Best rifle caliber for western hunting?

[ridgerunnerrron]

This has to be the most asked question on this forum

It's sorta like asking what do you like better blondes, redheads or brunettes!

 

[T_W]

This should be fun

Seriously though, if all i had was a .270, I'd pick a good bullet and roll with it.

Agreed. Especially under 400 yards.

 

[KenLee]

It's sorta like asking what do you like better blondes, redheads or brunettes!

"I like em big, I like em small, I like em short, I like em tall. I like em all."

 

[Tbonespop]

There is no best caliber. There are many good ones, depending upon how you hunt. If you don't shoot over, say 300 yards, a 7-08 or 308 is fine. If you're one who will walk 15 miles in a day looking for elk, the 10 lb magnum is a bad idea. Likewise, if you're taking 900 yard shots, you'll want one of the modern long range calibers. For me, a 270, 270 Wby or 300 WSM is plenty but I don't shoot past 500.

A .308 will do everything a .270 will do at about the same distance - assuming quality ammo. I have rifles of both calibers and like both. Thow .30-06 into the discussion with these calibers. All will do the job on elk and anything smaller out to 500 yards, and honestly a lot of hunters have no business taking shots at animals beyond 500 yards in the field. Both are great rounds with lots of options available and are affordable to shoot. Both have very manageable recoil which lends to people shooting/practicing more. My personal opinion is, if I can't get closer that 500 yards, that's on me. And I prefer not to rely on a bigger caliber rifle to make up for what I can't do as a hunter. Just my opinion for myself. By all means, others should buy what guns they want and enjoy!

 

[kcm2]

For me, flat shooting rifles make shooting at distance easier and faster. My 270 set at 3.5" high at 100 yds makes shooting to 500 simple: plus 3 (100), plus 3 (200), 0 (300), -12 (400), -24 (500).

I'm off a few with this shorthand, but it is easy to remember and just point and shoot. I'm not turning dials, I'm just picking a spot. YMMV.

As to how far a 7-08 or 308 would reliably kill elk, that's why I said, if you don't shoot over, say, 300 yards for elk because there's no actual formula or magic number. I tend to use 1,500 ft lbs as the minimum but that's all a guess at best. You can't make definitive choices based on one or two animals. I tend to want bullets to not drop too far but I am also not shooting at elk 1,000 yards away, either. My limit is around 500, where I can range, make a quick decision on drop and wind, and fire.