What Rifle/Caliber Combinations Have you liked the most and disliked the most and why?

belshawelk said:
The 270, 270 WSM and 7MM yes are similar. But the others I mentioned are not. Sure a 270 or 30,06 will kill and N. American game. But the newer heavy for caliber cartridges do it better. Sure hit the main vital and your good. But I have shot several elk and hit a lung and heart and tracked them for a mile only to have die of internal bleeding. That's fine. I now like to hit them shoulders with a vital to anchor them. For me me I have found it more successful. Much like a bear, you have to break them down or they suck up bullets. I have yet to have any elk take a step after hit in both shoulders with my .30 Nosler. Like getting hit by a cement truck. All died on the spot. Many may disagree with my theory.

Like trying to pull your trailer with a an SUV. It works but why when truck does the job better.

Besides, what fun is one gun. Most hunters have multiple pairs of boots. Hiking, insulated, non -insulated, snow boots, climbing, tall ones, shot ones. Why? they all serve a specific use. Don't even get me started on skis.
Click to expand...
I've shot one elk with my @p_ham built M70 in .358 Norma Mag. Bang Flop. It wasn't even that good a shot placement.
 
In my experience, Barnes bullets in their final developments have really been an upgrade. A 270 Win with a Barnes 130 TTSXBT @ 3,2000'/SEC has become a .270 Win +P compared to even modern lead core bullets. They are light and full of fight, like having Bruce Lee coming out of my barrel.

Lead core bullets are like the overweight slow guy's Bruce Lee beat over and over.
Nothing has so proven that to me as with my 6.5x55 Swede. Going to Barnes and Lapua Naturalis all copper bullets has really upgraded my Swede especially on even large Black Russian-ish wild boar. Again 6.6x55 +P,

Speaking of calibers, I have so enjoyed reloading the Swede. It is close to the top of my list, especially with Reliant powders. For elk it does not equal my 270 but it is such a fine round with such incredible history.

A tad of disappointment with the rifle, however. I bought it about 25 years ago when Winchester was again making CRF model 70's in New Haven Connecticut.

They are OK but not equal to pre-64's. Biggest issue is how they compromised their once legendary Controlled Round Feed qualities.

The Mauser Claw of old is now investment cast not forged and hand fitted steel. It has been modified for top feeding and no longer has the original 100% grip.

There are other issues which keep me from enjoying the same pride of ownership as pre-64's. It is stainless however,,mostly,,,barrel and receiver but lots of little parts are not.

I often think about selling it and getting a Sako 6.6x55 Finnlight but in the end I still see the Made in New Haven USA and keep it. It is a tack-driver and it is a Swede. I sure like those heavy long round nosed bullets. Really look defiant,,,like the "middle finger" and they are such killers and so kind to meat too.
 
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mtmuley said:
Bullshit. mtmuley
Click to expand...
Ok. I guess I not a perfect shot like many and prefer a heavier bullet with better terminal ballistics to help out when I am off a little bit. Just my opinion. But I've got a little experience will killing stuff. But I am others know more.
 
Christensen ridgeline 7prc. Sent in twice for pressure bolt lift issues. Lightweight and accurate but not dependable.
Lately find the weatherby compact hunter in 308 being the go to with terminal ascent. Lightweight rifle that checks all the boxes.
 
Stcknstringer22 said:
Christensen ridgeline 7prc. Sent in twice for pressure bolt lift issues. Lightweight and accurate but not dependable.
Lately find the weatherby compact hunter in 308 being the go to with terminal ascent. Lightweight rifle that checks all the boxes.
Click to expand...
I think a lightweight stainless synthetic 308 carbine is the best choice for all big game. Bullet selection is the key.
 
I was a 5th generation Coloradoan and my Dad and Grandfathers liked the mountains where we camped and fished, but my Dad didn't hunt, so I didn't start hunting until I was in College in Ft Collins. My second year, two of my roommates were from Craig in NW Colorado, and one of them took me on my first deer hunt. He loaned me a Winchester Model 94 in .32 Spl, and I shot my first deer, a spike muley buck. I went with him again the next year and I shot my first elk, a 5x5 bull with a borrowed .30-40 Krag. That got me hooked on hunting.

