I intent, in one or two years, to make an long hunting trip (3-5 months) to the US/Canada/Alaska. Its time, I am old enough, now or never.
When I look at my gun battery, there are mostly calibers and guns (is it right that in some states combos are illeagal?) we use in Europe.
So my questions

- can I take a combo/drilling for hunting in all
states?
- my calibers are
* 6,5x68
* 7x64 and 7x65R
* 8x68S
* 9,5x62 and 9,3x74R
* 10,75 x 68

Should I better buy a rifle like the Blaser R93 or Mauser 03 with 2 barrels in in maybe
300 WSM, 300 Wby, 338 Win, 375 H&H, or is ammo for my rifles available?

Sorry I mean 9,3x62

8x68S & 9.3x62

If BUYING ammo is a real consideration Get a .338 and a .270. The .270 will handle most anything and the .338 is noted for taking down the brown bears. If you can bring all the ammo you need than the 8mmX68 would be all you need. roger

quote:

(is it right that in some states combos are illeagal?)

NO.....we have no laws against drillings or combos in any of the states and I doubt seriuously Canada does either! As a matter of fact many things perfectly legal here are prohibited in other countries.....we still have very liberal gun ownership laws and possibly the best in the world.

The post by Bartshe is dead nuts on the mark...that ammo will be difficult to find here and a man so equipped with a .270 and a .338 is in hog heaven for North American hunting of all things!

Burkard,

Unfortunately, I must recommend against all the calibers on your list. If you truly wish to take a long hunting trip in Canada and the United States, ammunition availability will be a problem with all the calibers you listed. Surely enough, many of us own them, but practically all of us are reloaders.

You will find 7x57, 8x57, 270 Win, 30-06, 300 Win mag, 338 Win mag, and 375 H&H to be quite common over here so you might want to focus on them. Of the cartridges listed the .270, 30-06, and 300 Win are the kings of availability.

Further, I cannot speak for Canadian authorities, but in the US the BATF considers the receiver to be the firearm so switch barrels would be a pretty smart approach for a traveling hunter.

Best of luck planning your trip. I am highly jealous!

Jason,

I see the 300 win (win or WSM?) ist the first choice. In Germany the 300 Wby. is more popular than the Win
What do you think about the 375 H&H?
Second choice or what would you recommend?

Burkhard

While not a fan of a 300 Mag, if you want to have all the bases covered.. the 300 Mag is the one gun that will do it all...

They only one consideration in choosing the 300 Win or the Weatherby, is that the ammo for the Winchester is going to be a lot cheaper, and more readily available where ever you go....

Unless it has claws and will eat you , and weighs the same as a VW... the 30/06 will do about anything you want it to do.. and the ammo would be available about anywhere they sell hunting ammo.. even in gas stations out in the middle of nowhere...

An 06 is probably the most practical caliber to get or bring along when hunting the USA and Canada...

Burkhard,

I meant to say 300 Win Mag; sorry 'bout that. The 300 Weatherby is also quite popular over here and ammunition for it is just about as available as the 300 Win Mag. You will to pay a higher price for it though.

I can buy 375 H&H ammunition in the small eastern Texas town that I live in and I've seen it at many of the sporting goods stores in larger cities as well. I recommended it because once you get passed the .30 caliber magnums, what you're needing to do is punch a bigger hole in your query. The 375 does this with aplomb with ammunition being decently available.

A .300 Weatherby and a 375 H&H would make a fine pair.

Burkhard,

When I went into Saskatchewan last year to hunt waterfowl there was a limit on the amount of ammunition I could bring into the country. I appreciate I'm refering to a high volume of shooting waterfowl trip as opposed to a hopefully little shooting big game hunting trip. (one shot one dead game animal!)

If bringing all the ammo you might want to is going to be a problem, then the recommendation to bring commonly found North American calibers and shoot over the counter purchased ammunition seems reasonable.

