Favorite hunting rifle/caliber?

[SpartanYeti]

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Grendel Grendel Grendel.

I’ve become a huge fan of that one. Coons, coyotes, deer, hogs, antelope. It does anything under elk with ease, and paired with SST almost always results in DRT.

It is big enough to have plenty of energy, but small enough to have mousefart recoil.

I have considered building a 6.5 Grendel but ammo just isn't readily available locally for me.

 

[daddyusmaximus]

Anything small like tree rats, cats, coons... .22LR.
Anything on the wing like pheasant, dove... 12 gage.
Deer, I've only tried 12 gage, but I'd love to try my .44 mag lever gun.
Predators, 5.56, though I must admit to having zero experience with 4 legged ones.
Snakes & rats, .38 special shot shells, but very rarely. OK, only a couple times ever. Just not something that comes up a lot.

 

[O Kelps]

I enjoyed and had success with Remington 6.8 SPC this past deer season. In the process of building a 6.5 grendel to try out the upcoming season. .22LR for squirrels has been my go to. Predators using .223 but will give the 6.5 grendel a try when it's finished. Talked a buddy into teaching me to hunt turkey this year and will give it a shot with my 20 gauge.

 

[tomcat13]

Dad's JC Higgins Model 51 in 270 Win (Mauser FN Action)
Ever-Thankful & RIP SSGT RMM

 

[pewpew2232]

Cz 452 or Marlin 39 are my go to guns for squirrels. A Cz 527 carbine in 7.62x39 has been my main deer gun for the last few years. A 22 mag is usually in my truck for impromptu shots at vermin and squirrel hunting sometimes.

 

[gregr]

Squirrels: Remington 552 Speedmaster in .22LR
Deer: Knight .50 Disc Extreme Muzzleloader, Winchester `94 .30-30, Ruger M77 Mark II .30-06

I`m hoping before too long to swap out the Ruger M77 Mark II for a Winchester Model 70, .30-06, (maybe a pre-`64).

 

[swampdonkey]

300 ultra magnum, nothing I have ever shot has taken another step with that caliber!

 

[gregkl]

300 ultra magnum, nothing I have ever shot has taken another step with that caliber!

My brother was once asked why he hunted whitetail with a 300 Weatherby Magnum. His answer? "I don't like to track them."

 

[cg21]

Used the 350 legend for the first time this year shot was pretty hard quartering towards so no pass through not much of a trail to follow. But she only went 50 ish blood picked up around 25

 

[swampdonkey]

My brother was once asked why he hunted whitetail with a 300 Weatherby Magnum. His answer? "I don't like to track them."

Haaaaa!!! That’s a fantastic and accurate quote! I may steal that!

That weatherby is also a very nasty round!!!

 

[SamTrammell]

.44 Mag for Whitetail. Huge success under 100yds.

 

[Dinny]

Another fan of the 6.5 Grendel here.

Howa Mini with Oregunsmithing's bottom metal, Timney Trigger, and Pendleton Composite Stock. 5lbs 14oz as pictured with Leupold VX3i 3.5-10x40 scope in TLWs.

 

[rkesar]

Does anyone have any experience with 350 Legend?

I use a 350 legend on public land. I killed 152 in 10 pt last year with it and it dropped and a mid 140s 10 pt this year with a 350. He ran maybe 60 yards. Great blood trail

 

[rkesar]

I built an AR in .350 Legend to hunt Michigan with this year. I took two doe on opening day with it. One died within 40 yds, the other within 25 yds. My only concern is blood trail. Although not necessary, I "tracked" both deer to see what kind of trail the .350 provided. One bled great, the other hardly at all. Both shots took out vitals.

I love the gun, but it's hunting efficacy is still to be determined for me. I will also note that hunting ammo is tough to find in this caliber, at least for 150 Grain Winchester Deer Season XP anyway.

I haven't had any issues with blood and neither have a few of my buddies. We use 180gr winchester and it's really easy to find around me

 

[swampdonkey]

Another fan of the 6.5 Grendel here.

Howa Mini with Oregunsmithing's bottom metal, Timney Trigger, and Pendleton Composite Stock. 5lbs 14oz as pictured with Leupold VX3i 3.5-10x40 scope in TLWs.

That is a really nice set up! I am a huge 6.5 Grendel fan! I use it for hogs and coyotes. It is a little pricey to shoot but I will say it is one of the most impressive small caliber rifle cartridges out there and for me the single best round that can be used in an AR15 platform!

 

[DragonGunner]

 

[gunrunner0]

I haven't had any issues with blood and neither have a few of my buddies. We use 180gr winchester and it's really easy to find around me

So the one that didn't bleed, was a shoulder shot that then grazed the heart and exited right behind the front should on the other side. My theory is that the entry hole plugged with bone, muscle, fat, etc. Leaving only the exit wound to bleed. The exit may have been somewhat plugged as well. The chest cavity was was full of blood when I gutted her.

I plan to use it in coming seasons and and hopeful that more traditional shots will yield a better trail. I'll have to try some 180 Grain rounds.

 

[Mgderf]

Variety is the spice of life.
I have more choices than opportunities.
I usually decide at the last minute, making the decision for what to use by where I will be hunting from, and by the amount of available ammunition in the locker.

I've killed deer with everything from .243 Winchester to .500 S&W, and a lot in between.
Longest shot was probably with a 6.5Creedmoor.
I've taken doubles (2 deer in one setting) at least three times now with a Marlin 336 in .35Remington, a Marlin 336 in .30-30 Winchester, and a Marlin 1894 in .44magnum.

I don't like to settle on one or two options.
For me, the more the merrier.

 

[drm-hp]

View attachment 179744

If you ever fire one, you will indeed appreciate an M14. I use mine for long range Highpower. The 7.62 x 51 (308 Winchester) is a great cartridge.

 

[DragonGunner]

If you ever fire one, you will indeed appreciate an M14. I use mine for long range Highpower. The 7.62 x 51 (308 Winchester) is a great cartridge.

I got that off gun broker several years ago for around $900.....it was covered in black paint/stain...was I surprised when I stripped it off and put tung oil on it. Also shot horrible, cracked rear site, I had parts from a M1 Garand that worked and got a shim kit and took all the shims and shoots great. I like lobbing tracers out to a steel gong at 740 yds at Bass and Bucks in Wabash. My scope mounts sucked then heard and got a Basset mount, just one bolt torqued by the guns weight, no way I thought that can work but it sure does!! I have a bunch of MEN German ammo for target shooting and use Federal for hunting. Mine is a Federal Ordnance M14A with all USGI parts except receiver, mostly HRA from 1961.