Hunting Forum

Looking for advice on a good rifle and caliber for big game. Such as big-bear, moose, bison, would a 308 be enough?

I think it would a little small for these animals. The 308 would kill all 3 but shot placement would be HUGE. 30:06 would be better, but the big bear might call for a bigger cal. 338....

IMHO a .300 Win Mag or .338 would be much better than a .308.

308 would do all. But if big bear means griz I would get a lil more muscle. I would hate to be a snack if you know what i mean. 308 has no problem on black bear, with the right bullets and shot placement

.340 Wby. Mag,, or .338 RUM would be a good choice. Good luck.

Thanks for the help, the bison and big bear are more of a pipe dream. Realistically would be mostly moose, elk, and hogs, think I might get the 300 mag.

If that is all you are going to use it for then, .338 WM or .375 H&H. IMO

try going old school ,think 45-70, .444 or 450 Marlin unless you're looking loong distance.

A 35 caliber cartridge is a good all around round for large NA game. The 35 Whelan or 35 Whelan AO improved , my current favorite is the 358 Winchester, or for a bit more umph the 350 Rem Mag. Some of the other rounds suggested seem to kill on both ends of the firearm, so the rounds I suggest  produce 3000 + foot pounds of energy with spitzer bullets made for big game and well placed, well constructed bullets with 35 caliber sectional density specs are good stoppers for most any NA game and  hold some energy down range as well without kicking your buttocks.

Depending on the range you shoot, I would take a 45-70for any game on the planet. Garrett makes some really hot rounds and they will knock anything down including elephant. Marlins' new 1890 is a really nice gun and will handle hot loads and it is a compact rifle, check it out.

Close your eyes and pick one.  30.06, 35Whelen, 300Win Mag, 338Wing Mag,375H&H, 45/70.

.300 Win Mag or .35 Whelen gets my vote with the preference to the Whelen.

I realize that deer are not nearly as tough as the animals you mentioned, but the 3 whitetails I shot this year with my 35 Whelen, were DRT!

Yes 300win, 338,and 375H&H will certainly knock down big game, but the recoil and weight would exclude them from my picks.

Your questions was, would the 308 be big enough. Yes, but one might want to use the largest cartridge you can shoot accurately. Bullet placement is more important than size. Rifle type will be the one that you like best.

anything from 270 and up, with a good bullet, is good enough for moose, elk and hogs.

no offence to the big bore magnum shooters . those wallet busting-- shoulder pounding cannons. but to hunt what game in all of north america, would you need a .375 h&h or a .338 mag.. o.k. maybe a .300 win. mag or a 7mm mag.. but really ...even those are ego boosters and really not necessary..one of the biggest polar bears ever taken was with a .308 (7.62 nato)

although i don't recommend that calibre for polar bears..

( i believe the .270 or venerable "06 is more than enogh round needed) it was successful.

the largest grizz on record for many many years was shot by bella twin with .22 long rifle rounds. ( again i don't recommend that calibre) but it was done...ssssooooo what beast are we hunting that needs slaying with anything bigger than a .270 or 30:06..

take your time..place your shots and kill your game...good hunting to all....

The OP asked for the most appropriate caliber for the 3 largest, probably the most dangerous, animals in all of North America; and you say what ??!!??


Why do they even make anything bigger than a .22LR I wonder ?

308 with hornady light magnum loads would be plenty big enough.

I'm with LBshooter on this one as the 45/70 has been a proven big game caliber since it was first introduced. In mine I use Hornady 300gr XTP ammo unless the game is gonna be bigger than black bear then I go to the mentioned Garret ammo ( www.garrettcartridges.com ) and use his +P+ ammo. Be sure and visit the Garrett website and take a look at his ammo and then look at the feller who took the Afreecan big 5 with a Marling levergun using the Garrett Hammerhead ammo. I also use his .44 mag loads in my Ruger Super Blackhawk that was built by Gary Reeder ( www.reedercustonguns.com ) who I consider to be the best in building revolvers in the business today. He offers many different services and firearms to include both long guns as well as his revolvers. If you want a different caliber then I would suggest either the Federal .338 or the .338 magnum. Irregardless of the caliber you choose as always the biggest concern is precise bullet placement.