hundreds yet, and I’m certainly not collecting/investing any more in the way I had before - no guns I don’t want...

BUT... now it’s worse... now, I can’t so easily part with them...

Every gun I build/buy now is “perfect.”
 
Given the original description of what he's looking for in the combo I'm tempted to pick 308 as rifle number one
But to give the most range I'd make that a 243
Why in the world would someone suggest 223? In most States including mine it's not even legal to hunt deer with that.
243 is a potent deerslayer and efficient on turkey and other small game and coyotes.

And for the second gun a 300 Win Mag Obviously:neener:

And if you want to go big then I guess 308
Backed up by 375 Ruger:evil:

Just for fun you could start with 300 Win Mag as rifle number one: I've harvested everything from rabbits and turkeys with it and we know it can take the Bears of North America and instantly dispatch any deer sized animal.
other rabbits I shot with it were decapitated leaving them with a nice little rabbit tongue necktie:p
I will caution though that hunting rabbits with a 300 Win Mag is highly likely to leave you with a small scar above the corner of your right eyebrow:rofl:
 
I'd want a 8mm or bigger in an action suitable for dangerous game - a 325 WSM in a Montana Rifle Company 1999 would be the smallest I'd consider, and a .375 H&H in a MRC, pre-MOA trigger M70, or CZ Magnum Mauser with the trigger replaced would be the largest (for NA). Let's go with a 33 Nosler in a MRC. I'd like bigger for a stopping rifle and an 8mm for general hunting with bear concern, but being NA those two roles can be combined and the 33 Nosler is a good way to do it while maintaining some reach and good reloadability.

For the second gun I'd want a varmint gun. Say 6mm Ackley in a B78 or 1885.

The resulting setup does not address straight wall states, but doing so would cripple the battery for western hunting of either varmints or big game as there's no useful straight wall for either.
 
Varminterror said:
That one little word - “Perfect” - tends to be the bane of my existence.

It’s always interesting to challenge ourselves to thought experiments like this, adopting a paradigm which doesn’t suit our own.

I looked around in 2008 when I moved, which at the time meant effectively closing one moonlight gunsmith shop without a clear view at the time whether I would sustain the business in the new location, and I realized I simply had too many guns. My collection had grown organically for about a decade - I was smithing and dealing, and had worked for auctioneers for a while which gave access to thousands on thousands of guns in a multi-state area, so I bought a great number with “investing” in mind (which largely did pan out well for me). I had literally hundreds of guns, for most of which I had no use. I had found myself a collector/investor, which wasn’t a passion, and I owned a lot of firearms (several of some) I didn’t really want, but “gun guys” seemed to think every gun guy should have. So I selectively sold out over a couple of years, “simplifying my life.”

During that process, I kept finding myself putting certain rifles and revolvers back into the safe because I had used it for this or that hunt here or there. I realized at the time I had taken game with - imbued memories upon - nearly a hundred rifles. But none were really “my rifle.” Lots of girlfriends, but no wife. So I set about converting some of my investment gains into a multi-upper AR-15 and a custom switch barrel bolt action for big game. The intention, of course, to create two rifles with extreme versatility which could serve all of my needs forever onward.

Unfortunately, neither plan panned out for very long. My count isn’t back into the hundreds yet, and I’m certainly not collecting/investing any more in the way I had before - no guns I don’t want...

BUT... now it’s worse... now, I can’t so easily part with them...

Every gun I build/buy now is “perfect.”
Click to expand...
I keep saying I'd sell off most guns and buy maybe 4-5 for everything, but one I only have about 20 guns not many worth much anyway. Can't get much for them around here ever since the no private sale stuff.

Off course a 1/4 of my guns are the never sell guns. Over ten I bring out deer hunting, but every year I have to go through them all an sight in or check zero, load more ammo. All that for a gun that my not to out, my ts m77 gets out every year tho. It is nice to have that one go to gun and not have to think what to use. I may give it a try pretty some, anyone looking to buy rifles lol.
 
Never thought I needed a dangerous game rifle, but wanted one all the same. Not too long ago I picked up a second-hand Ruger 77 African in .375 Ruger. It came in a McMillan Hunter stock, and I fitted it with a Leupold VX-R 2-7x33. I'm still in the process of experimenting with loads for it, but I'm thinking it is a keeper. It would anchor the top end in a two-gun battery.

