Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
British Columbia Sport & Outdoor Lounge => Hunters' Cabin => Topic started by: gmachine19 on February 06, 2015, 05:05:01 PM
-
Hey guys, so I finally registered to take my PAL and RPAL at the end of the month and I already have 3 guns (sorta) in mind. a 12 gauge, .22 and a 7mm mag.
So a few of my buddies suggested that because of my size, a 7mm mag would be the perfect all around gun for me. But, some stores suggest that .308 is all I need for hunting here. Does anyone have experience on both 7mm mag and .308? I could really use some input here.
The rifle I'm looking for will be used to hunt deer, elk, moose, boar, black bear (highly unlikely cuz i love these guys).
Recoil doesn't really bother me and I think 300 mag would be overkill.
Thanks in advance!
-
I would pick guns like I pick fishing rods. The right gun for the right application. A 7mm packs a big punch and is very impressive. I do not own one but have used a few of them. I would listen to the stores, but if your heart wants the 7mm go for it.
-
.308 will cover everything and ammo is cheaper so theres that, theres no need for 7mm mag unless you plan on hunting speed goat in the open plain or caribou or possibly sheep, most lml hunting is within 200 yards or less.
-
7mm is a great calibre. Look for an older browning auto. Doesnt really matter what you get its all preference. If your going for all around rifle a 30-06 is hard to beat. I started with a .308 lever and its a great gun especially with the clip. Then moved to a .270 win which is also a nice platform.
However more game has likely been taken with the old faithful open sight 30-30 win than any others out there. I'm not an fan of any of the newer model guns most of the stocks and overall platforms feel cheap & poorly built I'd recommend getting and older Browning or whatever brand you prefer over anything else.
-
However more game has likely been taken with the old faithful open sight 30-30 win than any others out there.
(http://www.marlinfirearms.com/images/centerfire/zoom_336C.jpg)
One of my favourite guns I've ever shot. Light, fun to shoot. Great gun for hiking deep in the bush.
-
I've had the same conversation with a bunch of co-workers, and so far all of them say to go with a 30-06. Main reason being whatever town, city or hunting camp you pass through someone will have 30-06 ammunition. The 7mm Mag is a fantastic flat shooting round and it packs a ton of stopping power but for one the ammo is more expensive and because its a magnum load the ammo is also more scarse. The 30-06 has been around for 100 + years
http://www.shootersforum.com/rifles-rifle-cartridges/58109-7mm-mag-vs-30-06-a.html
5 Pages of stats on both calibers. Good luck
-
Thanks for all the replies fellas!
Ya it'd probably get a marlin 30-30 instead of a shotgun now! It's for bear defense mainly.
-
I've had the same conversation with a bunch of co-workers, and so far all of them say to go with a 30-06. Main reason being whatever town, city or hunting camp you pass through someone will have 30-06 ammunition. The 7mm Mag is a fantastic flat shooting round and it packs a ton of stopping power but for one the ammo is more expensive and because its a magnum load the ammo is also more scarse. The 30-06 has been around for 100 + years
http://www.shootersforum.com/rifles-rifle-cartridges/58109-7mm-mag-vs-30-06-a.html
5 Pages of stats on both calibers. Good luck
7mm ammo scarce? Haha that's funny...
-
7mm ammo scarce? Haha that's funny...
Not to say that 7mm can't be found anywhere, but in the respect of brands and grains. The shop I work at has close to 12-13 different brands and grains of 30-06 compared to 4 brands and grains for 7mm
-
That's because it's a 7mmRM. It's only .284"
Any lighter then 140gr you're losing to much down range energy.
Any heavier then 175gr and you start looking at barrels with a custom twist.
Even the standard 1:9.5 twist that most 7mags come standard in, isn't enough to get proper performance out of a 175 grain.
Also, heavier bullets would be to long, creating a pressure spike. An example would be the Barnes all copper tsx. For example my tikka 7mag makes around 3150fps with a 160gr partition and 65gr of powder. (7828) This is a hot load. The tsx will run that fast, but with about 4.5gr of powder less.
There's nothing a 200gr '06 is doing at 200yds that a 7mm can't do.
In fact the further out you go, the more the 7mm starts to shine.
7mm ammo can be found right beside the 30'06 on just about any shelf that sells ammo anywhere.
-
(http://www.marlinfirearms.com/images/centerfire/zoom_336C.jpg)
One of my favourite guns I've ever shot. Light, fun to shoot. Great gun for hiking deep in the bush.
Ugh this picture made me rethink my first gun. It's gonna be a 45-70 lever action short barrel!
-
Better start buying your reloading gear too then! It's an addiction, and 45-70 factory ammo is not cheap, harder to come by, and tuned down due to the abundance of old trapdoor Springfield and other low pressure guns around. The 45-70 really comes alive when you reload. Otherwise, it's a poor choice for a first gun IMO.
-
Lever guns are sexy, if you want one for your first gun, can I suggest the 30-30 Winchester?
