I recently received a 7mm Ultra Mag Remington LSS as a gift. Most of my hunting is for whitetail and mule deer. Given the power of the 7mm Ultra Mag, I may try black bear or elk hunting. At friend comes from a family that operates a well established guide service in Alaska, and I have been invited up. My impression is that the 7mm Ultra Mag is suitable for caribu and moose, what about brown bear. A couple of years ago one of the gun magazines featured an article about a brown bear Alaskan hunt using the 7mm Ultra Mag with the 140 g. bullet. I would think a 160 g. or 175 g. with a premium bullet would be a better choice. What do you think?

A somewhat related question: is it necessary to have stainless steel action and barrel for Alaska?

Any of our many Alaskan members are sure to answer your questions with more authority, but I'll offer this advice:

My 7mm Dakota is very similar in ballistics to your 7mm RUM. You will not be undergunned for caribou and under sized animals. Getting into the moose catagory, they are large animals in the 1100 - 1500 lb class and take a lot of punishment before dropping over. Any well placed shot into the heart, lungs or central nerve system is going to kill the animal, just some may stay on their feet and travel a bit before expiring.

Brown and grizzly bears are a catagory unto themselves. Solid muscles, big bones and a nasty disposition. Again, any shot that can get into the lethal zones will cause death - the question is, how soon? If I personally were to opt for the .284 caliber hunting them, it would be with the heaviest bullets of the most rugged construction available. Fortunately, my 7 Dakota dotes on 175 grain bullets. This is my elk rifle and would make a good one to take to Alaska. Think the 45-70 would travel along for a bear gun, though.

BTW - think this thread should be down in the "Alaska Hunting" forum for a little better response.

kdub

I remember reading the article. Personally, I would not take a 7mm of any kind on a brown bear hunt. The animals are just too big and they deserve more than a marginal type chambering when being pursued. If all goes well, there may not be any noticeable difference with the kill between the 7mm's, the 300's, and 338's, etc... and so on. If things turn sour, I believe the 7mm, especially with a 140 grain load, is just lacking in too many areas.

A lot of places that you will hunt for the big brownies are dense alder, willow, and devil's club jungles. Shots may be quick and fleeting at odd angles. I would definitely want something of greater diameter throwing a much heavier slug (of outstanding construction) in that type of situation. If you are hunting in the great wide open, the 7mm may work exceptionally well for you, but I would still go with the heaviest and best constructed bullet I could find.

When hunting dangerous game in heavy cover, use the best gun for the job. As someone said earlier, there is replacement for displacement.

Paulinus, Listen to alyeska338 he is giving you the gospel. If you are going to alaska your 7mm ultramag will serve you well on everything that won't bite back.

The large bears are something else and as alyeska338 said they are often hunted in conditions that can bring you face to face with them.

When you are in that position the only thing that keeps you from being lower on the food chain is that rifle your carrying. Carry one with sufficient power to assure that critter stays below you on that food chain.

The 338 winchester, 340 Weatherby, 338 RUM all carry that kind of authority for Alaska's big bears. I personally shoot the old Remington 8 mag with a 250 gr. Woodly round nose.

If your friend runs a guide service he will probably have a rifle you can use for a bear hunt. He will probably also be able to tell you what is required for a bear gun there.

Good luck on your hunt up there.

Paulinus, Listen to alyeska338 he is giving you the gospel. If you are going to alaska your 7mm ultramag will serve you well on everything that won't bite back.

The large bears are something else and as alyeska338 said they are often hunted in conditions that can bring you face to face with them.

When you are in that position the only thing that keeps you from being lower on the food chain is that rifle your carrying. Carry one with sufficient power to assure that critter stays below you on that food chain.

The 338 winchester, 340 Weatherby, 338 RUM all carry that kind of authority for Alaska's big bears. I personally shoot the old Remington 8 mag with a 250 gr. Woodly round nose.

If your friend runs a guide service he will probably have a rifle you can use for a bear hunt. He will probably also be able to tell you what is required for a bear gun there.

Good luck on your hunt up there.

Not to discount what an experienced hunter from alaska has to offer, but I do have to mention the the 7mm RUM has more velocity and energy and the standard 338 at 200 yards.

Ask me if I would take a 7mm RUM to shoot a grizzly Sure thing! I would take that chance as I think the 7mm RUM is a better round than the 338.

First chance I have to hunt a grizzly that is what I am taking. I won't take a 140 grain bullet as that is obviously not a smart move and would take a 175 grain.

I have no worries about it doing the job!

Energy has nothing to do with killing the big bears. You simply cannot shock them the way you can with smaller animals.

Will a 7 Mag (of any flavor) kill a big bear, yeah, it will. Will it be as effective as something larger, no. If that bear is at close range and is aware you are there, it may have not be effective enough to keep it off you before it expires.

