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

[garyhan]

This is the reason the .338 Win Mag was invented.

gary

 

[Greebe]

Are you in Alaska, or going to Alaska to hunt? That would be a big deciding factor.

I use a levergun in .35 Rem or .356 Win for blacktail. Then have a .350 RM for moose and caribou. Lots of guys use .300 WM or .338WM for all of their hunting because they are fairly versatile and ammo is anywhere in Alaska, even in the bush.

I would suggest against any of the big magnums for hunting blacktail. Two of my buddies used .338WM on one of our hunts on Naked. Not much left on a little blacktail when shot with one of those calibers. Although the blacktail I shoot with the .35 Rem have little meat damage.

As far as moose and caribou get a flatter shooting mag of some sort. I like the .350RM for the fact that it will throw a 250Gr Nosler Partition at good speeds and fairly flat. You can load it with a 150gr SP for smaller stuff too.

Greebe

 

[MCMXI]

I chose the .338 Win Mag for no good reason other than I want one and I know it'd stop just about anything. I already have a pair of Marlins in .45-70 and a Ruger Redhawk in .454 Casull so I have a back-up plan. However, after yesterday's episode of American Rifleman featuring the Kimber 8400 Caprivi chambered in .458 Lott I have to wonder.

 

[Maverick223]

Now I am starting to think about getting a Ruger No. 1 in .416Rigby or .458Lott to go along with the .375H&H Mauser. These threads are horrible. :banghead:

 

[RSVP2RIP]

I voted for the 375H&H, but it was almost a tie for 338WM. I have both and feel that both will cover about the same types of game in North America and have the same range limitations. The only reason I chose the 375 was the fact that it is a better big bear round, period. I would pick it in any rifle action you feel comfortable with, though a claw extractor/fixed ejector is always a plus for me. Also, stainless seel would be a worth while consideration if you plan on going into areas of Alaska near the ocean, though not one facrtory rifle is comming to mind, at this time, that is stainless and chambered in 375 H&H...

 

[Maverick223]

though not one facrtory rifle is comming to mind, at this time, that is stainless and chambered in 375 H&H...

I believe the Remington 700, Ruger M-77, Ruger No. 1, and Kinber 8400 are all available in .375H&H SS.

 

[Vicious-Peanut]

Can I change my answer? lol

I am now thinking about taking a buffalo classic, reaming it to .45-120 and surpassing the .458 lott.

Now, how to add 10lbs of weight to a rifle? lol

 

[Maverick223]

I am now thinking about taking a buffalo classic, reaming it to .45-120 and surpassing the .458 lott.

Vicious, which one of my threads have you been reading? Don't be stealin' my idears.

 

[Pony Express]

Other...12 gauge



Oops, wrong forum

 

[Vicious-Peanut]

Vicious, which one of my threads have you been reading? Don't be stealin' my idears.

When did you mention it? Sides, don't be hatin' just because we're obviously both VERY smart.

 

[Rio Laxas]

While I do have a Ruger No. 1 in .375 H&H and I am really fond of the Ruger Alaskan in .375 Ruger, I really think that you can't go wrong with a .30-06. With proper shot placement, it is all you need, and ammunition availability is a big consideration. Granted I have never had to use them under duress, but I feel comfortable in the woods up here with a Ruger M77 in .30-06, a S&W 629, and a Randall Model 14 knife.

 

[Maverick223]

When did you mention it? Sides, don't be hatin' just because we're obviously both VERY smart.

I haven't mentioned using a Buff. Classic, but I have been talking about doing that with my 1885 High Wall for some time now. I guess great minds think alike.
If you are serious about doing it we can share some reloading information (I have gathered a good bit thus far).

 

[Float Pilot]

GREEBE:

One of my more recent experiments with heavy bullets in the 350 Rem Mag.
I had to re-crown the barrel on this Ruger M77MKII stainless all-weather. It is still not a tack-driver but OK for hunting..

Here is one of the last of the old 275 grain BARNES. Luckily Alaska Bullet company is making a 275 grain Kodiak Bonded bullet. I will try some in a couple days.
These old Barnes really weighed 276.3 grains.

A 275 grain bullet at 2,450 fps should do the job. I have pushed them faster, but the accuracy dropped off.

 

[Greebe]

Float Pilot:

Nice work. How long is the barrel on your Ruger? Have you taken anything with those 275's? I really like the Nosler .250gr Partitions for my .358 cal rifles.

My .350RM is in a TC Encore. It originally had a 26" barrel but then I cut it back to 21.5" to make a take down style rifle for easy carry on a 4 wheeler, snowmachine, boat or plane. Now when broken apart the two pieces are about the same length.

Are you a pilot as your name would suggest?

Greebe

 

[Vicious-Peanut]

If you are serious about doing it we can share some reloading information (I have gathered a good bit thus far).