Through out college I worked summers for the US Forest Service in Steamboat Spgs, CO. So the summer after my first elk hunt I bought my first centerfire rifle. Two of my bosses there had grown up hunting there, so I asked them what kind of rifle I should buy. They both said to get a bolt action .270 or .30-06. They said that only the "once a year in the woods" dudes from Denver shot canons like the .300 Win Mag. So I decided on a .30-06.

I ordered a .30-06 Model U-9 barreled action and a semi-inleted walnut stock from Herter's, and put them together that summer.

As my only centerfire rifle, I used that .30-06 for deer, elk, and antelope for the rest of the time that I lived in Colorado, and for my first few of years living in Montana.

Then, sometime in 1977 my new hunting partner here gave me a fired .30 Gibbs case. I thought that case looked so cool that I had Les Bauska, a gunsmith in Kalispell rechamber my .30-06 to .30 Gibbs. For the next 20 some years that rifle shooting 180 gr Nosler Partition bullets put an elk into my freezer almost every year along with 2 Shiras bull moose, a mountain goat, and an Alaskan caribou.

When Les rechambered my .30-06 to .30 Gibbs I also had him rechamber a .25-06 barreled action to .257 Ackley, and to make and fit a tapered octogon barrel chambered in 22-250 to a Mauser Mark X action. I then fitted those two barreled actions into Fajen Fancy walnut semi inleted stocks.

So my rifle for medium size game animals (deer and antelope) along with 3 Bighorn rams, a Dall ram, a Mountain caribou, and my 2nd best 6x6 bull elk was, and is, my .257 Ackley.

My .22-250 became my varmint rifle, along with several deer and antelope.

The only rifle that I've ever sold was a Rem 700 ADL in 7mm RM that I borrowed for my first African hunt in 2000, I later bought it and used it on a Canadian caribou and Muskox hunt. I traded/sold it for a stainless BDL, also in 7mm RM.

A case fireforming mishap in the early 2000s retired my .30 Gibbs, and in 2009, after wanting a Weatherby rifle for more that 40 years, I bought a Vanguard in .300 Wby. I stocked it in AA Fancy walnut, had a KDF muzzle brake installed on it, and it has been my favorite big game rifle ever since. Along with elk hunts with it here in Montana, I've used it on hunts in Texas, New Zealand, 3 hunts in Africa, a hunt in Azerbaijan, and for a moose in Alberta.

In 2004 I bought and re-stocked a stainless Rem Model 700 chambered in .375 RUM. With it's KDF brake it doesn't kick any harder than my 7mm RM and I've used it on 2 hunts in Africa and for a Brown bear in Alaska.

For my weekly practice shooting I have two more stainless Wby Vanguards chambered in .308 Win and .223.

All of these rifles carry similar Leupold variable scopes, they all weigh (within a few ounces) the same, and have the same length of pull.

I figure that I'm set for anything that I ever want to hunt.
 
I like 3,000 fps bullets. I have loads for 300 win, 270 win, and 22 250 that have identical trajectories. All can be loaded with win 760 powder and large magnum primers. Even have 3 of the same model rifle chambered in them.
 
belshawelk said:
The 270, 270 WSM and 7MM yes are similar. But the others I mentioned are not. Sure a 270 or 30,06 will kill and N. American game. But the newer heavy for caliber cartridges do it better. Sure hit the main vital and your good. But I have shot several elk and hit a lung and heart and tracked them for a mile only to have die of internal bleeding. That's fine. I now like to hit them shoulders with a vital to anchor them. For me me I have found it more successful. Much like a bear, you have to break them down or they suck up bullets. I have yet to have any elk take a step after hit in both shoulders with my .30 Nosler. Like getting hit by a cement truck. All died on the spot. Many may disagree with my theory.

Like trying to pull your trailer with a an SUV. It works but why when truck does the job better.

Besides, what fun is one gun. Most hunters have multiple pairs of boots. Hiking, insulated, non -insulated, snow boots, climbing, tall ones, shot ones. Why? they all serve a specific use. Don't even get me started on skis.
Click to expand...
What if your suv is built on an chevy 2500?

What does kill better mean?

Heart shot and ran a mile sounds like your shooting zombies not elk.

I hate it when people say shoulder shots are a hunting strategy. New Hunters: dont do this, you ruin the good meat. Ive never needed a shoulder shot to kill an animal. Ive had heart and lung shots drop elk in 10 yards, and i dont shoot the fancy bullets or the new calibers that "kill better".
 
