One Gun with different bullets, one gun w/ one bullet for Elk / Deer / Black bears? Or two different guns (cartridges)?

[ThatDUDE]

I was wondering how many of you guys run different guns for different game. Or do you run the same gun with different bullets? Or do you just use one rifle with one bullet for everything?

 

[SouthPaw]

I always have at least two rifles set up with different loads. Its only because I have to hunt lead-free in CA, so one rifle is always zero'd/true'd with a lead-free load.

 

[ThatDUDE]

I don't have to worry about the lead free fortunately. I am just stuck on tailoring one cartridge and bullet specifically for elk, and then having a separate cartridge and bullet for deer and black bears? I don't know that I want the hassle of two different bullets in one rifle. I am probably just overthinking it, but I am curious what other guys do.

 

[MidwestElkHunter]

Multiple calibers, but want to get to 1 with different bullet weights

 

[Sled]

Do both. Have several guns that can shoot multiple loads if need be. I'm fortunate to have one particular 6.5cm that shoots two factory loads to the same POI out to 400. I haven't verified further because I don't plan to shoot the copper past that. The berger rounds get used after that if I have time to cycle the bolt.

For your purpose I might run two identical guns with different chambering. But truthfully, the species you've chosen to hunt do not require a different bullet at all.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I use one bullet that is good on all of those game. I have 3 big game rifles, not game specific, rather situation specific. Long range vs back country etc.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I’m trying to get down to just 2 different cartridges with one bullet for each.

30-06 180g accubond
6.5cm 140g eldm

 

[PNWGATOR]

Suggest starting here: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/223-for-bear-deer-elk-and-moose.130488/

Its been a hot minute since this thread was started.

That said, inside of 450 yds the choice hasn’t changed and is easy.

Wound channels matter. Hit rates matter. Reliable delivery systems matter.

Its a simple proposition.

 

[ThatDUDE]

Suggest starting here: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/223-for-bear-deer-elk-and-moose.130488/

Its been a hot minute since this thread was started.

That said, inside of 450 yds the choice hasn’t changed and is easy.

Wound channels matter. Hit rates matter. Reliable delivery systems matter.

Its a simple proposition.

That darn thread is what started me on this entire journey . It totally changed my perceptions on cartridges and bullet construction.

I currently have a Howa Mini in 6mm ARC that should retain the velocity I want to upset the 103's and 108's to around 600 yards.

I just have an itch for a Tikka again, so I am trying to find something to complement my 6mm ARC.

 

[hereinaz]

do you want to shoot further than the 6 ARC? Or, in higher wind? The 6.5 PRC would compliment it in a Tikka.

 

[sdupontjr]

308 using 155 lapua scenar bullets, stiff load of varget pushed at damn near 3000fps will kill anything in north america.

Do a Google search of
Deceased by scenar. There is a website that has almost 40 pages of people who have killed bull elk and such with these at ranges from 75 yards to 700 yards.

 

[Hagas4all]

With game you listed 2 rifles setup the same. I have had good luck with eldx bullet.

1 - 223 trainer (not legal where I am)
2 - caliber of your choice

 

[Choupique]

I use some different stuff just because I feel like it, but all my serious big game and predator hunting is done with the same rifle and load.

 

[bnewt3]

I cant decide. I can definitely see myself doing any of the 3 options.

The thing I always have to remind myself every time I feel im being sucked into the cartridge vs cartridge rabbit hole.........DEAD is DEAD.

 

[MuleyFever]

I am down to 2 rifles: 6CM and 7PRC. I am shooting factory ELD rounds in both.

 

[TN2shot07]

I voted two guns but for me it would depend on your actual hunting situation. A two gun battery seems like a great option if done correctly, something on the low end that’s easy and cheap to shoot (243, 6 cm, 7-08) and something that packs more punch on the other end if the hunt calls for it (6.8 western, 7 prc, 7 rem mag, 280ai, 30-06, one of the 30 cal magnums)

If you live east of the MS and you hunt deer every year but plan to occasionally travel west for elk I think you can make one rifle work just fine with a suitable cartridge and bullet choice.

If I was consistently hunting elk or going to Alaska I would dedicate a rifle to that purpose. Or if I was really traveling for whitetail I’d want something I could dedicate to the Midwest in shotgun/muzzleloader/straight wall only states.

 

[DangerRanger]

I plan to shoot everything with a 130 tmk going forward. We will see how it plays out so far whitetail is gtg but that wasn’t a surprise

 

[JohnJohnson]

I'm almost done cutting my centerfire collection down to 2 rifles both in 6.5CM shooting ELD-X bullets. I'll try ELD-M ammo sometime but the ELD-X groups so well I'm just reluctant to. I may functionally end up using only one of those two rifles though depending on how well it shoots. It's very untested so I'll be finding that out soon.

 

[robtattoo]

I'm in the 'many guns' category, but realistically could ditch all but 3 of them & all 3 would be suitable for everything in the states.
I keep telling myself that anything that'll kill an elk, will also kill deer, bear, hogs, coyotes & anything else I would ever encounter. All with the same bullet.

 

[hereinaz]

I am down to 2 rifles: 6CM and 7PRC. I am shooting factory ELD rounds in both.

I honestly feel like this is the best two choices in factory ammo and rifles.