Good hunting rifle and caliber?

[OpusX]

Men have killed a Lion with their bare hands. i would imagine it has the same success as dropping a large Grizzly with a .22 lol.
Sure the .223 round is lethal but it's ballistics I would never use for large game let alone at distance.
No one is hunting Elk, big Deer or Moose with a .223 that really hunts.
As far as CA boars go I hunted them for many year's in the Santa Clara mountains back in the 80's bagging a 90 pound pig with a 12 gauge slug.

Exactly. I don't care how good of a shot you are, happens, and I'm not gonna risk wounding an animal with an underpowered cartridge just because I don't want to buy another rifle, or deal with the recoil of something larger.

 

[sanmiguel0601]

Howa 1500 in 308/3006 or 6.5 creed, vortex crossfire/diamondback will get you started. Build an AR10, or use a 6.5 grendel AR upper if you specifically want to use your AR

5.56 requires much better shot placement than larger rounds to drop a large mammal quickly. It will do the job, but you need to be a much better shot

Hunting board 300 blackout the best and just get upper

 

[Yoteassasin]

Exactly. I don't care how good of a shot you are, happens, and I'm not gonna risk wounding an animal with an underpowered cartridge just because I don't want to buy another rifle, or deal with the recoil of something larger.

Probably one of the most ignorant statements in the hunting world . I’ve encountered many slapdiks around spouting this same crap. In fact I’ve seen more animals lost to 270 shots than anything else. Is that because a 270 is to weak or small ? Or people who shoot bigger calibers are generally worse hunters ?

 

[OpusX]

Probably one of the most ignorant statements in the hunting world . I’ve encountered many slapdiks around spouting this same crap. In fact I’ve seen more animals lost to 270 shots than anything else. Is that because a 270 is to weak or small ? Or people who shoot bigger calibers are generally worse hunters ?

So are you saying you hunt elk with .223? Or are you taking my comment completely out of context? Because I have no idea what point you're trying to make with these loaded questions, or why you've got your panties in such a bunch.

 

[NATEWA]

I wouldn't touch 6.5 creed for hunting in CA just for the reason that we have to shoot non-tox and it's going to be a pain to find. For example: Sportsman's has 4 different non-tox 6.5 options but 23 different 308 options in non-tox. Even if you are reloading everything is going to be harder to find and more expensive.

Yes - check CA approved ammo on Sportsman Warehouse website. I have a 6 arc upper I’m holding off on putting together because there is no CA approved ammo. Only one option in 7 PRC.

I picked up a .270 years ago because it worked on deer, pigs and was the lightest suggested caliber for elk at the time.

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[Yoteassasin]

So are you saying you hunt elk with .223? Or are you taking my comment completely out of context? Because I have no idea what point you're trying to make with these loaded questions, or why you've got your panties in such a bunch.

In not telling anyone to hunt elk with a 223 I’m stating those who insist a larger caliber is a placebo for inaccurate shooting or low hunting skill are wrong . You specifically doubted hunters who were recoil shy . In your previous post . It’s all horse pucky .

My recommendation is shoot what you are comfortable and accurate with. And Pay no mind to fools with little brains who insist on big calibers. And again .243 is the gold standard for Ca speed kills and being able to watch the bullet impact is invaluable

 

[OpusX]

those who insist a larger caliber is a placebo for inaccurate shooting or low hunting skill are wrong . You specifically doubted hunters who were recoil shy .

Nah, I think you're taking a lot of creative liberties with what I said to insinuate something I didn't and stir up. I never doubted anyone or said a larger caliber was a panacea, but more ft/lbs. of energy definitely doesn't hurt, does it?

And Pay no mind to fools with little brains who insist on big calibers.

Same way I pay no mind to snowflakes that take every random comment on the internet as some kind of personal attack.

 

[Yoteassasin]

Nah, I think you're taking a lot of creative liberties with what I said to insinuate something I didn't and stir up. I never doubted anyone or said a larger caliber was a panacea, but more ft/lbs. of energy definitely doesn't hurt, does it?



Same way I pay no mind to snowflakes that take every random comment on the internet as some kind of personal attack.

“I'm not gonna risk wounding an animal with an underpowered cartridge just because I don't want to buy another rifle, or deal with the recoil of something larger.”
Your words not mine homie
And yes more lbs/ft can hurt . ie if you are recoil shy or need to be able
To take a follow up shot .

 

[OpusX]

“I'm not gonna risk wounding an animal with an underpowered cartridge just because I don't want to buy another rifle, or deal with the recoil of something larger.”
Your words not mine homie
And yes more lbs/ft can hurt . ie if you are recoil shy or need to be able
To take a follow up shot .

Edit for clarity of my opinion.

