Dangerous Game Caliber, What is the smallest you would go with?

charles73 · 10-09-2009, 10:49 PM

Ok...I must admit I will probably never go to Africa and hunt Lion, Elephant, Leopard, or Cape, but I would like to hunt Grizzly someday. But forgetting I said all that what is the smallest cartridge you would go with? .375 H&H?? .338 Win Mag? I'm open to suggestions. I just don't know if I want to take a 30-06 to bag a Grizzly. I know it can do it....but....I think I would like a heavier payload than whats offered for the 30-06.
Maybe I have eaten too much pizza and I'm in need of some sleep. lol
Any thoughts?

Metronome · 10-09-2009, 10:55 PM

Hmm, my choice would be .338 Winchester Magnum as a minimum if you are into bolt actions, while a .375 h&h would be a little more comforting. Of course a .45-70 would also be just fine in my book, and I know that it is available in my most favorite platform!

charles73 · 10-09-2009, 11:08 PM

What is your favorite platform Metronome? If I might ask?

Midas · 10-09-2009, 11:18 PM

In my opinion, and in the opinion of men much more experienced, and intelligent than myself, a bolt action, CRF .375 H&H is regarded as the ultimate "all arounder" for hunting dangerous game here in NA, and Africa as well.

toolman · 10-09-2009, 11:23 PM

Depends on the application. If you're seriously considering hunting Grizzlies, I'd say .300 Win. Mag at the bare minimum. If you're staying away from the "big cuddlies" a .30-06 will be fine.

ArkansasHunter · 10-09-2009, 11:35 PM

From talking to Mosseman684 who has hunted Grizzlies and watching hunts on the OutDoor Channel and knowing me my minimum will be 338 Win Mag.

Plus I would like a minimum of 20 to 30 other hunters behind me in case I miss and the critter charge's me !!!!

nathangdad · 10-09-2009, 11:43 PM

I feel you must not go below a .458 Winchester Magnum.

For North America a .338 Winchester Magnum might be a caliber of choice although for a charging grizzly bear I would once again mention the .458 Winchester Magnum.

skiking · 10-10-2009, 12:17 AM

While we can't hunt em here in MT, I have had my fair share of close encounters with grizzlies, admitting they are smaller than AK bears, I didn't feel I didn't have enough gun with a .300 Win Mag if it came to that point which it hasn't yet. My one encounter I did pull the trigger on was with a cougar and I had a 30-30, I didn't hit it or take the time to aim(a bit of an oh S*!T thing, get lead flying asap and pray) but the noise was enough for it to decide I wasn't safe to try and eat.

If I were to go after bears in AK I would probably choose something more along the line of a .375 H&H.

charles73 · 10-10-2009, 12:35 AM

Alot of good thoughts gentlemen! Thank you for your input. So now Im trying to find a link to Recoil in ft. lbs.... lol Anyone know of one?

Ballbearing · 10-10-2009, 12:53 AM

I'd say .350 Remington Magnum or better. .444 Marlin is a good choice if you can stand the punishment. .375 Holland and Holland is great, but the expense is more than the average hunter can bear (no pun intended). Don't go hunting bear without a rifle you know can do the job. And go and shoot the rifle before you hunt, make darn sure the rifle functions flawlessly and that you can depend on it when the time comes. The Grizzly is one of the most potentially dangerous creatures you could possibly imagine. He's as tough as bootleather and has a skull like a sherman tank. One swipe of his claws can behead you. If you're going to do this, don't do any part of it, half-way. I mean this in the best possible way, and if I've overstated the obvious, I want you to know I'm darn glad I did.

Metronome · 10-10-2009, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charles73

What is your favorite platform Metronome? If I might ask?

Leveractions!!! Shot the heck out of a Marlin 1895 Stainless guide gun today with the Garrett Hammerhead loads - what a combo!

TXplt · 10-10-2009, 01:36 AM

Hot .45-70 or .450 Marlin (which is a hot .45-70 of sorts) with the proper ammo.

Mr. 22 · 10-10-2009, 01:37 AM

Most guides carry a .375 H&H, including African guides as a back up. I would have no qualms about the .338 - wonderful cartridge, loaded up or down!

I have heard of Griz still coming after yer a**after having their heart totally blown apart. Running strictly on adrenaline. .44 mag in the mouth for really close range stuff!