That caliber has probably killed more big game then any other in North america.
-
Thanks for all the replies fellas!
Ya it'd probably get a marlin 30-30 instead of a shotgun now! It's for bear defense mainly.
12ga. is a far superior bear gun than the 30-30. If its for defense - you'll be using it within close quarters to the bear and a 1oz slug will stop bears faster than a 130grain 30 caliber. The way I look at it, if you have to aim, you shouldn't be shooting it - unless you are hunting it.
Yes, I've shot black bear with both 12ga and 30-30.
7mag was my first long rifle. I really liked it but found I liked the .270 better. 30-06 is a well proven winner and you can argue all you want as to which calibre is better - for all practical hunting applications they are all pretty equal. If you step up to moose or long range elk, then the 7mag or 30-06. You can look at ballistic chart until you are cross-eyed but unless you are a marksman or loading your own, don't worry about ballistics - these all work great. I wouldn't worry about long range hunt/shooting since you should be stalking as close as practical anyways.
Do the research on the rifle make and model, be sure to get a good reputable shooter that fits your needs. Decide what you need, don't get an older semi-automatic if you are a left handed shooter unless you are prepared to take hot brass in the nose. If you really get into it, you will by another rifle - we all did and new hunters will continue to do so. Get good optics and ring/bases.
Are you going to reload or buy factory loads? Check the pricing on shells. There are a lot of questions and many more answers. You need to speak to a few gun shops to narrow down the right rifle for you. Also helps if you go out with a buddy and get to shoot different calibres and loads.
Personally - don't get the 30-30 unless you get a hand me down rifle for free. Honestly, you're not going to like it for hunting until you become somewhat dedicated to that hunting style. A .270 or 30-06 would be most practical for you.
That's my opinion - many will agree and many will not. In the end it doesn't matter what you get as long as you hunt legally, safely and ethically.
Cheers.
-
Ruger 10/22
Marlin 45/70
Browning 300 WSM
-
You'll be happy with a 7mm
-
I was in a similar boat and was tossing up between a 7mm, a 270, and a 30-06. Given lots of research and wanting something that will cover all bases in BC from deer to moose, I ended up going with a 30-06.
-
Ever try looking at 270SWM? I have one and it is a Sako 75 SS it very flat shooting and it loves Barnes TSX 130gr. bullet. Got lots of Big Games with it from Black bears, Sitka blacktails, Columbia Blacktails, White tails and mulies. Never got moose yet......no luck in LEH draw. It is one my favorite rifle beside my 243win.
Silex-user
-
With my PAL/RPAL taking forever (6 mos. wait this coming aug 11) I decided to buy an excalibur 405 crossbow. I did get lucky with a group hunt for a bull moose on November. Got a 338 waiting for me come November. Also getting 20 boxes of free 300 wsm ammo so I think I'll buy a 300 wsm too lol!
-
338 eh? That's a helluva first gun. Don't become a flincher. I hope you're not planning on deer hunting with that. I mean, you can of course if you don't mind ground meat!
-
Already had a chance to shoot 2 boxes on it. It does make you flinch at first but i got used to it. Also put a limbsaver on it which pretty much eliminated the recoil for me. And no I won't be shooting any deer with that lol! I'll use my xbow for deer.
-
Nothing wrong with a 338 Win Mag for deer. You just make sure you don't hit a shoulder. I had a Sako in 338 mag with the muzzle break. I took a few deer with mine - never a problem or concern but I was always sure to only take headshots. I always took clean headshots and if I didn't feel comfortable with the shot, I never took it and would work my way in closer. Mind you I didn't hunt in areas with more than 250 yards of open space. Most of my deer kill shots were inside 50 yards so it never really mattered to me what rifle I carried.
Now that you've shot a few boxes, you'll know your rifle well and will never feel under or even over gunned for deer and larger game.
I sure miss hunting - it just doesn't seem practical to me to hunt while living here in Abbotsford now so I've stopped hunting completely.
-
Head shots are bad idea. It is too much risk to aim such a small target. Ask any experienced hunter. I had seen( not my bullet) maimed deer with destroyed lower jaw. It is slow and painful death for the animal. If anything ,lower neck shot is much bigger target with huge arteries for a super fast bleed out and meat saving, but can not go wrong with proper boiler room shot.
-
Head shots are bad idea. It is too much risk to aim such a small target. Ask any experienced hunter. I had seen( not my bullet) maimed deer with destroyed lower jaw. It is slow and painful death for the animal. If anything ,lower neck shot is much bigger target with huge arteries for a super fast bleed out and meat saving, but can not go wrong with proper boiler room shot.
Good advice - this is not a pissing contest. Skill, competency, conditions, shot angle and experience are some, but not all, decisions in the selection of shot placement. Every shot taken must be carefully considered for the most humane and efficient kill shot. If the shot is not right - you don't take it. You have to know your equipment and above all, respect your capabilities. I always did and it was never a question or concern for me.
So what was the calibre selected and how did you make out this season.