Alaska Grizzly Bullet Choice

I might just be a scaredy-cat but if I was hunting grizzlys, I would not bring anything short of a 338RUM and would probably take my 375Ruger.

Based on the things that I've read; I know that my 6.5 Creed would be adequate but I have to justify the purchase of my 375.

Out of state hunter, that means guide. O chance of him heading down into a thicket of alders in a ravine after a wounded bear. Be a calm shot backed up. 200 grain controlled expansion be perfecf, especially if the op shoots it well.

comfisherman said:

Out of state hunter, that means guide. O chance of him heading down into a thicket of alders in a ravine after a wounded bear. Be a calm shot backed up. 200 grain controlled expansion be perfecf, especially if the op shoots it well.

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I don't recall the OP stating he was hiring a guide?

Out of State hunters aren't required to hire a registered Alaska guide to hunt grizzly/brown bears, IF they hunt with an Alaska resident who's that's a first degree of kindred relative.

Paul aren't you my first cousin??? Hunting buddy!

Reemty J said:

Paul aren't you my first cousin??? Hunting buddy!

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Haha...
I'd have to be your father, brother, or son, to meet the regulatory definition of first degree of kindred. Cousins be outta luck!

Here ya go this might help! memtb

I'm 62, just call me brother, from another mother!

Well in that case it would be a family affair in the alder thicket, and would make for a good story either way. If it's a success it's a good story and if not it's a viral story.

quandary said:

Round for Grizzly and Caribou hunt on Alaska north slope. 300 Win Mag is a given. 200gr Federal Terminal Ascent or 200gr Swift A-Frame. Both bullets have great attributes. 6 of 1, half dozen of the other? The Terminal Ascents will be the factory loads the A-Frames will be home loaded developed before trip next August. Terminal Ascents shoot great in my rifle and have better ballistic design. A-Frames are tried and true. If the A-Frame loads are not consistently accurate the rifle will make the decision for me.

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Sounds like a great hunt and I'm sure you will really enjoy the North Slope!

To your question:

I shoot 250gr A-Frames out of my 338WM for Brown Bear up in AK and carry a back-up rifle in 300 WM with either 200gr Partitions or 175gr Barnes LRX to camp in case it's needed. The choice of bullets there depends on what my hunting partner has. I want to carry similar rounds in case we leave them somewhere And need to share. All mentioned have worked well on AK game. So take what shoots for you.

The TAs (6.5/.277/.284/.308) was a bullet that during the Covid bullet drought I had boxes available that I had previously acquired for reloading. I tried them in every configuration, cartridge, powder, speed, primer….etc. that I could think of because I desperately wanted to make them work. Mostly because I didn't have many other premium hunting bullets to load and shelves were empty. Unfortunately, I could not get them to shoot with any consistency and no matter the cartridge, the same thing always happened. I would shoot a 5 round group with 3 or 4 into a small group and then 1 flyer. It had no rhyme or reason and I could not diagnose a common cause. That flyer would push the groups to 1.5+/- MOA and I decided to shelve the bullets for more accurate choices. There is quite a bit of discussion on this forum if you want to search for it on this bullet and I provide my experiences in a bit more detail. Most of those comments seem to focus on accuracy and not much on performance so it may not be what you want to read.

Bottom line with the TA was that I decided that it might work as a hunting bullet just fine but I would need to stay inside about 300 yds or so to be comfortable with the accuracy. I have no reason to believe they would not be an outstanding round for the application but I went another direction when I found the components listed above and as a bonus those all shoot sub .5" five shot groups. All my hunting is in AK and ID so long range shots do present themselves, that is what ultimately drove my decision not to load them.

Good luck and please let us know what you decide and post pics when you get home. Safe travels.

I killed my grizz with a 200ab out of my 300rum...

What kind of velocity in that RUM with 200 grain accubonds? I remember you showing the bullets removed from the bear!

The north slope is conspicuously devoid of alder thickets for the most part. I never saw an alder in 17 days. Shots won't be 20 yards but more likely 100-200.

Good point didn't see north slope, so empty and open if you spook the game you'll watch it run away for days.

Sadly I have been unsuccessful 2x for Kodiak. Almost spent all my lifetime hunting funds trying for one. I was carrying a 375 H&H loaded with 300 gr TBBC.
Guides told me not to shoot closer than 50 yards nor further than 200. Closer and they will destroy everything within the 50 yards before expiring. Further than 200 yds you will have to go into the alders to find them and that can get very scary!
My only shot turned up at 240 yds moving, so I didn't take it.
Barren ground grizzly I'd have no issue to 300 yds with a quality bullet because you should be able to keep shooting for a long way. That said, I'd hate to have to walk across a lot of tundra to get to my trophy!
I am envious of your hunt! Best of luck! You're going to have a great experience (if the Alaska State birds don't drive you crazy! )