Yeah, and I was speaking in the context of the conversation and people who talk about killing big game with .22 caliber rifles. Why you seem to think anything I said had anything to do with you, or anyone else who hunts with .243 is completely beyond me, especially when I think .243 is a perfectly fine caliber for a number of game. It wouldn't be my first choice for elk, and I prefer .308 as a comparable caliber for a few reasons, but that doesn't mean I don't think there's other alternatives like .25-06 or 7mm-08 either.

The point is, you took what I said way out of context and used it as justification to talk down to me like an ass. Not a great way to make a first impression. You'd probably find that if you just try to have a normal conversation, we might actually agree on a few things instead.

 

[NATEWA]

Some good Black Friday sales at Sportsman Warehouse. .308 and 30-06

 

[Eric760]

You’d be fine with a .243, .270 or 30-06. If you like hunting rifles with character a pre-64 Winchester Model 70 is pretty awesome. Otherwise, I’d look at a Tikka T3 Lite. Probably the most inherently accurate stock rifle that I’ve had. Smooth as glass action, too.

 

[2muchsoysauce4allthisrice]

Looking to get into hunting, would likely be dear/boar. Possibly elk but that’s looking like a bit of a stretch. Any recommendations on a good hunting rifle/scope? I’ve built an ar, but it doesn’t seem like people build out their hunting rifles, they just buy them outright.

Something in the middle price wise, kind of like a bcm. Not cheap but not gucci, but a good rifle.

Thanks

I use Ruger American GEN 1 in 7mm-08 22 inch barrel, using a Burris signature Hd 3-15x44 with e3 illuminated reticle and locking turrets; dropped it in a magpul hunter chassis to shorten the length of pull. Unloaded, the rifle is 10 pounds. The magpul hunter stock definitely added the weight.

The gen 2 Ruger American predator doesn’t seem bad for a starter. I see that they made it where you can adjust the length of pull through the spacer system. I would buy one of those if I were to do it all over again; for Ruger American. If I were to really do it all over again; I would have went with the tikka compact 7mm-08. I hear good things about tikka along with accuracy and saving weight; but; the compact model in 7mm-08 wasn’t available when I wanted to buy.

I chose 7mm-08 (neck down .308) because it’s good for shorter/smaller stature individuals. Downside of 7mm-08 is there are not any factory FMJ loads for practice; only soft points. Cheapest is hornady American white tail and PpU; at $22-$23 online price or about $29 retail.

My zero is set at 1.7 inches high at 100 yards to hit on point at 200; for Barnes ttsx 120 grain. To hit at 300 yards with that zero, I need to use a hold over mark. Grouping of the Barnes lead free is 1 inches at 100; but it groups tighter with fort Scott munitions. The hornady American white tail and ppu soft points impact 1 inch lower at 100; groups about 1.2 to 1.5 inches?

 

[FISHNFRANK]

Any cartridge except the .308 or the 6.5 Creedmoor. They’re the worst.

 

[Deadcoyote]

I think a tikka t3x lite is hard to beat. I’d go .270, but really whatever caliber you’re into.

I would throw out there just for the sake of information, I’ve killed a lot of deer and pigs with an Aero M5 and it works great. I almost exclusively hunt on private property and have gotten negative reactions to it from a couple ranch owners. To the level that I don’t take it to someone’s ranch the first time I hunt there.

 

[BigBossman]

Any cartridge except the .308 or the 6.5 Creedmoor. They’re the worst.

Well...... you're half right.

 

[M1A Rifleman]

308 or 3006 is good for pig and deer. 3006 with correct bullet may be minimal for Elk.

 

[dry_brisket]

Piggybacking this thread. Looking to pair a bolt action with my larger game centric Marlin 1895 in 45-70. I'm not married to any caliber but a set-up that can be made for a lefty would be ideal.

 

[skb720]

Piggybacking this thread. Looking to pair a bolt action with my larger game centric Marlin 1895 in 45-70. I'm not married to any caliber but a set-up that can be made for a lefty would be ideal.

Maybe a Ruger Gunsite Scout in .308?

 

[Vtec44]

I decided on 308 a few years ago as my go to caliber to simplify my stockpile to just 308, 7.62x31, 223/556, 9mm, and 22LR. I got a Savage 11 in 308 and put on a Nikon Prostaff 7 3.5-14x50. It has done well for me. I recently got a Savage Axis 2 in 223 with a threaded barrel. It shoots very nice.

 

[JoeBronco]

@OP - where are you located? A rem 700 in 30.06 will kill anything in the west. Just depends on your style.

Brush hunting - 30.30
Ambush pigs - 300blk AR
400+ yd shots - 308
Best all around - 30.06