Author Topic: Which Rifle for Caribou, next year? (Read 1633 times)

Buckfever · « **on:** May 03, 2006, 05:17:35 PM »

I have a 6.5x55 and 30-06 in Tikka T-3's. The 6.5 is a tack driver and the 30-06 is accurate but not quite as good. Should I go with the 30-06 and start to play with 165 grain bullets or dare to take the 6.5x55 shooting a 140gr Nosler Partition. Buckfever

Brithunter · « **Reply #1 on:** May 04, 2006, 12:02:13 PM »

Go with the 6.5x55 :wink: but I would try some lighter bullets like 120 grains or even the 100 grain ones. Why? well I have a friend in Alaska who shoots Caribou every year and normally uses 7x57 with a 115 Grn Hollow Point and it's devistating on them.

It's interesting that the 6.5 is not as accurate as the .30-06 :? I would certainly try different bullets in the 6.5 I have a couple of rifles so chambered, not Tikkas' I might add, and one likes the 120 Grn flat based Speer bullet, the other shoots it OK but prefers a 140 grina bullet. I am currently trying to get them to shoot the Hornady 129 grain spire point.

Edit:-

In my sporterised Swedish Mauser have found a load which shoots the 129 Grain Hornadys' well. Interestingly enough I found at the range (only 75 meters (84 yards)) that a Norma factory load using 77 grain bullets and handloads using 120 grain Speers, 129 grain Hornadys' and 160 grain Hornadys' all shoot within 1 1/4" inches vertically of each other so for most practical ranges I can choose any of the loads and just go hunting :-)

Don Fischer · « **Reply #2 on:** May 04, 2006, 12:29:52 PM »

My choice would also be the 6.5 but with either the 129gr Hornady or 140 gr Hornady. I like that 129 gr bullet. The 140 gr Nosler should work fine. Just a thought, my 6.5-06 shoots 140 gr Hornady's and Nosler partition's to the same point of impact with the same loaded lenght! They also cronographed the same velocity! My 6.5x55 shoot's both 129gr and 140gr bullet's very very well.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #3 on:** May 04, 2006, 01:51:09 PM »

A 30-06 is never a wrong choice. Take the rifle you KNOW will get the job done. Yeah, yeah, I know, the swedes kill elk with the 6.5 and Bell killed elephants with a 7x57 but.............................

kyote · « **Reply #4 on:** May 04, 2006, 02:27:03 PM »

I have to agree with bee,the 30-06 would be my choice also.nolser 150 ballllistic tip over 52gr of imr4064.. but, that is old tech..I just might use the 168 triple shock that barnes makes.that would be an excellent round also.then I believe I would have a couple 200 gr partitions in the mag as well, are some barnes X bullets of a heavy weight also.as I understand that a gun shot in that area acts as a dinner bell for the big bears.good luck on your hunt..

Lone Star · « **Reply #5 on:** May 04, 2006, 02:40:12 PM »

I've taken a number of Alaskan caribou, with rifles ranging from a .45-70 to a .260. The .260 with 125 Partitions was an outstanding choice, although the 140s would have been fine too. Caribou aren't particularly hard to kill, but due to the long range sometimes involved (I took the one with the .45-70 at 50 yards) I'd not choose the 100 grain bullets. I used 100-grain BTips on Kodiak deer in the .260 and they worked great, but caribou are bit larger.

I think that the 6.5 with 125/140s or the '06 would do you fine. It is important to knock a caribou down near where you hit it - wounded they can travel a long ways and it's often over terrible tundra full of ni**erheads...not what you want to pack him out across. :eek:

BUSTER51 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 26, 2006, 12:59:17 PM »

Caribou ,YUMM I would pick the rifle you shoot best 6.5 is enough but 3006 would be nice just in case . I like my Caribou steak med rare with fried onions and mushrooms ,mashed potatos and a couple Heiniken's at 40 degrees. try and shoot a young tender one and good luck . :-D

corbanzo · « **Reply #7 on:** May 26, 2006, 02:51:09 PM »

If you are going to hunt with the 6.5, go with the 165grn, you never know when you are gonna see that big'n. I, being me, will kill most things I kill in my life with an -06, so I recommend it first.

Zachary · « **Reply #8 on:** May 26, 2006, 03:11:23 PM »

I would go with the .30-06 with premium 165 or 180 grain bullets.

If I were to use the 6.5, then I would NOT use 100 grain bullets! 129? Maybe. I WOULD strongly recommend the 140s.

