Do it all caliber and bullet weight

[Dwreckers]

Been researching for quite a while on a caliber that can do it all from pronghorn to elk that will perform anywhere from 100-600 yards if i get comfortable at that range. Seems a 7mm is a good choice. I was also debating a 300 win mag but most people say for smaller like antelope it just destroys the meat.
I’m also wondering whatever caliber I decide should I shoot 2 different bullet weights depending on game or find a happy median like a 160 grain. All experiences much appreciated!

 

[mtmuley]

Do a search. It will blow your mind. mtmuley

 

[cahunter805]

Either of those are good choices. If the majority of your hunting is short/medium range and mainly deer and antelope with the occasional elk I’d say a 7-08 or 7 Rem Mag is plenty.

 

[belshawelk]

I am to the point in hunting that there is no one caliber. Like having one car, trucks have their purpose and cars have theirs. Or maybe I like guns to much. But I have both been way under gunnned and over gunned and wont do it anymore. For me, I could get down to three calibers, I suppose 2 if really pushed. But why?

 

[Fullquiver]

There are a pile of Rifles that at those ranges with those parameters would get the job done quite nicely.. Really it's more about the nut behind the wheel so to speak than caliber for the most part.. 6.5 Manbun to 300 Win Mag and most everything in between would get it done with the right guy behind the trigger..

 

[MTHunter1321]

Bullets shouldn’t destroy meat if you hit where you’re supposed to aim. Friend of mine shot an antelope last year at 450 with a .375 and a copper bullet and didn’t ruin an ounce of meat

 

[Fullquiver]

In reality find a rifle that you are comfortable shooting, can shoot for extended periods and fits your style of hunting.. Then shoot it a lot with good loads and in different conditions at different ranges get to know it to shoot it accurately. Caliber isn't the main defining factor (within reason) if it's accurate.. Get familiar with your rifle, spend time shooting it like you should so that shooting becomes second nature, that is what makes a deadly combination far more than calibers..

 

[Brian in Montana]

Do a search. It will blow your mind. mtmuley

This subject gets hashed out monthly on HT. Muley can be a little sarcastic, but there is a large volume of documented opinions and argumentation just a search away.

Anyway, I'm kind of a fan of the many things that can be done with the .30 cal bullet. For cartridge, sign me up for the .308 win. You're talking "out to 600yds - the .308 is slowing down a good bit beyond 350yds, but my opinion is its a bad idea to try to shoot game at those distances anyway.

 

[brockel]

Never understood the switching bullet weights when going from bigger game to smaller game. A bullet you’d use on a moose will work equally as well on an antelope

 

[Frazier]

Get a 300 win mag. And send it

 

[belshawelk]

Bullets shouldn’t destroy meat if you hit where you’re supposed to aim. Friend of mine shot an antelope last year at 450 with a .375 and a copper bullet and didn’t ruin an ounce of meat

J

This subject gets hashed out monthly on HT. Muley can be a little sarcastic, but there is a large volume of documented opinions and argumentation just a search away.

Anyway, I'm kind of a fan of the many things that can be done with the .30 cal bullet. For cartridge, sign me up for the .308 win. You're talking "out to 600yds - the .308 is slowing down a good bit beyond 350yds, but my opinion is its a bad idea to try to shoot game at those distances anyway.

Just be careful of LR bullets ( thin jacket) at high velocities at moderate or less ranges. Some like the ones I shot last year literally exploded putting whole I could put my arm through. I have switched to all copper with my high velocity, high energy rifle. Just like your statement above.

 

[Flatrock]

It blows my mind how this topic gets absolutely piss pounded to death. If you can't find your answer in here, I don't know what to tell you.

