what caliber

[sang716]

im going to wyoming in september for antelope. what is the best caliber rifle? second question, what is the best choice in caliber for hunting any animal out west or alaska. im going to buy a rifle but want to possible get an all around big game rifle for long range shooting. i have a 300 win mag, so what besides that are we looking for? thanks.

 

[Almond27]

300 win mag should do what needs to be done.

 

[gdcpony]

Antelope are thin skinned. You already have the big boys covered with the 300, so a smaller caliber like a 7x57, 257Roberts, 7-08, or or such would be plenty for these. The 300 might do allot of damage to meat depending on the bullet and impact.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

For antelope, you might look at calibers like .243 Win, 6mm Rem, .257 Robts, .25-'06, .260 Rem, 6.5x55, 7x57, and 7mm-08,

 

[JonB]

.243 works great on deer and antelope. Or as mentioned .257 Roberts, 7mm-08, .270 or 25-06 are a few that come to mind.

But you really don't need a smaller caliber - the 300 will do the trick. If you are wanting to buy something smaller then you have quite a few options that will suit you well.

Personally, I have used a .243 for all sorts of deer and antelope in MT. My dad uses a 30-06 for everything and my brother uses a 7mm mag for deer on up to elk.

.270 would probably be a good all around rifle plus you'll be able to find ammo anywhere and everywhere (same with '06).

 

[sang716]

thanks,
some great choices. i have a 25-06. i was thinkin about getting a
.308 rem or cz. something that is floated and i could eventualy do some real long shooting. +/- 800 yards. would that be a wise choice.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

i have a 25-06 wsm

That's a new one on me.

 

[JonB]

thanks,
some great choices. i have a 25-06. i was thinkin about getting a
.308 rem or cz. something that is floated and i could eventualy do some real long shooting. +/- 800 yards. would that be a wise choice.

Honestly, if you have a 25-06 and a 300 then you are pretty much set for what you 'need.' Sounds to me like you 'want' something else so go for whatever floats your boat.

If you are wanting to do long range shooting, why not use the 300 win mag?

 

[Gun Slinger]

I've always found the 150 gr. (especially the Barnes X bullet) .30-06 to be plenty of gun for pronghorns.

Your .300 Win Mag oughta be fine (plenty flat shooting and more'n enough energy at any realistic range) with any 150 gr. loading that you choose.

Good luck.

 

[Picher]

I'd be tempted to handload relatively light-weight, high-ballistic coefficient bullets similar to Nosler Ballistic Tips or Accubonds in the 300 Win Mag.; 150 grain to 165 grain bullets might shoot flat enough for you.

You can kind of duplicate hot .270 Win handload ballistic performance using those lighter 30 cal. bullets, and with considerably less recoil than the 180 grain "magnumb" loads.

Picher

 

[TexasEd]

You have the 25 and the 300...You have it covered...goats to elk. Also remember an 800 yard poke is a long stretch... thats when you should put a good stalk on. Good Luck.

 

[WVMountainBoy]

Look at a .308 it seems to be the middle ground you're looking for. get a long range tactical model and you should be set for all manner of creature.