Again, my vote would be .30-06 over the 6.5.

Zachary

Gregory · « **Reply #9 on:** May 26, 2006, 04:04:01 PM »

I've never hunted Caribou, but I've read that they are not all that hard to put down. Either one of you guns would probably be fine. Which one do you want to take?

Your Partition load out of the 6.5 sounds Elk capable to me, so it should work for a 'bou. As will the '06.

Slamfire · « **Reply #10 on:** May 26, 2006, 10:59:48 PM »

I used a 6.5-.257 on three very nice 'bou in the NWT. That cartridge holds about a half a grain more powder than the 6.5x55. The 125 Partitions or 129 Hornady's are all the bullet you'll need. :wink:

akpls · « **Reply #11 on:** May 27, 2006, 11:11:34 AM »

There's an awful lot of people here in AK killing caribou with the '06 or .308. And using plain old Remington Core-Lokt's, no less. I can't even guess how many caribou have been taken by a 30 caliber 150 gr. non-premium bullet in our family, but it's a lot.

Zachary · « **Reply #12 on:** May 27, 2006, 02:01:32 PM »

Given that you live in Alaska, things are different for you than it would be for us down here in the lower 48. There is no doubt that a non-premium bullet can work on caribou. BUT for most of us who see such a hunt in such a spectacular place, (and likely at such an expensive price), the additional overall cost of about $5 to $10 per box of ammo for premium ammo for that "added insurance" is hardly worth thinking about when the total cost of such a hunt should be in the thousands.

Also, "premium" nowadays means different things. Nosler has both a Partition and a Ballistic tip. Both are "premium" bullets, but both serve two different purposes. I think that most of us would select a partition over a ballistic tip.

Zachary

wild willy · « **Reply #13 on:** May 27, 2006, 03:58:51 PM »

I used a .260 with 129 hornady to shoot a couple worked fine

akpls · « **Reply #14 on:** May 27, 2006, 06:24:27 PM »

Quote from: Zachary

Given that you live in Alaska, things are different for you than it would be for us down here in the lower 48.....

Your "hunt of a lifetime" is our trip to the supermarket.

Tez308 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 27, 2006, 10:22:02 PM »

6.5x55 for me,or flip a coin you cant go wrong with either.
:grin:

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 28, 2006, 01:58:01 AM »

I would go with the 30-06. I used a 300 win mag, just because of the distance I would be shooting. I used a 165 gr. Barnes X and at 300 yards I took my Caribou. I was in the Arctic circle and no trees to hide behind, so long shots were the norm. The closest shot was made at 208 yards and the furthest was 300 yards.

Cement Man · « **Reply #17 on:** May 28, 2006, 02:34:46 AM »

I've used them both on game up to elk. I think the choice between the two cartridges is between "wonderful" and "superb". You mentioned that your 6.5 is a tack driver, and the '06 is not quite as accurate. You may have to take a longer shot. Shot placement is always very important. If I had to choose between these two great cartridges for caribou, I'd opt for the one I had the most confidence in that I could put my bullet exactly where I wanted it. Good Luck - hope you have a great hunt. (I sure like Buster's menu - that's about perfect!!!)

Demonical · « **Reply #18 on:** May 28, 2006, 03:24:35 AM »

Caribou are not a tough animal. IMHO I'd take the .30-06 loaded with 165gr bullets.
I've seen guys make some pretty long shots on caribou (hunting videos, not personal experience) so you need a flat shooting rifle, which a .30-06 certainly is.

jro45 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 31, 2006, 12:18:34 PM »

If I were going I'd take two rifles one for long range [ 257 WBY ] the other for and thing up to 200 yds [ 30/06 ]. What ever the day called for
would make my choice.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 31, 2006, 12:33:26 PM »

Quote from: jro45

If I were going I'd take two rifles one for long range [ 257 WBY ] the other for and thing up to 200 yds [ 30/06 ]. What ever the day called for
would make my choice.

I went on a drop hunt in Alaska and the last thing you would consider doing is taking 2 rifles. You will never know the distance the animals were going to be and second you would not want to carry 2 rifles around all day. We brought enough gun to handle a grizzly, which are there and one with long range capability with good knock down power for down range.

jro45 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 01, 2006, 06:39:15 AM »

I'm sure my guide would know where he was going with me any day. He could say weather it would be a long or short distance I'd be shooting. If all shooting was long distance Id take my 300 RUM and leave my 257 WBY and my 30/06 at home. With that gun I can shoot to 600 yds.

dukkillr · « **Reply #22 on:** June 01, 2006, 08:34:40 AM »

I took my 300 win mag but both bulls were within 100 yards. Caribou are not very tough, but the country can be wide open. I'd take something you're comfortable with at long range. When I go again I'll take the 300 or similar type gun. Plenty of power, range, and it's laminated stainless which is great because of the wet, cold environment.

