Arizona Hunting Club & Outdoor Adventure Group

Selecting the Perfect
Firearm for Deer and Elk Hunting

There are many books that you can read on choosing a firearm to hunt with. We could write pages and pages of text on power grains, bullet weights, trajectory, etc.

The best weapon to hunt with in Arizona is a bow and arrow. There is a 100% chance to get an archery deer tag, because you can still buy them over the counter.

Draw rates for elk are considerably higher, such as 100% for a cow elk in up to 10 hunt units each year. We recommend a 60-70 lb. compound bow. It is easy to pull back and hold for up to 3-4 minutes if need be. With archery, the goal is to shoot an arrow halfway into the body cavity and let the blades make things as quick as possible.

The best rifle is a .270 because it is a great gun for just about any animal including elk. The rifle is great for kids, women and men of all sizes. In our view, a good hunter should be able to make a good kill shot at 100-300 yards. But then we are bow hunters, so there are many people that would argue that a .300 is better for distance and knock down power. Another great caliber for all animals is a .30-06.

In reality the best way to choose a weapon is to practice with a friend's weapon until you find one that is fun to shoot, light enough to carry on a 10-mile hiking trip and accurate to kill an animal on the very first shot.

Articles on Selecting a Rifle:

• Big Game - The Right Deer Rifle
• The Ideal Deer Rifle
• The Ultimate Deer Rifle

Articles on Selecting a Bow:

• Compound Bow Selection Guide
• Choosing the Bow That's Right for You