Help me decide: Minimum caliber for larger NA game

[Trooper1]

I have that 'heart problem' myself.

I promised my brain that I would only purchase a long range bench rifle this year... and that is all. But my heart got in the way and I have now purchased three rifles and two pistols since Jan. 1.

Same here. I saw a cardiologist about my condition. He recommended I continue purchase therapy.

 

[RUFFIAN R - NY]

If I was limited to how many I could have, I would go with the 280 Rem AI low recoil and gets the job done . Thats on 90 % of hunting North America . Goes for Deer, Elk, etc - what you hunting for ????? or thinking about .

Trooper1 - Good for you, enjoy them and shoot often. Love your cardiologist

 

[Mike Matteson]

300 RUM as mentioned does most everything with a change of readily available projectiles. The 338 Edge or 338 RUM would be my other choices because I already have them, bring enough gun and/or use proper bullet placement. I've taken whitetail to 600 yards with a 270 win and 7mm-08 too… but not for toothy critters(338rum 250gr a-frame @2900fps)

That pushing it down the road. But no thanks. Powder doesn't last to long. Yesterday I was just looking a manufacture ammo for 460 and beyond. $13 to 16 pre round. Over $300 per box.

 

[Trooper1]

BTW - I chose 280 AI too.

 

[P7M13]

Lots of good advice. I'd say 300 RUM if you want a "one and done" caliber for distances to 1K.
Then you just have to do some stock adjustments and specific workouts to tame the recoil if it's too much.

 

[RUFFIAN R - NY]

besides the 280AI, in 7mm one has a great range of bullets to choose ..make them go BANG. I even use the 7mm in one of my pistols ( 7MM BR- XP Rem pistol and have taken deer, antelope , chucks, varmint's out to 250 + yards. ) so that 7MM will do the job.

 

[MT-Shooter]

Hey Brother, in my opinion you cant go wrong with the 7 mil mag

Distance is a big factor. In 2020, I shot a cow Elk at 805 yds with a 7mm mag. Broadside, hit no bone but still did not exit back side. She only went about 75yds. However, she was still alive with her head up even after I walked the 800 yds. up to her. Had to shoot her in the head. I won't be shooting that long of a distance again as I hate seeing animals suffer. This was the first time in a lifetime of hunting Elk that I double lunged an Elk that wasn't dead when I walked up to it.

 

[Pro2A]

I think your short barrel logic is spot on. If you are looking for a barrel under 20", I don't think there is any cartridge that retains as much velocity/inch, or efficiency as the 308 Winchester.

Barrels and cartridges are merely bullet spitters Bullets are the flyers. Yeah a bad crown, harmonics, etc can impart bad characteristics saying good-bye, "have a good flight." But, once a bullet is free of the barrel at a specific velocity and rotation, the shooter, barrel and cartridge can pack it up and go home, they are finished, out of the show, merely the audience. That bullet will fly the same regardless of what barrel/cartridge spit it out at that velocity/rotation. It is not the specific cartridge or barrel that retains velocity/energy or controls terminal performance. Shorter barrels generally spit the bullet out at slightly lower velocity, often with lower barrel harmonics, with an imparted rotation per barrel twist. Once out the barrel, it's all the bullet's show to perform. It is up to the bullet to split the air, retain or lose the velocity, and deal with the wind per bullet's design performance characteristics.

 

[VLD Pilot]

Distance is a big factor. In 2020, I shot a cow Elk at 805 yds with a 7mm mag. Broadside, hit no bone but still did not exit back side. She only went about 75yds. However, she was still alive with her head up even after I walked the 800 yds. up to her. Had to shoot her in the head. I won't be shooting that long of a distance again as I hate seeing animals suffer. This was the first time in a lifetime of hunting Elk that I double lunged an Elk that wasn't dead when I walked up to it.

Excellent example of why the heavier bullets are significantly better on bigger animals at long range. What weight bullet ?

 

[300grains]

308 winch

 

[cactus02]

300 H&H because then you are going style.

 

[Dooner]

Distance is a big factor. In 2020, I shot a cow Elk at 805 yds with a 7mm mag. Broadside, hit no bone but still did not exit back side. She only went about 75yds. However, she was still alive with her head up even after I walked the 800 yds. up to her. Had to shoot her in the head. I won't be shooting that long of a distance again as I hate seeing animals suffer. This was the first time in a lifetime of hunting Elk that I double lunged an Elk that wasn't dead when I walked up to it.

Which bullet??

 

[Code4]

.308W. That is all.

 

[Wyo37]

"Question: Lightest recoiling caliber, available in a gun model that is somewhat adjustable, at least minimally capable of ethical moose/bear shot at 300 yds? "

You own one already.