Gun Question

[Vitaliy]

This is kind of random but I am having a discussion with a friend of mine, and I know we have a few members who are into real weapons.

I am just wondering what are some different types of hunting rifles out there? What types or rifles used say for duck hunting, and what types are used for big stuff like bear hunting? How effective are the big game hunting rifles?

 

[rallysman]

usually ducks are shot with shotguns rather than rifles, and some small game rifles could be .22 or so. Even some use shotguns for small game. I'm not an avid hunter so thats just about all i know for sure lol

 

[syclone]

There are alot of different caliber of rifles out there. As far as waterfowl goes there are shotguns, 12 gauge usually is used. Then you get into rifles and it is a mess as far as what caliber is used for what. The smaller calibers would be like 220 swift, 22-250, 223, etc. The bigger calibers used on bigger game like deer, elk and such would be 30-06, 300 mag, 7mm mag, 338 and bigger. Like I said there is alot of calibers out there and can start a heated debate on which one is better. Personally I think it is hard to beat the 30-06 as far as a good all around gun for all game in U.S. I don't know if this is the answer you are looking for but hopefully I have helped in some way.

 

[turtall]

12 gauge for ducks, 2 3/4" shells and up.
My all around favorite is the .243, really versatile especially if you reload. it's fast (~2900 feet per second to 3900 fps), flat shooting for varmints on up to deer, and low recoil, much lighter than the 30-06.
There's a caliber to suit anything from Squirrels to terrorists to Elephants. I would recomend that you go out to your local gun club (lgc) and talk to people. Like fishkeepers, gun people are the salt of the earth, friendly folks that will be more than happy to share information. Say you don't know the difference between the recoil from a 12 ga. autoloader and an over and under. I'm willing to bet someone will volunteer "Try mine. Try mine." I know I do.
Just keep in mind that 'Gun Control Is Being Able To Hit Your Target'. You have to PRACTICE. And it should be fun; and if the recoil of a particuler arm or caliber is uncomfortable for you it won't be fun and you won't want to practice.
I could talk guns all day, but hope this helps.

 

[joeytoe]

Typically for Duck Pheasant an any Small game or Fowl Ive used my Mossberg 500 12Gauge with #6 or #8 Shot.

For deer an Larger game, I have more choices as in MA you can only hunt large game with a bow or a shotgun.

So In MA its same Mossberg 500 12Gauge with 1oz rifled Deer slugs an or 000 buckshot.

In NH Ive used anything from my winchester 30-30 lever action, Winchester semi-auto 308.

So far Ive yet to need anything more powerful.

 

[turtall]

Typically for Duck Pheasant an any Small game or Fowl Ive used my Mossberg 500 12Gauge with #6 or #8 Shot.

For deer an Larger game, I have more choices as in MA you can only hunt large game with a bow or a shotgun.

So In MA its same Mossberg 500 12Gauge with 1oz rifled Deer slugs an or 000 buckshot.

In NH Ive used anything from my winchester 30-30 lever action, Winchester semi-auto 308.

So far Ive yet to need anything more powerful.

30-30 YES!

 

[syclone]

I personally use a 25-06, but have used a 30-06 for the last ten years. Great gun the 30-06 but as stated above the recoil can start to effect you at the shooting range. Thats why I went smaller with a 25-06, next year will be my first year shooting with it so we will see how it performs. In my part of the woods just about everyone is shooting the 300 mag or 270. Now with the short mags sweeping the market alot of people are switching to them, I have thougth about getting one but just haven't made up my mind yet.
Again like stated above, I as well can talk guns all day. This might become a pretty long thread.

 

[guppy]

As peoplehave said, birds are usually taken with shot guns, it is easier to hit one on the wing with shot and a heavy rifle bullet that misses or passes through a bird can travel dangerously far.
As far as hunting calibers go it depends on what you hunt and what you are comfortable with. A good shot in open country can use fairly fast, light bullets like the 25-06 or 7 mm. for deer and antelope at very good ranges, a brush hunter in the rain forest of the Pacific Northwest might want a heavy slug from a 12 guage. There are many effective deer rounds in the 30 caliber range. I like a heavy, mid speed, mid range round. My favorite rifle ever was an old bolt action iron sight rifle in .375 H+H Magnum. It has a heavy recoil, but not sharp recoil. The trajectory reached line of site in mine at exactly 25 meters and 200 meters, making it suitable for most types of hunting, and the caliber is effective one all north american game up to Kodiak bears.