DavOh · « **Reply #23 on:** June 01, 2006, 08:39:20 AM »

I've never hunted "large game". If fact pretty much only whitetail deer. But I will say this. There is NOTHING, and I repeat, NOTHING on the north american continent that I would not hesitate to take with my old beat up .308 Remington 788.

When prepared with appropriate ammunition.

That said... out of the two rifles you previously mentioned, I'd have to say take the one you have the most confidence/experience with, and if so inclined take the other as a back up(if the traveling means allows).

Slamfire · « **Reply #24 on:** June 01, 2006, 07:57:39 PM »

They may not be hard to kill, but they cover ground awfully fast. Where I hunted you couldn't shoot at 600 yards except from one hill top to another. And the 'bou don't stop to look back at you, they just drop down out of sight. You'd be better off bein' able to run uphill for a couple hundred yards and shoot when you get to the top, than thinkin' you are gonna be shootin' at somethin' a long ways off.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #25 on:** June 02, 2006, 02:31:48 AM »

Quote from: Slamfire

They may not be hard to kill, but they cover ground awfully fast. Where I hunted you couldn't shoot at 600 yards except from one hill top to another. And the 'bou don't stop to look back at you, they just drop down out of sight. You'd be better off bein' able to run uphill for a couple hundred yards and shoot when you get to the top, than thinkin' you are gonna be shootin' at somethin' a long ways off.

In the Alaskan tundra, you are not going to be running anywhere. You are walking on tussocks and the ground in a lot of the area is wet and muddy. At least it was in the Arctic circle. I am sure there is a lot of areas that have harder ground, but I have not hunted any for Caribou.

jro45 · « **Reply #26 on:** June 02, 2006, 02:34:51 AM »

When ever I go on a hunting trip I always take two rifles. Just in case a scope gets broken, God forbid, on one of them or something else happens.
You never know.

jro45 · « **Reply #27 on:** June 02, 2006, 04:36:43 AM »

Quote from: Slamfire

They may not be hard to kill, but they cover ground awfully fast. Where I hunted you couldn't shoot at 600 yards except from one hill top to another. And the 'bou don't stop to look back at you, they just drop down out of sight. You'd be better off bein' able to run uphill for a couple hundred yards and shoot when you get to the top, than thinkin' you are gonna be shootin' at somethin' a long ways off.

Slamfire, With my 300 RUM the scope I have on it I can shoot accurately
anywhere from 25 yds to 600 yds. So long or short shot doesn't matter.
That running would take my breath up any hills so I'd rather walk fast.
If I were going.

Slamfire · « **Reply #28 on:** June 02, 2006, 07:52:30 PM »

Quote from: Redhawk1

In the Alaskan tundra, you are not going to be running anywhere. You are walking on tussocks and the ground in a lot of the area is wet and muddy. At least it was in the Arctic circle. I am sure there is a lot of areas that have harder ground, but I have not hunted any for Caribou.

Where I was in the NWT there were a lot of willows, so you had to be a broken field runner, and you couldn't flop down at the top on the hill and see the game. So run and shoot off you hind legs. Of course, if you didn't try to evaluate the heads, they wouldn't get away before you made up your mind, and you could shoot them proped up on somethin'.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #29 on:** June 13, 2006, 06:57:37 PM »

USED A 7MM RUM WHEN I WENT TO NORTHERN QUEBEC. 300 YARDS, SHOT A REAL NICE BULL (LOOKS GOOD ON THE WALL TOO). I PERSONALLY WOULD GO WITH THE 30-06 ONLY FOR THE FACT THAT YOU MAY HAVE PRETTY FAR TOO SHOOT.
THEY ARE STRANGE ANIMALS THOUGH. I'M USED TO WHITETAIL, WHEN YOU SHOOT THEM IF THEY DON'T DROP THEY RUN, CARIBOU STAND THERE AND WONDER WHAT HIT THEM.
REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU DECIDE YOU WILL HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE AND THE MEAT IS AWESOME!