What will be your cartridge/rifle of choice for this fall? Second?

[35 Whelen]

After 40 years of using a .270 Winchester for Big Northern Whitetails, I had toyed with the idea of a .280. The 7mm bullet selection is vast compared to .277. When I saw the new Howa Superlite introduced last year at 4 1/2 lbs, I decided to try one in 7mm08! Toped it off with a Zeiss 3x9 , so right at 6lbs loaded! After a bit of research with Hornady Superformance ammo, 140gr @2950fps it is basically a .280 Rem in disguise! It has already acquired a 208lb Buck, one shot. A 250lb Black Bear and a Bull Moose last fall! So I bet you can guess which gun we will likely be using this fall???
Was using the SST bullets for deer. But the bear and Moose where both shot with Hornadys new Copper bullets, both performed perfectly.
I like the Superlite and gotta take my hat off to the 7mm it is a performer for sure, very pleased.

 

[walkinhorseman]

Either a 280AI with 150 BT’s or a 7-08 with 140 AB’s. Both are H-S Precision 2000’ S. I’ve been a 7mm fan all my life with rifles in 7BR, 7mm REM Mag, 7x57, and 280 REM passing through my cabinet over the years. The 7-08 in a Sako AII became my most used for deer but the 280 REM was a close second. Both the H-S and the Sako have a safety that locks the bolt closed, which is a requirement for any rifle that I carry in hand.

 

[KinleyWater]

Okay, I know I said it would probably be the 35 Whelen, but I literally just picked up a new R92 in 44 mag, so I think I need to at least take it out and try to harvest something with it.

 

[GregoryB.]

I am going to give my Ruger 77RSI IN 250 Savage paired with 100gr NBT a try this fall for our WV Whitetails.

Edit:
Almost forgot I got a new Winchester Low Wall in 6.5 Creed that I want to try out with 140gr NBT’s as well. I try to rotate guns between hunts.

 

[2ndtimer]

Considering using my son’s Ruger Hawkeye all weather in .338 Federal with Speer 200 gr Hot-Cors at just under 2500 fps, but also will take my Marlin XL-7 in .270 Win. The 130 gr Hornady Spire Point at 2950 fps did a good job on the mule deer in my avatar two years ago. Thankful I got drawn for a tag in Montana this year!

 

[204_coyote_hunter]

My new Browning Xbolt Hells Canyon Speed Long Range 280AI. Still haven't shot it. Bullets going to try Hornady bullets.
ELD X 162 gr 175 gr
ELD M 162 gr 180 gr
Berger VLD 168 gr
150 gr and 168 gr Classic Hunter
Nosler AccuBond LR 168 gr .
New weatherby vanguard Outfitter 300 wby .
Haven't gotten it in yet.
Hornady ELD X 178 gr 200 gr
ELD M 195 gr

Arkansas passed straight wall cartridge . During muzzle loader season.
So I picked up one.
Ruger American Gen 2 450 bushmaster
Hornady 250 gr flex tip.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Didn't draw anything, so I'll be doing general fall black bear and possibly a predation cow tag. Will be using the R700 7-300 Win mag with 180g ELDMs at 3000fps. 28" Bartlein w/4 port brake, A5 McMillan, and a NF NXS 5-22x.

 

[TexasLife]

I shot only 1 buck when in junior high ('78). Didn't care for the taste of venison, so never shot any since. If I ever decide 2 and someone from my home town would want it, my choice would be my dad's pre64 ('61 production) 264wm for nostalgia. Has over 2,500 rounds thru it and still accurate enough to get the job done.

 

[diverdown]

My only hunting these days is Whitetails as my buddy has serious issues with his eyes. Many good years of Elk hunting in Colorado but Maine Whitetails are no slouch. My rifle is a Rem. 700 Titanium in 7MM-08. Wears a Leupold 2.5X8 and stuffed with Sierra 140 grain Game kings. I've lost track of the number of Deer that I've taken with that rifle. We've been hunting over food plots for the last six years and the food grown makes the deer taste awful special.

 

[Darryle]

I shot only 1 buck when in junior high ('78). Didn't care for the taste of venison, so never shot any since. If I ever decide 2 and someone from my home town would want it, my choice would be my dad's pre64 ('61 production) 264wm for nostalgia. Has over 2,500 rounds thru it and still accurate enough to get the job done.