Even in rural Alaska, the 308 winchester, 30-06, and .338 win mag are very common, and here in Dillingham you could find ammo for all in at least three stores.

If you don't mind, I'd recommend bringing one gun in a popular American caliber, either bring some of your own ammo with you, or buy it all here. Americans are gun crazy, (yes I am a supporting member,) and that translates into lots of ammo availability, and lots of shooting ranges to sight in the newest or latest ammo purchases for your next intended species to be hunted.

Best of luck!

One concern I'd have with a drilling combo, is that here in Illinois some game that requires the shotgun barrel (mainly turkey and also deer) it is illegal to have a rifle with you while hunting.

Much as I love the 375 H&H/3006 combo, To cover most of North American game I think a 338 WM/25-06 would be a bit more versatile. And a 12 guage of your choice (I'd go pump) and also a 22 LR.

What do you plan to hunt and where?? That very much has an influence on the tools (calibers) suitable.

If you are intending to do any sort of "wilderness" hunting - e.g. mountain hunting in the Western US or Canada - leave your Drillings and BBF's (over-and-under shot/rifle combinations - for you English speakers) at home. Yes, perhaps there is a 1% chance you might need the shot barrel, but you have to balance that against the weight and in particular the fragility of a combination gun (compared to a bolt action).

As the other guys have noted above, your current calibers are not very suited to North America, at least not if you are looking to rely on factory ammo along the way. Calibers such as those discussed above (.270 Win, .30-06, .300 Win Mag, .338 Win Mag) will get the job done. If you insist on something more exotic, I guess you could also rely on a .300 Wby or a .375 H&H, although you'd have to accept limitations in factory ammo available in the local WalMart store...

- mike

If you must shoot factory ammo, then I would go loght rifle , heavy rifle. Light would be a a round on the 06 case, .25 .277 .284 or the 06 it's self.
And for heavy I,d go .338 win get a nlaser if you want, but i would go 2 rifles. A light weight for smaller game and a sporter weight for moose and bears...tj3006

quote:

Originally posted by Mark:
One concern I'd have with a drilling combo, is that here in Illinois some game that requires the shotgun barrel (mainly turkey and also deer) it is illegal to have a rifle with you while hunting.

Much as I love the 375 H&H/3006 combo, To cover most of North American game I think a 338 WM/25-06 would be a bit more versatile. And a 12 guage of your choice (I'd go pump) and also a 22 LR.

I've hunted with drillings from FL to Alaska with no problems anywhere. If I could only own one gun, it would be a drilling. I can't imagine a state prosecuting you for having a rifle barrel on your gun in a shotgun hunting hunt when it was a part of your shotgun and you had no rifle ammunition for it.... On the other hand, he's talking about Illinois, and they have some of the dumbest gun laws I've ever seen. . That said, I doubt anyone would travel to the US or CA from Europe for a hunt in IL (although they have some great deer & turkey hunting).
As for caliber, I would consider taking up reloading and just bring your dies, for the rifle of your choice. It would be much cheaper (than buying a new rifle) and you WILL wind up with much better ammunition that you can custom tailor to the hunting situations. That would also allow you to use a gun you're familiar with. You really won't need all that much ammo anyway. Ship a good supply to your contacts in the various hunt locations, and carry what you can. Good luck & enjoy your hunts in north Am.

From the calibers you've listed, get yourself one good rifle in .338 and you can hunt anything you want in North America with little to no compromise. Or buy a .375 H&H and hunt anywere on the planet.

Greg,

the idea with the dies is very interessting.
But I think, I will buy a Mauser 03 in 300 Win and 375 H&H, and all problems are solved. The drilling 16/16/7x65R is for bird hunting. Is 16 gauge available in the US? Even in Germany, where all the elder combos and drillings were chambered in 16 gauge, most gun store dont have it on stock.

