What calibers do we need?

[Vince]

Like the title says, what calibers do we actually need, and not want?
I'll throw my hat in and say 100% of all North American big game could be sufficiently taken with two calibers. Given that we have regional differences in the types or terrain and hunting conditions throughout North America what two calibers would you select?
Please keep in mind the great beats and limit this to coyotes and above in size. I'm interested to see what you all have to say. [emoji2]

 

[JD338]

So what you are saying is pick 2 calibers to cover everything from coyotes to brown bear?
Bore size or cartridge?

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

223 and 340 bee or 338 rum or 338 winnie

 

[Dr. Vette]

223 and 340 bee or 338 rum or 338 winnie

I initially thought the same, but I might bump to 243 on the bottom, as it's a large hole between them. Otherwise 257 Wby and 340 Wby.

 

[wayno945]

257 Roberts and 35 Whelen

 

[OU812]

06 and a 338 rum would be my 2 choices.

 

[Vince]

So what you are saying is pick 2 calibers to cover everything from coyotes to brown bear?
Bore size or cartridge?

JD338

Cartridge.
Bore size leaves it too open I think. Look at the .257 bore size. [emoji4]

 

[Vince]

06 and a 338 rum would be my 2 choices.

25-06? [emoji2]

 

[FOTIS]

223 and 340 bee or 338 rum or 338 winnie

I initially thought the same, but I might bump to 243 on the bottom, as it's a large hole between them. Otherwise 257 Wby and 340 Wby.

that will work nicely

 

[JD338]

257 Roberts and 338 RUM

JD338

 

[sask boy]

I would keep my 280AI and (35) Mr. Whelen :mrgreen:!

Blessings,
Dan

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

If and I say "if" we had to have the bare bones minimums here are my 5 guns for the minimum:

.22 L.R. for squirrels and such

.22-250 for larger, farther away vermin

.30-06 for all big game

12 gauge for fowl and foe

.45 Colt for plinking and self-defense

These to me are the bare bones minimums and what I would want if that were the parameters.

 

[Vince]

If and I say "if" we had to have the bare bones minimums here are my 5 guns for the minimum:

.22 L.R. for squirrels and such

.22-250 for larger, farther away vermin

.30-06 for all big game

12 gauge for fowl and foe

.45 Colt for plinking and self-defense

These to me are the bare bones minimums and what I would want if that were the parameters.

Yes, but if you were to have only two, for coyotes on up through the great bears, what would you take?
I assume everyone will have a shotgun, a 22LR, along with a handgun of choice.

 

[Dwh7271]

Good question Vince.
6.5-06 and 9.3 x 62

 

[truck driver]

Hmmmm, a 22lr for squirrels. I have a .45 cal muzzle loader that I have used for squirrels, mountain grouse, deer and to decapitate wounded ducks that made it back to the pond but couldn't fly. That rifle is extremely accurate.
When push comes to shove I guess it would have to be my 257 Roberts and my 35 Whelen.

 

[gerry]

260 Rem and a 35 Whelen for me. A 270 Win and a 9.3x62 would be a good alternate pair as well.

 

[Vince]

Good question Vince.
6.5-06 and 9.3 x 62

Thank you.
I'm leaning towards the 6.5x284 Norma and .338 Win Mag as my two.

 

[Thebear_78]

223 twisted 1-8, and 300 mag (rum preferred)

 

[Guy Miner]

Vince, 100% of North American big game can, and has been taken with one cartridge. The .30-06 Springfield. It's likely been done with several other cartridges as well.

Me?

I'd keep my .25-06 and .375 H&H.

The .25-06 is a pure-dee lightning killer with minimal recoil. Push comes to shove it can take game up to elk reliably.


The .375 is surprisingly easy to shoot and knocks the snot out of stuff. It too is quite accurate and I'd hunt not only North America, but the world with it.


Unless I just kept one of my .30-06 rifles and did it all with that... :mrgreen:

Regards, Guy

 

[Ridgerunner665]

I'll throw my two cents in with the 30-06 crowd...not much it can't do.

The other would be the 223.

Those are the "needed" rounds...

I wanted a 280 Ackley though...it can't do anything the 30-06 can't do...but I like the way it does it better.