Shooting: The Best Rifle for your Hunt

The Best Rifle for Your Hunt

Is there life beyond the .30-6?
by Carl Hermansen

As hunting season is upon us, I thought it would be good to talk about some game-specific cartridges that are available today as well as a checklist of things to prepare for before heading out on a big game hunt this fall.

The following article will stir up some arguments from readers. Why? Everyone I talk to tells me that they have the perfect rifle set up, in the perfect caliber that will kill anything they shoot at. I listen to appease them, but all the while I‘m thinking, “Yeah, whatever.” From my previous articles and for those who know me, I am not a one-gun-does-it-all kind of guy. Traditionally, the 30-06 has been the most popular cartridge used in big game hunting. Why? The 30-06 fans like the vast selection of ammo and bullet weights available. This facet of the 30-06 leads them to believe that it is the perfect do-all caliber. I call BS. I am not, nor have I ever been, a fan of the 30-06. It’s a do-all caliber that does nothing really well. Now hold on 30-06ers. Before you tear out this section and flush it down the toilet you’re sitting on, hear me out. All cartridges are designed and perform best within narrow bullet weight ranges. Generally, the optimal bullet weight range varies just ten to thirty grains depending on the caliber. Therefore, shooting 110-grain varmint bullets from the same gun you launch 220-grain “fence posts” through yields mediocre results. So, now that I’ve trashed the 30-06, I will give you my take on a few better choices for your upcoming hunts.

Lets start with what I feel is the smallest cartridge that should be used for taking Western big game. The 25-06 is the perfect choice for antelope-sized game. It is a very flat shooting, hard hitting cartridge with a much larger effective range vs. short action cartridges such as the .243 win. The 25-06 has the velocity and extra bullet weight to give it the upper hand in the windy, open range conditions often encountered on this type of hunt.

Deer-sized game is often thicker-skinned and requires something tougher with a little more punch. For these animals, I recommend the .270 Win. The .270 combines a flat trajectory, accuracy and mild recoil into a complete package making it just the ticket for taking game of this caliber. A 140-grain Nosler Accubond behind 58.5 grains of H4831SC is the pet load that I use when heading out after a muley. Sure, the .270 Win is ok for taking an antelope, as would the 25-06 be ok for downing a muley. But, we’re not going for ok here; we’re going for the ideal setup.

Even though mountain goats and sheep are in the same class as deer, I recommend a different round when pursuing these majestic animals. The rugged terrain that these animals live in often requires a hunter to take a much longer shot compared to deer hunting. Windy conditions are almost a guarantee on any goat or sheep hunt and this is another reason to step up to my next favorite cartridge, the .300 Winchester Magnum. The 300 is primarily a hunting cartridge, but has enjoyed much success in 1,000-yard target shooting. With its inherent accuracy, flat trajectory, and awesome knock-down power, the 300 Win Mag is superb for the long range shooting conditions frequently encountered in Western big game hunting. Some experts argue that a 30-caliber round isn’t enough when hunting elk. I disagree. The 300 Win Mag is also my pick for the Roosevelt and Rocky Mountain elk. Once again, the 300 is at its best when shooting 168 to 190-grain bullets with 180’s being my favorite. For you hand loaders out there, I’ve tried virtually every powder in the loading manuals with several different rifles, and Reloder 22 consistently proves to be the most accurate.

Now for the big boys: moose, buffalo, and bear deserve a little more. The good old .338 Winchester Magnum has proven tremendously effective on these, the largest of North American game. If you want a true “man gun” and enjoy the wallop of a magnum cartridge, the .338 Win Mag is my top pick. Contrary to most cartridges, the .338 shoots well with a wide range of bullet weights. Until recently, 200-plus grain bullets were about the only options readily available in factory ammunition. With the recent introduction of some new .338 caliber 180 to 200-grain bullets, the versatility of the underrated .338 caliber has opened up. Performance does come at a price however, and that is the heavy recoil generated from this powerhouse. When you squeeze off the .338 Win Mag. topped with a 250-grain slug, you know, for real, that you have just felt the price of power. However, with these new lighter bullets, and the hand loader’s ability to reduce the power a bit, recoil becomes no more than the other large caliber magnums. The .338 Win Mag is also a great choice for taking elk and many of the African game animals.

Notice that I have chosen cartridges that have been around the block. No wham bam super magnums. Not even the popular short magnums. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. Stick with what works and has been given the test of time.

If you still insist on having just one gun to do it all, it is always better to be over-gunned than under-gunned. The 300 Win Mag would fit the bill as a multi-purpose rifle better than any other cartridge. Being a .30 caliber, it gives the shooter a huge selection of bullet types and weights. And, since it is a magnum, it is perfectly capable of taking any North American game animal.

There’s a lot to think about and to prepare for when venturing out on a big game hunt, especially when it’s out of your home state. Things like scouting, acquiring maps, talking with other hunters, etc. are the no-brainers. Rather than reiterate this, I’m going to give a checklist of some things that are often overlooked or seem less important.

Consider scope quality. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the most common mistake I see hunters make is putting all their money into their rifle and then justifying a cheap scope. A $39.99 Tasco shouldn’t be insurance for the fifteen years and substantial funding it took to acquire a coveted tag. Just recently I justified putting a cheap, 1X scope on my muzzleloader thinking that a manufacturer couldn’t screw up a 1X scope. Well, last year while on the muzzleloader deer hunt, the entire eyepiece fell off for no reason other than poor quality. Fortunately, this was a general season hunt within ten miles of my home. Imagine if this was on an Arizona strip hunt several hundred miles from civilization.

Make certain that you use a bullet type that is appropriate for the game you are hunting. For example, Nosler ballistic tips are available in fragmenting varmint-type construction as well as a traditional hunting type bullet. Each has a specific purpose.

Verify that all scope mounts, rings, and action screws are tight. This may sound elementary, but I have heard of many hunts being ruined from this very oversight. I also recommend some sort of lens cover or at least packing a lens pen.

Trigger pull weight. If you break a sweat getting the trigger to go off like many factory rifles of late require, consider having a gunsmith either adjust yours down (some can be adjusted) or install an aftermarket version. This will make you a better shooter. I have my hunting guns set at a safe, yet light, three pounds.

Carry a rest with you. Shooting sticks, a bipod, treepod, etc. can help create a solid shooting platform. Don’t take offhand shots that you can’t make. One shot is often all you get.

A rangefinder is critical. I thought I was pretty good at estimating ranges until I got a rangefinder. I stunk. The further the shot, the more crucial the accurate range is as bullet drop becomes steeper beyond 250 yards. This makes your window of error smaller.

Know where your rifle is going to hit. Don’t just shoot at 100 yards, know what your rifle will do all the way out to 400-500 yards. This can be done and it is ethical if you become a seasoned shooter. Then, of course, practice! Practice! Practice!

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