Burkhard

Burkhard, if you are going to buy rifles specifically for this hunt, why not buy them in the USA? Makes travelling over a little lighter and there are some nice rifles being made in the USA. Besides, if you are going to do late fall or winter hunting in Canada or Alaska, you might want to consider a stainless steel rifle, not that they are to my taste, but they are practical for extreme conditions. And for the most part rifles, even European rifles, are less expensive in the USA than in Europe. With a one or two year lead time you can even arrange for one of any number of custom riflemakers to get something done for you.

Wink, I can see where you are coming from, but legally Burkhard would not be allowed to buy a gun in the States. Even a US resident can only take possession of a new gun from an FFL in the state he lives (or a directly neighboring state?). As a non-US resident, no FFL could legally let him take possession of a rifle.

In the old days, this used to be dealt with a lot less seriously. And I guess if you had a friend etc etc. But legally, this is a no-no.

The only way for a non-US resident to legally buy a gun in the US, is to have it transferred to an official exporter, and then go through an export procedure and have it shipped to your country of residence.

To enter the US with a rifle, Burkhard needs to apply for a BATF import permit. Only with this in hand can he legally possess a rifle in the US. In Canada there is also an import license to be obtained, but this is issued at point of entry (pay 25-60 CAN $), the US license needs to obtained in advance (8-12 weeks - but costs nothing).

- mike

mho,

Is it possible for a non-resident to buy a rifle and have the FFL go through the export routine but then take delivery in the USA?

mho, You are giving bad information.Indeed a non-resident of The USA can buy Firearms here.As a matter of fact you don`t even need to speak or write English to fill out the Forms.An interpreture can do it for you. OB

quote:

Originally posted by Wink:
mho,

Is it possible for a non-resident to buy a rifle and have the FFL go through the export routine but then take delivery in the USA?

Not to my knowledge, Wink. There is a whole bunch of legalese about non-US residents and firearms on this page:

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/form6nia/faqs.htm

Q15, in particular seems relevant (scroll down a bit).
- mike

quote:

Originally posted by OLBIKER:
mho, You are giving bad information.Indeed a non-resident of The USA can buy Firearms here.As a matter of fact you don`t even need to speak or write English to fill out the Forms.An interpreture can do it for you. OB

Sir, may I suggest you read the BATF FAQ page (link posted above) regarding non-US residents and firearms.

In particular the following section may be of interest (sections bolded by me):

quote:

Q15. May nonimmigrant aliens legally in the United States purchase or possess firearms and ammunition while in the United States?


A. Nonimmigrant aliens generally are prohibited from possessing or receiving (purchasing) firearms and ammunition in the United States.


There are exceptions to this general prohibition. The exceptions are as follows:


nonimmigrant aliens who possess a valid (unexpired) hunting license or permit lawfully issued by a State in the United States;

nonimmigrant aliens entering the United States to participate in a competitive target shooting event or to display firearms at a sports or hunting trade show sponsored by a national, State, or local organization devoted to the collection, competitive use or other sporting use of firearms;

certain diplomats;

officials of foreign governments or distinguished foreign visitors so designated by the U.S. State Department;

foreign law enforcement officers of friendly foreign governments entering the United States on official law enforcement business; and
persons who have received a waiver from the prohibition from the U.S. Attorney General.


Significantly, even if a nonimmigrant alien falls within one of these exceptions, the nonimmigrant alien CANNOT purchase a firearm from a Federal firearms licensee (FFL) unless he or she (1) has an alien number or admission number from the Immigration and Naturalization Service AND (2) can provide the FFL with documentation showing that he or she has resided in a State within the United States for 90 days prior to the firearms transaction.

I believe this section pretty much covers the case we have been discussing here: Burkhard visiting the US and Canada for a limited period of time, with no intention of immigrating to or taking up legal residence within the US.

- mike

mho,

I would point out however that if Burkhard is going to hunt, then he will have to have "a valid (unexpired) hunting license or permit lawfully issued by a State in the United States." So, it would seem that if it is legal for him to hunt in the USA then it is legal for him to purchase firearms and ammunition. Am I reading this incorrectly?

