 |
|
11-03-2017, 09:53 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,858
|
|
Centerfire Rifle over .30 Cal, Suggestions?
Anyone recommend a good calibre/gun over .30 and with more then 2800Ft/Lbs of energy at the muzzle? Looking for something that wont break the bank.
|
11-03-2017, 10:03 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,689
|
|
404 Jeffrey, it's a classic.
|
11-03-2017, 10:04 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: AB
Posts: 806
|
|
I just picked up a 35 Whelen. Looking forward to trying out on game.
|
11-03-2017, 10:06 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 5,144
|
|
338 winmag
__________________
Former Ford Fan
|
11-03-2017, 10:07 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Rocky Mt. House
Posts: 1,829
|
|
What kind of range are you shooting and do you reload?
|
11-03-2017, 10:10 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,858
|
|
I reload. Buying the rifle pretty much solely for the buffalo hunt. Was kind of blind sided as I didn't know, Id need a gun over 30 Cal. Now dont want to spend to much money on it, as that will come out of my hunting fund.
|
11-03-2017, 10:11 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Strathcona County
Posts: 1,896
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered user
338 winmag
|
Thats the ticket - and yes I have one.
That or the .375 H&H. Both popular calibers and chambered in a lot of reasonably priced rifles if you look around.
|
11-03-2017, 10:15 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Rocky Mt. House
Posts: 1,829
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by raab
I reload. Buying the rifle pretty much solely for the buffalo hunt. Was kind of blind sided as I didn't know, Id need a gun over 30 Cal. Now dont want to spend to much money on it, as that will come out of my hunting fund.
|
Bashaw shows weatherby vangaurds in their specials for $679 shows one in 338wm and in 375h&h that would be where id be heading on a budget
|
11-03-2017, 10:17 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Strathcona County
Posts: 1,896
|
|
I'm just curious but why would you have to go above .30 cal to reach that muzzle energy.
Even a 30-06 will exceed that with the right bullet and load.
|
11-03-2017, 10:18 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Rocky Mt. House
Posts: 1,829
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buckhead
I'm just curious but why would you have to go above .30 cal to reach that muzzle energy.
Even a 30-06 will exceed that with the right bullet and load.
|
I think its a caliber requirement for the particular hunt their rules by the sounds of it
|
11-03-2017, 10:23 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,858
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buckhead
I'm just curious but why would you have to go above .30 cal to reach that muzzle energy.
Even a 30-06 will exceed that with the right bullet and load.
|
I should have said equal to or over 30 Cal. The minimum for the hunt is a 30-06 with 180 Gn bullet. Unfortunately me and my relatives all shoot smaller cartridges like 25-06, 308, 270, 6.5x55, etc... Have never really needed anything more then that. So was wondering whats a good rifle I should be looking for, in a cartridge with the above characteristics? I dont really care what the gun looks like, as long as its half decently accurate.
|
11-03-2017, 10:29 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,858
|
|
Was looking at a used Parker Hale or Mauser. Are these alright guns? I know the Mauser actions with the claw feed are supposed to be pretty good.
|
11-03-2017, 10:29 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Parkland County, AB
Posts: 4,257
|
|
If it's primarily for a Buffalo hunt, a .338-06 or a .35 Whelen will serve you well. Either will give you about 3500+ ft/lbs to work with.
__________________
When applied by competent people with the right intent, common sense goes a long way.
|
11-03-2017, 10:30 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Thorsby
Posts: 599
|
|
Sounds to me like the perfect excuse to buy a good used 375 H&H. You only get so many excuses like this, make the most of it. 
Should be a Mauser action of course, simply to be proper.
|
11-03-2017, 10:33 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Rocky Mt. House
Posts: 1,829
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Salavee
If it's primarily for a Buffalo hunt, a .338-06 or a .35 Whelen will serve you well. Either will give you about 3500+ ft/lbs to work with.
|
Would be my choice also but i think will be hard to find a rifle on a tight budget in either to bad couldnt find a h&r in 35 whelen kicking around still
|
11-03-2017, 11:04 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Parkland County, AB
Posts: 4,257
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by raab
Anyone recommend a good calibre/gun over .30 and with more then 2800Ft/Lbs of energy at the muzzle? Looking for something that wont break the bank.
|
Raab ... Save your $$$. I will gladly lend you a rifle in either .35 Whelen Ai , .338-06 or 9.3x62 for your Buff hunt.
If interested PM me and we can discuss.
__________________
When applied by competent people with the right intent, common sense goes a long way.
|
11-04-2017, 02:11 AM
|
|
Banned
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Rycroft
Posts: 21,548
|
|
Blr .358
|
11-04-2017, 03:15 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: GP
Posts: 950
|
|
If you are used to the smaller calibers DO NOT step up to a 338 win mag or 375 without trying one first. The recoil is substantial. I used a 338-06 on my bison and it was impressive to say the least. Unless things have changed the 30 caliber 180 grain is only a guideline. There were people using 270 WSM and 7 mags when we were up there. Bullet placement is absolute key. They go into a sort of hibernation mode in winter and their heart rate slows right down. This can be troublesome as they can plow through a lot of country after even a good shot.
