Seeking Advice on Caliber Choice

[Midwestguy92]

This fall I will be taking a trip down the Alagnak River in Alaska in hopes of tagging my first Alaskan Yukon Moose. I grew up shooting a 7mm 08 but realize it doesn't have the ideal knock down power for this situation.

I have been looking for a gun that is able to take down a moose; however, I will also be using it for Whitetails in Northern Missouri as well as Mule Deer and Elk out west.

From my research it seems as though the 7mm rem mag and 300 are the most popular caliber for these types of hunts. I was curious to know what other people thought.

If a 300 is suggested, which is better a 300 WSM, a 300 Win Mag, or a 300 Rem Ultra Mag?

Also, what is the recoil difference between all of these guns?

 

[Rick Richard]

The ones you are contemplating are all great calibers loaded with the correct projectile. However, the 300 RUM will be 'over kill' for Whitetail in my opinion.

I like the 300 WM since ammo is easily available in most stores in various loads if you don't reload.

 

[Dosh]

92, how about the 300 Win Mag with the 215-230 Berger bullet. Many here use that combo with great accuracy. Brass and other components are generally plentiful. Recoil is moderate. Good luck on your hunts.

 

[Barrelnut]

That sounds like an exciting trip.

I shoot a 7 rem mag, 300 WSM and 300 RUM. Out of your list of cartridges though, I would pick the 300 Win Mag.

Reasons:
1) It has more punch for moose than the 7 Rem Mag.
2) It is very reliable cycling in a bolt action rifle due to the belt, taper and length of the cartridge. The 300 WSM and 300 RUM use a rebated rim and and in a cold, wet, sandy environment, I would want the most reliable cycling cartridge available.
3) 300 WSM rifles often only hold 2 rounds. 300 Win Mags hold 3.
4) 300 WSM starts loosing some oomph with the 200 Gr. plus bullets unless you use a custom throat.
5) The 300 Win Mag is THE classic all round cartridge for the type of North American hunting you describe.
6) 300 Win Mag ammo is everywhere if yours is lost for some reason.

Unless you are specifically trying for a long range harvest of a moose, I would pick a 200 Gr. Nosler Accubond or Nosler Partition for the bullet. If long range is a real possibility, I would choose the Accubond.

 

[Barrelnut]

Also, as far a recoil goes, the 7 Rem Mag, 300 WSM, and 300 Win Mag are all manageable in a hunting situation. With the 300 RUM, you might start wanting to put a break on it.

You might want to ask your guide what cartridge they recommend and their feeling about using a break.

 

[Orion2010]

This fall I will be taking a trip down the Alagnak River in Alaska in hopes of tagging my first Alaskan Yukon Moose. I grew up shooting a 7mm 08 but realize it doesn't have the ideal knock down power for this situation.

I have been looking for a gun that is able to take down a moose; however, I will also be using it for Whitetails in Northern Missouri as well as Mule Deer and Elk out west.

From my research it seems as though the 7mm rem mag and 300 are the most popular caliber for these types of hunts. I was curious to know what other people thought.

If a 300 is suggested, which is better a 300 WSM, a 300 Win Mag, or a 300 Rem Ultra Mag?

Also, what is the recoil difference between all of these guns?

None of the above . Alaskan Moose are big , you have to anchor them , its not archery .
They run into the water or alters and you loose them.
The 300 you mentioned wont do it .
There is a used 378 weatherby listed in this site , awesome gun for this purpose .
The game starts at 338 at best but the 378 is the gun for this trip.

 

[MOA Chaser]

And the 378 will be simply awesome (down right impressive) on whitetail as well!

 

[Orion2010]

And the 378 will be simply awesome (down right impressive) on whitetail as well!

You can always download a big caliber .
I can make my 30-378 equal to a 308 Win mag . No recoil fun accurate , kill whitetails and paper great .
I can make my 308 win shoot 180 grs at 3800 fps .
Get the picture ?
You cant go to big only to small.
I don't like to track game , I want light out in the same hoof print.
Waste of meat , no I shot both ways , lights out no adrenaline the best bet.

 

[MudRunner2005]

You can always download a big caliber .
I can make my 30-378 equal to a 308 Win mag . No recoil fun accurate , kill whitetails and paper great .
I can make my 308 win shoot 180 grs at 3800 fps .
Get the picture ?
You cant go to big only to small.
I don't like to track game , I want light out in the same hoof print.
Waste of meat , no I shot both ways , lights out no adrenaline the best bet.

I hope that is a type-o. Nobody can make a .308 Win shoot 3,800 fps with a 180gr bullet.

 

[Orion2010]

I hope that is a type-o. Nobody can make a .308 Win shoot 3,800 fps with a 180gr bullet.

No you can't make a 308 win shoot 3800 fps but I can down load my 30-378 to shoot the same as a 308 win.
Yes I can get 3800 fps out of my 30-378 weatherby with 168 gr bullets

 

[FEENIX]

None of the above . Alaskan Moose are big , you have to anchor them , its not archery .
They run into the water or alters and you loose them.
The 300 you mentioned wont do it .
There is a used 378 weatherby listed in this site , awesome gun for this purpose .
The game starts at 338 at best but the 378 is the gun for this trip.

Hmmm, the European's hunts moose and most with 6.5x55 Swede for over a 100 years with very good success, longer than our venerable .30-06. The key is shot placement and enough KE at POI ... and make every shots count.

I agree that they are big and tough animal and it's "your personal choice" but as the saying goes "There's more than one way to skin a cat" ... just saying.

Here's Keith harvesting a bull moose in AK with .270 Win.



Having said that, my personal pick out the OP's list is the .300 RUM with the 230 for moose and elk, and load down safely for WT and muley.

 

[roninflag]

92- what rifle? i would get a 300 win mag ; a 7mm or 30-06 would work too.

 

[bruce_ventura]

OP didn't say at what max ranges he wants to shoot moose and WT. If conditions limit the range to under 300 yds, I would recommend a larger caliber. All the .300 cal options mentioned are likely to damage meat at short range, unless you can safely handload down to a much lower MV (not trivial).

For shorter range, look at 8 mm - .375. Use a heavier bullet for moose and a lighter one for deer. For off the shelf rifles and ammo I would look at .338 Fed, .338 WM. RCM cartridges have some calibers in this range. For handloading, I would also consider .338-06, .35 Whelen.

If it where me, I would take my Browning BLR in .358 Win to Alaska. My .340 Wby would be my back-up rifle.

 

[Midwestguy92]

Thanks for all of the feed back and all of the help! I appreciate it!