I hope to soon, but as of right now, I have other things that need attending to. However, please do keep me up to date with how yours goes!

 

[Maverick223]

I hope to soon, but as of right now, I have other things that need attending to. However, please do keep me up to date with how yours goes!

Same here, I haven't had a chance to begin the project, but when I do I will make a thread detailing how it went. I hope to get it reamed in the next month or so, but I said that last month too.

 

[A2lockdown]

i live in canada, use a win model 88 in .308 (lever gun) because thats what i have and trust.

what was said about lever guns vs. bolt&semiauto earlier is absolutly true; you are only at the top of the food chain if you can shoot well, and do it fast enough.

my top choice would be a guide gun in 45-70, most shots are (or can/should be) 150 or less, you can go up or down on power depending on what you are currently hunting. and if you dont know enough to bring adequate amounts of ammo on a trip, learn to make a spear or club. a BLR in 325WSM or 358 would probably work also, but i have no experience with those cals.

 

[federalfarmer]

375 H&H

It works, ammo easy to find, and a CRF Ruger for me ...... Leftie Please!

 

[earlthegoat2]

In the end I would have to think the most practical all around cartridge would have to be the 300 Win Mag, 30-06, or 303 British (if lots of hunting in Canada and not so much in Alaska).

Adequate power for even the biggest and cartridge availability will be excellent.

 

[Float Pilot]

Float Pilot:

Nice work. How long is the barrel on your Ruger? Have you taken anything with those 275's? I really like the Nosler .250gr Partitions for my .358 cal rifles.

My .350RM is in a TC Encore. It originally had a 26" barrel but then I cut it back to 21.5" to make a take down style rifle for easy carry on a 4 wheeler, snowmachine, boat or plane. Now when broken apart the two pieces are about the same length.

Are you a pilot as your name would suggest?

Greebe

GREEBE:

22 Inches. I installed a front sight and have a back-up NEGC peep sight in case the scope goes bad. Or sun goes down. I have Warne quick dis-mount rings for the Leupold 2x7.
I coated the stainless with high temp ceramic engine block paint, which I baked on. Then glass bedded the action. Plus I added another side sling so I could carry the rifle like a back-pack while climbing.
When I first bought this stainless M77MKII it would throw 6 inch groups.
I had to re-crown the barrel, lap the bore and polish the feed ramp area. Then change some of the pressure in the fore-stock.
I now have it shooting 200 grain Barnes Triple Shocks at 2,900 fps. Kodiak Bonded 225gr, Sierra game King 225gr or Speer 220 grain bullets at 2,840 fps
and 250 grain Hornady Round Nose bullets at 2,550 fps. All with good groups for a 8 pound stainless, controlled feed, plastic stocked rifle. And I have under $800 into the whole deal including the scope and sights.
See photos.. I call it THE SOURDOUGH RIFLE

Yes, after semi-retiring from two other careers, I am now a commercial instrument pilot and CFI. I mostly teach float plane flying (Alaskan Style) and also tail-wheel flying. In the winter while not doing CAP duties, I work on rifles or do some experimental hand-loading.

 

[oldfool]

well, I don't do that, but if I did...
one more vote for 30-06 in a Browning BLR

 

[Old Time Hunter]

i live in canada, use a win model 88 in .308 (lever gun) because thats what i have and trust.

what was said about lever guns vs. bolt&semiauto earlier is absolutly true; you are only at the top of the food chain if you can shoot well, and do it fast enough.

my top choice would be a guide gun in 45-70, most shots are (or can/should be) 150 or less, you can go up or down on power depending on what you are currently hunting. and if you dont know enough to bring adequate amounts of ammo on a trip, learn to make a spear or club. a BLR in 325WSM or 358 would probably work also, but i have no experience with those cals.

Common sense prevails!

 

[Greebe]

Float Pilot:

Nice. It is nice to see some other .358 cal enthusiast out there. I am working on a .358 cal wildcat right now. It is a rimmed version so that I can chamber it in a Marlin 1895 or Encore and have better results.

Since you are a pilot you will appreciate my Encore that I have modified. This is the one that I was talking about that I cut the barrel to 21.5" and recrowned on the lathe. I then added open sights as well. This is the ticket for small plane travel. The case is a Dewalt saw case that I cut out the plastic dividers and added foam to. Turned into a nice little carry package.



Greebe

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Greebe, I like that - how does it shoot?

 

[Greebe]

I shoots very nice. It will stay under an inch at 100yds with a scope. This is until I start flinching after too many shots.

When I built this, the idea was for a highly portable rifle that could be assembled easily when you get to where you are going to be hunting. It travels very nice and doesn't advertise you are carrying a rifle. Which can be nice with all the paranoia about guns these days.

The airlines have never had a problem with me checking it either, as it is a hard case and is lockable. They just seem a little surprised at first that I managed to squeeze a rifle into it.

Greebe