Big Game Gun - Page 2

ConcealedG23 · 08-04-2012, 13:51

I had thought about this a little lately and found the following. Pretty compelling argument for the 300winmag.

D

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/the_300_winchester.htm

countrygun · 08-04-2012, 14:21

I have never been one to think that, if a .30 cal bullet at '06 velocities wasn't enough to do the job that just adding more FPS would fix that.

It really doesn't even add that much more to the MPBR, and once you are beyond that it is up to the skill of the shooter in making the proper adjustment with either round.

The .338 offers heavier projectiles with better SD and BC charcteristics, with an MPBR similar to the 30-06.

Batesmotel · 08-04-2012, 23:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedHaze

Maybe you just say to heck with a big game rifle, and take 'em all with a handgun.

Depends on the area and game hunted. Can't handgun everywhere. Same for semi autos and single shots.

Myke_Hart · 08-05-2012, 07:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by G23Skadoo

But I'm having a hard time with the idea of $200 for a box of 20 hunting rounds.

Real sportsman reload for this very reason.

G23Skadoo · 08-05-2012, 08:22

I do need to get a reloader, that's first on my list for sure.

M1A Shooter · 08-05-2012, 12:36

if you want most versatile, look into the 12ga. seriously

as long as you reload and want the power, google "12ga from hell"

guy uses 50BMG brass to make 12ga shells from and gets 50 BMG power.

PlasticGuy · 08-05-2012, 15:42

For most hunters, a .308 or .30-06 is plenty. For guys who will be hunting large bear and moose, a .338 Magnum is my choice. There is nothing native to North American that can't be effectively hunted with a .338 Winchester Magnum, and ammo cost is acceptable for most hunters.

The only allowance I would make is if you want to try reloading also. You could download a .375 H&H for practice and for North American game, and then run it at max for Africa.

Batesmotel · 08-05-2012, 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlasticGuy

The only allowance I would make is if you want to try reloading also. You could download a .375 H&H for practice and for North American game, and then run it at max for Africa.

375 with a light fast bullet is gaining popularity as an elk/moose round.

K.Kiser · 08-05-2012, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batesmotel

375 with a light fast bullet is gaining popularity as an elk/moose round.

A little more than humanely necessary imo, but overkill is better than overwound as the Dad used to say..

sourdough44 · 08-06-2012, 07:12

If you've never hunted much before & don't really have an adequate rifle I wouldn't start off any larger than a 30-06. Personally I'd like the 308. It depends some on where you live and what you may start off doing.

DeLo · 08-08-2012, 12:25

Marlin 1895. You can take everything with 45/70.

BierGut · 08-08-2012, 12:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeLo

You can take everything with 45/70.

...including pain meds for the osteoarthritic shoulder it'll give you.

Batesmotel · 08-08-2012, 13:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeLo

Marlin 1895. You can take everything with 45/70.

45-70 is not legal in some parts of Africa NO MATTER what the loading. Check the laws first.

DeLo · 08-08-2012, 13:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batesmotel

45-70 is not legal in some parts of Africa NO MATTER what the loading. Check the laws first.

He only has a dream trip to Africa.

Batesmotel · 08-08-2012, 13:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeLo

He only has a dream trip to Africa.

But that is where it starts.

K.Kiser · 08-08-2012, 16:13

If I'm going to Africa, it better kick harder than a 45-70 or I don't want it...

G23Skadoo · 08-10-2012, 12:39

Let's be honest here, everyone is right in there own way. Plus who wants a "do it all" gun. I don't mind the idea of owning a .30-06, .300, .338, and .375. I guess I just didn't know where to start. Either way, being able to say you own a firearm that will effectively take down anything from grizzly to cape buffalo, is pretty awesome whether you ever get to hunt those animals or not. I do have a few rifles, shotguns, and pistols, but my largest caliber is .30-30, 12 gauge, and the good old .45 ACP. I guess the army tested thos on horses back in the day..

noway · 08-13-2012, 12:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by G23Skadoo

I guess the army tested thos on horses back in the day..

Just keep in mind a Horse does try to maul or kill you, or at least in my experience.

One thing that's just about as important or more so than the rifle, is the bullet your using. What's good for a WT deer is probably 10x underpowered unless your hunting a dik-dik or some other open plains or savana lope.

