black bear and whitetail rifle?

[seasonstoshort]

I want to buy my 1st rifle i live in NY but hunt mostly southern zone which is shotgun only. Recently found some land in northern zone NY and will be bear and deer hunting. Which caliber rifle is best for deer and bear hunting in upstate NY. I have been told .308 is best. What are your thoughts, pros/cons.

Thanks

[wtnhunt]

Lots of good rifle rounds that would work well for both. A .30 caliber like a .30-06 or a .308 would give a lot of versatility.

[johnf]

I would say anything bigger than a 25 cal. with the exception of the 25-06 which I thing would work. 308, 7mm08, 270, 280, 30-06 and a plethora of others.

[Shaun_300]

Like others said, I'd be buying a .30 caliber for sure. .308 is a great round, especially for a short action. I personally would be opting for a .300 Win Mag or .300 WSM, somewhere in that area. But then again we have big bodied deer and big bears up here. I'd definetly be carrying my .300 Short Mag for both.

[Strut10]

I would also opt for a stout .30 caliber round. 308 and 30-06 are good. If you ever have need or occasion to shoot a large black bear or need penetration on a less-than-broadside shot on a medium sized bear you'll be wishing for lots of horsepower. You can hardly go wrong with any of the .30 magnums for an all around, "do it all" rifle.

[Colorado Bob]

Sounds like you got it right. 308 is a good choice. I went the 30/06 route. Take your pick----short action or long action. CB

[Missed160]

Federal just came out with a new cartridge that has really awesome ballistics. It's a 308 case necked up to the new FEDERAL 338 - Looks like it will be an awesome midrange short action caliber for this sized game..

[mule659]

A number will work just fine...I'd throw a vote to the faithful old 30-06 if I was going to buy a all around or combo rifle.

[beagleboy]

I have a Browning 30-06 and I believe its an all around gun. I also prefer my 300 Win Mag. because of its long shot capability.

[BR44]

My choice- 30-06. Alot of versatility in bullet weights for different game.

[Adjam5]

Welcome to the forums! Another NY'er .

I have been hunting the southern zone of NY for about 22 years now. Rifle areas. In all those years I have not had a shot at a deer beyond 100 yards. Woods are too thick for shots beyond that where I hunt.
My rifle of choice, marlin 30/30. More than adequate for deer and just fine for the 100-350lb bears that you might encounter. Many areas are shotgun only, but that has changed in many regions last season, check the DEC website. The accuracy you can get with shotgun slugs today is incredible, they should be a consideration too. The knockdown power of a slug is unparalleled. If you do a lot of walking, a short barreled rifle will be a welcome friend in the field. The .35 Remington is another caliber to consider. Good heavy bullet, 200grs, a reputation as a brush buster too. Both calibers are lever guns. I am partial to them for their light weight, short barrel, fast handling attributes. Last year my son Joe took my Marlin to deer hunt and I had to use my .243 bolt gun.
A Tack driver, but that 4" of extra barrel got caught on everything as I walked though the woods. I missed my Marlin that season. Most lever guns have 20" bbls which add to the fast sight acquisition. With the new Hornady LeverRevolution ammo. You can get pointed bullet ballisitics out of a tube fed magazine lever gun.

Whatever caliber you choose, go with this rule of thumb.
The cartridge needs to have 1000lbs of energy at 100 yards, minimum; at impact to cleanly harvest a deer or bear.
The .308( short action, 7mm-08, .243) and 30-06(long action) have way more energy than that. They are longer range cartridges. If long shots are a possibility, then consider the long range calibers.
Shot placement is the key. There are Inuit people I have read, that kill caribou with a .17 Remington to the ear, so no hide damage and they drop the animal in its tracks. Would anyone recommend a .17 Rem for a Caribou sized animal? Probably not, but its done. See, shot placement.
Good Luck!

[leaddogext]

I want to buy my 1st rifle i live in NY but hunt mostly southern zone which is shotgun only. Recently found some land in northern zone NY and will be bear and deer hunting. Which caliber rifle is best for deer and bear hunting in upstate NY. I have been told .308 is best. What are your thoughts, pros/cons.

Thanks

I'VE HUNTED HERE IN NNY FOR OVER 30 YRS, GET A 280 REM KILLS EVERTHING IN THE WOODS WITH 1 SHOT.140GR ATBT REM IF YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT MEAT, 150 NOSLER PAR FEDS IF YOU DO. NEVER HAD AN ANIMAL TAKE MORE THAN 2 LEAPS. I JUST SHOOT AT THE CENTER OF THE BIGGEST PART I SEE, ANY RANGE ANY ANGLE.

[WaCoyote]

I JUST SHOOT AT THE CENTER OF THE BIGGEST PART I SEE, ANY RANGE ANY ANGLE.

I'm sure glad your 3000 miles away from me! I think thats the most rediculous thing I've ever read. No more than two leaps by shooting at the first spot you see? Give me a break!

[leaddogext]

Sorry if I stepped on anyones toes, just meant if the biggest part is goog enough. Not the first part, 2 leaps part you'll just have to take my word for. I've a rule that I don't call some one a liar unless it's face to face, that's ridiculous?

[mehunter]

I've taken both bear and deer with my 270, and never had a tracking job where it was difficult to follow. Try to find someone that will let you try a few shots through theirs and see whats best for you.