30-06 Bullet Weight for Caribou

[DaveA37]

"Mountain caribou are a lot bigger than deer big bulls can go over 500 pounds on the hoof easy. That said they are pretty easy to kill you can't really go wrong in good 30-06 bullets anywhere from 150-200 gr spitzers will do well."...

I'm in agreement. I shot two mountain caribou a few years back and found them quite easy to drop. Both went down with one shot. I was using 165 gr. NP's in my .300 WM. I would believe a good 165 gr bullet from your '06 would certainly do the job and the Nosler AB and PT's would certainly get it done.. It's more important where you place the bullet that will give you the end results we all look for, a quick and clean kill.

Good luck on the hunt.

Dave

 

[Guy Miner]

"It's more important where you place the bullet"

Yup, I'd think so.

Not that I'd know a mountain caribou from an arctic fox... :grin:

 

[joelkdouglas]

Nothing wrong with a 180gr AccuBond for its wind bucking ability. And you can't go wrong with 110% penitration. I would use the most accuate between the 165gr and 180gr but would lean to the 180gr if possible, both are flat shooting enough.

Agreed. I can push a 180 grain bullet a bit faster than a 165 grain bullet, assuming the same "barrel time" for both bullets. I can't get a 165 grain bullet to a node 4 time without being overpressure, and I can get both a 165 and a 180 to node 5 no problem. With a bit slower powder, the 180 gets 20 fps or so more velocity.

Quickload is both a blessing and a curse to a handloader. I will not be purchasing any bullets in the 165/168 grain range once my 125ish supply is used up. I am switching everything to 150/155 or 175/180.

 

[DrMike]

Caribou has antlers, Guy. Arctic fox doesn't. There are some other differences that can give this distinction away as well. :mrgreen:

 

[Guy Miner]

Dang... I knew there was something.... :mrgreen:

Thanks!

 

[onesonek]

Caribou has antlers, Guy. Arctic fox doesn't. There are some other differences that can give this distinction away as well. :mrgreen:

Bet if it was a two legged artic fox, he could tell the difference :lol:

 

[wildgene]

Dang... I knew there was something.... :mrgreen:

Thanks!

Guy, check the tails to make sure...

...cariboos has short, stubby tails, foxes has big, fluffy ones...

 

[ridgewalker]

I have been using the same 165 gr for many years cranking out a little over 2900 fps in my 1950 M70 about 1 1/2 gr below max of IMR4350. 3/4" typical.

That being said, at long range, ie 400+ you get an energy advantage and virtually as flat of trajectory using a 180 gr (better BC and SD).

If your 30-06 shoots a 180 gr (personally I like the Partition) as accurately as anything else, I'd recommend you use it. In a Rem 700 I have used 180 grains from small deer (even jackrabbits and coyotes before season) to elk and it seems to do an excellent job on everything. Work up a good load and never look back. Ideally it is best to find a good load and stick with it.

I am a retired mechanical engineer and I have a problem wanting to experiment (some say it is an illness). It can cost a lot. It takes a lot of time. It doesn't really improve much of anything other than inconsequential knowledge. I recommend you spend your money on the experience of the hunt. THAT is what counts, IMO. You can experiment when you get old and cannot hunt as much.

 

[muleman]

ridgewalker,
You Sir, are wise man.
Scott

 

[BK]

All I know (or, think I know) is from what I've read. Supposedly, 'boo are not that hard to put down. So I would look for something sleek. I might even try a Berger on one, but I'm most likely to use a 165-168-180 BT or AB.

On he other hand, how likely are you to run into a grizzly? I might carry some 180-200 ABs or 180-200-220 Partitions, just in case. I dunno if that is something to worry about.

 

[gerry]

All I know (or, think I know) is from what I've read. Supposedly, 'boo are not that hard to put down. So I would look for something sleek. I might even try a Berger on one, but I'm most likely to use a 165-168-180 BT or AB.

On he other hand, how likely are you to run into a grizzly? I might carry some 180-200 ABs or 180-200-220 Partitions, just in case. I dunno if that is something to worry about.

Since mountain caribou live in B.C., the Yukon and the North West Territories there is a pretty good chance of running into a grizz. I would opt for a tougher bullet than a Berger myself.

 

[joelkdouglas]

Good point from both about the bears. That probably makes the recommendation solidly a 180 grainer.

I believe in British Columbia I'm required to have a guide while hunting, not that I would want to venture there alone anyway. Do guides in BC normally carry rifles for bears?

 

[DrMike]

You are correct that non-resident hunters require a guide in British Columbia. Do most guides carry a rifle? Normally? Most in my area carry rifles, though I know of a couple that do not.

 

[JD338]

When I suggested the 180 gr AB, I should have also mentioned that it would also cover as a bear load.
Even if the guide is packing a rifle, I would want enough fire power just in case.

JD338

 

[Elkman]

When my son and I were packing out our Bou in Alaska we used the bear trails through the alders to get out of the river flats. Then as we headed inland to the kill site we walked within a 1/2 mile of a Griz laying on a Caribou kill that it was protecting. The 300 Win Mag with the 180 PT did not make me feel over gunned. Especially in the late evenings

 

[BK]

When my son and I were packing out our Bou in Alaska we used the bear trails through the alders to get out of the river flats. Then as we headed inland to the kill site we walked within a 1/2 mile of a Griz laying on a Caribou kill that it was protecting. The 300 Win Mag with the 180 PT did not make me feel over gunned. Especially in the late evenings

I'm pretty sure that with my .416 Rigby I would not have felt like I was carrying too much gun!

 

[nvbroncrider]

When my son and I were packing out our Bou in Alaska we used the bear trails through the alders to get out of the river flats. Then as we headed inland to the kill site we walked within a 1/2 mile of a Griz laying on a Caribou kill that it was protecting. The 300 Win Mag with the 180 PT did not make me feel over gunned. Especially in the late evenings

I'm pretty sure that with my .416 Rigby I would not have felt like I was carrying too much gun!

I'm pretty sure there is only one time when you can have too much gun. When you can't shoot it accurately?