Purdy · 10-10-2009, 10:00 AM

I think you will find that African guides would prefer a large caliber double or barring that something like a .458 or a .416.

moosemike · 10-10-2009, 10:35 AM

.375 H&H for African dangerous game

.338 Win Mag for North American big game

G. Green · 10-10-2009, 11:08 AM

I really like the .45/70 in a lever gun. I've never shot anything with mine using the LeverEvolution 325 grainers from Hornady that it didn't zip right through tearing up everything in and close to it's path. Zipped through an elk on a quartering shot last week so fast that I thought I'd missed on account of the dust cloud where it hit the ground on the far side of the animal.

338RUM · 10-10-2009, 11:13 AM

I would be more inclined to use a 505 Gibbs if elephant was a possibility. But I am going to be partial to the 600 Nitro Express Magnum only because I am building one on a savage 210 slug gun action, when I am done I will have a nice African rifle

charles73 · 10-10-2009, 11:48 AM

Does anyone have any experience with a 338 Federal? Or is that a wimp? I heard it was pretty stout in close range situations. But that was just what a writer said in an article that I read 2 years ago.

big shrek · 10-10-2009, 12:25 PM

How about the ones that everyone skipped??

The Barrett model 82A1 .50-BMG at $8000

Or the slightly less pricey Barrett 95 in .50-BMG for $6500

I mean, heck, when you are talking Dangerous Game, why even bother with anything less?

Tack Driver · 10-10-2009, 12:29 PM

The .338 Federal has energy close to the 7mm Rem mag, it is a great black bear and whitetail cartridge, but I wouldn't use it for grizzlies, if you want a .338 cal, step up to the .338 Win Mag.

10-09-2009, 10:49 PM	#1
charles73 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Home On The Range Posts: 127	Dangerous Game Caliber, What is the smallest you would go with? Ok...I must admit I will probably never go to Africa and hunt Lion, Elephant, Leopard, or Cape, but I would like to hunt Grizzly someday. But forgetting I said all that what is the smallest cartridge you would go with? .375 H&H?? .338 Win Mag? I'm open to suggestions. I just don't know if I want to take a 30-06 to bag a Grizzly. I know it can do it....but....I think I would like a heavier payload than whats offered for the 30-06. Maybe I have eaten too much pizza and I'm in need of some sleep. lol Any thoughts?

10-09-2009, 10:55 PM	#2
Metronome Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northern California Posts: 981	Hmm, my choice would be .338 Winchester Magnum as a minimum if you are into bolt actions, while a .375 h&h would be a little more comforting. Of course a .45-70 would also be just fine in my book, and I know that it is available in my most favorite platform! __________________ I take my coffee how I take my women: bitter and overbearing.
	1 members found this post helpful.

10-09-2009, 11:18 PM	#4
Midas Chief Troll B' Gone Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 3,833 Blog Entries: 6	In my opinion, and in the opinion of men much more experienced, and intelligent than myself, a bolt action, CRF .375 H&H is regarded as the ultimate "all arounder" for hunting dangerous game here in NA, and Africa as well. __________________ NRA Life Member 10mm Auto-The ultimate trail gun

10-09-2009, 11:23 PM	#5
toolman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: abilene,tx Posts: 7,371 Blog Entries: 25	Depends on the application. If you're seriously considering hunting Grizzlies, I'd say .300 Win. Mag at the bare minimum. If you're staying away from the "big cuddlies" a .30-06 will be fine. __________________ cosmoline is an aphrodisiac!

10-09-2009, 11:35 PM	#6
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas. Posts: 18,445	From talking to Mosseman684 who has hunted Grizzlies and watching hunts on the OutDoor Channel and knowing me my minimum will be 338 Win Mag. Plus I would like a minimum of 20 to 30 other hunters behind me in case I miss and the critter charge's me !!!! __________________ IN GOD WE TRUST NRA MEMBER
	1 members found this post helpful.

10-09-2009, 11:08 PM	#3
charles73 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Home On The Range Posts: 127	What is your favorite platform Metronome? If I might ask?

10-09-2009, 11:43 PM	#7
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 6,057	As you mentioned elephant I feel you must not go below a .458 Winchester Magnum. For North America a .338 Winchester Magnum might be a caliber of choice although for a charging grizzly bear I would once again mention the .458 Winchester Magnum.

