3 gun set up for North America

[06 SB]

What is your 3 choices for big game hunting NA from varmints to grizzlies? No shotguns for birds or rimfires. A 22LR an 12ga are a given. Everyone has those. Mine are (top to bottom):

M700 223 7 twist
M700 338Fed
M700 7mmRM

 

[coyotekilla]

Well op, I've never hunted griz or the large deer in n. America, but anything id use a 7mag for, id use a 338 too and visa versa.

The .223 I agree with, though in a 3 gun set, id want a quality ar-15.

Next id add a mid size. A 6.5 creed, or prc probably. Likely a tikka bolt

Last cause I like to be odd, a good 9.3x62 in a crf action. This is my elk / griz rig.

 

[mi650]

Yep, for 223, probably a 20" AR.

Mid-range, 6.5C or maybe 7-08.

Then .45-70.

 

[IW17]

Small caliber - 223
Large caliber/long distance-338 win mag
Large caliber/short distance - 45-70

 

[ODB]

A 338 Win Mag. But @coyotekilla is flexing his style with the 9.3 callout. I’ve got one too…a nice bit of panache…

 

[NorthIdahoDude]

I really only need one - 7x57, with a suitable load for whatever the task, it'll git er dun for anything that walks around on this continent.

But since you gave me the option of three, LOL, how about:

Any given 223/5.56 AR15 for any/all varmints too big for a 22LR

My Tikka in 7x57 for all the big game hunting except for things big and mean enough to eat me

My Mauser in 338-06 for anything big and mean enough to eat me

 

[coyotekilla]

A 338 Win Mag. But @coyotekilla is flexing his style with the 9.3 callout. I’ve got one too…a nice bit of panache…

Thank you, its probably not a choice for buying off the shelf ammo for, but unless I hit the lottery or move to Alaska the 6.5 creed or 300 wsm I already own will be enough... there is a new wildcat idea 9.3x300wsm

 

[akmerle]

9mm pistol
AR-15 in 223
R700 in 7PRC

Covers everything handily, and yes I have a 338WM, multiple 300WM, and live in Alaska (including 10 years on Kodiak Island).

 

[TaperPin]

The 243 100 gr should be in every kid’s closet. For the smallest varmint to coyotes it works ok, it’s a good loaner rifle for deer and antelope, and makes a nice truck gun, or trainer. When there’s a bet to hit an 800 yard rock, the 243 is usually what I grab for.

The 7 mag 160 gr makes a great deer/antelope/elk cartridge. Easy to shoot and simply works.

A 338” wm 250 gr is a good big brother. When I had a 340 Wby built the 338 stayed home and when living in AK the 340 stayed home and a 375 H&H followed me around salmon fishing.

——————————————————

Pops and his friends were those knuckleheads that shot everything in Alaska with a 17 Rem. His three rifles would be a trio of the exact same gun. They enjoyed the challenge of getting close enough to brain the critter. Misguided, but him and his friends loved that little cartridge.

——————————————————

If Alaska or areas with grizzly bears are off the menu I’d go 22-250, 6mm-06 and 7 mag. The 22-250 is an ideal varmint gun when there are hundreds of beady eyes looking your direction. The 6mm-06 is simply a little better than the 243 in every way except barrel life and everyone who shoots it smiles real big.

 

[ODB]

Thank you, its probably not a choice for buying off the shelf ammo for, but unless I hit the lottery or move to Alaska the 6.5 creed or 300 wsm I already own will be enough... there is a new wildcat idea 9.3x300wsm

That’s kinda been done. A guy I know developed the B&M cartridge line and stuffed a 9.3 into a shortened 300 RUM case. His favorite version is the 458 B&M

 

[Big_wals]

Ar15 5.56
Tikka 223
Tikka 243

I already have those three, they cover anything I’ll ever hunt. Just don’t tell my wife I said that….

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

.220 Ackley Improved Swift custom
25-06 Ruger M77 tang safety
.300 Weatherby Ruger #1

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

To legally be able to hunt all game…
• 223 Rem for varmint and some deer but mostly practice
• 6.5 PRC for killing almost everything at distance
• 30-06 with 175 gr TA or 180 gr Accubond (AK requires 175 gr + and 2800 fps + for bison)

 

[HandgunHTR]

6.5 Grendel - Pick your poison on which firearm to shoot it out of

6.5 Creedmoor - Pick your poison on which firearm to shoot it out of

6.5 short-fat mag (PRC, SAUM, Sherman Max, etc)

Those three will cover you from 0-1000 yards on all NA game.

 

[xebadir]

The setup I’m working toward is trying to handle this, as I don't want safe queens.
Tikka T3X 6.5x55SE midrange
REM 700 custom 280AI for the big stuff.

To be obtained:
Tikka T3X 223 varmint/practice (if I can ever find one of these in LH).

 

[Stache Attack]

Thank you, its probably not a choice for buying off the shelf ammo for, but unless I hit the lottery or move to Alaska the 6.5 creed or 300 wsm I already own will be enough... there is a new wildcat idea 9.3x300wsm

338 winmag norma loads in my area are cheaper than the 6.5 prc eldm hornady

 

[Stache Attack]

The setup I’m working toward is trying to handle this, as I don't want safe queens.
Tikka T3X 6.5x55SE midrange
REM 700 custom 280AI for the big stuff.

To be obtained:
Tikka T3X 223 varmint/practice (if I can ever find one of these in LH).

Unknown order? I saw one at Scheels this week aswell

 

[cuerro viejo]

223-volume
22 CM for everything
7prc for dumb guides or communist states

 

[rabbithuntr]

Tikka 223
Ar pistol 556
Tikka 243

 

[schmidty3]

#1...I'm thinking my 25 prc will cover it all. That's the plan anyway. My barrel should be here shortly. Hopefully ~ 8.5#. Sitting at 9 with the factory 300 barrel shown.

I'm doing a 25 creed for nrl that's going to be heavy hmfor hunting...

#2... I may do a 22 creed or 6 creed and shoot for 7# or so.

#3... 223 AR for hogs...social work...3 gun. Fun.