Poll

What's the optimum caliber for hunting in Hawaii ? ( Pig, Sheep, Goats, Axis Deer ? )

.308 / 30-06
44.6%
270 Win
19.6%
7mm-08
3.3%
260 Rem
1.1%
243 win
3.3%
30/30
6.5%
5.56 / 223
8.7%
Other
13%
Total Members Voted
92

Optimum caliber for Hawaii Game ? (Read 21049 times)

338KID

Re: Optimum caliber for Hawaii Game ?
« Reply #40 on: May 23, 2014, 05:35:11 PM »
There's always time to go. If not go shine light.

Why shine light when I radther go in dark (knight vision )
Fast is fine , accuracy is final

Mynah

Re: Optimum caliber for Hawaii Game ?
« Reply #41 on: August 23, 2014, 04:14:36 PM »
last time i went range in Lana'i, I checked out the plastic container thats left on the tree for scrap brass.  I separated the brass as I was board waiting for the wife to sight in her rifle. 
What I found was more than half of the brass of approximately 500 was 30-06.  1/3 of half that was 300 and 7mm.  Then the rest was a mix of 7mm-08, 270, 243, 264?, 25-06, 30-30 and some others,

In our hunting group of 8, 3 use 30-06, 1- 270, 1- 243,  1-308, and me (no loyalty) played with 270, then 300 win mag, and now 7mm.  after this season, I'm probably going back to my 300 wm. The others, what ever they can get their hands on.

From my perspective: I'd go- 30-06, 300wm, 7mm, 308.  For the wives in our group, 308 and 243 win the shot.

bojanglez

Re: Optimum caliber for Hawaii Game ?
« Reply #42 on: August 29, 2014, 11:09:20 PM »
my hunting rifle is 30-06. not really sure why i picked that. i guess because its the classic hunting caliber?  think i heard somewhere "30-06 can take down any big game animal in north america". sounded cool enough to me lol. pretty popular caliber so easier to find ammo for

robokuda001

Re: Optimum caliber for Hawaii Game ?
« Reply #43 on: October 10, 2014, 09:17:42 AM »
I hunt with 25-06 and 270.  WIll start kids with a 243. 

What grain of bullet should we use?????

Barrett808

Re: Optimum caliber for Hawaii Game ?
« Reply #44 on: October 10, 2014, 02:26:11 PM »
I'm recoil dysfunctional, hunt with everything from 223 to 50BMG.
Believe most hunting style we do here is spot & stalk. Best to use the most gun you can shoot well. I'm old school like heavy for caliber bullets, believe two holes are better than one. Like hunting bullets with high SD ensuring big blood trails to recover  game or DBG (dead before ground).
Think classic 270 win and 30-06 are great because of availability of various factory hunting ammo.
For brush guns like short carbines in 44 mag, 7.62x39 & 308win.
Young shooters using 243 & smaller calibers best to use ammo with premium bullets i.e. Barnes TTX, bonded, Nosler BT or partitions.
My personal favorites are 6.5x55, 270 win, 300WBY, 338 win mag, 375 H&H. Bush gun 7.62x39, 308 win, 358 win, 454/45LC & 45-70.
Long range 338 Lapua & 50BMG.
Never can have too many guns or calibers. Reason gotta reload.
« Last Edit: October 10, 2014, 02:42:52 PM by Barrett808 »

Mynah

Re: Optimum caliber for Hawaii Game ?
« Reply #45 on: October 10, 2014, 08:02:35 PM »
I hunt with 25-06 and 270.  WIll start kids with a 243. 

What grain of bullet should we use?????

From my training knowledge and experience ??? I'd go with no less then 100gr for the 243. For the 270 stick with 150gr. 

While you'll get other great ideas from other shoots and hunters, these grains work for me. 

Aloha

loyalhunter

Re: Optimum caliber for Hawaii Game ?
« Reply #46 on: July 30, 2015, 11:06:28 PM »
Of course, 308/30-06 very popular with hunters here and with those on the mainland; as far as deer and similar size critters are concerned. Don't know what would be optimum. Some of the cartridges listed in the poll are ideal. Others are appropriate. While some are adequate.

Bullet placement is key provided it can get to the vitals. The larger calibers are popular for the game listed since they tend to tilt the odds in the hunter's favor when game is marginally hit. But again, it's bullet placement that matters the most for the game mentioned.

For me, I generally use a 270 Win., 257 Roberts and a 308 Win for the animals here. When hunted Moose and Black Bear in Canada and US mainland used a 35 Whelen and a 300 Win Mag respectively. Interesting and fun thread. Thanks!

808Hunta

Re: Optimum caliber for Hawaii Game ?
« Reply #47 on: July 31, 2015, 01:01:32 AM »
As mentioned the cartridges listed all are capable of killing the game listed.  This type of question is an individual type of thing for each  hunter.  I feel that the optimum cartridge for anyone is the one that they are most familiar with and comfortable shooting.  The one that they know the best and as in tune with as possible.  Because that is the one that they will have the most confidence in shooting because they know what it can do and they are confident in what they can do with it.  For me personally I like to get to get to the point that I can grab any one and be totally confident and proficient with it.  So that if I find myself in a situation where a shot presents itself I am confident I can make the shot.

Now if we are talking about Calibers then its hard to beat the .284/7mm Caliber for sheer bullet ballistics and SD.  With the .264/6.5mm right there as well and with the heavy for caliber bullets the .243/6mm right in there too. 

Cartridges that can push the bullets at optimum speed are hard to beat until you get into the upper echelon calibers.  But we are talking about ranges at which most have no business shooting at game. For some 100 yards is a far shot and for some its much, much farther which brings up distance every individual should know his/her limit.  Some cartridges like the 30-30, .44 shine up close in the thick and for quick close range pop up shots.  And others like the 243-30-06 class shine up to medium range and beyond depending on certain factors.  Then You have the larger cartridges that are best med-long range etc.

A lot of people are also recoil sensitive which goes back to what you shoot best and are most comfortable with.  For example the 338 Lapua is a great cartridge but a lot of people cant handle the recoil or muzzle blast.

Of course if you reload you have the benefit of tuning your load to your rifle and to the game you hunt.  If not then you are limited to factory fare which can hamper ammo availability (depending on cartridge) and accuracy



loyalhunter

Re: Optimum caliber for Hawaii Game ?
« Reply #48 on: July 31, 2015, 06:18:11 AM »
Couldn't agree any more than what you said! I heard from someone "rifle fit, comfortable chambering and confidence in shooting equals one's perfect rifle/caliber combo". Good one 808 Hunta! :shaka: