Guys.

We are considering a trip this year that may well offer the chance for a free ranging Bison - this in addition to Moose, Whitetail, Wolf and Coyote.

I am quite content with the idea of using a 30'06 with heavy, tough bullets for the Moose and all else.

A question for those who have taken them, from your experience, would you be happy to use this calibre on North American Bison?

I am aware of the location of the vitals within a Bison and do not shoot any beast in the ass!

rgds Ian

Rifles?! Ian, we're just going to chase them down and jump on with a knife, I thought you knew that. . No, really, the -06 will work fine, placement is the key. - Dan

Dan - already talked to Joe about that - he did say that it was important to grab and lift a rear leg before using the knife. In your experience, and bearing in mind that I am right handed, which should it be??

Rgds Ian

...Mate it depends on how you want to dispatch the bison, with cattle you should grab the tail to throw him actually.

You want to go in with the knife in your right hand, the left will feel uncoordinated and you'll get more power.

Once he's down just keep his tail up off the ground and he won't be able to get back up.

I'll show you better when we get there.

LOL, and don't forget you have to use one of those big Aussie knives (now, that's a knife). Well, now that that's settled. If you're going to use the 30-06, either use deep penetrating bullets like the Barnes, or the 220 round noses. Bison are thick, and like a moose (actually more so then a moose) aren't really impressed by the shock of the bullet striking them. And the poster on the big game thread was right, we don't want to have to chase them. - Dan

You guys wanna let us in on what you're up to? ;-)

Having some fun in Northern Alberta?

Frans

Frans - we visited last year and hooked up with Dan. Things very much in the planning stage - so I will let him elaborate if he wishes to.

Rgds Ian

Ian

I have never shot an bison (never drawn a tag) but there is a bison ranch down the road from me.

They are the largest animlas in North America, and they are pretty tough.

If you use your 30-06, I'd suggest X bullets or failsafes, as penetration is going to be key.

There is a minimum bullet weight and enegy level required for bison in BC, and they are the only animal with a restriction like that. (except that you cannot shoot big game with a rimfire)

I'd actually take my .375H&H, because well, if you got a big gun...you're gonna want to shoot SOMETHING with it!

Regarding rimfires, tell that to the native population of BC

Yeah, but the Aborigines-(my family has been in B.C. for more than 130 yrs. so I'm "native") are "natural conservationists" and "have a special relationship with the land"; didn't you know that???? Or, are you a "racist" that suffers from the delusion that everyone should have equal rights and responsibilities....Holy Trudeau, what a revolutionary concept, Comrade!!!!

Interesting thread.

The size of the animal is why I am building my 9.3 Bison. It is really nothing more nor less than the .300 WSM necked up to .366" and rifle chambered to use the 286 gr. Norma bullet seated to the base of the neck.

BTW, for you .375 lovers, Bill Wiseman confirmed at the SHOT Show that Winchester is testing a .375 WSM. Winchester said they "had no knowledge" of it, but Bill makes the pressure-testing barrels for their pressure gun and confirmed they had bought such a barrel from him.

My hunting partner is also in the final stages of building his .416 Ridgewalker...which is again simply the .300 WSM necked up to .416".

No crying need for either of these cartridges, but the rifles are fun to build. Cartridges also feed perfectly from the Montana Rifle Company M1999 short action, just as it comes from the factory.

AC

History says the most successful cartridge for Bison is the 50-90 Sharps- usually paper patched over a full case of black powder.... Or pull a Quigley and carry a 50-110

Regards,

Doc Sharptail

Well the Buffalo hunters of old nearly wiped the Buffalo off the face of the earth with mostly the 45-70. A friend of mine took a big bull in South Dakota with his 45-70. Unfortunatley there was a cow behind the bull and it killed them both with same shot. He had to pay for both of them but sold enoughof the meat to pay for the second one. Recently an artical in Rifle Magazine told of two Cape buffalo taken with one shot from a Marlin 45-70 with 405 Corbon loads. March Rifle Magazine if anyone would like to read the article.Shot through both shoulders of both Cape buffalo. Thats Penetration.