Wink, I think the answer is in the following clause (also cited above) from the BATF website:

quote:

Significantly, even if a nonimmigrant alien falls within one of these exceptions, the nonimmigrant alien CANNOT purchase a firearm from a Federal firearms licensee (FFL) unless he or she (1) has an alien number or admission number from the Immigration and Naturalization Service AND (2) can provide the FFL with documentation showing that he or she has resided in a State within the United States for 90 days prior to the firearms transaction.

I read this as the turning point is to be able to prove legal residency in the state in which you would like to purchase a firearm for 90 days prior to the purchase. There will be several options for "residency" (e.g. non-working vs. green card holder), but I doubt vacation will put Burkhard into a "resident" status.

Anyway, I have provided more than my $.02 on this subject, and I think I'll leave it to you guys to interpret what you see as the rules or options for US firearms purchase.

- mike

quote:

Originally posted by Burkhard:
Greg,

the idea with the dies is very interessting.
But I think, I will buy a Mauser 03 in 300 Win and 375 H&H, and all problems are solved. The drilling 16/16/7x65R is for bird hunting. Is 16 gauge available in the US? Even in Germany, where all the elder combos and drillings were chambered in 16 gauge, most gun store dont have it on stock.

Burkhard

I find plenty of 16 ga ammo here in bird hunting shot size 7 1/2 -8 etc. It's non existant in steel shot though, so bring a 12 if you plan waterfowl hunting. The gun purchase you are contemplating will certainly handle anything here, short of politicians who have armor plated skulls . I would choose a standard caliber for the "light" rifle though. 30/06, 270 etc. I never liked the 300 win mag. I've found them more uncomfortable than a 375 to shoot. Of course the calculated recoil won't show that, but they just seem to be. I'm also not a big fan of belted mags, under 338 cal. But that's personal preference. I can see it's not difficult for you; as with most of us to rationalize a gun purchase .
We'll look forward to news of your trip.

16 ga. is quite hard to find -- he can purchase all the ammo he wants.

It may be worth a call to an ATF center in the area he wants to hunt, to see if he can buy firearms over here -- I seem to remember stories of foreigners buying guns to go hunting in the US, then having their guns exported home...

mho,My point was that a non-citizen can buy a firearm in the USA.You made a blanket Statement that Non-Citizens cannot buy firearms.Which is inccorrect.We can argue all day on this and you will still be wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Burkhard:
Is 16 gauge available in the US? Even in Germany, where all the elder combos and drillings were chambered in 16 gauge, most gun store dont have it on stock.
Burkhard

Yes, but it is the least popular gauge, so just walking into a sporting goods store expecting to find it may be problematic.
However, with 1 or 2 years lead time until you visit, stockpiling the correct length, speed and shot size is doable. If I were you, I would ask the outfitter to gather all needed ammo ahead of time.

Have you been to the forum, 16ga.com? http://www.16ga.com/ Click on the logo and have a look around. Lots of knowledgeable folks to answer your questions on the guntalk forum.

I have often read people say the 7x57, 8x57, or whatever along that line is availible world wide. I have hunted in several countires on 4 continent and a lot of the US states, usually with a 7x57. Everywhere I go, almost no one has even heard of them and they have proven very difficult to obtain around the globe. I have been in far places and needed ammunition very badly, and could not get it.

The calibers I ahve seen EVERYWHERE I have ever been are the .30-06 and .308. .300 Win Mag is often to be found, as is the .270 Win. The 7mm Rem Mag is everywhere in US, and at times seen across either pond. If one is truly worried about getting cartridges (and on a 2+ month jaunt you should be worreid about it) then the .30-06 is so far above the second place finisher it cannot be seen without binoculars. For shotguns it is 12 ga period.

The easiest thing to do is to borrow a rifle. If you want to use one of your own, have outiftters buy ammo you want long before you are scheduled to get there.