You can always donate it to Hunter's for the Hungry or local food bank. With budgets of most families stretched thin, I am sure there are plenty willing to accept the good natured donation.

 

[TexasLife]

You can always donate it to Hunter's for the Hungry or local food bank. With budgets of most families stretched thin, I am sure there are plenty willing to accept the good natured donation.

there used to be a local butcher shop/slaughter house to take it to, but now you need to travel 45 minutes +. having someone that'll field strip and ice within a close time frame would be helpful. myself and my kids that want to shoot 1 would be willing to donate. all it cost us is the price for a tag as we have plenty of bucks too shoot on our property. plenty of piggies also.

 

[IdahoCTD]

there used to be a local butcher shop/slaughter house to take it to, but now you need to travel 45 minutes +. having someone that'll field strip and ice within a close time frame would be helpful. myself and my kids that want to shoot 1 would be willing to donate. all it cost us is the price for a tag as we have plenty of bucks too shoot on our property. plenty of piggies also.

If your saying you need help riding your property of deer and piggies, I know a guy .

 

[Teknys]

With a Cow tag in hand this season I’ll stick with my Ridgeline / Zeiss in a 6.5x284 Norma shooting 140gn PT. Whitetail and a cow elk, that’s the easy button. I have a 28N that is still new that needs to “unwrapped” and a
load developed for it. It’s a time thing. Finishing my sons house and running out of time.

 

[Guy Miner]

I too enjoy using various cartridges/rifles for the experience of learning about them, handloading and shooting them, and using them on game!

It's a common thing. I admire the one-gun hunter. Sometimes I'd like to be that fellow. But I'm so doggone curious about other rifles, other cartridges, other scopes... Gah! It's not a rabbit hole, it's a tunnel maze. I would have happily done all of my big game hunting with Dad's 30-06 Springfield...



Guy

 

[D21ALASKA]

It's a common thing. I admire the one-gun hunter. Sometimes I'd like to be that fellow. But I'm so doggone curious about other rifles, other cartridges, other scopes... Gah! It's not a rabbit hole, it's a tunnel maze. I would have happily done all of my big game hunting with Dad's 30-06 Springfield...



Guy

Well said Guy. Too many rifles, not enough animals here personally.
I had been hoping to take the .308 Bergara into the mountains this spring for black bear but my L5/S1 disc finally decided to give up the ghost so that put me down hard for a couple months.
Oh well. Stumbled into a great opportunity for moose this fall in a completely new area to me. Hoping it works out but either way will be carrying the .350 Rem Mag for that. Still need to drop a swamp donkey with her.
Have a diy West Texas Aoudad hunt booked for January so am in the midst of finalizing the load for the .300 Weatherby for that. Was hoping for a 200gr AccuBond load for her but she likes the 180s a whole lot better. She's set up for fairly long range so going on past experiences the shot will most likely be sub 100....

 

[DrMike]

Sorry to hear about the disc problems. That is no fun. The 180 grain will serve you quite well on an aoudad hunt. We're pulling for you to heal quickly.

 

[Cneelk]

Elk=338 rum hands down
Deer =6.5-300 weatherby or 7 mm rem mag
Black bear= 300 weatherby or 300 win mag

 

[JD338]

Elk=338 rum hands down
Deer =6.5-300 weatherby or 7 mm rem mag
Black bear= 300 weatherby or 300 win mag

I like the way you think.

JD338

 

[xphunter]

It's a common thing. I admire the one-gun hunter. Sometimes I'd like to be that fellow. But I'm so doggone curious about other rifles, other cartridges, other scopes... Gah! It's not a rabbit hole, it's a tunnel maze. I would have happily done all of my big game hunting with Dad's 30-06 Springfield...



Guy

I...See...More...Handgun...Hunting...In...Your...Future

 

[SJB358]

I have an elk/deer combo license for Montana this fall. For that hunt I will take a LH M70 chambered in 300 WSM as my primary rifle and a LH M70 chambered in 300 WM has my back-up rifle. 180 AccuBond bullets in both rifles.

For New York State deer hunting I will use a LH M70 chambered in 7mm WSM with 150 gr. ABLR bullets. My back-up rifle will be a LH M70 chambered in 7mm RM with 150 gr. BT bullets.

Almost a tear in my eye for how hard you’ve been bitten by the excellent choice in rifles