NDR -How heavy of a bullet for caribou?

A

Andrew Holley

Well-known member
My alaska adventure is about two weeks away, picked up a new (to me) Rem 700 30-06, but don't have any idea about bullets. Figured I would grab several boxes and see what it liked, but between the brands and bullet weight, too much to pick from.

So how grains should the bullet be for caribou?, from what I could see 125-180
 
Hey Andrew
Go to Federal's ammo site and put in the game and avg distance of shot.It will give you your best options.

Im gonna say you will do great with a Nosler 180gr bullet out of your '06


Good Luck

Best
Bob
 
I have a Husqvarna 30-06 that I use 180's in for everything - caribou, sheep, mooses, and bears. Typical caribou shot is under 250 yards around here.

Good luck!

Mike
 
Your rifle will be just fine. I used a Rem. 7mm mag for sheep, goat, caribou, moose, black bear (all with 160 grain) and a Win. 338 mag on my Kodiak Brownie. Caribou are not hard to put down. Best of luck to you. Make sure you have a camera.
Al
 
Andrew,

I agree with the others. I wouldn't go any heavier than 180 gr. Pretty good compromise between trajectory and energy. 160 gr. will make it a bit flatter shooting but at typical caribou ranges I doubt that it's necessary. Best bet is to become completely comfortable with shooting your rifle at the expected ranges you will be asked to shoot. You can't practice at 100 yds. and expect to make 250-300 yd shots. reliably.

Have fun and don't waste any meat, it's some of the best.
 
My alaska adventure is about two weeks away, picked up a new (to me) Rem 700 30-06, but don't have any idea about bullets. Figured I would grab several boxes and see what it liked, but between the brands and bullet weight, too much to pick from.

So how grains should the bullet be for caribou?, from what I could see 125-180
Click to expand...

Whoooaaa...hold the train. Did I miss a post about an Alaska adventure?
 
Sorry, no advance post.

Leave in a couple weeks, going to Chicken to mine for gold, tour around a bit and hopefully shoot a couple caribou.

Of course after seeing Youkon Mike's post, I want to hunt sheep, but, I believe I need a guide for that and this is all on my own.

Will post pics when I get back.
 
Sounds like a blast Andrew. Have a great time and be safe. Look forward to the pics when you return.

Ryan
 
Andrew
Your 06 is plenty. I've used a 308 with 180 and wished I had taken a bow. Many of the natives use a 22. Enjoy the trip.
wis boz
 
A 30.06 is lots of gun for caribou,,,,I shot a couple in Labrador with my bow.The laws allow for a resident hunter to shoot for people who can't get out to hunt and for there family,,,the owner I hunted with had shot 110 so far that year all with a BLR 22 250 and he told me that was more than enough gun,,,as long as its a humane kill I guess anything will work,,,,Chuck
 
Both of my Alaska bou went down with a 300 win mag 180 gr nosler partition. First one was at 500 yds, both shoulders, dropped clean. Second bou was at 100 yds. clean harvest again. If you have the option, use a belted magnum round
 
Most times A 30-06 sighted in to hit about 1"-2" high of point of aim at 100 yrd's, one can hold dead on out to approx 250yrd's and still be within the lung area of a caibou size game. 180 gr bullet is a good choice.Let your rifle choose the brand by what shoots the best group.
 
I took both of mine with 150gr Nosler partitions from a 270 win, and they both went down on the first shot without a problem.
 
Andrew, the 40 mile herd is strictly managed and the season can close at a moments notice. The season in 20E around Chicken does not open until August 29 and you will need to get a registration permit from ADFG in anchorage or tok.

check out the regulations here by clicking on the map for unit 20 and downloading the pdf file.
http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=regulations.hunting

You also need to review all the basic regulations about meat care and what you have to do for specific areas and types of critters. The troopers are super serious about people leaving meat in the field so they bust people for leaving neck meat and rib meat. Is that two pounds of meat worth the $500 fine and loss of your rifle maybe? Some people don't think about it and pay a dear price later on.

While you are at it take a black bear while you are there. If you wait until september it will be fat on blue berries and super good eating.

Oh Yeah...my 30-06 does well with federal vital shocks in 165 grain nosler partitions. It is a pretty plain jane factory load, but works well on deer and bou sized game. Mikes advice for 180's is pretty sound as well. Pick two brands and weights and see what your rifle likes.
 
Ray,
your warning about the logistics of the meat reminds me of a story in Greys.
The writer used a line that went something like, "Moose hunters are crazier than duck hunters".
It was a description of the work that goes on after the shot when the canoe is way up the creek on a moose hunt.

Makes me want to go even more.

Best story I have read on a back country hunt if any here have the dream.

Idaho solo ultralight
http://forums.bowsite.com/TF/bgforums/thread.cfm?threadid=356766&messages=94&forum=5

Andrew have a blast!
 
Thanks Bob, What a great story of the solo elk hunter. The pain and excitement is palpable. I know exactly the feelings he expresses in his story though I've never killed one that far from the road. The longest pack job I've ever had was only about 3 hours one way. Nothing I have ever hunted gives me the excitement of seeing a bull on the ground.
 
Another option would be the new "super performence " factory ammo that hornady just came out with new powder 100-200fps in standard rounds with less recoil, Basically turns std round into magnum. '06 to 300 mag. The pressure curve from burnt powder gases is different from older powders used hence not the sharp recoil felt. As I understand it in the articles I've read. Hornady inter loc bullets work very well. so do the accu bond noslers, almost as good as partitions but way high B.C. I use them for whitetail and mule deer with great results in our 270wsm's. Speer Grand Slam, Nosler Accu bond, Horandy Inter loc of the bonded bullets will hold up great comparerd to standard bullet abling you to drop down a weight in bullet and and gain Velocity. I haven't shot a Caribou yet, but the guys I know have said there not any tougher than a whitetail to put down.


Gene R.
 
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