Expedition hunt

[sanerkeki]

Once a year I go to Alaska fo 10 days to hunt moose or caribou. It is more than hunting, Alaska is so beatiful and total wilderness. The big problem is unlike on my hunting property were there are thick woods and many different obsticles were I have most of the time 40-60 m. of clear view, in Alaska most of time there are kilometers of view. So instead of taking my so far favorite sniper rifles svd druganov or dpms 338, I went on a long search and bought a new PSG1. I ordered for it a Nikkon Monarch 8-32x50ED SF D1 and few accesories to make the scope more interesting.

When I took it out shooting and set up targets at 500m and 900m. After a while and many misses I started hitting the 1 cm SQ, pretty much 10 out of 8 times at 900m.

My biggest question is since the rifle is 7,62x51mm and 700-1000m is a big distance, ( i know at 200-400m it will take animal down) but not sure at the long distances. If anyone has any info to share

 

[jbech123]

After a while and many misses I started hitting the 1 cm SQ, pretty much 10 out of 8 times at 900m.

We could have a small miscommunication here, it seems maybe english is not your primary language. No big deal there, but if you are hitting a 1sq cm target at 900m (which is less than a half inch!), either there is a miscommunication or you are beyond all current world class benchrest shooters.
That said, if you do have adequate accuracy to ethically hunt at those ranges, I think you need more "oomph" to cleanly dispatch a caribou at 1000M. Caribou are thin skinned and not that hard to put down, but even at that the 308 is too light at those distances. Moose forget it, they are thick hided and big boned, shooting at a moose at 1000m with a 308 is flat out unethical.

 

[Cosmoline]

Under no set of circumstances should you be using a .308 to hunt our caribou or moose at those distances. There are a few calibers with enough power to do it, but not the .308. I'm also not sure how you can be sure of your target or its legality at those ranges. Besides it really isn't necessary. Just bring the SVD and keep your shots limited to the usual 200-300 yard max. If the other rifle is shooting as well as you say it is, you could be winning tournaments with it! Don't risk it on a hunt.

 

[sanerkeki]

I am from Europe so I might have put that 1 cm sq I meant 1x10 which is a decimeter 10 cm up, down, left, right, it is fairly a big square. But that you guy's for the info.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

pretty much 10 out of 8 times at 900m.

Now THAT'S good shooting!!!

In all seriousness, from what little I know, if I were trying to actual harvest a large alaskan animal at such an extreme distance (well first off I wouldn't try, but if I did....), I'd want a hardcore long range rig - an extremely well-accurized heavy turnbolt chambered in 7mm STW, 7mm Dakota, 7mm RUM, something like that. Possibly a .300 or .338 maggie / ultra maggie for bigger things like moose, etc. (although meese are usually in brushy/swampy areas). I don't think the .308 win has a lot of energy left past 600 yards or so - not for a big moose or bear - not ethically anyway.

In other words, just close the distance to 350 yards or don't take the shot. A miss will just spook the game anyway (usually).

I think the proper way to describe that square in English is "1 sq dm" or "one square decimeter".

 

[jbech123]

I am from Europe so I might have put that 1 cm sq I meant 1x10 which is a decimeter 10 cm up, down, left, right, it is fairly a big square. But that you guy's for the info

That's still pretty darn good shooting at 900m.
Anyway accuracy aside, the 308 is not enough gun for that. You could upgrade to a 300 rum, 338-378 weatherby or other super blaster of some sort. But really if you have any kind of stealth or hunting experience, getting within 400 yards of a moose or caribou is not that big a deal. Alaska is big country for sure, but I've killed 6 caribou, 3 bears, a wolf and a moose there in 3 trips with a 308, and my longest shot was ~275yards.

 

[blitzen]

I'll second what others have said and say again, keep your sniper shots restricted to punching holes in paper targets. There is no excuse for taking shots at un wounded game much beyond 300 yds. I suggest improving your stalking skills first.

 

[X-Rap]

This is the second thread this guy has started that stretches belief or reality.
You guys go ahead and entertain him and I'll watch.

 

[lopezni]

Draganovs and PSG1's in Alaska. I bet you hunt whitetail in Virginia with a 10/22 huh?

 

[caribou]

Thats CRAZY!

Man o man, you can get so much closer, and then make your shot.

Get close and choose your animal.Have a good look and dont get a sick one or something you didnt want. Caribou are often in groups that shift and scatter, so its good to get close when theres more than one bull anyway.

.308 is fine for Caribou, as are most all .243 to .338, its shot placement that counts, and the closer you are the better the chances are at proper placement. Im not bagging on your shooing skill, you can save the 700 yard stuff for the wounded guy thats getting away, and that can be pretty damn quick with a Caribou.

I live here, and use a 7.62X54R on everything, in my M-39

The closer you are the better the Hunting.....Its hunting, not just shooting.

Good luck!

 

[Boolit]

Agreed. I personally believe 300-400 yards should be the max for any fast-moving game. I think it's essential for getting a clean, enthical, humane kill.

 

[Cosmoline]

Listen to caribou--those are his animals your looking to hunt anyway ;-)