- https://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?273498-Suggestions-for-a-good-Elk-cartridge
- https://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?273215-Talk-me-out-of-the-308
- https://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?272504-Caliber-Choice-Kimber-Mnt-Accent
- https://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?272180-New-rifle-New-caliber
- https://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?271365-308-or-7mm-08
- https://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?273498-Suggestions-for-a-good-Elk-cartridge
- https://onyourownadventures.com/hun...-and-round-to-get-next-270-7mm-08-7mm-Rem-Mag
- https://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?278042-7-08-or-6-5-creedmoor
- https://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?278761-Rifle-and-caliber-question
- https://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?279858-Yes-another-which-caliber
- https://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?285066-2-gun-do-all-battery-suggestions
- https://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?285581-What-caliber
- https://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?286449-not-this-again
- https://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?286825-6-5-Creedmore-or-7mm
- https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/whats-your-elk-rifle-and-cartridge.288465/
- https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/7mm-vs-300-wm.289232/
- https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/if-you-had-to-choose-just-one-caliber.289349/
- https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/i-hate-to-do-it-but-i-have-to-help-me-pick-a-caliber.288881/
- https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/300-ultra-mag-or-300-win-mag.289757/
- https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/whats-your-elk-rifle-and-cartridge.288465/
- https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/300-win-mag.287594/
- https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/6-5.290090/
- https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/7mm-08-vs-25-06.290715/
- https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/new-rifle-suggestions.290691/

 

[Clam]

Also, if you reload or not would be a consideration, especially if you plan on shooting the rifle much.

JMO - 300 win mags are pretty big boomers especially with brakes(I have to double up my hearing protection around them). Although quite popular with my buddies at my local range, they are a lot of rifle.

I’d look hard at the selection of calibers (and rifles) big fin is working on.

 

[VikingsGuy]

If you reload 280AI is a great choice.

 

[GlockZ]

Between 100-600 yards? I would go 300WM. There is just too many choices when it comes to bullet weights, also if you hand load your own, you can probably get down to 30-06 level of power and recoil. If you like the 7mm line, myself, I'd go for the 28 Nosler. Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[mtmuley]

Never understood the switching bullet weights when going from bigger game to smaller game. A bullet you’d use on a moose will work equally as well on an antelope

This. mtmuley

 

[std7mag]

I'll agree with the 280AI also.
Better BC than for given bullet weight than 30 caliber. Which equates to flatter trajectories, and more velocity/energy further down range.

And AI allows use of regular 280 Rem ammo also.

 

[6mm Remington]

280 Remington or 280 AI with a good 140-160 gr. bullet. I really like Nosler Partitions & Accubonds. Nothing wrong with the E-tip either.

30-06 with a 165 gr. Nosler Partition or Accubond.

 

[buffybr]

For the first 10 or so years that I hunted the only CF rifle that I had was a .30-06. I loaded it with 150 grain bullets for mule deer and antelope, and 180 grain bullets for elk. That got to be a pain re-zeroing for each animal, and since deer and elk seasons were at the same time, I often ended up killing both my deer and elk with the same weight bullet.

I then had my .30-06 re-chambered to .30 Gibbs for elk and just loaded 180 grain Partitions in it. I ended up killing elk, moose, and caribou with that combination.
At the same time I built a .257 Roberts Ackley Improved for deer and antelope. Over the years I've tried a variety of 115-120 grain bullets in it, but the bullet that I've killed the most deer and antelope with, and elk, caribou, and several mountain sheep, is the 117 grain Sierra GameKing.

About 20 years ago I bought a 7 mm Rem mag in stainless steel and a plastic stock. So far I have only used 160 grain Nosler Accubond bullets in it for hunting. Because it is more weather intolerant than my fancy walnut shocked rifles, I probably use it more now than any of my other rifles. I have used it here in Montana for deer, antelope, and elk, and on a number of hunts in African and Canada. It is a "do it all" caliber and rifle.

My favorite rifle is my .300 Weatherby that I've used with 168 grain Barnes TSX and TTSX bullets here in Montana and on five international hunts, killing a variety of animals from 20 pound African antelope to bull elk. It truly is also a "do it all" caliber and rifle.

In 50 years of very successful Western and international hunting, I have never killed an animal at a range of over 350 yards.

 

[JohnCushman]

I agree with 6MM Remington. 30-06 with 165 grain pills. It's not overkill for antelope, perfect for deer, and will put an elk down without a doubt.