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The Best Caliber For Caribou Hunting This Season

So you're gearing up for the caribou hunt of a lifetime. Awesome! Have you picked out a caliber yet? No matter what kind of hunt you're planning to go on, picking the right caliber is one of the most important parts of the pre-trip planning process, and a caribou hunt is no exception.

Of course, there will be plenty of differing opinions out there, and it will eventually be up to you to pick the right one.

Knowledge is key, though, so how about we give you one more opinion about the best caliber for caribou hunting? I mean, it certainly couldn't hurt, right?

What Is The Best Caliber For Caribou Hunting?

The general consensus among many caribou hunters and hunting guides is that you're going to want something that's at least in the .30 caliber family. We believe that .30-06 Government is the best caliber for caribou hunting.

Given the prevalence of rifles chambered in that caliber, the relative ease of finding ammunition for said rifles, and the performance capabilities of the .30-06 cartridge, you really can't go wrong with it on a caribou hunt.

Other Calibers For Caribou Hunting

There are plenty of other good caliber choices in the .30 caliber family for caribou hunting. These include the .300 Winchester Magnum (or simply .300 Win Mag) and the .300 Remington Ultra Magnum (or .300 RUM).

Of course, these are just suggestions. You can certainly go bigger than something in the .30 caliber family - such as .338 Winchester Magnum or .338 Lapua - but we wouldn't recommend that you go any smaller than .30 caliber.

How Does The Caliber Impact Your Shot?

Caliber selection has a big impact on your potential shot at a caribou. You'll need to understand the benefits and drawbacks of the overall caliber you choose as well as those associated with the specific bullet design and grain weight you select.

These things will help determine how far away the caribou can be for you to ethically take a shot, where exactly you need to place a shot, and what kind of tracking may be necessary after you take your shot.

Tips For Your Next Caribou Hunting Trip

Tip 1: Plan for the Worst

Caribou live in some pretty harsh and unforgiving environments. The weather can shift dramatically in a short period of time and you don't want to be caught off guard. Since you'll be hunting in some remote locations, be prepared in case your extraction transportation is delayed or has to cancel. You need to be able to handle whatever Mother Nature may throw at you while in pursuit of a caribou.

Tip 2: Be Ready to Cover Serious Ground

Caribou tend to travel more frequently and cover greater distances than other species of game found in North America, and they're also surprisingly fast. This means you need to be prepared to do some serious walking and/or hiking. Take the time to glass for animals and keep track of herd movement. Even if they're a long way off in the distance, it's not a bad idea to close the gap if you notice some trends since caribou tend to travel in repetitive paths. Hike those extra few miles and make it pay off.

Tip 3: Bring Plenty of Ammo

Bring more ammo than what fits in and on your gun. In a perfect world, you should only need one shot. In a not uncommon scenario, you may need a second or third shot. When caribou hunting, you may be faced with other uncertain circumstances and situations. This could include needing to keep a other hungry wild animals away from your fresh harvest. Or you just might need a few extra rounds for some other purpose, and there may not be an easy way to make a quick trip back to town for more ammo when you're out in remote caribou country.

Call Us To Get Your Rifle Suppressed Today

If you're in the planning stages of a caribou hunt, then there's still time to add a suppressor to your list of gear to bring. Be sure to contact us here at Silencer Central to get your order started today.

We're the nation's largest silencer dealer, licensed to sell in all 42 states where silencers are legal. Our staff have helped thousands of new customers pick out the right suppressor for an upcoming hunt, and we'd love the opportunity to do the same for you.

The buying process couldn't be more simple when you buy from Silencer Central. We'll walk you through the entire process and then mail your suppressor right to your front door upon approval. It doesn't get any better or easier than that!