Author Topic: Which caliber is best? (Read 978 times)

bigjeepman · « **on:** July 20, 2004, 02:30:05 PM »

I am getting very close to relocating to the NW part of the state of Washington. I will only take two rifles, two shotguns, and two handguns with me as I will leave my son the rest of what we have here in Indiana. One rifle is a .243 and the other is a .300wsm. I will be interested in hunting cougar, elk, black bear, and mule deer at some point in time in the future. I might purchase a Marlin 45/70 before I move but I am unsure right now. I work part-time in a gunshop and it might prove wise to buy here before I move.

What rifles would you suggest that I add to the two I already have? I reload so ammo availibility should never be an issue. I know the .243 would not be very effective on the animals I mentioned but I can never part with it as it is a great shooting rifle. I am subject to trading the .300wsm if need be.

Rick Teal · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2004, 10:12:42 AM »

I'd be partial to something like a .35 Whelen or a 9.3X62. Something with lots of pop, good bore diameter for shocking power, and can carry a heavier bullet for penetration.

longwinters · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2004, 12:01:36 PM »

I am not really a short mag fan, but the rifles you have will do it all. However, since you are moving. . . you really should buy a new rifle for out west. You never know if those rifles you have will like the west when they are used to Indiana. :lol: If you start reading all the posts on Graybeard about the best rifles/calibers you will have your homework done in about 2 weeks.

Long

Camp Cook · « **Reply #3 on:** July 22, 2004, 10:21:44 AM »

Here in British Columbia the animals are big and sometimes very far away. My rifles of choice here are a 280 Rem in a S/S Rem 700 Mountain rifle, 45/70 in a Marlin 1895GS, and a 300 RUM in a S/S Rem 700 BDL. I have far more rifles but these are my go to guns. I used to have a Sako Hunter in 375 H&H mag but sold it to a buddy that needed it far more than me. Soooo.... I would also like to replace my 375 H&H with a S/S Rem 700 in either the 338 RUM or the 375 RUM and then I would be very happy.
Cam

bigjeepman · « **Reply #4 on:** July 22, 2004, 02:48:59 PM »

Hey ... thanks for the replies guys. Some very good information here and some good humor too. Maybe a .280 might just be the rifle to fill the gap between the .243 and my .300wsm. I was even thinking about maybe a .280 and a .338. I have never owned one of these calibers but i have sure heard some great things about accuracy and knock-down power.

Again ... thank you.

ratherbefishin · « **Reply #5 on:** July 22, 2004, 03:38:32 PM »

I live in BC, just noth of you and most of the hunting will be deer and bear, with the chance at an elk, regulations permitting.Coastal Regions have columbian Blacktails, and mule deer and white tails in the interior.Conditions will vary from very close shots in the coastal forests, to long shots across logging slashes.I don't think you have many grizzlies south of the border[ they are numerous in BC- not endangered in the least]so the bigger calibres probably won't be required.My favourite blacktail cartridge is the venerable 6.5x55 swede- a sweet shooting rifle and deadly accurate too, it seems ''just right'' for our deer, and a shoulder shot will put a black bear right down too- probably something to do with the high sectional density.