Last edited:
buffybr said:
I was a 5th generation Coloradoan and my Dad and Grandfathers liked the mountains where we camped and fished, but my Dad didn't hunt, so I didn't start hunting until I was in College in Ft Collins. My second year, two of my roommates were from Craig in NW Colorado, and one of them took me on my first deer hunt. He loaned me a Winchester Model 94 in .32 Spl, and I shot my first deer, a spike muley buck. I went with him again the next year and I shot my first elk, a 5x5 bull with a borrowed .30-40 Krag. That got me hooked on hunting.

Through out college I worked summers for the US Forest Service in Steamboat Spgs, CO. So the summer after my first elk hunt I bought my first centerfire rifle. Two of my bosses there had grown up hunting there, so I asked them what kind of rifle I should buy. They both said to get a bolt action .270 or .30-06. They said that only the "once a year in the woods" dudes from Denver shot canons like the .300 Win Mag. So I decided on a .30-06.

I ordered a .30-06 Model U-9 barreled action and a semi-inleted walnut stock from Herter's, and put them together that summer.

As my only centerfire rifle, I used that .30-06 for deer, elk, and antelope for the rest of the time that I lived in Colorado, and for my first few of years living in Montana.

Then, sometime in 1977 my new hunting partner here gave me a fired .30 Gibbs case. I thought that case looked so cool that I had Les Bauska, a gunsmith in Kalispell rechamber my .30-06 to .30 Gibbs. For the next 20 some years that rifle shooting 180 gr Nosler Partition bullets put an elk into my freezer almost every year along with 2 Shiras bull moose, a mountain goat, and an Alaskan caribou.

When Les rechambered my .30-06 to .30 Gibbs I also had him rechamber a .25-06 barreled action to .257 Ackley, and to make and fit a tapered octogon barrel chambered in 22-250 to a Mauser Mark X action. I then fitted those two barreled actions into Fajen Fancy walnut semi inleted stocks.

So my rifle for medium size game animals (deer and antelope) along with 3 Bighorn rams, a Dall ram, a Mountain caribou, and my 2nd best 6x6 bull elk was, and is, my .257 Ackley.

My .22-250 became my varmint rifle, along with several deer and antelope.

The only rifle that I've ever sold was a Rem 700 ADL in 7mm RM that I borrowed for my first African hunt in 2000, I later bought it and used it on a Canadian caribou and Muskox hunt. I traded/sold it for a stainless BDL, also in 7mm RM.

A case fireforming mishap in the early 2000s retired my .30 Gibbs, and in 2009, after wanting a Weatherby rifle for more that 40 years, I bought a Vanguard in .300 Wby. I stocked it in AA Fancy walnut, had a KDF muzzle brake installed on it, and it has been my favorite big game rifle ever since. Along with elk hunts with it here in Montana, I've used it on hunts in Texas, New Zealand, 3 hunts in Africa, a hunt in Azerbaijan, and for a moose in Alberta.

In 2004 I bought and re-stocked a stainless Rem Model 700 chambered in .375 RUM. With it's KDF brake it doesn't kick any harder than my 7mm RM and I've used it on 2 hunts in Africa and for a Brown bear in Alaska.

For my weekly practice shooting I have two more stainless Wby Vanguards chambered in .308 Win and .223.

All of these rifles carry similar Leupold variable scopes, they all weigh (within a few ounces) the same, and have the same length of pull.

I figure that I'm set for anything that I ever want to hunt.
Click to expand...
Glad to hear of someone else who became a lifelong committed hunter after growing up with non hunting parents.

Your right about the magnums. Have the same model rifle chambered in both 270 win and 300 win mag. Despite having the same receiver and stock, the extra thickness of the 2" longer magnum barrel makes it carry and balance like an entirely different gun. That was my only hunting rifle for a long time. If i plan on shooting 500 yards in open window meadows i will take that. 90% of my shots across elk deer, and antelope are 20-200 yards. If im around a lot of timber or rock formations the 270 win is my go to. I dont think theres a difference in odds of an animal dying between the two calibers, but the difference in wind drift at 500 yards in a 15 mph cross wind is phenominal. Add in the fact the wind tends to come and go and constantly switch direction and thats where the concept of the "well shooting" of the 300 win mag comes into play.


