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223;3437887]True, but I just don't have as much confidence in it yet. Will see how it does on deer, but will be pickier with shot selection and distance than I would be with my 7 mm Rem mag on anything bigger. Sounds like it worked well for you, would not have thought a through the shoulder shot would be ideal for a 243 on an elk.

On the other hand, I shoot my 7mm as well or better than the 243 and I'd consider it a near ideal elk or moose caliber compared to adequate or legal minimum for the 243. Shooting the biggest caliber you can shoot well is reasonable, and for me that's the 7mm. As I said, bought the Tikka Compact for my daughter, but it's so handy to carry and lightweight I'll carry it myself when conditions are right.

Will start with it on deer and work my way up to bigger game depending on how it works in my hands. I believe confidence is a huge component of killing power; both that you can place the bullet well and that it will drop the animal cleanly. Again, I don't have that confidence in the 243 for elk or moose, at least not yet.[/QUOTE]

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30-06 for most expect sheep then it's a 25-06..

I must admit, I probably have way more rifles than I need. To give an honest answer though, my trusty .338 Win Mag is my "go to" when it comes to hunting in elk or moose country. For deer sized game I carry my .257 Wby or 6.5-284 Norma. Could I get by with just one? Sure. I wouldn't hesitate using any of these or some of my other rifles in a one gun arsenal. What it always comes down to is shot placement, if you can consistently put the bullet where you're supposed to at the ranges you intend to shoot, the cartridge choice is irrelevant.

-Craig

I agree with everything in the article. I am surprised it isn't more widely read. I suppose it won't sell many short/fats or Weatherby's though . Ross is a little controversial and seems to like the golden oldies-which I like about him

Sportized .303 brit. Only rifle I own. 150grain hornady

270 cal win all the way . Dont need a cannon to hunt

Thanks for this. I dont think anyone is wondering if the cartridge they choose is powerful enough for gut shots.

300 wsm for everything. Would love to add to it but there is no need. Maybe one day just for the fun of multiple rifles.
I think we often over think the cartridge selection. Would you rather be punched in the head by Mike Tyson or kicked in the head by Anderson Silva? :sHa_sarcasticlol:
Most of my hunting with a 300 wsm could easily be done with anything from 243 to 460 wby or something "too slow" like 8mm Mauser or 45-70.
Lately my bow has been chosen most when in the field.

Depending on the terrain I'm hunting in.
270 or 308 KISS

:bad_boys_20:I can see you under think a lot ..it's my choice starting with elk ..I have used the .243 on deer and to me it's not my choice for elk in grizz country .... most of your hunting is what am asking for .. did you start out hunting deer southern SK then think it becomes a darn great elk cartridge ? where do you hunt ? for all we know the 30-30 maybe your overall choice ..:sHa_sarcasticlol:

Father passed when I was 16 and I inherited his Ruger M77 in .30-06. I hunt with it for sentimental reasons but I've never felt under gunned while hunting deer, elk, or moose. Usually just change from 160-180 grain partitions between species.

If I'm after coyotes I bust out my pre-64 M70 in .220 Swift topped with the original Weaver K6. Grandfather bought it new in '56 I believe? Still drives tacks with my best bench group 3/8" center to center at 100 yards.

SS

Lots of great rifles listed and it just shows you that more than 1 opinion can be correct.

For me my 300 wsm Tikka Lite is my all around rifle.......I have complete confidence in it and know it's ballistics. Elk, deer, moose and sheep have all been victims to this rifle....the only time I have hunted big game with anything else was antelope when I took my 243 and missed 2 before finally connecting.

I have three that fit the bill across the board.
First is my fav, an 85 Finnlight in 270wsm, topped with a Swaro Z3 3-10BRX, and 140grain Accubonds. Second is a Husky Crown 3000 in 270win with 130grain silver tips. Third is my 85 Bavarian in 375H&H, just because it's awesome. If I still had my 35Whelen, it would be at the top of the list as my first choice.

Love hearing what everyone uses and why. Keep em coming. Hopefully, I'll be lucky enough to hand down my hunting rifles to my kids someday.

From 1973 until 1984 my only go to rifle was a 7mm. From 1985 to date it has been a .338 WM. I do however take my 270 out every now again when not hunting the high country. I spend a lot of time hunting sheep and just feel more comfortable carrying the .338 in grizzly country.
The Wild Sheep Foundation recently surveyed their membership as to their rifle of choice and I found the results rather surprising and interesting. The .300 WM came in the most chosen cartridge, followed buy the .270, and in third place was the 7MM. Each to their own IMO.

I have a variety of calibers and if I had to choose one for the animals described it would be a 7mm-08.

Funny thing about the under think part, is I pretty much over think everything I do. Trying to get away from that and just enjoy life, get things done (done is better than perfect), and spend time doing what I value :)
I only have a 300 wsm so it's what I use for everything. Worked up a great load for it with 180gr accubonds. I'd love to try some 165 gr Barnes but if it ain't broke. ...
I started with the 300 wsm based on looking for an all around cartridge. Wanted something with some punch and 30 cal bullets are widely available. Thought it might be fun to try out the short mag. If I eventually get another multi purpose gun, it'll probably be a 6.5x55 :)
I buy elk and black bear tags and hunt the northern bush near farmland (not supposed to be grizz country). Had a moose draw once too. Haven't bought a deer tag in years. In those situations, shooting opportunities are rarely more than 150 yards. 243 would kill them all but I have a 300 wsm and like it :)
Every other gun below is what I borrow:
Shot my first deer with the trusty 30-30.
Shoot a lot of coyotes with the 22-250. Excellent cartridge for that. Like the 25-06 too.
Long range target has been 7 wsm and 338 lapua imp. Just plain fun.
Plenty of practice with 7mm rem mag and only have a moose and coyotes killed with it so the verdict is still out on whether it works in Alberta :sHa_sarcasticlol:


Edit: just went back to your first post. Looks like we use the same cartridge for similar reasons. I'd like to go for sheep one day and would only consider a different cartridge because my 300 wsm Steyr is on the heavy side. Might rather buy a custom lightweight stalk instead of new rifle though. Otherwise same order of targeted game as you

45-70 for bushwacking and 7mm rem mag for everything else.

25-06 on coyotes all the way up to moose...

Winchester Model 70 Featherweight, pre 64, .280 Caliber, Bob Jury Barrel.

What kind of bullets are you using in your 25-06?

Go to.
 

Ruger M77 in .270 Winchester with 130gr and my Remington 700 Classic in 35 Whelen shooting 250gr. Makes me happy.

What your cartridge
 

7mm Rem. mag. For everything!

I have been using Federal Premium 115gr partitions but debating trying some HSM 115 gr Bergers.

I was going to sell my 25-06 and like a fool sold my ammo first....now have to buy it all again lol hence I may try the Bergers. I do like the partitions however and they never fail, don't cause an excessive amount of meat damage.

Seems I've heard you say that before about the .280AI, somewhere... :D

Why wouldn't I....... it's the best cartridge ever!!!

go to
 

well for about the last 10 yrs ive been playing . like this year it was the wifes .243 . been play with a 7mmo8 , love it ...6.5x 55 swede love it too , old 303 brit awesome but , when as they say, the do-do hits the fan , its my dads old marlin 336c ..35 remmy in the bush or if its bush and field, its an old 760 pump remmy in ..you guessed it ..3006 tossing 165 hornady interlocs . boring maybe but magical to me lol.

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