What is the best rifle for deer & bear in North Carolina.?

Answer 1

Buy yourself a 300 Weatherby Magnum and you will have most(mid to large size) game on the North American Continent covered...

Answer 2

The 30-06 has gotten a lot of votes, and rightfully so.

Much of it depends on your level of shooting experience as well. If you are brand new to guns, I'd recommend a 308 Winchester with 165gr+ bonded bullets.

If you have shot rifles before and recoil doesn't bother you that much, I'd recommend the 30-06, mainly due to its versitility and the variety of ammo available (If I could own only 1 rifle, the 30-06 would be my 2nd choice).

If you are a more experienced shooter, you might want to consider the magnums, such as the 300 Win Mag, the 300 WSM, or the 325 WSM. A 7mm Rem Mag deserves an honorable mention as well.

My personal favorite is the 35 Whelen (and my first choice if I could own one rifle). The recoil is stiff, but doesn't beat you to death (I could bench shoot about 20 shots without any extra protection before I am sore enough to quit for the day). With some good shot placement, the 35 Whelen could easily be used for anything in North America and with patience, be used for anything that walks the earth. The issue with the 35 Whelen is the lack of ammo selection. This is a great cartridge if you handload.

If you are looking to take a beating, you can go all the way up to the 375 H&H Magnum. At this point, you are talking overkill for deer and most black bear (then again, I've never shot anything too dead). However, it is a popular round with decent ammo selection. It can be used on any animal on earth without hesitation.

That is my selection of rifles, depending on your experience and how much punishment you want to take. I wish you the best of luck hunting!!

Answer 3

Although I have never hunted in North Carolina, you can't go wrong with a .30-06 as other readers have already suggested. The .308 Winchester would be a good second choice. If you are also hunting bear, I would not use anything smaller than a .270 Winchester and then only with the heavest load available--at least a 150 grain good quality expanding bullet.

I've recently purchased the recently 'resurrected' Remington 673 Guide Rifle in 6.5 Remington mag and .350 Remington mag. My reasoning is that especially the .350 should be the perfect combo gun for deer and hog hunting. Although I've heard rumors of Black Bear making a "comeback" into South Texas, I haven't seen any. What works well for hog should also work well for bear. If the .350 Remington Mag isn't too 'esoteric' for your hunting needs, you might consider it. The 673 is also available in .308 Win. and .300 Remington Ultra Short Magnum. I'd stick with the .350 or .308, though.

Food for thought.

Best,

H

Answer 4

I can't argue with the votes for the .30-06. It's a powerful weapon, and ammo is readily available at reasonable prices. It's a great weapon for any deer, and most black bears, but larger black bears, and I believe the world record came from NC, may be better hunted with just a little more energy. I personally use a .300 Remington Ultra-Mag, which is arguably overkill for whitetails, but I can't think of anything in North Carolina, or all of North America, that I'd be afraid to hunt with it. I really like my Remington, but ammo is a little high, about $2.00 / shot, and it can be a little uncomfortable to shoot numerous rounds through at one sitting.

Answer 5

I own a .300 WBY Magnum, a Browning BLR in .308, and a Savage .30-06. I would recommend the BLR for you. I would imagine that, in NC, you may have some pretty thick woods. The BLR is a bit shorter, and the .308 is a great round. It is accurate, and you can load up or down for whatever you prefer. I shot 165 grain bullets with mine.

The Weatherby is a great rifle, but it is more expensive and a bit long to tote around in thick woods.

The BLR is perfect for thick woods hunting. It gives you lever-action handling, but, unlike the Winchester and Marlin guns, you can choose from a wide variety of potent rounds.

Answer 6

30:06 ALL THE WAY. I'VE SHOT 60+ DEER AND IT'S MORE THEN ENOUGH FOR A 400 LB BEAR WITH A 180 GRAIN BULLET. PLUS IT TAKES UP TO A 220 GRAIN BULLET. I LIKE A REMINGTON PUMP ACTION WITH A WIDE ANGLE SCOPE

Answer 7

30-06

Answer 8

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA BUT IN KY WHERE I LIVE I USE A 30-06 M1 GARAND OR A 50.CAL BARRETT BUT IF YOU USE A 50 YOU BETTER HIT IT IN THE HEAD IF YOU PLAN ON EATING IT I DO

Answer 9

I'd recommend a 30.06. A rifle is just a tool. The person using it is the more important factor.

Answer 10

Whatever gun you can shoot comfortably and accurately and bigger than a .243 Shot placement is more important than having the biggest cannon in the woods.