Help an archery guy select a caliber

[FitToHunt]

So, like the title says. I've been an avid archery hunter since I was 11, but have only owned and hunted with a couple rifles in my life. And, am pretty "green" when it comes to selecting a good caliber, and model for hunting.

First of all, I plan on exclusively using my bow for an future deer and elk hunts. However, I do apply for just about everything in the west. And, would probably break down and use a rifle if/when I am lucky enough to draw a sheep, goat, or moose tag.

I do own a .300 weatherby which I bought to use on any moose or brown bear hunts that I may go on in my lifetime. But 'I like to get a second rifle that would be good for a sheep or goat. And maybe even a pronghorn or some coyotes.

Which caliber would be best for that? I want something fairly easy to find ammo for like a .243 or .270 maybe.....

Thanks for your suggestions

 

[CoHiCntry]

The .300 you have will work fine for any western big game. Unless you just want another rifle? I shoot a .300 win mag and use it for everything from antelope & sheep to moose & elk.

 

[Tim McCoy]

With a 300 WBY in the stable, a 270 Win would be hard to beat if you want a STD caliber. 270 WSM if you want a mag. 25-06 would fill the bill too, as would a 7mm RM. All have easily sourced factory ammo.

If ultra LR hunting is in your future, 6.5mm or 7mm are good calibers. With your criteria, ammo availability, for ultra LR, I'd look hard at a 7mm RM, unless your 300 WBY is set up for that.

Lots of good makers, Rem, Win, Howa, Savage, Weatherby, Browning, Tikka, Sako,... Comes down to preferred features, price, etc.

I'm not an ultra LR guy, guessing you are not either, so I be inclined to go with a 25-06 or 270, probably in a Tikka T3x lite SS. You did not mention elk, so I'd lean 25-06, 270 if elk are a potential quarry for that rifle.

 

[Hilltop]

As stated the .300 is a great round for western hunting. If your set on buying another lighter caliber, you can't go wrong with 7mag, .30-06, .270 or .25-06. All have ammo that is easy to find and all are great calibers. The 25-06 is the lightest recoiling of the group but still shoots very flat and will have plenty of power for what you are after.

 

[Retterath]

The 300 win mag is an amazing caliber. For like goats,sheep and antelope I would say a 6.5 such as a 6.5 creedmoore, 260 or maybe a 6.5 284.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

If you don't reload, then I'd go with 25-06. I also shoot a .330 Wby and a 25-06. I reload, so I can load just about anything.

 

[FitToHunt]

So, the 25-06 has plenty of Uhmmff! for a sheep or goat?

I can get a pretty significant discount through Savage Arms. Can anyone shed any light on the difference between hunting models? Will say an $800 model really be that much different for a guy like me than a $400 model? I'm not a reloader or a long range shooter. Just a hunter that should be able to get within 200 yards or shorter....

 

[Timberstalker]

So, the 25-06 has plenty of Uhmmff! for a sheep or goat?

I can get a pretty significant discount through Savage Arms. Can anyone shed any light on the difference between hunting models? Will say an $800 model really be that much different for a guy like me than a $400 model? I'm not a reloader or a long range shooter. Just a hunter that should be able to get within 200 yards or shorter....

25-06 will kill bighorn sheep just fine, trust me.

 

[Tim McCoy]

So, the 25-06 has plenty of Uhmmff! for a sheep or goat?

I can get a pretty significant discount through Savage Arms. Can anyone shed any light on the difference between hunting models? Will say an $800 model really be that much different for a guy like me than a $400 model? I'm not a reloader or a long range shooter. Just a hunter that should be able to get within 200 yards or shorter....

25-06 has plenty of Uhmmff for critters that size. I've taken cow elk, in the 500-600 pound range, cleanly and quickly with one shot, with a good bullet. While I prefer more gun, it will cleanly take Bulls too, if you do your part. If the focus is sheep/goats, feed it 100 gr. monolithic bullets, or better yet IMO, 115-120 gr. bullets. Another way to look at it, a 25-06 with good 120 gr. bullets will do anything you'd sensibly try with a 270 and 130 gr. bullets.

 

[AKaviator]

Another option would be the 7mm-08. I sure like the one I have. My wife took her moose with it at 275 yards, one shot. I have a Savage 16 and it shoots better than I can hold it!
I think it would compliment a .300 Weatherby nicely.

 

[FitToHunt]

Ok thanks guys. I know this is a very generic question, but what is the primary difference between a cheaper hunting model vs a higher end model. Given the same manufacturer? Durability, accuracy, or just looks?

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

That depends on the brand. Usually stock differences, sometime different trigger, finish. If I was looking for differences I would start with the complete description and compare. Go to the manufacturers website and compare and finally a dealer and actually look and feel them. Summary for me would be fit & finish.

 

[Timberstalker]

Funny thing about guns, the best shooting one we have here I bought for $250 and never have touched it. It's a Winchester M670 in .243. It shoots 1/2 MOA but it's as ugly as a dump truck.

 

[Chase0621]

coloradocowboy got it right . more money usually has better stock, finish, trigger, smoother action, I like the weatherby vanguard 6.5 creedmoore

 

[Tim McCoy]

Funny thing about guns, the best shooting one we have here I bought for $250 and never have touched it. It's a Winchester M670 in .243. It shoots 1/2 MOA but it's as ugly as a dump truck.

Old Rem 788 in .243, same thing.

 

[HuskyMusky]

243 is a great a coyote antelope rig. but personally a little small for deer sheep goat

25-06 might be a ideal compromise for coyote, antelope, deer, sheep, goat

270 or 280 would be more ideal IMO for deer, goat, sheep, but on the bigger side for coyotes, and even antelope IMO.

 

[FitToHunt]

7mm-08 or 25-06 are looking like good rounds for my purpose. Plus I looked up ammo prices on MidwayUsa and they seem about the same. Guess I'll head down to my local cabelas and see if I can take a look at either of those in person.

 

[BuzzH]

Start shooting a 7-08 and you'll find your 300 wby will collect a lot of dust.

I'd hunt grizzlies or moose in a heartbeat with a 7-08...wouldn't even think twice.

 

[Tim McCoy]

7mm-08 or 25-06 are looking like good rounds for my purpose. Plus I looked up ammo prices on MidwayUsa and they seem about the same. Guess I'll head down to my local cabelas and see if I can take a look at either of those in person.

Sportco in Fife used to have a good selection too, in case the Lacey Cabela's is the one you are heading to. Either of those calibers will serve you well and with one being a short action and one a long action cartridge, it will give you some nice different options to choose between. We use and love both calibers.

 

[fackelberry]

I shoot both the 25-06 and 7mm-08. Both are more than capable for what you want. Just use good quality bullets and you wont be dissapointed. Ex-wife has shot completely through 2 bull elk at a shade over 200 yards with a handload i made with 140 Nosler Accubonds. Very accurate guns. I personally shot my big Colorado mule deer at 490 yards with 25-06. dropped right there, bullet was on offside hide almost came out. I think whichever rifle feels the best in your hand you will feel more comfortable and be more accurate. Either one of those 2 calibers will suit you well.