Dedicated Alaska / Canada big game "just one" rifle chambering

Which chambering?

  • .375 HH Mag

    Votes: 47 18.5%
  • .375 Ruger

    Votes: 5 2.0%
  • .370 Sako Mag

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • .376 Steyr

    Votes: 1 0.4%
  • 9.3x62mm or 9.3x74mm (Specify)

    Votes: 7 2.8%
  • .35 Whelen

    Votes: 11 4.3%
  • .350 Rem Mag

    Votes: 1 0.4%
  • .358 Win or .356 Win (Specify)

    Votes: 2 0.8%
  • .338-'06 A-Square

    Votes: 8 3.1%
  • .338 Win Mag or Other .338 Maggie (Specify)

    Votes: 52 20.5%
  • .325 WSM

    Votes: 3 1.2%
  • 8mm Mauser

    Votes: 1 0.4%
  • 8mm Rem Mag

    Votes: 2 0.8%
  • .300 Win Mag or Other .300 Maggie (Specify)

    Votes: 23 9.1%
  • .30-'06 Springfield

    Votes: 47 18.5%
  • 7mm Rem Mag or Other .7mm Maggie (Specify)

    Votes: 11 4.3%
  • .280 Rem or .270 Win (Specify)

    Votes: 1 0.4%
  • .45-70 Gov't

    Votes: 50 19.7%
  • .50 Alaskan

    Votes: 4 1.6%
  • Other (Specify)

    Votes: 18 7.1%

  • Total voters
    254
  • Poll closed .
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From sitka deer to polar bear; it has to do it all in the great white north as your only non-rimfire rifle caliber; what do you pick; see poll.

Also, which rifle do you pick to be chambered with said round.
 
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I would take a Howdah as well, although I might go with the .58 instead of the 20ga just because I don't like casting my own projectiles.
 
I voted 8mm Rem Mag out of the options you listed. Nearly obsolete, but for no good reason. It has performance that bests the .300 WM, hits as hard as it's (kinda) parent .375 H&H, but with a better trajectory and more retained energy down range. I never understood why this cartridge failed commercially. It has fantastic performance that is hard to beat for an all-around cartridge to hunt things with large mass and/or sharp claws and teeth. People who own and shoot it wouldn't trade it for anything.

.375 H&H would be my second choice, followed by .300 Win Mag.

Personally, I opted for a Remington 700 BDL SS in .375 Ultra to handle my future Alaskan and African hunting. Trajectory of a .270 with energy that rivals the .458 WM. Only thing is, in that light rifle, and with no brake, it kills on one end and cripples on the other. My first time out, my hand crept up on the grip too far, and the knurling on the bolt ripped a good chunk of flesh from my trigger finger. Never got scope-eyed, but have felt the rain guard tap my brow.

This is the unit, topped with a Leupold VX-II 4-12x 40mm. My loads are a the "light" one, which is a 250 gr. Sierra Gameking at 3,110 FPS for 5,370 FPE and the sledgehammer, a 300 gr. Gameking at 2,970 FPS for 5,877 FPE

375Ultrajpg.jpg
 
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Well, I will throw a couple things out for consideration...
1) I live in Alaska and have carried and used a .308. It has suited me for most of the large game I have taken.
20 last year during a HE course, we had a female bow hunting instructor who has taken all varieties of Alaskan bears with just her compound bow.

Lesson here: It is all about shot placement.
 
9.53 Saturn...Lazzeroni. Or something I built in this caliber.

The case is perfect IMO, and a .375 300gr. moving along at 3000fps will definitely anchor whatever! Also, it is said that this round peaks at 24"...don't really know, but all this out of a 24" tube...sans the horrendous recoil, seems like it would be good.

Other than that, a 375 H&H is ammo abundant just about anywhere and has a proven track record.

I do like the .375 Ruger though it would have to be a build rifle and not the Ruger branded unit!

Available now for descent money, maybe a Remington or Savage in .375 ultra Mag.

Ask me again tomorrow and I'm sure I'll have a different answer for you! lol hehehe

Hey, no sin in packing a 'big gun'...better to have the horsepower and not need it, then the other way around!
 
I voted .375 H&H for the one gun deal. With 300 grain premium bullets It will put the big bears down with authority and with lighter bullets it's not unpleasant to shoot. It's also flat shooting. Get it in a stainless bolt action and your good to go. 30.06 and .338 Win mag will also do but I still like the .375
 
Since I own nothing in any of your specified calibers, I said what the heck and went with the .375 H&H...However, if I were going to go today and had to work out of my own safe, I'd just grab my 7.62X54R sporter and go with confidence.

A M-71 would be really cool though...
 
Of what I own: 45/70 in a Marlin 1895G.
Of what I'd like to own: .375 H&H in a controlled feed bolt action.

I really like the flexibility of either caliber. Honorable mention to the 30-06.
 
I went for .375 HH and .45-70. If I was taking long shots the .375HH, but just backpacking I would bust out the Guide Gun.

Actually, I would replace the 375 with a .416 Rigby if I could only have one dangerous game rifle, for Africa and stuff or if the Africa exhibit at the zoo breaks out and rampages around town :D
 
30-06 in a BLR:)





Edit: Forgot to say HI, and this is a pretty neat website, so far.
 
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