Your guide will not be using a 7mm, I can guarantee you that.

I suppose since the 7mm RUM has more energy than a .375 H&H at 300 yards that it would be a much better choice for hunting huge bears in close cover, especially if your going in after a wounded one.

.375H&H-MAG will effectively kill ANYTHING capable of eating you...that walks, or swims on this planet.

300GRN/Swift A-Frames would be the load of choice for the real dangerous quadrupeds.

250GRN/A-Frames downloaded for all the other "big-stuff"...

...I recently hunted in Africa. Was I hunting Lion?...NO. But that doesn't mean one wasn't up to hunting me. I carried a 375[6]Steyr pushing 250GRN/A-Frames, and they killed everything I hit with them...dead-as-dead can be.

- ALWAYS carry a weapon fully capable of stopping the largest predator in the food chain that you enter.

Not to discount what an experienced hunter from alaska has to offer, but I do have to mention the the 7mm RUM has more velocity and energy and the standard 338 at 200 yards.

Ask me if I would take a 7mm RUM to shoot a grizzly Sure thing! I would take that chance as I think the 7mm RUM is a better round than the 338.

First chance I have to hunt a grizzly that is what I am taking. I won't take a 140 grain bullet as that is obviously not a smart move and would take a 175 grain.

I have no worries about it doing the job!

It's one thing to talk about doing a thing and another when the time comes to do it. I only spent five years in Alaska, but I can remember about one hunter a year getting killed by a Brown or big grizzly.

When you talk about taking a chance does that mean that your willing to also take the chance of depriving your loved ones of you?

People do get killed taking chances every day, hang gliding, climbing, bungee jumping, motorcycle racing, etc. The problem is sometimes they leave families wondering why.

I've personally never understood the reason folks would take those chances, but they do. A friend of mine just had his son get killed in a car accident involving alcohol after his high school graduation, and I know it happens every day across our country, but is it anymore unreasonalble than putting yourself in a position of facing down a 1300 pound wounded brown bear in the brush with a gun that just does not have the power to stop it? His and his familys grief can never be helped by the explanation that his son would take the chance.

I know you may have just blew completly out that brown's heart with that high energy ultra magnum. Problem is the bear doesn't know it's dead and being mad as **** it's gonna get back at whatever hurt it.

These things actually happen and folks actually get killed by critters they can't stop with the weapon on hand, and yes it happens once in a while to folks with the right weapons too.

Point is think of significant others and come equipped for them also.

Not to discount what an experienced hunter from alaska has to offer, but I do have to mention the the 7mm RUM has more velocity and energy and the standard 338 at 200 yards.

Ask me if I would take a 7mm RUM to shoot a grizzly Sure thing! I would take that chance as I think the 7mm RUM is a better round than the 338.

First chance I have to hunt a grizzly that is what I am taking. I won't take a 140 grain bullet as that is obviously not a smart move and would take a 175 grain.

I have no worries about it doing the job!

Forget about all that energy out of your 7mm RUM, because what you want is a heavy bullet with great SD from 250 grains to 400 or so grains. Penetration and bone-breaking capabilities is what you want when hunting grizzly/brown bears, and you will hardly get that with lightweight bullets. The .338WM is just the low end of grizzly hunting, and even so, the 7mm RUM can't even touch it. The .338WM with 275-grain Swift A-Frame bullets pushed a little over 2,500 fps, or with 300-grain Woodleigh at 2,400 fps is an outstanding bear "hunting" gun. The guide will more than likely use a stopper such as one of the .416's.

But your 7mm RUM will do just fine for moose, and caribou. Caribou can probably be killed with a sling shot (just kidding). Lots of people use .220-222's and even 6mm's for caribou. The 7 will do fine for moose, as long as you don't forget shot placement. A good shot through the heart/lungs will kill a moose shortly after. A grizzly is an entirely different story, simply because their heart beat is very slow. A heart-shot grizzly could go far before it drops. If it runs away from you, then that's not problem, but if it charges from 50 yards away, it still can get you before it dies.

no insult intended, but it's easy to talk about shooting one of these big bears from afar with a gun that is marginal in calibre, penetration and energy. It's a completly different matter if you've ever been up close and personal with one.

when your in brush 9 feet high and one stands up and you can see his head and shoulders 20 feet from you it can be, well almost a religous experience. If you've seen that same bear run thru that brush without slowing down at 20-25 miles per hour, well there you go.

Thoughts of a 7mm rifle of any persuasion can leave ones head in a hurry.

I guess it's just one of those things you need to experience to understand.

It is interesting that threads seem to live their own life. I stated this one a year ago. I have traded the 7 RUM mentioned in the original posting, and due to our daughter developing cancer posponed an Alaskian bear hunt. Some year soon I hope to make the hunt.

