Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!doug.cae.wisc.edu!osnome.che.wisc.edu!hunting
From: sxrmh1@acad3.alaska.edu
Newsgroups: rec.hunting
Subject: Re: best rifle caliber
Message-ID: <1991Jun26.063948.11430@doug.cae.wisc.edu>
Date: 26 Jun 91 11:39:47 GMT
Organization: University of Alaska Fairbanks
Lines: 46
Approved: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu
Originator: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu

As for my two cents worth of input...

First let me say that I regularly shoot at paper targets to absolutely
positively know where each and every shot will go.  To do this, I find
I must handload - there's other benefits to this other than cost, like
accuracy and loads that are unavailable from any factory.  I am a FAN
of Weatherby rifles, preferably the German made, but the Japanese made
do work well also.

My pet rifle is the .270 Wthby mag - probably because I've shot
thousands of rounds through it, worked up loads that work for me, and
have used it exclusively for deer hunting "outside", and on Montague
Island, AK.  (Outside, to Alaskans refers to the rest of the United
States).

(My father used a .300 Wthby mag exclusively for his Alaskan hunting,
that is until that was no longer a challenge, then he used a scoped
S/W model 29, 6 1/2" bbl, .44 mag pistol - and he killed moose and
caribou regularily with that - single shot kills.)

My next is probably my .340 Wthby mag - probably because I go hunting
a lot in brown and grizzly bear country - not that the .270 wouldn't
work for moose or caribou or sheep, etc..., but a riled bear that
wants to kill me should have as little chance as I can give it.  That,
in itself is a VERY LOW probability, but I like to play safe.  Here
again, I've worked up a fine load for me, and shot hundreds of rounds
through this gun.

I do keep a .458 win mag in camp as an emergency bear gun - sighting
it in regularily is an experience, but not too unpleasant, considering
the consequences of not knowing where the bullets are going.  Here
again, I've worked up a load for enormous stopping power, that works
for me.

If one is to be going to remote places where ammunition might have to
be purchased, a gun like the .30-06 is the single most popular caliber
cartridge in the U.S. - (arguably, so no flames) and ammunition for it
can be found in any town one goes through.  It has trade offs that I
am not willing to accept, though.

Bottom line - Any rifle YOU are comfortable AND accurate with, of at
least 270 winchester mag. cal., that fits your budget.  Remember shot
placement can never be stressed too greatly.


Randy
sxrmh1@acad3.alaska.edu