What is your go to caliber...what should I get next?

[Jpl]

A few years ago I bought myself a short shotgun to take back country camping. It's a great little 12 gauge and punches like an angry gorilla.

I've always wanted and finally bought a marlin guide gun in .45-70 (love that gun), always have.

So now that I am getting into the hunting side of things I'm not sure how well those two firearms fare in the hunting world. I figure the .45-70 is good for moose and elk, even deer. The 12 gauge outside of 50(ish)yards is a crap shoot and I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable shooting past that anyway. I was one day planning to get a longer barrel for it, but this particular Fabarm doesn't allow a fit with a longer barrel. It was really only meant to be on the pack and never for hunting anyway.

My question is, what comes next for my coyote, deer and pheasant rifle? Would you go 20 gauge, or a .223, .243? What do you think?

[Talking moose]

Originally Posted by Jpl

A few years ago I bought myself a short shotgun to take back country camping. It's a great little 12 gauge and punches like an angry gorilla.

I've always wanted and finally bought a marlin guide gun in .45-70 (love that gun), always have.

So now that I am getting into the hunting side of things I'm not sure how well those two firearms fare in the hunting world. I figure the .45-70 is good for moose and elk, even deer. The 12 gauge outside of 50(ish)yards is a crap shoot and I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable shooting past that anyway. I was one day planning to get a longer barrel for it, but this particular Fabarm doesn't allow a fit with a longer barrel. It was really only meant to be on the pack and never for hunting anyway.

My question is, what comes next for my coyote, deer and pheasant rifle? Would you go 20 gauge, or a .223, .243? What do you think?

I wouldn't go .223 if you plan on deer...(illegal) unless your in a different province where it is legal. For deer and coyote go .243

[elkhunter11]

The 223rem is not legal for big game in Alberta, and I would get a shotgun for pheasant.

[Dunezilla]

I have used my 308 for 31 years on deer & a 12g for ducks, geese, & grouse. However I bought a 25-06 in the late fall of 2015 & I got it sighted in but I want to get a new scope & really get the feel of the rifle & use it this coming 2016 fall.

The 25-06 I bought is not a heavy rifle & not much kick & seems fast.

[Cageyc]

Check out the ballistics on the 25-06

[Savage addict]

My all time favourite rifle so far besides my tavor (just cause it's badass) is my savage 223 predator hunter. Heavy barrel and 223 means I can shoot it endlessly with zero fatigue. And I've been shooting 650-700yd steel lately with little trouble. Very fun, and short of big game will drop anything up to wolf with a well placed shot and nosler ballistic tips.

[Savage addict]

Edit:
They have other caliber a in the same gun as well including .243.

[catnthehat]

For now you gave a nice big game rifle in the 45/70
With hand loads you can tailor it perfectly .
I would buy a .223 for coyotes and a shotgun - either a 12 or 20 for birds .
You can get s faster, flatter , smaller cartridge for big game later !
Cat

[buckman]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

For now you gave a nice big game rifle in the 45/70
With hand loads you can tailor it perfectly .
I would buy a .223 for coyotes and a shotgun - either a 12 or 20 for birds .
You can get s faster, flatter , smaller cartridge for big game later !
Cat

Buy a .270

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by buckman

Buy a .270

Yeah, that's a great coyote/pheasant rig!
Cat

[Swaintrain21]

I'd have to reccommend the .223 it is a very nice shooting all round calibre. I am definitely biased to them but I love mine. 270 is to expensive to shoot at Yote's.

[J0HN_R1]

In my opinion, there's not a lot of firearms that'll cover all 3 (predators, deer, birds) animals...

Buy individual guns to fit the required task, you'll be happier in the end and have more guns !

Start with a good coyote/deer rifle, then get yourself a suitable shotgun for birds later.

I have these, both are quality firearms that will probably outlast me...

Savage 14 American Classic .243


Mossberg 930 HS 12ga

[Rage.0]

You honestly can't go wrong with the .243, when I was a young kid my dad bought me a Browning .243, it's light, accurate, and has many applications. Over the years I started hunting moose and elk in which time I bought myself a .270, my dad immediately took that .243 back and hasn't given it up since. "Killed a lot of deer with that gun" as the old man says

[Fowl91]

I have taken most of my game with a .25-06, which include everything from coyotes, deer, and elk.

[Okotokian]

If you wanted to hunt everything huntable in the province, without undue fur damage, etc, A 12 ga shotgun, .22 or similar for rodents, .223 (or similar rifle) for mid-sized predators like yotes, and .270 to .30 caliber rifle for all big game would do it all. You would never need another firearm. If you didn't care about fur damage just the first and last would do.

[Stdbredman]

You've received great advice do far and all the calibre mentioned are great. But I thought I should mention the virtues of the 7mm:08 just to out this thought in your mind. I bought one two years ago as , due to an eye operation, I was trying to reduce recoil from the 300win mag i mostly hunt with. This little gun shoots straight, has great ballistics and a very manageable recoil. As far as killing power, it has killed the largest black bear of my hunting career.

[jwilson]

Originally Posted by Stdbredman

You've received great advice do far and all the calibre mentioned are great. But I thought I should mention the virtues of the 7mm:08 just to out this thought in your mind. I bought one two years ago as , due to an eye operation, I was trying to reduce recoil from the 300win mag i mostly hunt with. This little gun shoots straight, has great ballistics and a very manageable recoil. As far as killing power, it has killed the largest black bear of my hunting career.

X2 7-08's are awesome. I got one in a Remington lss, it's my go to gun. Shoots flat, doesn't kick. You can load them back for coyote and up for moose/elk.

[ForwardBias]

All you need is a 223, 308, and 12 gauge.

[58thecat]

Well deer and yotes the 243 and you need to compliment all with a nice 22lr.