So I'm planning on building a "pistol" to hunt with. This will be a bolt action in a chassis with a folding stabilizing brace.
I realize that this isn't what the specialty pistol forum is usually about, but I figured you guys would be the best place for the info I need.
I live in Alaska and do a lot of hiking/backpacking and would like to be abke to have a compact, lightweight rig to bring with me during hunting season where the likelihood of my spotting anything is slim, but not impossible.
Brown bears are not on the menu for me to shoot (they are NOT good eating usually) black bears... Possibly. This will mainly be for moose, caribou, sheep, and goats. With the occasional predator (fox, lynx, coyote) thrown in.
I'd like to stick with a 12" barrel unless there's a really good reason not too. I'm not stuck on a short action, and I'm open to magnum cartridges. Shots on game will likely be 400yds max. I try to get as close as possible when hunting, so most are around 100yds typically
I've really been looking pretty hard at a 338 federal. That seems like the best balance of power, recoil, and muzzle blast to me.
I can handload and wont rule out a wildcat, but factory available ammo is a huge plus.
You guys think there is anything better for up here?