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Joined: Oct 2005
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Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2005
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Planning a trip next Aug-Sept. Plan to mostly fish, but also to hunt deer and black bear. I understand the deer are high up at that time, but length of shots is unknown. What's the best caliber? I have several to chose from. Thanks!
Carry what you’re willing to fight with - Mackay Sagebrush
Perfect is the enemy of good enough
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 8,283
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2015
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buy a good bolt rifle,plastic stock,S.S. ,300 Win. Mag. or a 30-06 with a decent scope and mnts. those 2 cartridges are easy to find ammo for with the 30-06 being the easiest to find ammo any place in the world.
LIFE NRA , we vote Red up here, Norseman
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 40,179
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 40,179 |
This is where most if the planning should center.
Son of a liberal: " What did you do in the War On Terror, Daddy?"
Liberal father: " I fought the Americans, along with all the other liberals."
MOLON LABE
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,406
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2003
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Stainless, synthetic whatever. Putting in for the draw?
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,151
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2004
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+1 on stainless / synthetic.
Anything from 6.5mm to .30 cal. should get it done.
What stainless rifles/chambering do you currently own?
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 10,914
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
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Same as for the “lower 48”. It’s pretty hard to beat the “all purpose”, “do it all”, .338 WM. Is it needed.....no, not likely. But, is a great option! memtb
Last edited by memtb; 11/05/19.
You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel
“I’d like to be a good rifleman…..but, I prefer to be a good hunter”! memtb 2024
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,147
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,147 |
One that you lay in the water for pictures.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,317
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
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If a little bit is good, more must be better!
I see your .338 and raise you .037.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,406
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,406 |
I am pretty sure I know of no one who hunts with a 338.
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 86,177
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 86,177 |
If a little bit is good, more must be better!
I see your .338 and raise you .037.
Just step up to a .340. It’s amazing the difference of two thousandths makes! -Sportys gun counter guy
If you take the time it takes, it takes less time. --Pat Parelli
American by birth; Alaskan by choice. --ironbender
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 17,733
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 17,733 |
I'd start with stainless and a synthetic stock. My impression is the vast majority of guys have a 30-06, 300 Win Mag, or 338 Win Mag. Pick the one you like, and shoot the best. Can't go wrong.
NRA LIFE MEMBER GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS ESPECIALLY THE SNIPERS! "Suppose you were an idiot And suppose you were a member of Congress... But I repeat myself." -Mark Twain
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,792
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,792 |
Thanks for the replies so far!
I am thinking something around 30-06, .7mag, or .300WM. The 300 is a bit heavier due to barrel contour. For the same weight (or maybe a bit less) I could go up to a .338WM. The issue? Maybe the extra weight is a negative when climbing those mountains they talk about?
Neither black bear nor deer are that hard to kill, so I guess the question is length of shot. If its faraway then I'll go with a .300 or 7mag. If shots are closer I'll use a more basic caliber or trundle out the .338. So if its early September, I understand you have to climb....How long are the shots though?
And yes, I'll put in for a draw. Understood that it needs to be done soon even if the hunt is 10 months away.
As to the fishing, that's indeed where I am working the most brain cells! Spent part of yesterday sorting out flies. Really want to get into the silvers.
Carry what you’re willing to fight with - Mackay Sagebrush
Perfect is the enemy of good enough
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,406
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,406 |
A kimber Montana in 7-08 up to 300wsm and everything in between would make a fine black bear/ deer rifle without breaking the bank.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 10,914
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
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I am pretty sure I know of no one who hunts with a 338. Next time I’m in the neighborhood, I’ll introduce you to my wife! memtb
You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel
“I’d like to be a good rifleman…..but, I prefer to be a good hunter”! memtb 2024
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,180
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,180 |
I used a kimber Montana 308 there last year. A stainless tikka would be just fine too.
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,057
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,057 |
I've heard of a local guy who favors the 223AI
"243/85TSX It's as if the HAMMER OF THOR were wielded by CHUCK NORRIS himself, and a roundhouse kick thrown in for good measure."
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,317
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,317 |
I am pretty sure I know of no one who hunts with a 338. Everybody's in the 375 and up club?
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,053
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,053 |
Blu CS - Sent you a PM, Also, you may want to read the thread under General Big Game - 300 in the real world.
Take whatever you want, expect rain and wind unless it's not then warm and still with mosquitos, or anything in between!
And these zombies line up and eat from the media’s trough
Cowards CANNOT be free. Nor should they be.
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,485
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2010
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I have hunted POW. I also know Nov. has about 14" rain or so on average.
I carry a Model 71. A little heavy fo deer , but good , fast bear rifle.
We got wet....I wiped it down a lot.
I always figure my equipment must be able to go where I go.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,474
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,474 |
Only blacktail I've ever shot or seen shot have been 338 win mag. LOL.
I'd take my 284 if I ever get it shooting, enough gun and light weight.
But then again I'd take a 223 or 243 too and not worry.
Shot length, what we saw, it could be as far as you wanted it, down to extremely close when calling them.
I've not hunted that early in the year though.
I would take the most weather resistant rifle you own personally. I would not consider something heavy or buying something new assuming you have some to pick from. Unless you just want a new one. Then if I didn't have a light mountain type thats what I'd invest in.
We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
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