I'm buying a new rifle and I'm confused of what caliber I should get?

Question

I'm wanting it to hunt elk, black bear, Maybe someday even a caribou. I'm thinking either a 300 win mag or a 7mm. When I go and look at them in my local gun shops they all tell me 30-06 is the most versicle. I just wondering if its because here in Iowa nobody stocks 300's or 7mm but they have many brands if 30-06. If they are just trying to sell me what they have. Help I don't want a 30-06 lol

Answer 1

Don't settle on what is in stock. It will take more effort on your part but call neighboring towns and find a 7mm Rem Mag or the 300 Win that you want. There are heavier bullets available for the 300 and It does a Good job with any north American game the recoil is a little heavier than the 7 but there isn't that big of a difference. The 7mm will shoot flatter than the 300 and you can use bullets effectively from 120 gr to 175 gr any smaller or larger and they dot perform as well. But let me also say the 30-06 is a very good hunting cartridge and it is one of the most versatile and you do want to hunt a variety of animals. So ultimately the choice is yours look at the ballistics of each cartridge and decide which meets your needs the closest.

Answer 2

.30-06 is a fine round for Elk, Black Bear, and Caribou. The magnum cartridges are more prevalent in the west where the ranges can be a bit longer, but even so, the -06 should have no problem out to 200 yards on an elk. I would skip the 300 win mag or the 7mm Rem mag as neither is significantly superior to the 30-06 in killing power but both have significantly more recoil and noise (unless you hunt with muffs on). If you needed more knock down the the 30-06, go to the 338 win mag, not much difference in noise or recoil over the 300 or 7mm mag, but there is definitely a noticeable effect on the terminal end.

John

As an aside, for those that didn't know, 30 ought six came from the original military designation 30 caliber of 1906.

Answer 3

I tend to agree that the 7mm mag. gives only a slight and not often useable advantage over the .30-06, however the .300 magnums begin to show their worth with 200-220gr. bullets which are tougher than the usual 180gr. fare served by most .30-calibres and which I would recommend for elk and other big stuff, while the same .300 mag could certainly be used on deer with a 150-165gr. bullet.
If you want a specialised BIG-game rifle, with the capability to tackle brown bear and the occasional cranky lion or tiger, as well as elk, moose, caribou, etc., the .338 is ideal, especially with 250-275gr. loads.

Answer 4

For elk, black bear n caribou the .30-06 Springfield will serve you well and it is a very versatile caliber. A .308 will work well also. If you want a 7mm Magnum or .300 Magnum, then go for it but from what you say you might have more trouble finding ammo for it where you live.

Best.

H

Answer 5

30/06 is fine for almost any big game animal you can name. It is more than adequate for elk or black bear. Caribou would be no problem at all. I know quite a few Alaskan hunters and unless they are hard core grizzly hunters they all use the 30/06. You go into any hunting lodge in North America or Canada and the 30/06 will be the gun of choice, except of course for my personal fav the .270. And the people that are telling you the 06 is the most versitile are correct, more round choices with different grains for different animals.

Answer 6

If you can only afford one gun, go with a 270 or 30-06. Both of these calibers will take down any big game in the Lower 48. And the Ammo is a lot easier to find. Unless you plan on taking a lot of ammo with you when you go hunting. Some of those stores in small towns won't carry many types of ammo. But most of them will carry 270 and 30-06.

Answer 7

They're recommending 30-06, and stocking it, because it's the right choice, not because they're trying to sell you what they have. On the other hand, some people just won't buy vanilla ice cream, either, just on general principles, and if you don't want it, that's fine. You can order whatever you like. I'm sort of in the same boat, not currently owning a 30-06, but I do have an 8x57 and an 8x68. But then I also handload, and that's something you need to consider as well. You do want to be able to feed whatever rifle you get.

Answer 8

The 30-06 is your best choice for your purpose.* When you have a 30-06 you don't need another rifle.* There are other calibers, but they are not necessary to harvest the game you will be hunting.*

Answer 9

30-06 is a pretty good round,it may even be cheaper than a 7 mag or a 300 because of its availability,its your money though so get what you want,there all good choices

Answer 10

Do some research on a .338 win mag. Buy one and never look back. I live in texas but used to be a guide in colorado when I bought mine. I have shot pretty much everything from deer sized game to elk and it just flat rolls them. People might say its overkill for deer and I agree that you dont need all that but I love the gun and cartraige so much I have to use it just to justify keeping it.