The lower end would be a harder decision. If I were starting from scratch on this quest, I might opt for a 6mm Creedmoor ... or a .243 Ackley Improved. Much as I like the .223, it wouldn't make my list for a two-gun hunting battery. I also really like the 7mm-08 as a hunting round. If selecting from my current collection, though, I'd have to opt for my Remington 700 Ti in .260 Ackley.

So put me down for:
.375 Ruger
.260 Ackley
 
Last edited:
A 22 centerfire for varmints. I'd choose 223, but there are arguments for others. For everything else in North America I don't think it really matters much with the possible exception of the big coastal brown bear in Alaska. Anything 26 caliber and up will kill em all with proper bullet choice. It's really personal preference. I'd choose one of my 308's if only limited to 2 because I know I'll never hunt the big bear.

And considering the roughly $20,000 price tag for the chance to hunt the big bear; if I ever do have that opportunity I can afford a 3rd rifle if I can afford the hunt. And it'd likely be a 375 Ruger unless I just fell into a deal on something in 375 H&H that I really liked.
 
entropy said:
it would give me reason to get a .375 H&H.
Click to expand...
you need a reason? :p


entropy said:
.223 and .375 H&H.

Anything I couldn't kill with .223 should be covered by .375 H&H. Plus, it would give me reason to get a .375 H&H.
Click to expand...
Im here also kinda....Id maybe go .22 nosler if going with a full size bolt gun, amd valk in a mini or ar.

The .375 would be a ruger, in a browning Abolt....wierd.....

I actually wanted to say .280AI/375, but there really isnt anything I would shoot with the .280, that I wouldnt with the .375.
 
This is tougher than I thought it would be! If it has to fit in Mauser style actions and have both sights and scope for both, I would go 35 whelen for the big one with a 3.5-10x40 Leopold on top. The smaller gun is harder, there are so many good options and versatile cartridges out there. I would have to stretch the rules a bit and go with a mini mauser(still works right?) CZ 527 in 6.5 grendel. Also topped with leupold glass, probably a 2-7x33. With nice wood on both, it would be a great north American hunting set. This assumes that I get to load my ammo though, gotta take advantage of the cartridge loading versatility of these two.
Great question Troy!
 
I say one lever action with open sights for woods and walk hunting, and one bolt with a scope for long range.

Since I'm 5' 6" my choices are

Model 71 carbine 348 Winchester
Browning A-Bolt 284 win.

I run a short action bolt because of my body build, my support hand lands where it needs to on the stock, not on the mag box like a long action would fit me.

My setup is basically a 300yard capable bolt and a 200yard capable lever. Good for the NorthEast.

If I was a bigger guy and wanted to have rifles to travel with, that accept easily available ammunition.....the choice is SIMPLE

1886 45-70
A-Bolt 30-06

Done!
 
jmr40 said:
A 22 centerfire for varmints. I'd choose 223, but there are arguments for others. For everything else in North America I don't think it really matters much with the possible exception of the big coastal brown bear in Alaska. Anything 26 caliber and up will kill em all with proper bullet choice. It's really personal preference. I'd choose one of my 308's if only limited to 2 because I know I'll never hunt the big bear.

And considering the roughly $20,000 price tag for the chance to hunt the big bear; if I ever do have that opportunity I can afford a 3rd rifle if I can afford the hunt. And it'd likely be a 375 Ruger unless I just fell into a deal on something in 375 H&H that I really liked.
Click to expand...
jmr40,
You hit the nail on the head. If you can spend $20,000 on a bear hunt you can buy a new rifle for the task. If I had an extra $20K I would give it to a group such as 4H for their shooting sports program which I was a leader for many years! Giving back to the next generation.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

P
  • Locked
What rifle for what region?
2
Replies
25
Views
1K
unreal45
U
huntersdog
What rifle and scope would you pick for all your Medium to Big Game hunting, in the lower 48 states?
2 3 4
Replies
94
Views
2K
Mercy Me
Mercy Me
E
  • Locked
Best Rifle/Caliber for North American Hunting?
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Replies
179
Views
13K
Art Eatman
A
L
  • Locked
Go-Between Cartridge
2
Replies
33
Views
2K
lobo9er
lobo9er
theboyscout
  • Locked
Picking a rifle cartridge
2 3
Replies
59
Views
3K
F250GUY
F250GUY
Back
Top