Caliber/Gun Recomendations

[Jamie]

OK.. So this what my gun cabinet looks like
- 300Rum (Remington)
- O/U 12 Gauge (Yildez)
- O/U Trap gun (Citori)
- 410/22
- 12 Gauge Pump (Super Nova) (Might get sold for a Semi)

What else do I need to add?
I was thinking a Really nice Deer/Antelope gun. I don't hunt yotes for profit and sheep is a dream at this point
What caliber and make would everyone recommend.
I was thinking the new model 70 winchester, but not sure on the "new" gun thing. I like a bit of a track record.

Thanks Guys
Jamie

[Senator]

if your going to sell that shot gun for a semi get a beretta.

[Bushmaster]

25-06....fast and flat.

You should add a 25-06 or 270 WSM for lopers. How about a sako or tikka, i'd say you NEED one of those. I'd shoot 130 gr out of the 270 WSM (thats what i'm shooting) and it would also double up as a sweet coyote rifle (if your not shooting them for fur). Off to wholesale

[theduke]

30-06 lol this may start a caliber war but i think its the best all around cal out there. but on the other hand ive shot a 270 the other day and liked it so maybe in the future i may buy it as a deer gun. as for type i recently picked up a tikka and love it. i cant believe all these years i havent been hunting without one. or u can even go with a rem cdl my buddy shoots one and he likes it and i shot it and also like it also in 30-06

[Mike_W]

I agree with JRS the ultimate Deer rifle out there is the .270 WSM I think I might get one and I have .270 Win great gun loaded up or down but loaded with a 130 grain this gun will be about as flat as you can get.

[Hooked07]

I would recommend a Remington 700 VLS in .243 Caliber. Would work excellent as a good Deer/Antelope gun and can also be grained down to drop those pesky coyotes if needed. Other than that a gun safe always feels complete with a good 30.06, the Sako 85 Grey Wolf Stainless/Laminate would suffice. I love buying guns...

[Huntnut]

One of those new model 70's in a 7mm mag.

[russ]

.280 Remington for a solid all round gun.

[cujo1969]

I gotta say the 270win its a awsome deer round and doesnt give up much to the wsm other then burns less powder and shells can ba found anywhere.

[gramps73]

Tikka T3 Lite in the .243 just got one for deer and speed goats love it.
Fast and flat with 100 grain..
gramps

"I gotta say the 270win its a awsome deer round and doesnt give up much to the wsm other then burns less powder and shells can ba found anywhere."

Shoots a bit flatter but the down range energy is where the real gains are made. If your not shooting over 300 yards i'd say the 270win is fine, for longer range that extra velocity (and energy) is nice to have (longer range comes into effect when hunting coyotes and may in Antelope country (depending where your hunting). Its really nice to have when hunting mulies in agricultural areas with no cover as well. Its often hailed as the most effective short mag (as opposed to mother case). Just to clarify.

[Rockymtnx]

IMO
You can pretty much cover everything from paper, deer, and brown bears with that .300 RUM. Its one of those not too big or not too small guns for North America. Of course I would have high-fived you if you had a .300 WBY in that cabinet of yours. But I won't hold that against you. j/k


22-250 Remington
- fast
- flat
- cheap to shoot
- ammo can be purchased anywhere
- .224 cal components are everywhere
- great varmint/rodent gun
- you can shoot 300 shells in an afternoon and still have a shoulder
- Every gun manufacture chambers it
- Downside - you can't legally use it for hunting in Alberta

25-06 Remington
- faster, but not super sonic
- fairly flat shooting
- ammo is becoming more available
- good gun for varmints, deer, antelope, sheep
- not a lot of recoil
- Downside - not quite enough lead for a big moose, bear, or anything else that may be on your ass

375 H&H
- no slow poke for the size of lead that its spitting out
- heavy enough to take down almost anything in the world
- good in the heavy brush
- Downside - if you hit a antelope in the hind end, your not going to have much meat left
- Downside - your shoulder won't feel so good after 25 shots

[ABDUKNUT]

.243 Winchester

Makes even the thought of owning a 22 or 25 obslete

[TreeGuy]

I'll add a vote in favour of the .243 also. Would be a great starter gun for Willy once he starts too!

The other calibre not yet mentioned is a .22mag. Hands down, the funnest gun I've ever shot!

Tree

[Cordur]

500 NE or A-Square, 375H&H or Ruger, 300WM, 270WSM, 257 Acley Improved or Weatherby, 243 Win, 22-250 Rem, .22LR

I think this would make a complete collection for me. I'd almost include the 300RUM but I think it would only be a filler between the 300WM and 375H&H. And since the 338 is more popular that would make it more ideal as a filler.

Although I've heard that every albertan needs the following:
12 Guage
22LR
22-250 Rem
270Win
375H&H

Seems about right to me. A person should at least have the basics and move on from there

[Lorne]

If you reload I would look at a 280 Ackley

[elkhunter1234]

jamie, jamie, jamie...you poor soul jamie....the first thing you need to do is to convince your wife that guns are an investment for your retirerment, and once you have done that then your options are endless...22LR, 17 hmr, 223, 220 swift, 22-250, 243, 25-06, 257 Roberts, 260, 270, 280, 30-06, 7MM, 300 win, 338, 375, and a whole bunch in between...
Just remember, if 10 guns are good, than 20 guns must be twice as good and 40 would be four time as good as that...

Jim

[Couleestalker]

I love my 280 rem. I have it in a Remington 700 mountain. I have taken several deer, two Elk and two Moose with it and I would use for all of Alberta's game including Antelope and Grizz (if we could)

[Rockymtnx]

Originally Posted by ABDUKNUT

.243 Winchester
Makes even the thought of owning a 22 or 25 obslete

Any reason why a 22 or 25 would be obsolete in your opinion?