If I were you I would consider the offer above to borrow one of the larger non magnum chamberings . Or go with a 30-06 with 200 grain premium bullets.
|
11-04-2017, 04:26 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 149
|
|
325 wsm.
|
11-04-2017, 05:39 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: The best place on earth.
Posts: 1,653
|
|
If you're set on buying, look at a 300wm or 300 wsm, be a good caliber to use lots after your bison hunt. But honestly I'd look at borrowing a rifle first, my biggest rifle is a 30-06 and I plan on shooting a bison with it one day. Know your limits and you'll be set with a rifle you're comfortable shooting.
__________________
Life’s a garden, Dig it! - Joe Dirt
|
11-04-2017, 06:44 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Lethbridge
Posts: 1,309
|
|
9.3x62 Mauser
250gr Accubond at 2600fps
Pleasant to shoot and perfect for hunting everything form weasels to walrus!!
__________________
"I find it amazing that we, as a society, find it so easy to view the perpetrators of crime with an understanding and knowing that they are suffering from the frailties of being a human being yet we cannot seem to extend that same courtesy to the very people we ask to face, on a daily basis, the worst that mankind has to offer."
-Dave (Whiskey Wish)-
|
11-04-2017, 07:43 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Between the mountains and the prairies.
Posts: 1,949
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by raab
Was looking at a used Parker Hale or Mauser. Are these alright guns? I know the Mauser actions with the claw feed are supposed to be pretty good.
|
Parker Hale Mauser's are possibly the best kept secret there is in hunting rifles and are very good value for the money. Every PH I've owned or seen has been a good shooter.
__________________
Life is too short too shoot ugly guns.
|
11-04-2017, 07:43 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,931
|
|
If you want I can lend you a rifle instead. No reason to spend $$ for a one time deal
|
11-04-2017, 08:08 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sherwood Park, AB
Posts: 1,314
|
|
If you reload a 35 Whelen is good.
I've always thought the most practical over 30 bore for a guy who just has to have something over 30 cal (you don't need a reason) is a 338 Win Mag. Better selection of factory ammo and component bullets than the Whelen.
If you want something short and light get a 350 Rem Mag in a Model Seven. They are out there but the comments above regarding factory ammo apply even more so to this one than the Whelen.
|
11-04-2017, 08:58 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Sturgeon County, Ab.
Posts: 3,130
|
|
I raised Bison for some years. Shot lots of them too. Shot them with a 270, 270WSM, 300 Weatherby, 308 Norma and 338 win mag. A 30-06 with a well constructed bullet and proper shot placement will kill any buff at reasonable ranges.
__________________
Proper placement and Deep penetration are what’s important. Just like they taught in Sex Ed!
|
11-04-2017, 09:03 AM
|
|
Banned
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,666
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Salavee
Raab ... Save your $$$. I will gladly lend you a rifle in either .35 Whelen Ai , .338-06 or 9.3x62 for your Buff hunt.
If interested PM me and we can discuss.
|
If these won't work I got a 338 wm and/or 338 rum you could borrow as well. The rum is braked and I could put the brake bake on the win may.
|
11-04-2017, 06:47 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,858
|
|
I'm not sure if its a recommendation or not after re-reading it. Got a booklet from the government and it says based on hunters experience. So maybe it is just a recommendation and I wont have to worry about it? Anyone know?
Also thanks everyone who volunteered to lend out a rifle. Got to love this board for things like that.
|
11-05-2017, 12:27 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: GP
Posts: 950
|
|
I pulled a tag in 2013 or 14. The bison hunting booklet was only a suggestion. It still follows the same regs as all AB hunting. You could attempt a 24 caliber as stated in the regs.
Not sure if this has changed in the past 4 or so years, but I doubt it.
Just so you know. I have never ever saw an animal that was not affected by a good shot in a 300 win mag, but buddies bull didn't flinch or anything. They are tough. I wouldn't suggest anything much lighter than 30-06. The 338-06 dropped the one I hit on the spot but it was a young bull and I was about 50 yards away.
|
11-05-2017, 08:35 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Calgary SW
Posts: 311
|
|
I noticed that Tradex Canada has some Husquavarna 1600s in 358 Norma magnum. Used is a good way to inexpensively get into a big magnum.
|
11-05-2017, 08:50 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: GP AB
Posts: 16,236
|
|
A fine cartridge not mentioned, but worth a look is the .338 Federal. I have been skating around getting one for a while now, and doing some reading on it again this morning (prompted by this thread), I'm skating closer to the edge on it. Lots of positives to it, without the recoil and extra weight of packing your typical .338 WM. Just a thought. TC
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ammo/...on_338_101207/
If you look at the ballistic chart on the end of the article, with a 180 gr Nosler Accubond you have muzzle velocity of 2830, drop is 8.2" at 300 (with a 200 yard zero) and energy is still a hefty 1820 foot lbs. Energy at muzzle is 3100+, so you won't be lacking. I like those numbers. Especially considering the mild recoil relative to the Magnums.
*Edit* Curious is anyone has one and can give real world impression on it?
__________________
'Once the monkeys learn they can vote themselves a banana, they'll never climb another tree.'. Robert Heinlein
'You can accomplish a lot more with a kind word and a gun, than with a kind word alone.' Al Capone
Last edited by Twisted Canuck; 11-05-2017 at 09:15 AM.
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:37 AM.
|
Linear Mode
