Guest seasonstoshort Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 I want to buy my 1st rifle i live in NY but hunt mostly southern zone which is shotgun only. Recently found some land in northern zone NY and will be bear and deer hunting. Which caliber rifle is best for deer and bear hunting in upstate NY. I have been told .308 is best. What are your thoughts, pros/cons. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 Lots of good rifle rounds that would work well for both. A .30 caliber like a .30-06 or a .308 would give a lot of versatility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted September 18, 2007 Report Share Posted September 18, 2007 I would say anything bigger than a 25 cal. with the exception of the 25-06 which I thing would work. 308, 7mm08, 270, 280, 30-06 and a plethora of others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted September 18, 2007 Report Share Posted September 18, 2007 Like others said, I'd be buying a .30 caliber for sure. .308 is a great round, especially for a short action. I personally would be opting for a .300 Win Mag or .300 WSM, somewhere in that area. But then again we have big bodied deer and big bears up here. I'd definetly be carrying my .300 Short Mag for both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted September 18, 2007 Report Share Posted September 18, 2007 I would also opt for a stout .30 caliber round. 308 and 30-06 are good. If you ever have need or occasion to shoot a large black bear or need penetration on a less-than-broadside shot on a medium sized bear you'll be wishing for lots of horsepower. You can hardly go wrong with any of the .30 magnums for an all around, "do it all" rifle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Colorado Bob Posted September 18, 2007 Report Share Posted September 18, 2007 Sounds like you got it right. 308 is a good choice. I went the 30/06 route. Take your pick----short action or long action. CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missed160 Posted September 18, 2007 Report Share Posted September 18, 2007 Federal just came out with a new cartridge that has really awesome ballistics. It's a 308 case necked up to the new FEDERAL 338 - Looks like it will be an awesome midrange short action caliber for this sized game.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mule659 Posted September 18, 2007 Report Share Posted September 18, 2007 A number will work just fine...I'd throw a vote to the faithful old 30-06 if I was going to buy a all around or combo rifle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beagleboy Posted September 18, 2007 Report Share Posted September 18, 2007 I have a Browning 30-06 and I believe its an all around gun. I also prefer my 300 Win Mag. because of its long shot capability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BR44 Posted September 19, 2007 Report Share Posted September 19, 2007 My choice- 30-06. Alot of versatility in bullet weights for different game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted September 19, 2007 Report Share Posted September 19, 2007 Welcome to the forums! Another NY'er . I have been hunting the southern zone of NY for about 22 years now. Rifle areas. In all those years I have not had a shot at a deer beyond 100 yards. Woods are too thick for shots beyond that where I hunt. My rifle of choice, marlin 30/30. More than adequate for deer and just fine for the 100-350lb bears that you might encounter. Many areas are shotgun only, but that has changed in many regions last season, check the DEC website. The accuracy you can get with shotgun slugs today is incredible, they should be a consideration too. The knockdown power of a slug is unparalleled. If you do a lot of walking, a short barreled rifle will be a welcome friend in the field. The .35 Remington is another caliber to consider. Good heavy bullet, 200grs, a reputation as a brush buster too. Both calibers are lever guns. I am partial to them for their light weight, short barrel, fast handling attributes. Last year my son Joe took my Marlin to deer hunt and I had to use my .243 bolt gun. A Tack driver, but that 4" of extra barrel got caught on everything as I walked though the woods. I missed my Marlin that season. Most lever guns have 20" bbls which add to the fast sight acquisition. With the new Hornady LeverRevolution ammo. You can get pointed bullet ballisitics out of a tube fed magazine lever gun. Whatever caliber you choose, go with this rule of thumb. The cartridge needs to have 1000lbs of energy at 100 yards, minimum; at impact to cleanly harvest a deer or bear. The .308( short action, 7mm-08, .243) and 30-06(long action) have way more energy than that. They are longer range cartridges. If long shots are a possibility, then consider the long range calibers. Shot placement is the key. There are Inuit people I have read, that kill caribou with a .17 Remington to the ear, so no hide damage and they drop the animal in its tracks. Would anyone recommend a .17 Rem for a Caribou sized animal? Probably not, but its done. See, shot placement. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest leaddogext Posted September 29, 2007 Report Share Posted September 29, 2007 I want to buy my 1st rifle i live in NY but hunt mostly southern zone which is shotgun only. Recently found some land in northern zone NY and will be bear and deer hunting. Which caliber rifle is best for deer and bear hunting in upstate NY. I have been told .308 is best. What are your thoughts, pros/cons. Thanks I'VE HUNTED HERE IN NNY FOR OVER 30 YRS, GET A 280 REM KILLS EVERTHING IN THE WOODS WITH 1 SHOT.140GR ATBT REM IF YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT MEAT, 150 NOSLER PAR FEDS IF YOU DO. NEVER HAD AN ANIMAL TAKE MORE THAN 2 LEAPS. I JUST SHOOT AT THE CENTER OF THE BIGGEST PART I SEE, ANY RANGE ANY ANGLE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaCoyote Posted September 29, 2007 Report Share Posted September 29, 2007 I JUST SHOOT AT THE CENTER OF THE BIGGEST PART I SEE, ANY RANGE ANY ANGLE. I'm sure glad your 3000 miles away from me! I think thats the most rediculous thing I've ever read. No more than two leaps by shooting at the first spot you see? Give me a break! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest leaddogext Posted September 29, 2007 Report Share Posted September 29, 2007 Sorry if I stepped on anyones toes, just meant if the biggest part is goog enough. Not the first part, 2 leaps part you'll just have to take my word for. I've a rule that I don't call some one a liar unless it's face to face, that's ridiculous? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mehunter Posted September 29, 2007 Report Share Posted September 29, 2007 I've taken both bear and deer with my 270, and never had a tracking job where it was difficult to follow. Try to find someone that will let you try a few shots through theirs and see whats best for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaCoyote Posted September 30, 2007 Report Share Posted September 30, 2007 Sorry if I stepped on anyones toes, just meant if the biggest part is goog enough. Not the first part, 2 leaps part you'll just have to take my word for. I've a rule that I don't call some one a liar unless it's face to face, that's ridiculous? You say that the 280 enables you to shoot at any range or any angle at the first "part" you see. That sir is rediculous. Typically people like to choose the shot placement carefully and preach that point. You know.... boiler room, neck, or spine. NOT THE "CENTER OF THE BIGGEST PART, AT ANY RANGE OR ANY ANGLE." I agree the .280 is a fine cartridge but your suggested use of it is irresponsible. If I offended you oh' well, we'll never talk face to face anyways but if we did I'd say the same thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest leaddogext Posted September 30, 2007 Report Share Posted September 30, 2007 You say that the 280 enables you to shoot at any range or any angle at the first "part" you see. That sir is rediculous. Typically people like to choose the shot placement carefully and preach that point. You know.... boiler room, neck, or spine. NOT THE "CENTER OF THE BIGGEST PART, AT ANY RANGE OR ANY ANGLE." I agree the .280 is a fine cartridge but your suggested use of it is irresponsible. If I offended you oh' well, we'll never talk face to face anyways but if we did I'd say the same thing. Just meant any range where I hunt typically hunt 350yds thats very do-able with the excellent ammo today with most 30-06 - 308 class calibers. Reading some of your other post I'm convinced your a man of fine character, i'm ok with being called on the mat by you. I was only stating my experiences(maybe just dumb luck) as I'm sure you were. Certainly would never expect you to agree with anything you don't believe. By the way I was first used a 280 when I was living in Washougal,Wa. in 1977, seemed half the guys I hunted with used them. PS our yote season starts monday and goes to March 30th. AWESOME! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted September 30, 2007 Report Share Posted September 30, 2007 I'VE HUNTED HERE IN NNY FOR OVER 30 YRS, GET A 280 REM KILLS EVERTHING IN THE WOODS WITH 1 SHOT.140GR ATBT REM IF YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT MEAT, 150 NOSLER PAR FEDS IF YOU DO. NEVER HAD AN ANIMAL TAKE MORE THAN 2 LEAPS. I JUST SHOOT AT THE CENTER OF THE BIGGEST PART I SEE, ANY RANGE ANY ANGLE. Sounds like a very unethical way to hunt to me. I would much rather shoot at an area where I know the animal will have a quick death, and I won't be cleaning excrement out of the body cavity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest leaddogext Posted September 30, 2007 Report Share Posted September 30, 2007 Sounds like a very unethical way to hunt to me. I would much rather shoot at an area where I know the animal will have a quick death, and I won't be cleaning excrement out of the body cavity. Wouldn't know have never had that problem, sorry but maybe I should have clarified it. The biggest kill zone I see and our fields are not much over 350yds. As for quick death I've never had one live over 30sec. or go more than 2 leaps. Maybe just dumb luck I don't know, maybe lots of practice? Nice to know there are so many good hunters out there, seems like all you hear about in the media are the few bad ones. I might be spoiled living and hunting on the same land all my life. I only shoot about 1 in 50 I see so I don't have to take bad shot. Usually i've seen it many times so I get to pick a good spot. Seen 20 or so today but none in bow range, maybe next time. Doesn't matter just love being out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted September 30, 2007 Report Share Posted September 30, 2007 Lots of good rifle rounds that would work well for both. A .30 caliber like a .30-06 or a .308 would give a lot of versatility. I would also opt for a stout .30 caliber round. 308 and 30-06 are good. If you ever have need or occasion to shoot a large black bear or need penetration on a less-than-broadside shot on a medium sized bear you'll be wishing for lots of horsepower. You can hardly go wrong with any of the .30 magnums for an all around, "do it all" rifle. Sounds like you got it right. 308 is a good choice. I went the 30/06 route. Take your pick----short action or long action. CB I have a Browning 30-06 and I believe its an all around gun. I also prefer my 300 Win Mag. because of its long shot capability. Like most said, .30-06! If I were to do it all over again. I would have bought a .30-06 instead of my .270. But I do love my .270, I think it will still take a bear down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaCoyote Posted September 30, 2007 Report Share Posted September 30, 2007 Like most said, .30-06! If I were to do it all over again. I would have bought a .30-06 instead of my .270. But I do love my .270, I think it will still take a bear down. I'm just opposite of you. My first was an 06' but wish I had bought a 270. We gun geeks are hard to please arent we??? So this thread isn't totally hi jacked I'd say anything from .260, 270, 7mm-08, .308, 30-06 and up would be just fine except for the biggest of bears. We have A LOT of bears in WA. and I would not hesitate to take one with a .260 tipped with a good bullet. I've run into a ton of hunters who use a 7mm-08 for bears and even more who use 270. The 270 is popular Elk cartridge as well. The .270 is extremely mild to shoot which is nice. Now the tricky part. If you don't reload buy a common caliber. That way you'll never have problems getting ammo. If you do start reloading you may have wished you bought a long action vs. a short action. Shorties have to be loaded down when shooting heavier bullets since you have to seat them deeper in the case. If I had to really choose two to definately recommend It'd be the .270 or the 30-06. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimT Posted September 30, 2007 Report Share Posted September 30, 2007 I would just go with a 30-06. The deer and bears I have taken with mine never knew what killed them. Ammos is everywhere and cheap. Performance of this cartridge is proven. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest seasonstoshort Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 Thanks to all who replied, I went with the Tikka T3 lite in .308. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 Great rifle great round. You won't be dissapointed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.