Caliber

   Set down and write out things like ranges, weather conditions, typical animal weights, cost, and recoil.  Make a "mission" statement for the gun.  Layout what percentage of time you will hunt each.  Then work out the conflicts, because no gun can really do it all, and we have a closet full of them to prove this point.  Get down to a rifle that can do most of of it very well.  

Depending on the loads the .300 magnuns can recoil form half again to twice that of the .30-06.  You don't need a lot of down range power at the ranges you mentioned, so why worry about stuff past the ranges you need.  You don't want needle pointed target bullets at close big game.  A nice old fashioned round nose may even work better. Matter of fact they are often cheaper because they are over looked than the latest magic wand bullet in the gun rags.

There is a lot to be said for a gun that is easy on the shoulder, affordable to pratice with, points quick and does not weigh a ton to carry.  If it fits you and has a good trigger you have a lot of your battles down.  That may not be the same gun that is a tack driver on the bench or is in all the latest magazines.

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silver Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Master Joined: November/04/2005 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 2172	Post Options Post Reply Quote silver Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Caliber Posted: November/03/2009 at 21:10
	Set down and write out things like ranges, weather conditions, typical animal weights, cost, and recoil. Make a "mission" statement for the gun. Layout what percentage of time you will hunt each. Then work out the conflicts, because no gun can really do it all, and we have a closet full of them to prove this point. Get down to a rifle that can do most of of it very well. Depending on the loads the .300 magnuns can recoil form half again to twice that of the .30-06. You don't need a lot of down range power at the ranges you mentioned, so why worry about stuff past the ranges you need. You don't want needle pointed target bullets at close big game. A nice old fashioned round nose may even work better. Matter of fact they are often cheaper because they are over looked than the latest magic wand bullet in the gun rags. There is a lot to be said for a gun that is easy on the shoulder, affordable to pratice with, points quick and does not weigh a ton to carry. If it fits you and has a good trigger you have a lot of your battles down. That may not be the same gun that is a tack driver on the bench or is in all the latest magazines.
	"If we weren't all crazy we, We would go insane." Jimmie Buffet WWW.formitch.com

helo18 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Master Joined: December/02/2006 Location: Montana Online Status: Offline Posts: 2934	Post Options Post Reply Quote helo18 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: November/03/2009 at 22:30
	300 win mag. Great all around gun. If you are worried about recoil, shoot the lighter bullets till you get used to it, and work up. This cartridge will work on anything in North America plus some.
	"Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." - George Washington

martin3175 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: January/19/2005 Location: Maryland Online Status: Offline Posts: 3319	Post Options Post Reply Quote martin3175 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: November/03/2009 at 23:14
	And the decision goes to ??? pick one yet from the chatter ?

scavaleru Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics GrassHopper Joined: October/11/2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 18	Post Options Post Reply Quote scavaleru Report Post Quote Reply Posted: November/07/2009 at 00:49
	The winner:30.06. I didn't want to take the risk to go on mag.and to not liked.The 30.06 is in the middle ,has enough power and can be find in every places.If the majority like it...is for a reason.

timber Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Journeyman Joined: June/03/2007 Online Status: Offline Posts: 353	Post Options Post Reply Quote timber Report Post Quote Reply Posted: November/11/2009 at 20:22
	180 grain 30-06 ammo would be my minimum for shots less than 300 yards at deer, moose and black bear. There is no big game caliber with more choices of guns and accurate factory ammo. But even a 30-06 will not be the easiest first rifle to master IMO. I'd be tempted to go with a 270 win or maybe even a 7mm-08 rem. If larger bears would be encountered, get another opinion. I have no idea.

pyro6999 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Retard OT TITAN Joined: December/22/2006 Location: Minnesota Online Status: Offline Posts: 17662	Post Options Post Reply Quote pyro6999 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: November/11/2009 at 20:41
	i dont like the 180gr bullets in the 30-06, they dont expand well enough for me. i think its the lack of speed in the 06 that does it. a 165 is the perfect weight for the 06.
	They call me "Boots" .375H&H, cause a .376 steyr would be blatant overkill! 343 we will never forget God Bless Chris Ledoux "good ride cowboy"

bricat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Master Joined: April/24/2007 Location: Michigan Online Status: Offline Posts: 1598	Post Options Post Reply Quote bricat Report Post Quote Reply Posted: November/11/2009 at 21:29
	Good choice with the '06, I would have suggested my personal favorite, the .350 Remington Magnum, perfect for what you're looking for, but the '06 will definately get the job done, good luck!
	350 Remington Magnum - The sledgehammer of the forest