[Jamie]

Elk.. You crack me up...
Seems there is a new Shotgun coming into the house every 6 months or so.. It was only 1.5 years ago I didn't even have one...
I just REALLY like Shotguns.. Next up is a Semi and a Side/Side. The Side might have be a 20 Gauge. (I really hope she doesn't read this)

My way of thinking was that I had the 300Rum to handle all the big stuff. I know it is effective on deer, but was concerned about Antelope. Good god would the Sirocco even open up?? I really don't know.

So I was thinking I need a flat shooting smaller gun. (Also a lever action.. Just because they are a ton of fun) (But that can wait till I find the right one)

My way of thinking goes like this.. I am not saying I am right, this is just the way I am thinking.. NO FLAMING JAMIE!!

The problem with the following calibers goes like this
300 Win or Weatherby.. Already got it in the 300Rum
7MM mag.. To close to the 300 Rum

So that leaves
30-06 (Perhaps)
270 (Why not?)
280 (See above)
25-06 (Never played with that one)
264 Win mag. (Tough to find though and shells are a pain)

I want a gun that is available and I can find good ammo for. Ideally I would like to stick with one brand/weight of ammo and never worry about it again.

Anyhow just a few thoughts.
Keep the ideas coming. I appreciate them all

Thanks
Jamie

257 Roberts

The 25-06 would be a great addition to your gun collection.

[Vindalbakken]

Originally Posted by Rockymtnx

Any reason why a 22 or 25 would be obsolete in your opinion?

Because he thinks the 243 has them both covered. The 243 IMO covers nothing in the stated purpose. If he had asked for a varmint/antelope rig maybe, but it is not big enough for hog Mulies at range. Start at the 270 Win and work your way up from there to what you feel comfortable with shooting for a deer/lope gun in Alberta.

These two fell prey to the 270 and 257 this past weekend. The one shot with the 270 was at a range that I would not feel comfortable shooting the 257 at.

The one shot with the 270 was at a range that I would not feel comfortable shooting the 257 at.

I would feel as comfortable shooting any deer at any range with the 25-06 as I would with the 270win.

[Vindalbakken]

The only way this would be a reasonable statement is if for accuracy reasons you are not comfortable shooting past 200 yards out, where any modern cartridge will have an acceptable trajectory and energy level to get the job done.

Pick a distance, any distance, and the 270 will have the same impact energy 100 yards further out than the 25-06 will. Comparing to the 257 as I did it will be an even more dramatic distance difference. IMO the 257 becomes marginal on big deer at 250 yards, the 25-06 would be marginal at 300 and the 270 at 400. Reduce those yardages by 50 yards to get into a "comfortable" range in regards to energy levels.

Trajectory wise, all three will shoot flat enough to carry out past their reliable energy levels, so trajectory is a moot point with them. Actually, trajectory is pretty much a moot point with all the calibres discussed/mentioned in this thread unless you have the capability and desire to take shots on game at ranges past 400 yards - in which case Jamie is covered with the Ultra Mag.

Originally Posted by Vindalbakken

The only way this would be a reasonable statement is if you are not comfortable shooting past 200 yards out, where any modern cartridge will have an acceptable trajectory and energy level to get the job done.

Pick a distance, any distance, and the 270 will have the same impact energy 100 yards further out than the 25-06 will. Comparing to the 257 as I did it will be an even more dramatic distance difference.

Is this true, if I am shooting 120gr out of the 25-06 and 120gr out of the 270?

The only way this would be a reasonable statement is if you are not comfortable shooting past 200 yards out, where any modern cartridge will have an acceptable trajectory and energy level to get the job done.

The energy level usually quoted as being adequate for providing clean kills on a deer is 1000ftlbs.The 25-06 will provide this energy level at 500 yards with several loads.I personally will not shoot more than 500 yards at any big game animal. As for trajectory,the 25-06 shoots just as flat as the 270win with bullets of the same sectional density.

Pick a distance, any distance, and the 270 will have the same impact energy 100 yards further out than the 25-06 will.

Since the 25-06 has adequate energy out to as far as I will ever shoot at a big game animal,I can kill any deer with a 25-06 that I can kill with a 270win.

Is this true, if I am shooting 120gr out of the 25-06 and 120gr out of the 270?

If you are talking factory loads,I have yet to see a 120gr .277" bullet.The only factory bullet weight that I have seen common to both is 100gr.The 270win will produce slightly more muzzle velocity with the 100gr bullet,but due to a higher ballistic co-efficient,the 100gr bullet out of the 25-06 will catch and surpass the 100gr bullet fired by the 270 win.
When comparing the 25-06 and 270 win,most people would compare the 25-06 with a 100gr bullet,and the 270win with a 130gr bullet.With bullets of similar design ,the trajectories will be nearly identical,and the 270 win will produce 100ftlbs to 200ftlbs more energy at a given distance.

[Vindalbakken]

Originally Posted by stubblejumper

Since the 25-06 has adequate energy out to as far as I will ever shoot at a big game animal,I can kill any deer with a 25-06 that I can kill with a 270win.

I have taken a number of deer at ranges of 400 to 450 yards with the 270. Your idea of minimum energy and mine differ. I would not be comfortable at 500 yards with the 270, let alone with the 25-06. 450 yards with the 270 leaves NO room for a misplaced bullet on 300 lb. mule bucks.

I think the 25-06 is a sweet little deer cartridge, but I do not put it in the 400+ yard category for a 300 lb. deer killer.

The 270 produces 300 to 400 ft-lbs more energy at any given distance with all regular hunting loads in either cartridge.