Hunting & Fishing N. American game

Roughneck Steeler

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Minuteman
Jul 22, 2011
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After searching this forum I didn't find the info I was looking for. Bear with me as I open the proverbial can of worms.

I grew up hunting upland/waterfowl, but now am getting ready to step into big game hunting. Work takes me all over N. America, but I can't be lugging multiple rifles/ammo around. With that said...

Opinions on an all-around North American big game caliber?
(Pronghorn~Moose, but mainly used for mountain goats)
 
Re: N. American game

As an "all-around" cartridge that is certainly capable of taking any game animal in North america, and uses ammunition that can be found everywhere, I'd recommend this .

Happy Hunting,

Bill
 
Re: N. American game

Agreed. Anywhere that sells ammo will have a box of '06 and with the right bullets/not stretching the limitations, it will be adequate for any NA game animals.
 
Re: N. American game

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WRM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">As an "all-around" cartridge that is certainly capable of taking any game animal in North america, and uses ammunition that can be found everywhere, I'd recommend this .

Happy Hunting,

Bill </div></div>

Bill,

Thanks. A buddy of mine gave me the same advice off-line, and said I'd be good with either .30-06 or 7mm Remy, but that the 06 was tried and true.

I was thinking of getting a Winchester mod-70, but this same friend of mine says Savage is making real nice guns for a solid price. Any thoughts on a Savage model in .30-06?
 
Re: N. American game

Here's a 4th to support the 30-06...

Savage is making some great stuff lately and the aftermarket goodies are becoming more and more prevalent.

I've had a couple Savage rifles, they're very accurate pieces right out of the box.
 
Re: N. American game


Good advice, if you can't kill it with a 3006 you should hide. That will work for anything you want to hunt, if brown bears are on the list you may want something bigger.

I have been using a 308 for years with excellent results. No super magnums necessary.
 
Re: N. American game

<span style="font-style: italic">"Pronghorn~Moose, but mainly used for mountain goats"</span>

Now, how the heck are you going to arrange that? Hunting for mountain goats isn't exactly a common thing. Opportunities to hunt mountain goat are scarce. Typically a fellow can't just waltz in to the sporting goods store and buy a mountain goat tag...

BTW - for an all-around hunting rifle I'd have to go with the flow and recommend a good .30-06 rifle. Choose one you'll be happy with over the long term. I'd look hard at the newer Model 70 Winchesters.

Enjoy your hunting! Guy
 
Re: N. American game

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: M700</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-style: italic">"Pronghorn~Moose, but mainly used for mountain goats"</span>

Now, how the heck are you going to arrange that? Hunting for mountain goats isn't exactly a common thing. Opportunities to hunt mountain goat are scarce. Typically a fellow can't just waltz in to the sporting goods store and buy a mountain goat tag...

BTW - for an all-around hunting rifle I'd have to go with the flow and recommend a good .30-06 rifle. Choose one you'll be happy with over the long term. I'd look hard at the newer Model 70 Winchesters.

Enjoy your hunting! Guy </div></div>
Let me clarify the mountain goat thing. My dream hunt has always been to bag a mtn goat. I figure on getting the rifle, learning the fundamentals of optics on the rifle range, get out and "practice" hunting big game (this is where the pronghorn~moose comes into play) in preparation for a mtn goat expedition. I guess you can say I've got a plan and I'm in no rush to get to my goal as long as I get there... I'll have fun learning while hunting these other animals on the way. Oh, and a relative of mine lives in Newfoundland, he's a mtn. goat hunting guide. So, I have a hook up as long as I can "acquire" a tag.

The Win Mod 70 was the first gun I looked at when beginning this journey, but after talking to numerous folks and doing a lot of research, it seems Savage is making a real competitive rifle. I'm leaning towards the Savage Model 114 American Classic Stainless, but haven't ruled anything else out yet.
 
Re: N. American game

Well, whenever you get the chance to go for mountain goat, you'll be on a very special hunt. Best of luck on it, and all your future hunting. A good .30-06 with a good scope and good ammo will do just fine, providing you're up to the task.

Regards, Guy
 
Re: N. American game

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: M700</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well, whenever you get the chance to go for mountain goat, you'll be on a very special hunt. Best of luck on it, and all your future hunting. A good .30-06 with a good scope and good ammo will do just fine, providing you're up to the task.

Regards, Guy </div></div>
I've got the fundamentals of marksmanship down thanks to the Corps... all I need to do is learn to input dope into an optic as opposed to iron sights. Thanks, I'll give her hell.
 
Re: N. American game

You might also want to look at the remington mountain lss. I have one in .270 and love it. I also have an older rem mountain that is blued and has a box mag in the same cal. These rifles are short quick handling and just plain gorgeous. They are also chambered in the .30-06 which everyone on here has recomended. Plus its a REMINGTON.
 
Re: N. American game

Anywhere you can take a rifle you can darn sure take a box of ctgs. Since you are a novice to big game rifles, I would nix the 300 mags. 270 Win and 30-06 are fine but you will like the 7 Rem mag best. Little or no more blast and recoil that the 270, but shoots a bit flatter, better bullet selection etc. I have used them all and mostly shoot a 270 Win at this time, but if I were to travel and hunt from Alaska to Mexico, like I did in the past, I would use the 7mm Mag again. 160 grain bullets. JMO