Need advice on choosing smaller calibre

[wizzum-lvr]

I currently shoot a 300wm, but I have always wanted to buy a non mag calibre. Any recommendations on what is suitable for all around BC hunting, minus grizzley, bison, and caribou.

[K-1]

Have a look at the 25-06.

[blacktail]

Originally Posted by K-1

Have a look at the 25-06.

yup what he said

[the rifleman]

If your into reloading, and wildcats, a .35 Whelen makes for a good non magnum, all around caliber. It allows for a wide range of bullet weights, so you can load it for most species hunted. It uses a re-necked 30-06 case, so cases are easy to come by for reloading. Lots of info available on them on the internet. here's a little info on them.
.35 Whelen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

No fly's on the 25-06 caliber, although the maximum bullet weight can be somewhat limiting. 120gr max
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.25-06_Remington

If you want to keep it real simple, the trusty 30-06 is aother choice you can't go wrong with..

[wizzum-lvr]

Originally Posted by the rifleman

If your into reloading, and wildcats, a .35 Whelen makes for a good non magnum, all around caliber. It allows for a wide range of bullet weights, so you can load it for most species hunted. It uses a re-necked 30-06 case, so cases are easy to come by for reloading. Lots of info available on them on the internet. here's a little info on them.
.35 Whelen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

No fly's on the 25-06 caliber, although the maximum bullet weight can be somewhat limiting. 120gr max
.25-06 Remington - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If you want to keep it real simple, the trusty 30-06 is aother choice you can't go wrong with..

I didn't want to go bigger than the 300wm. I was thinking of the 270 or 7mm-08 rem.

I like the 25-06 in theory, but I can't seem to wrap my head around shooting a deer with a 25 cal bullet. I'm sure its great and hunters have used it successfully for years, but I read the ballistics and feel the its not powerful enough.

I like the 30-06, but I don't want to buy another 30 cal. I'd like something different for a second rifle.

Any suggestions on what make I should look at?

[d6dan]

I own both a 270 win and a 7mm-08. I like the 7mm-08 for its an easy one to load for, and buy ammo for. Its flat shooting with a 139gr bullet. My 270win is also easy to load for and buy factory ammo. Hard hitting,flat shooting with a 130gr or a 150gr bullet.

Either of these calibers are an excellent choice for most hunting here in BC. Of course, you could always but a 338win mag.

[Cariboo]

Originally Posted by wizzum-lvr

I like the 25-06 in theory, but I can't seem to wrap my head around shooting a deer with a 25 cal bullet.

No deer, or caribou, or sheep, etc will ever notice the difference between being shot with a .25 calibre rather than a .277 or .308 calibre. Use a bullet appropriate to the task and you will have a freezer full of meat regardless what cartridge launched the bullet.

A 257 Roberts or 25-06 would be a good match to your 300 magnum. You also posted on another thread you shoot a 270 WSM so a 270 Winchester would be redundant in your case. (Not that there is anything wrong with redundancy )

[toxic111]

the .25-06 is more than enough for deer, the 7mm-08 is a similar caliber & balistics. Heck I have taken 90% of my deer with a 6mm with 95g bullets, my biggest mulie took 2 steps before falling over.

[wizzum-lvr]

Originally Posted by Cariboo

A 257 Roberts or 25-06 would be a good match to your 300 magnum. You also posted on another thread you shoot a 270 WSM so a 270 Winchester would be redundant in your case. (Not that there is anything wrong with redundancy )

Thats true it would be redundant. The whole point is to avoid mag style recoil, and add variety to my collection.

[wizzum-lvr]

Originally Posted by toxic111

the .25-06 is more than enough for deer, the 7mm-08 is a similar caliber & balistics. Heck I have taken 90% of my deer with a 6mm with 95g bullets, my biggest mulie took 2 steps before falling over.

I thought the 7mm-08 is a .284 cal bullet?

[toxic111]

Thats why I said similar .03" is not much different. You have the same parent case, so basiclly the same powder capacity.

Unless you are going to be shooting deer beyond 500yrds, the .25-06 & 7-08 will both do the job with out the recoil of the 300mags. you could also try a 6.5x55swede, and more calibers than you can shake a stick at in the 25-30 caliber range. The biggest problem is finding guns still chambered for these calibers, there is not that much range out there anymore.

[the rifleman]

Originally Posted by wizzum-lvr

I didn't want to go bigger than the 300wm. I was thinking of the 270 or 7mm-08 rem.

Sorry, I based my suggestions (.35 Whelen, 30-06) on your initial question of wanting a non-magnum all around hunting gun. I didn't realize you were wanting a smaller caliber, with low recoil.

The .243 Winchester is another choice you could look at in that case. Low recoil, and if shot placement is correct can knock down a good size animal.

.243 Winchester - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Or as Boo suggested, the .257 Roberts is a well proven caliper, often used for deer or antelope in open country. It has less recoil then the 25-06. The fellows I know who hunt with them, swear by them.

.257 Roberts - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Want a slightly larger bullet diameter? There is the .284 Winchester, said to be the equal of the .270 Win.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.284_Winchester

If you want to step it up a tad power wise, (although it is a short magnum case), but with much less recoil/muzzle blast then a standard long magnum, there is always the 7.21 (.284) Lazzeroni Tomahawk..

Always an argument with shooters, here is one mans opinion on why this may be the best.

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/In+Sea...le.-a060034158

[Cariboo]

With the exception of the cartridge standing 3rd from the left - it is a new addition - I have killed deer using all of the cartridges pictured here. The one thing they have in common is that all the deer died quickly.

[Cariboo]

I have also killed deer with the 45-70 cartridge.

[Cariboo]

Originally Posted by wizzum-lvr

I like the 25-06 in theory, but I can't seem to wrap my head around shooting a deer with a 25 cal bullet.

My .25 calibre cartridges: A 250 Savage and .25 WSSM




The WSSM is a new addition of mine and the 250 I bought last summer. While I haven't had a chance to try out the Super Short on deer the Savage did well for me last fall.