So I know shot placement is everything I’ve been taught that since I started shooting at 5. My usual deer rifle is a ruger 243. This year I started using a Remington 270 and love it. I have other calibers I like such as .30-30, .308, 7mm08, .30-06. My dad has a ruger 7 mag so does my uncle I know I’ll have at least one one day since wya my family tradition is since my dad bought my uncle his 7 mag uncle leaves it to my dad in his will. Past couple of days I’ve also been looking into .300 win mag. I would love to go elk hunting in Wyoming or moose hunting in Alaska with my dad and from what I’ve seen more people choose 300 win mag over 7 mag. I want to get a new rifle one day if I dint buy my cousins 270. I know I’ll have atleast one 7 mag one day more than likely 2 so I really don’t want a 7 mag. What’s your favorite caliber and rifle to hunt with.
I’ve shot a Winchester model 70 feather weight in 7mm08 and liked it. My dads and uncles 7 mags are both ruger m77s the 270 was a Remington 700 and my 243 is a ruger American.
Random hunting caliber talk.
Re: Random hunting caliber talk.
Rifle calibers for hunting is a discussion with no end, and no proper one-answer-fits-all. What works for me, may not work for you. The 7mm Rem Mag is an excellent all-around caliber, and so is the 300 Win Mag. I have a Ruger M77 in 7mm Mag, love it, but find the recoil unpleasant for extended use like scope sighting. I've switched over years to lever gun cartridges, since the ranges that I hunt in the deep rain forests of my area don't give me many shots longer than 80 yards at most. So many folks I know hunt exclusively with 338 Win Mags, because the woods can be full of bears, but none of them will tell you that they enjoy the recoil. If I go to the bear woods, I carry a .45-70. Straight-walled cartridges have inherently less recoil than severe bottle-necked cartridges.
Don't get "gun envy". Elk can easily be taken with a 270, 7x57, 280 Rem, .30-06, 35 Whelen .... all of which have less recoil which makes you shoot them better. That 7 Mag will do everything a 300 Win Mag will do except in the top-end heavy bullets. But considering you can throw a 175-gr pill from the 7 Mag, how heavy do you need to go?
Frankly, the best rifle you can use for hunting is the rifle that you can shoot the best.
Don't get "gun envy". Elk can easily be taken with a 270, 7x57, 280 Rem, .30-06, 35 Whelen .... all of which have less recoil which makes you shoot them better. That 7 Mag will do everything a 300 Win Mag will do except in the top-end heavy bullets. But considering you can throw a 175-gr pill from the 7 Mag, how heavy do you need to go?
Frankly, the best rifle you can use for hunting is the rifle that you can shoot the best.
Imperious Moderatus
Retired USN
NRA Life ; NAHC Life
Pain heals, chicks dig scars.....glory -- lasts forever!
Retired USN
NRA Life ; NAHC Life
Pain heals, chicks dig scars.....glory -- lasts forever!
Re: Random hunting caliber talk.
Ah ok thanks. Honestly I have 0 idea where 300 win mag came into my head I know a friend of a friend who has one and that’s about it. My dads 7 mag has a muzzle break and when I shot it to me it felt just a tab heavier than the 270 but not that much. My uncles 7 mag doesn’t have one yet. He says he wants one but knowing him he won’t ever get it. Honestly if I had to pick I’d go with either my cousins 270 or a ruger m77 in 308 since they’re nice rounds and I dint have ether and normally ammo is everywhere.
Re: Random hunting caliber talk.
Muzzle breaks on rifles are wonderful devices, if you're shooting alone. If there's anyone near you like at the range, then they get the full effect of the blast. Honestly the cartridges you mention (270, .308....) they all fall into that middle ground of being capable of anything North American big game. Unless you're shooting at extreme ranges, then any shot between 100-200 yards is fully capable. The animal won't care, and the animal isn't impressed by having the latest, whiz-bang super McMagnum. Heck, I know a guy who hunts with a .38-55 because (a) it's what he has, and (b) he kills deer and black bear every year.
It's the Indian, not the arrow.
It's the Indian, not the arrow.
Imperious Moderatus
Retired USN
NRA Life ; NAHC Life
Pain heals, chicks dig scars.....glory -- lasts forever!
Retired USN
NRA Life ; NAHC Life
Pain heals, chicks dig scars.....glory -- lasts forever!
Re: Random hunting caliber talk.
Gun shill mags convinced many that we need a new caliber every year. Worse than golfers.
There are some interesting specialized cartridges but I'd be fine with anything from 243 to 30-06 for 99% of my hunting. I do have a 6.5 Grendel AR15 for fun but hardly NEEDED it. Will be a good deer rifle for my kids because it has adjustable stock and soft recoil. But a semi requires precautions until they gain experience. Might even pop in a crimped off gas tube for first season.
There are some interesting specialized cartridges but I'd be fine with anything from 243 to 30-06 for 99% of my hunting. I do have a 6.5 Grendel AR15 for fun but hardly NEEDED it. Will be a good deer rifle for my kids because it has adjustable stock and soft recoil. But a semi requires precautions until they gain experience. Might even pop in a crimped off gas tube for first season.
Re: Random hunting caliber talk.
I’m a big fan of the .308 for its versatility. It handles a variety of game well and isn’t too hard on the shoulder. If you’re eyeing big game like elk or moose, the .300 Win Mag is definitely worth considering—it’s got the firepower you need. I’ve had great experiences with both the Remington 700 and the Winchester Model 70. They’ve been reliable for me, and I think they’d serve you well too.