Best rifle caliber for western hunting?

[cole96]

You definitely need another. I’ve hunted west once for the first time this year. I had a 28 nosler built last year for the purpose. Now I’m having a 300 rum built for the same purpose. On a real note you don’t technically “need” a new one but a new gun I’d never a bad option.

 

[flyfisher117]

30-06 is dead.

300 win is dying.

I vote 300 Norma. All the cool kids are shooting Normas now days.

 

[RockAndSage]

30-06 is dead.

*Laughs in core-lokt*

 

[silver15tacoma]

Hard to pass on the 300 win mag. I’ve killed 3 Bull Elk, 1 Big Horn Sheep, 3 Mule Deer, 1 Whitetail, and 1 black bear with that caliber. Although recently I’ve made the switch to 7mm Backcountry. The short barrel length was a big draw for me. So far I’ve got one big black bear with it and I am happy with how it performed.

 

[Tx270WT]

Well my old Remington 270 is about to wear a new fast twist barrel, and my new to me tikka 270 is getting a peak 44 stock. So I’m not going to tell you what you should do. 270 is boring because it just flat works.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

30-06 is dead.

Tell that to my full freezer or the aoudad and sheep on my wall. I know you’re joking (maybe?) but I had to reply.

 

[flyfisher117]

*Laughs in core-lokt*

*inserts meme of dog puking*

Tell that to my full freezer or the aoudad and sheep on my wall. I know you’re joking (maybe?) but I had to reply.

 

[Bcoonce117]

30 06 just to piss everyone off. 300 win mag if you aren’t recoil sensitive.

Personally though I think anything shooting a 7mm/ .284 projectile is the best. You can always suppress or put a brake on whatever you get to make recoil less don’t forget.

 

[Pistolpete28]

I’m using a 6.5 creed this year, while the trusty 28 nosler sits in the safe….

 

[alexnelon]

I’ll put down the .30-06 when it stops working

 

[Bleeb]

*Laughs in core-lokt*

That made my 1903a3 pop a chubby!

 

[Bleeb]

Well OP, I started elk hunting with a 1903a3 in 30-06 and 356 Winchester M94 Big Bore after my 50th birthday. After that first hunt, I bought a 340 Weatherby and shot my first bull elk with it that next season. I had a new gun and a story for it. Then I got another with it. Then I decided to lighten up, and bought a 7mm PRC a couple of years ago, and shot my third and largest bull with it (7x7). Another gun with some history for me.

Sure, the 30-06 would have been fine up to 400yds with handloads, and the 356 Win is a quick and lethal woods gun. But I just like to buy guns using the excuse of creating their own story. My next one will be a Havak Element or a custom gun in the 300 to 338 flavor. Gonna try moose.

If you want a new gun to write your new adventure story, buy one. Buy a friggin thumper. Eff it.

 

[mtnbiker208]

short barreled suppressed 338 win mag. Go big without a lot of recoil. loving the gun.