I should add, since i dont max the scheels card every year in efforts to pretend i inherited a trust fund, the economy of shooting 270 win over 300 win mag pays for the rifle in under a decade. I dont use the fancy bullets either. Speer hotcors and hornady interlocks have dropped many big game animals for me and ive never had a failure to kill. dont risk bad shots and youll be fine.
 
Last edited:
Mustangs Rule said:
In my experience, Barnes bullets in their final developments have really been an upgrade. A 270 Win with a Barnes 130 TTSXBT @ 3,2000'/SEC has become a .270 Win +P compared to even modern lead core bullets. They are light and full of fight, like having Bruce Lee coming out of my barrel.

Lead core bullets are like the overweight slow guy's Bruce Lee beat over and over.
Nothing has so proven that to me as with my 6.5x55 Swede. Going to Barnes and Lapua Naturalis all copper bullets has really upgraded my Swede especially on even large Black Russian-ish wild boar. Again 6.6x55 +P,

Speaking of calibers, I have so enjoyed reloading the Swede. It is close to the top of my list, especially with Reliant powders. For elk it does not equal my 270 but it is such a fine round with such incredible history.

A tad of disappointment with the rifle, however. I bought it about 25 years ago when Winchester was again making CRF model 70's in New Haven Connecticut.

They are OK but not equal to pre-64's. Biggest issue is how they compromised their once legendary Controlled Round Feed qualities.

The Mauser Claw of old is now investment cast not forged and hand fitted steel. It has been modified for top feeding and no longer has the original 100% grip.

There are other issues which keep me from enjoying the same pride of ownership as pre-64's. It is stainless however,,mostly,,,barrel and receiver but lots of little parts are not.

I often think about selling it and getting a Sako 6.6x55 Finnlight but in the end I still see the Made in New Haven USA and keep it. It is a tack-driver and it is a Swede. I sure like those heavy long round nosed bullets. Really look defiant,,,like the "middle finger" and they are such killers and so kind to meat too.
Click to expand...
I'm assuming you meant "Alliant" powders. I was 100% branded on Alliant until they sold the company to the Czechs. Their best powders are like gold if you can find them now.

I'm reworking all my Alliant loads over with Vihtavuori. I'm sitting on a lifetime of Swede loads so I'm not sure when those will be converted. I expect the Swede will love N540 to N555 nicely. I've never gone to copper in the Swede. I love 156 Vulcans and 160 Hornady RN for it. It is currently down for a 1 in 7.5 rebarrel. The closest to the M38 Mauser twist spec I could find in a high end Kreiger.
Bucket list to have a @p_ham rebuilt Number 1 in 6.5 Swede.

I do shoot one load using a Barnes 120 TTSX in 6.5 WBY RPM. I got them cheap at a gun show and threw together a shooter load for my granddaughter. These will all be Hammer 120HBC in the future. I have not found a Barnes bullet to do anything a Hammer can't do better. Except for the price.
 
Wyoming270 said:
What if your suv is built on an chevy 2500?

What does kill better mean?

Heart shot and ran a mile sounds like your shooting zombies not elk.

I hate it when people say shoulder shots are a hunting strategy. New Hunters: dont do this, you ruin the good meat. Ive never needed a shoulder shot to kill an animal. Ive had heart and lung shots drop elk in 10 yards, and i dont shoot the fancy bullets or the new calibers that "kill better".
Click to expand...
good for you

for new hunters. A copper bullet does not fragment and ruin meat. Let me know how a big bear goes without anchoring him
 
belshawelk said:
good for you

for new hunters. A copper bullet does not fragment and ruin meat. Let me know how a big bear goes without anchoring him
Click to expand...
Never had trouble with big bear. Also never had issues with hornady interlocks fragmenting. Stay within manufacturer recomended velocities and the bullet will work fine. couple years ago i put one lengthwise through an antelope at 200 yards. expanded to almost an inch and only lost 5 grains out of 180. its good knowing my bullet will stay together and that at long ranges it will fully open as well.

You did not answer my suv question.



Additionally, whats the point in elk hunting if your going to ruin half the meat taking out the front shoulders? Whether your bullet fragments or not, the bone fragments still trash the meat.
 
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