My Wife and I are planning in the next year or two a trip into Quebec to hunt caribou.
We will have to leave our short range levers behind and get out our bolt action rifles. We have a 3006 and 308. Would these rifle's cover the range or should we up the 308 to maybe a 300 Mag/ 300wsm?
Has anyone had experiance?
At what distance would we be expected to shoot?
Harry

308 and 30/06 are plenty of rifle for caribou. I wouldn't worry about the power issue one bit. Any of the 165 grain loadings would work well. Shots tend to be on the longish side (at least here in Alaska). I haven't hunted in Quebec and don't know what type of vegetation or topography you'll be hunting, but I would expect shots around 200 yards or a little more. Are these barren ground caribou or woodland?

Harry I lived in Nunavut for 9 years and 2 years ago moved "south" to the NWT. My wife and I can collect up to 10 caribou a year and often do so. I have gone full circle on this question. I started with a 308 Win and 150 grain Hornady bullets. It did some fine work but a freind had a 300 Win Mag and it looked to have more capability so I bought a 300 H & H and it too was a fine rifle with better long range ability. Funny thing was that practically speaking I doubt if I ever made use of the extra range. I learned to estimate range with the scope reticle and later bought a laser range finder. Combine this with a better knowledge of the psychology of the animal and I have recently returned to my first love the .308. I feel no handicap compared to a magnum.

The 308 has a point blank range of about 275 yards a 300 Mag maybe 50-60 more. Learn the trajectory of the 308 and find a way to judge distance and practice and the 308 can get you to 325 yards too. That my friend is a **** of a long way and shouldn't be taken without an enormous amount of practice. Given the muzzle blast and expense it is much easier to put in the hours of practice with the plane old 308.

As for distance to shot you can get in some long range shots at caribou but 80% of the time on non spooked animals you can close the gap. Caribou are herd animals and want to stick together. My average shot is under 200 yards,,maybe 150. My longest shot which I felt like an *** after I made it was 370 yards with a 6.5 Rem Mag which is a very sweet rig.

I do not know anything about the animal, so I am starting to ask questions.I all I have seem is what has been on TV on Hunting shows.
If we were going west I would be at ease with our 6.5x55 S and 140 gr. bullets as deer can be havested with the 120 bullet in ths caliper.
On Moose I would use the 160 gr. in the 6.5X55.
The 308/ 3006 is enough gun on moose as well as other calipers since most shots are under 100 yrs. With this in mind many hunters are bringing down moose with the 30/30.
Since we are hunting thick woods , the 45/70 makes a good blood trail, and the animal's down quick, if the hunter does his part. :D

Harry,

A 400 pound live caribou is a real dandy. A king kong type might go as heavy as 475 pounds, Both the '06 and .308 W. are usually more than enough gun. Unless you try to reach out past 450 yards. Depending on the terrain and method of hunt, shooting range can be 25 yards to 200 yards. I'd suggest a good 165 grain bullet. If you are going to have a guided hunt, the guide is a good source of info. If you are going to go without a guide, contact the game department in the area. My info is based on having lived in Alaska for a few years and may not be applicable for your area. Good luck. :D