Little Scout
8 pointer
Looking for a larger caliber centerfire for the larger game animals. Such as Elk, Bear, and Mule deer. Any recomendations on caliber. I like a flat shooting gun with as little recoil as posible. 300 yard shots at most!
larger caliber centerfire
- Thread starter Little Scout
- Start date
weedwalker
10 pointer
The good ole 30-06 will kill anything in North America.
mwezell
12 pointer
Do you reload?
Little Scout
8 pointer
No I don't reload. Would like to but no more than I shoot it wouldn't be cost efective for me. I do have a neghibor that does that would probably help me work up a load. If need be.
mwezell
12 pointer
I'm putting a .280 Ackley Improved together as a personal gun now. It's everything you need for what you describe and you can still fire factory 280 ammo in it if you need or want to. The .280AI is nearly identical to a 7mm Mag in ballistics with less recoil,better accuracy and longer barrel life. There are others of course, and a plain ol' 06 will do the job if that's more to your liking. Just my two cnts worth---Mike Ezell
stalkingbear
6 pointer
Check out the great old 35 Whelen. It offers everything you want and will reach out to 300 yards max. People that buy a 35 whelen usually don't ever sell them. It's absolutely the best non-magnum round for elk IMO.
Hoosier5
Banned
You might look into the new .300 Ruger Compact Magnum. It's suppose to have less recoil and muzzle blast than the .300 Win. Mag.
WaterDog88
10 pointer
Go pick up one of the new model 70 feather weights. You won't want to put it down. 30-06 is an all around caliber and the right load is more accurate than it gets credit for...
duckslayer870
12 pointer
06 will kill anything in N America and most everything in Africa. Right bullets and shot placement is what its all about. 90% of the population cant comfortably or accurate shootl past 300 yards no matter what overpriced superwhacko magnum they buy. They usually develope a fear of recoil and noise subconciously and it greatly effects them. JMO.
Little Scout
8 pointer
I totlay agree duckslayer. I killed a buck once at 275 yards with a .270 with a 3-9x40 scope and I swore from then on I would never take another shot like that without better optics. My eyes aren't that good and neither are my nerves. So I will definantly be putting some good glass on the gun no matter what it is. What are your guys thoughts on a .308 or 7mm-08. are the ballistics not up to par or not enough knock down for the big game?
FOWLER2671
12 pointer
.308 or 7mm-08 would do just fine. Put a high quality bullet in it and they have plenty of knockdown. Bullet placement is key and low recoil and practice really helps that.
Had a friend that weighed over 300 pounds buy a Weatherby .300 mag which I reloaded for him. He missed several deer with it while killing others but shoots a 25-06 and does much better now.
Little Scout
8 pointer
Thanks Fowler. And all of you other guys for all the help. Now I just need to save up some money and make a trip to the gun shop. 
EKYHUNTER
6 pointer
- Jan 20, 2009
- 206
270, 30-06, 300 win mag or short mag....all are large claibers with some recoil...my personal gun is a browning white goold medallion a bolt 300 win mag....it does damage....well im pretty sure it will havnt shot anything besides a target yet...haha
There is a long list that fits the game, the recoil requirement removes several of those though IMHO....
Those which will all work with minimal recoil (which is subjective) are (in no particular order really)
7mm-08 (very good under appreciated round IMO wife shoots this and very well also)
.308 With new powders and bullets it will do about anything the 30/06 will do in a shorter action (oldest son shoots this round)
.270
30/06
.280
All mentioned are standard rounds (not belted mags) , easy enough to find ammo for (since you don't reload you do limit some other choices). Most have manageable recoil for most anyone with a good recoil pad (the Sims pad is awesome IMHO)
Those which will all work with minimal recoil (which is subjective) are (in no particular order really)
7mm-08 (very good under appreciated round IMO wife shoots this and very well also)
.308 With new powders and bullets it will do about anything the 30/06 will do in a shorter action (oldest son shoots this round)
.270
30/06
.280
All mentioned are standard rounds (not belted mags) , easy enough to find ammo for (since you don't reload you do limit some other choices). Most have manageable recoil for most anyone with a good recoil pad (the Sims pad is awesome IMHO)