So in this order, markman ship, bullet and caliber. You need all three to be a good hunter no matter what continent your on, and then more so for Africa.

countrygun · 08-13-2012, 12:15

Remember something about the "big thumpers" and it applies to Africa especially. Most hunters take two guns for a reason. They will be shooting the light rifle much more often, and the fact is, there are actually few people who shoot heavy rifles well, and far fewer who shoot them well day after day.

On a big dangerous animal, at close range, you want all the gun you can shoot, on smaller game at a distance you want all the gun you can shoot well.

Big Bird · 08-18-2012, 12:13

Only a fool would argue against a 30/06 for most of your needs but in truth a .338 Win Mag is probably more versatile. You can step down in bullet weight to 210 for most north american game and bump up to 250 for the larger antelope. You'll want to move up to something like a 458 Win MAg or 416 Rigby/Rem...etc once you get into Cape Buff and above. But you can shoot a .338 for the biggest things this continent can throw your way and 80%+ of what you'll encounter in Africa and never want for more. And you won't feel too overgunned for deer.

But crap...just buy a decent .25/.27/.28 caliber deer rifle too....

Big Bird · 08-18-2012, 12:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by countrygun

Remember something about the "big thumpers" and it applies to Africa especially. Most hunters take two guns for a reason. They will be shooting the light rifle much more often, and the fact is, there are actually few people who shoot heavy rifles well, and far fewer who shoot them well day after day.

On a big dangerous animal, at close range, you want all the gun you can shoot, on smaller game at a distance you want all the gun you can shoot well.

+1 I can hand my .416 Rigby with 400 grain bullets at 2400 fps to 10 shooters and 9 will hand it back to me after the first shot and not want to ever touch it again.

A decent .40 caliber rifle for people who can't handle the bigger guns is a .404 Jeffery. Not a stomper but a step up from a .375 H&H.

Big Bird · 08-18-2012, 12:21

My ideal 2 gun combo is a .338 Win Mag and a .470 NE double gun. I'm half way there...still saving up for the .470...

Someday!

paynter2 · 08-18-2012, 17:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Bird

Only a fool would argue against a 30/06 for most of your needs but in truth a .338 Win Mag is probably more versatile. You can step down in bullet weight to 210 for most north american game and bump up to 250 for the larger antelope. You'll want to move up to something like a 458 Win MAg or 416 Rigby/Rem...etc once you get into Cape Buff and above. But you can shoot a .338 for the biggest things this continent can throw your way and 80%+ of what you'll encounter in Africa and never want for more. And you won't feel too overgunned for deer.

But crap...just buy a decent .25/.27/.28 caliber deer rifle too....

This. But, at risk of flames, I like a .24 caliber for deer. I don't shoot too far - maybe 200yds. I've used a 6mm and .243 for many years with no regrets.

BB: What are you going to use the .470 for? Are you going to take it hunting or is it a collector/investment piece?

countrygun · 08-18-2012, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by paynter2

This. But, at risk of flames, I like a .24 caliber for deer. I don't shoot too far - maybe 200yds. I've used a 6mm and .243 for many years with no regrets.

BB: What are you going to use the .470 for? Are you going to take it hunting or is it a collector/investment piece?

Hmmm....Since the OP was asking about guns to use here for game and to take to Africa, well.......

While I am here though, I find it presumptuous to assume that "your" deer hunting is anything like someone elses.

Where I am the deer (blacktail) are considered "BIG" if they go over 100lbs, and I have never shot one at over 95 yds or so. I could probably use a 25-35 if I had one.

On the other side of the State the deer (mule deer) I have hunted can easily run over 200 lbs and ranges could be up to 300+ yards depending on the shooter. I wouldn't suggest someone use the 25-35 over there.

davsco · 08-18-2012, 18:51

i bought an accumark in .340 wby mag a while back for a hopeful elk trip but it hasn't transpired yet. this is clearly enough gun for anything in north america, griz included.

everything i have heard and read (have not been there) is that .375h&h is absolute minimum for big 5.

i'd say for the lower 48, anything in the 308, 270, 30-06, 7mm mags would suffice.

to paraphrase folks above, i'd get 30-06 for lower 48, then something in the .33 realm for alaska (the new gun will be a minor part of the trip cost anyways) and then a really BIG caliber if you end up in Africa (again the new gun will be a minor part of the trip cost).

on a side note, my one brother bought a 375h&h just for fun. we set up milk jugs full of water from 25 yds out to 100 yds. and shoot them from far to near to (sort of) simulate a charging cape buffalo. wow does that gun do some damage to the jugs.