10-10-2009, 12:17 AM	#8
skiking Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Stumptown, MT Posts: 452	While we can't hunt em here in MT, I have had my fair share of close encounters with grizzlies, admitting they are smaller than AK bears, I didn't feel I didn't have enough gun with a .300 Win Mag if it came to that point which it hasn't yet. My one encounter I did pull the trigger on was with a cougar and I had a 30-30, I didn't hit it or take the time to aim(a bit of an oh S*!T thing, get lead flying asap and pray) but the noise was enough for it to decide I wasn't safe to try and eat. If I were to go after bears in AK I would probably choose something more along the line of a .375 H&H.

10-10-2009, 12:35 AM	#9
charles73 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Home On The Range Posts: 127	Alot of good thoughts gentlemen! Thank you for your input. So now Im trying to find a link to Recoil in ft. lbs.... lol Anyone know of one?

10-10-2009, 12:53 AM	#10
Ballbearing Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The Boondocks Posts: 751	I'd say .350 Remington Magnum or better. .444 Marlin is a good choice if you can stand the punishment. .375 Holland and Holland is great, but the expense is more than the average hunter can bear (no pun intended). Don't go hunting bear without a rifle you know can do the job. And go and shoot the rifle before you hunt, make darn sure the rifle functions flawlessly and that you can depend on it when the time comes. The Grizzly is one of the most potentially dangerous creatures you could possibly imagine. He's as tough as bootleather and has a skull like a sherman tank. One swipe of his claws can behead you. If you're going to do this, don't do any part of it, half-way. I mean this in the best possible way, and if I've overstated the obvious, I want you to know I'm darn glad I did.

10-10-2009, 01:36 AM	#12
TXplt Traveling Libertarian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 4,857 Blog Entries: 2	Hot .45-70 or .450 Marlin (which is a hot .45-70 of sorts) with the proper ammo. __________________ Old fighter pilots never die.....They just wind up in Texas

10-10-2009, 01:37 AM	#13
Mr. 22 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 488	Most guides carry a .375 H&H, including African guides as a back up. I would have no qualms about the .338 - wonderful cartridge, loaded up or down! I have heard of Griz still coming after yer aafter having their heart totally blown apart. Running strictly on adrenaline. .44 mag in the mouth for really close range stuff! __________________ You make a noise, Mr. Forty-Four makes a noise & his six little friends run a lot faster than you do**

10-10-2009, 10:00 AM	#14
Purdy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Montana Posts: 598	I think you will find that African guides would prefer a large caliber double or barring that something like a .458 or a .416.

10-10-2009, 10:35 AM	#15
moosemike Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lebanon PA Posts: 361	.375 H&H for African dangerous game .338 Win Mag for North American big game

10-10-2009, 11:08 AM	#16
G. Green Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NE OK Posts: 1,061	I really like the .45/70 in a lever gun. I've never shot anything with mine using the LeverEvolution 325 grainers from Hornady that it didn't zip right through tearing up everything in and close to it's path. Zipped through an elk on a quartering shot last week so fast that I thought I'd missed on account of the dust cloud where it hit the ground on the far side of the animal.

10-10-2009, 11:13 AM	#17
338RUM Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Lonaconing, MD Posts: 1,388	I would be more inclined to use a 505 Gibbs if elephant was a possibility. But I am going to be partial to the 600 Nitro Express Magnum only because I am building one on a savage 210 slug gun action, when I am done I will have a nice African rifle __________________ What doesn't kill me has made a HUGE tactical mistake!

10-10-2009, 11:48 AM	#18
charles73 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Home On The Range Posts: 127	Does anyone have any experience with a 338 Federal? Or is that a wimp? I heard it was pretty stout in close range situations. But that was just what a writer said in an article that I read 2 years ago.

10-10-2009, 12:25 PM	#19
big shrek Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northwest, FL Posts: 3,769	How about the ones that everyone skipped?? The Barrett model 82A1 .50-BMG at $8000 Or the slightly less pricey Barrett 95 in .50-BMG for $6500 I mean, heck, when you are talking Dangerous Game, why even bother with anything less? __________________ Marlin Specialist, Calico Specialist

10-10-2009, 12:29 PM	#20
Tack Driver Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Caswell County, NC Posts: 568	The .338 Federal has energy close to the 7mm Rem mag, it is a great black bear and whitetail cartridge, but I wouldn't use it for grizzlies, if you want a .338 cal, step up to the .338 Win Mag. __________________ If pro is the opposite of con, is Congress the opposite of progress?