The new guy with the age old question

[AKRyan]

Howdy folks, so im new to both this site and truly LR hunting in General. Meaning I never set out with the idea of a 3,4,or 500 yd and beyond shot being the end goal.
Over the years due to population growth and tech advancements life & hunting have changed in Alaska forever Im afraid.
the days of driving to hunt and 100 yd or less shots are pretty well gone, cuz the critters are keen on humans and hunting season.
Im faced with that reality, no problem. I love to shoot, and shooting long range is fun and a challenge. I have a Remington Long action I want to build a true Long Range rifle with. Age old question time.
What Cartridge/chambering is really best for Alaska and LR hunting?
Im not impressed by the ultra mag family so if anyone has some ideas and wants to share that'd be awesome. Im pretty sure this is an tiring question for many here.
Sorry to be that guy. I've read a bunch here & other places & still cant make my decision.
main target/s Moose and Caribou maybe sheep and goats but not so much.
I would say I could never bring myself to shoot at game over 700 yards but then I never had equipment that could do it & never had the opportunity presented either.
I kind of favor 30-06/ 270 Win non magnum Cartridges but this is a new world for this beat up Marine. Thanks & hope its not too boring a question.

 

[gillettehunter]

Age old question with many right answers. I have a friend that has his 30-06 set up as a long range rifle and get's 1/2 minute out of it. With your large Alaskan moose I wouldn't go under a 7mm/.28 caliber with bullets over 160 grains. The .30 calipers are going to be even better. Use a 200 grain or bigger bullet in the .30 caliber and you have a winner. A .300 Dakota might be a better choice than the 30-06. Look through a reloading book. Try for a caliber that will send a 200 gr bullet at 2800 fps or more and you'll be in good shape. Bruce

 

[AKRyan]

thanks for the thoughts. I have a 300 Rem Ultra already, hence my mention in original post. I understand validity of 300 Dakota. Im steered away by cost of Brass
& availability. That's my main gripe with the Ultra. it just so happens I came across 100 pieces of once fired today. Im going to work up loads and see what comes of it.
I hear what you're saying about Alaska Moose and a min 7mm. But then I watch my wife every year Smoke one moose and a Caribou with a 270 Win on a Remington 7400 semi auto action. She's my best friend and seeing that annually is Amazing. I know the 270 can handle the Meese. this year my 12 yr old daughter gets first shot with my old, faithful & trustworthy 7x57 Mauser. granted the shots won't be "LR" by any stretch. Now that I have Ultra Brass I should be able to work something up.
starting with 200 grn Accubonds, any advice there? I have IMR 7828 & a couple #'s of RL 33 I thought about working.

 

[JoeS1044]

thanks for the thoughts. I have a 300 Rem Ultra already, hence my mention in original post. I understand validity of 300 Dakota. Im steered away by cost of Brass
& availability. That's my main gripe with the Ultra. it just so happens I came across 100 pieces of once fired today. Im going to work up loads and see what comes of it.
I hear what you're saying about Alaska Moose and a min 7mm. But then I watch my wife every year Smoke one moose and a Caribou with a 270 Win on a Remington 7400 semi auto action. She's my best friend and seeing that annually is Amazing. I know the 270 can handle the Meese. this year my 12 yr old daughter gets first shot with my old, faithful & trustworthy 7x57 Mauser. granted the shots won't be "LR" by any stretch. Now that I have Ultra Brass I should be able to work something up.
starting with 200 grn Accubonds, any advice there? I have IMR 7828 & a couple #'s of RL 33 I thought about working.

you could go with a 6.5 caliber like the 6.5x284, 6.5 creedmoor, 6.5x55 all of these have long range capabilities buck the wing nicely with the high BC bullets and have less recoil if that is a factor and the 6.5 cartridge has been killing moose and other game over in Europe for generations

 

[Speedo]

you could go with a 6.5 caliber like the 6.5x284, 6.5 creedmoor, 6.5x55 all of these have long range capabilities buck the wing nicely with the high BC bullets and have less recoil if that is a factor and the 6.5 cartridge has been killing moose and other game over in Europe for generations

While you might be heading out after moose or caribou there are other critters that one is somewhat likely to encounter in Alaska and a 6.5 is not what I would want in my hands if you should encounter a griz while going after a moose. For that reason I prefer to use .30 caliber or larger for moose and caribou.

AkRyan, I don't know where you hunt and I won't ask but if you're hunting above treeline the long range shooting really starts to look like a good option. My wife is my number one hunting partner and she does most of her hunting with a 300 saum and has shot a couple grizzlies with it.

Gus

 

[HARPERC]

Age old question with many right answers. I have a friend that has his 30-06 set up as a long range rifle and get's 1/2 minute out of it. With your large Alaskan moose I wouldn't go under a 7mm/.28 caliber with bullets over 160 grains. The .30 calipers are going to be even better. Use a 200 grain or bigger bullet in the .30 caliber and you have a winner. A .300 Dakota might be a better choice than the 30-06. Look through a reloading book. Try for a caliber that will send a 200 gr bullet at 2800 fps or more and you'll be in good shape. Bruce

Can't add much to that.

Alaska has so many possibilities one perfect caliber may not be there. If you don't care for the RUM's, a .300 Winchester Magnum remains a solid tough to beat choice. Generally more available.

 

[Kenny0709]

+ 1 on the 300 win mag

 

[FEENIX]

Howdy folks, so im new to both this site and truly LR hunting in General. Meaning I never set out with the idea of a 3,4,or 500 yd and beyond shot being the end goal.
Over the years due to population growth and tech advancements life & hunting have changed in Alaska forever Im afraid.
the days of driving to hunt and 100 yd or less shots are pretty well gone, cuz the critters are keen on humans and hunting season.
Im faced with that reality, no problem. I love to shoot, and shooting long range is fun and a challenge. I have a Remington Long action I want to build a true Long Range rifle with. Age old question time.
What Cartridge/chambering is really best for Alaska and LR hunting?
Im not impressed by the ultra mag family so if anyone has some ideas and wants to share that'd be awesome. Im pretty sure this is an tiring question for many here.
Sorry to be that guy. I've read a bunch here & other places & still cant make my decision.
main target/s Moose and Caribou maybe sheep and goats but not so much.
I would say I could never bring myself to shoot at game over 700 yards but then I never had equipment that could do it & never had the opportunity presented either.
I kind of favor 30-06/ 270 Win non magnum Cartridges but this is a new world for this beat up Marine. Thanks & hope its not too boring a question.

Welcome to LRH and enjoy!

Thank you also for your service to our great nation.

If you like the .270 Win and you reload, check out http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f5/270-win-long-range-shooting-86901/

I too am a big .300 Win Mag but I have a .270 AI pushing the 175 Matrix VLD at 2993 FPS as my accuracy load (at least for now).

You might also want to check out (use the custom search on the top right and corner) the 270 Sherman - a gain of ~100 FPS over the .270 AI.

Good luck!