BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

Trophy_Hunter_41 · Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 5:30 pm Post subject: One Caliber

If you could have only one caliber for hunting North American Big Game with what caliber would it be?

CVC · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 1299 Location: Kansas

30.06

ChesterGolf · Joined: 17 Aug 2002 Posts: 1638 Location: Nova Scotia

I can't argue with CVC choice but since you asked... 300 win mag. :D

Don Fischer · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 2147 Location: Antelope, Ore

Welcome to BGH. If I could only have one. I must have answered this question a couple dozen time's. Got a couple dozen different answer's too. Actually it's not quite that bad and it would be a toss-up. Either my 6.5x55, a 7x57 or a 280Rem. I am getting ready to have the barrel on my 30-06 re-bored to 338-06 so check with me next month! There are so many cartridges that would work it's pathetic. I might also add that I've no intention of ever hunting dangerious game either. In that case I'd go to my present big hammer, a 30-06! Soon to become a 338-06!

WesternHunter · Joined: 05 May 2006 Posts: 685 Location: Western USA

Limited to what big game I hunt (deer and elk) I've long settled on one caliber. It's the .270 Winchester.

Although if Grizzlies were in my persuites I'd likely go with something bigger like either a .300 Win Mag or .338 Win Mag.

Hammer1 · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 1609

WesternHunter speaketh with great wisdom :thumbsup1: :thumbsup1: :thumbsup1:

fuzzybear · Joined: 31 Mar 2004 Posts: 1350 Location: Bend, Oregon

Hey, Don
Your gonna like that 338-06.
Excellent one rifle recommendation for an all around cartridge for any North American hunt.

hostage67 · Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 68

I chose the .270 myself. Good shot placement is far more important than the caliber.

However, that being said there are many options that would work well and though many calibers will work on multiple game keep in mind that for some game your gun will invariably be overkill and barely enough power on others.

The best bet is to determine what your main game will be and try to find a caliber that fits well with your target game.

HuntnFish · Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 3:12 am Post subject:

7mm STW, fast, accurate, great knockdown power. Will handle any big game on the continent with the right bullet and placement of course.

model88 · Joined: 27 Aug 2006 Posts: 23 Location: British Columbia

Another vote for the .270, with the proper bullet will take down most anything.

halvtaz · Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 10:48 am Post subject:

I would say the 30-06 because it is a flat shooter up to 300yds, with the right bullet, and still carries enough energy to know it down. Though like what has been said earlier, it all depends on the bullet and shot placement. :thumbsup1:

cam69conv · Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Posts: 651 Location: Summit, IL

Another vote for the .270, with the proper bullet will take down most anything.

Key word in that sentence was MOST :laugh: (said that with the knowledge that Its gonna draw out the fun ones) :laugh:

hostage67 · Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 68

In North America the .270 will take down just about every game animal.

Grizzlies - While it would probably kill the animal it wouldn't be an ideal caliber to hunt them with.

Polar Bear - Same as grizzlies, it would probably kill it but I wouldn't suggest a .270 to hunt them.

Elk - .270 would be considered small but reasonable to use on Elk. Many Elk have been taken down with this caliber.

Anything below an Elk would obviously be well within the range of the .270's power and the .270 has very good ballistics (very similar to the 7mm).

saskie · Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 5:08 pm Post subject:

30-06
.300 Mag
7mm Mag

In that order...

hinkleid · Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Boise ID

300 Win Mag