What is your latest prepping project?

[itsasmallfarm]

I've had bear before and its flavor really depends on what it's been eating. I've had good, overly gamey, and "OK" bear meat. The best way I've had it was in tacos, but then everything is good in tacos!

If you're going for bear, you're going to need something more than a 22LR. You can do it with a bow, but if you're looking at a firearm then I'd look at either a .308W (for rifle) or 12ga (for shotgun, using slugs). Having a 12ga is a good idea anyway, because it can be used on about anything and ammo is everywhere.

oh also,

the main reason am looking at rim fire calibers is mainly for trapping/small game hunting purposes, mainly to dispatch trapped coyotes, coons etc with out damaging the pelt too much.

also to note i am also looking for center fire calibers for big game hunting, looking between a .30-30 .30-06 or a 45/70 govt

 

[Cajun_MikeR]

also to note i am also looking for center fire calibers for big game hunting, looking between a .30-30 .30-06 or a 45/70 govt

I'd go with the .30/06 out of those choices, because of better ballistics, better range, better power, and overall "use-ability" on just about everything from coyotes to grizzly with nothing more than an ammo change...and also ammo is easy to find. It's the .308 Winchester's big brother, has a slight velocity advantage but both perform very well on anything you could put in your sights.

The 30/30 is a fine gun for medium game, but I'm not trusting it on bears. It's an old black powder cartridge that was brought forward into the world of smokeless powders. Not a ton of energy nor very good ballistics.

Shooting the .45/70 is like letting a mule kick you in the shoulder. However, at close range (100yrds and less) it'll knock just about anything in the dirt with those huge, heavy bullets. Again, it's an old black powder cartridge brought forward into smokeless powder age. Ballistics past 100yrds is like trying to lob mortars in (aim way high and let it arc in).

 

[CapricornFarm]

I have a

I like 9mm, because it is easier to get ammo for it in a survival situation. In a worse case scenario, lots and lots of 9mm ammo will be available.

9mm handgun. Love it, much better than my 38 special.

 

[itsasmallfarm]

I'd go with the .30/06 out of those choices, because of better ballistics, better range, better power, and overall "use-ability" on just about everything from coyotes to grizzly with nothing more than an ammo change...and also ammo is easy to find. It's the .308 Winchester's big brother, has a slight velocity advantage but both perform very well on anything you could put in your sights.

The 30/30 is a fine gun for medium game, but I'm not trusting it on bears. It's an old black powder cartridge that was brought forward into the world of smokeless powders. Not a ton of energy nor very good ballistics.

Shooting the .45/70 is like letting a mule kick you in the shoulder. However, at close range (100yrds and less) it'll knock just about anything in the dirt with those huge, heavy bullets. Again, it's an old black powder cartridge brought forward into smokeless powder age. Ballistics past 100yrds is like trying to lob mortars in (aim way high and let it arc in).

think i will go with the 30-06 (as that is the caliber my dad swears by) the 30-30 is a caliber by grandpa believes in (its my grandmas gun she dropped a few white tails with it) and 45/70 i just thought looked cool as i would like a round that drops the animal dead in the most humane way possible.

 

[CapricornFarm]

think i will go with the 30-06 (as that is the caliber my dad swears by) the 30-30 is a caliber by grandpa believes in (its my grandmas gun she dropped a few white tails with it) and 45/70 i just thought looked cool as i would like a round that drops the animal dead in the most humane way possible.

I have a 308 rifle.

 

[itsasmallfarm]

I have a 308 rifle.

is it a good round? what are your thoughts on it? if you don't mind sharing

 

[Cajun_MikeR]

The .308W is very similar to the .30/06, about 200fps slower and it's shorter so it can be used in short action rifles. A .308W will drop anything in the Americas, so will a .30/06. I've shot .308W at over 800yrds and it's still very effective at that range (at 1000yrds it packs the same power as being shot point blank with a .357Mag pistol). Either a .308W or .30/06 will serve you well, the difference is bullet selection (the '06 does have some heavier bullet weights available in factory loading) and very slight differences in ballistics.

Also, dropping an animal in the most humane way possible has to do more with marksmanship, knowing the game you're hunting and their physiology, as well as knowing your limitations (both personal and equipment). As an experienced hunter and competitive shooter, I have shot (and humanely killed) multiple deer and hogs in very rapid succession, but I have also refused to take shots that I knew I could make because it was on the edge of the range I was comfortable with for the caliber I was using or because the angle was bad.

 

[CapricornFarm]

is it a good round? what are your thoughts on it? if you don't mind sharing

I just bought it, have not even fired it yet. Husband fired it a few times and adjusted the sights.
Been busy building chicken coops and runs. Just started a hoop coop today. Here is the site :

 

[CapricornFarm]

Progress:

 

[itsasmallfarm]

Progress:View attachment 1165976

looks awesome