If you do choose to import your own rifle, then it is much better now than in the past. You can now put ammo in your rifle case. That way you don't land in a far off place with a rifle and no ammo, or ammo and no rifle. I have been through both scenraios, and they suck to an equal degree. Nowadays, you either have all or none.

I have borrowed rifles in other countries and other states several times. Usually due to ammo org un problems. Like the time I dropped my rifle 15' out of a tree and it centered a large granite boulder.

8X68S is all you need. Will cover it all. Bring some good RWS Ammunition with it.
Use lighter loads for long distance game shots, heavier for shorter.
Its a great cartridge...!
Tom from Cody, Wyoming

Mho,

quote:

There are exceptions to this general prohibition. The exceptions are as follows:


nonimmigrant aliens who possess a valid (unexpired) hunting license or permit lawfully issued by a State in the United States;

All he needs to do is purchase his hunting license, the purpose of his visit, and then buy the rifle.

He may want to sell it before he leaves other than go through the hassle of exporting/importing.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

(is it right that in some states combos are illeagal?)

NO.....we have no laws against drillings or combos in any of the states and I doubt seriuously Canada does either! As a matter of fact many things perfectly legal here are prohibited in other countries.....we still have very liberal gun ownership laws and possibly the best in the world.

The post by Bartshe is dead nuts on the mark...that ammo will be difficult to find here and a man so equipped with a .270 and a .338 is in hog heaven for North American hunting of all things!

Combos are not illegal per-se in any state I know of. However, some states such as New York that have "shotguns-only" restrictions for deer hunting in some counties will not allow one to use a shotgun that has a rifle barrel during deer season in thse locations.

For example, I have a Heym 55-77 with a 20 Ga. barrel over a .30/'06. I can't use it for deer hunting in shotguns-only counties, even if I carry no .30/'06 ammo. Nor can I use it ANYWHERE in the state during the NY spring turkey season because NY does not permit rifles for turkey hunting. But I CAN use it in the fall in counties where rifle hunting is legal, and for turkey hunting in states that permit rifles for turkey hunting (like New Mexico).

Don't know WHAT Canada will permit!

If I were coming to the U.S. and Canada to hunt, and I could bring enough ammo, I would bring that 8X68S and use it with 198-grain bullets for everything. If you need a backup for emergency use if the 8X68S gets damaged, I'd buy a .375 H&H for this purpose. You can even shoot deer with it-it doesn't damage as much meat as a .270 Win!

Waidmann's Heil-good luck.

Bring the 9.3x62. You can get Lapua and Prvi ammo in the US. Have your host order it from Grafs prior to your arrival.

Drop a Merkel double rifle in .470 off with me and you can have pick of the litter from my safe.

Heck, I'll even do the paperwork.


Bring your guns and as much ammo as you can legally bring and if needed, order more ammo off the net to be delievered to your oufitter/guide/host.

99% of the US has the infrastructure to get pretty much anything overnight if you have the $$ for shipping.

quote:

Originally posted by mho:
What do you plan to hunt ...

Hey Mike, That does seem like it would be a bit of a help.

I believe MHO is correct he can not buy a firearm here given the circumstances as he described them. To say he is wrong makes you look very foolish. As an FFL holder as soon as I sent in the NICS background check info it would deny the transfer. The possesion and importation of a firearm is permitted by by the set of exceptions noted above hunting license shooting competition etc. That allows you to bring a firearm into the country but unless you establish the residency for 90 days you can not purchase one while you are here. It looked to me that the law is pretty clearcut and easy to understand. If you doubt what MHO is saying call your local BATFE and ask them. He needs to buy them in Germany and bring them along whatever he decides to hunt with. The fact is you can kill everything we have with a 3006 and forget the so called big gun. But never let it be said I stood between someone and the purchase of two or three more rifles so go for it. Almost impossible to go wrong.

Burkhard! why not just go to Africa or NZ; a lot fewer of these arm chair legal beagels,and more game to boot. roger