After shooting the 7RUM, reading comments on this forum, and speaking with Alaskan guides, I think that a good medium bore is the way to go. I have owned a Ruger Mk II in .338 Win. and while it was a satisfactory combination it did not fit me well. I have begun to consider other options (see other thread) and am looking at something in 375 H&H. to go with my 300 Win. mag, 257 Wby., and 243 Win.

I have begun to consider other options (see other thread) and am looking at something in 375 H&H. to go with my 300 Win. mag, 257 Wby., and 243 Win.
Wow! Now that is a hunting battery of firearms! The 300 and 375 really complement one another. I still think that 300 should be the H&H version, but that's because I'm strange, I guess. :D

Naw - You're just a romantic, Alyeska!!

Probably would like to go lion hunting with a switch, too! :D

Paulinus........I won't go into detail of why NOT use a particular caliber such as the 7mm caliber or .308 calibers to hunt those big bears in Alaska or Russia.

However, I will relay the advice of a famous bear guide who hunted those big brown bears up into his 70's. His words to me once years back, were simply these: "If your going to hunt the big bears, get yourself a model 70 Winchester in a .375 H&H".......I did take his advice and never regretted doing so. He was a living legend for hunting bears!

My gun of choice for big bruins is my model 70 .416 Rem. using 350 grain Swift A Frame bullets. You need lots of bullet for the big bruins and to date I can't think of anything being to big as long as your accurate enough on target. Remember bears are Professional Killers!

Paulinus we have added your daughter to our prayer list.
GOD BLESS!

This post has been Deleted sorry! :D :D :D

I've never hunted the big bears but in the early 70's my dad took a grizzly up in the Yukon with 300 Win Mag. It was in the open and it wasn't a large bear and if I had to guess I'd say in the 4-500 lb range. Much different than creeping around the thickets looking for a 1000 + lb coastal bear. I don't think I'd want anything less than a 338 Win Mag with heavier bullets. Use enough gun when you're hunting something that can toss you around like a mouse, this isn't the time to hunt something undergunned based on paper ballistics.

I recently received a 7mm Ultra Mag Remington LSS as a gift. Most of my hunting is for whitetail and mule deer. Given the power of the 7mm Ultra Mag, I may try black bear or elk hunting. At friend comes from a family that operates a well established guide service in Alaska, and I have been invited up. My impression is that the 7mm Ultra Mag is suitable for caribu and moose, what about brown bear. A couple of years ago one of the gun magazines featured an article about a brown bear Alaskan hunt using the 7mm Ultra Mag with the 140 g. bullet. I would think a 160 g. or 175 g. with a premium bullet would be a better choice. What do you think?

A somewhat related question: is it necessary to have stainless steel action and barrel for Alaska?
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Paulinus:

Since your post was in fiscal 2004 and still active, I decided to reply. The 7MM RUM, by any measurement of standards, is a caliber to be classified as a"high-terminal" performer. It reaches levels, when handloading is employed, to 4000lbs or better.

The question is it a viable Brown Bear gun is almost certain. The laws of physics and ballistics will not deny it's capabilities. If you read exerpts from the legendary Jack O'Connor, the 7MM Remington Magnum fit the bill for any species of grizzly or brown bear. The 7MM Rum exceeds energy levels of the standard 7MM Magnum by 700 foot pounds and in some cases hitting as much as 1000lbs. If the right bullet is used (CXP3 rated) it will perform on any big/dangerous game without reservation.

I was so confident in it's abilities, I purchased one myself. Actions speak louder than words! Good luck!

Joe

Paulinus,
hope your daughter is doing well. That is first and foremost. Alaska will still be here when you get your chance.

Sorry to see that 7mm RUM go. Nice rifle in an interesting caliber. It would have been like a thunderbolt on caribou.

The big bears have been killed with almost everything. It used to be that the 30-06 with 220 grain bullets was thought of as good bear medicine. For moose and black bear here in Alaska, I like my 30-06 loaded with 180 or 220 grain bullets.

HOWEVER, the day we saw Mr. Brown Bear's tracks where we were planning on moose hunting, I switched to my 416 Rigby for that trip. Why? When you are down in the alders or willows near a creek you know to have a salmon run like we were, the only usual game path winds drunkenly though the brush. Moose seem to only ned a path 16 inches wide to navigate and they can turn on a dime as they move so the twists and turns are sudden around the bushes. You DO NOT want to armed lightly in an alder thicket with MR. Brown Bear in a bad mood because you interrupted him. .338 Win Mag is a good start. Load heavy bullets.

oldfordjr, if you get a shot at an interior brownie/grizzly bear at 100+ yards, in the open, and he doesn't know you are there, yes, the 7mm RUM very well should work. It isn't a choice I'll stake my life on someplace where the bear has any cover. They are too fast and too tough to gamble with.

Scenario:

1 tank, your objective-take out tank.

Choice of weapon:

RPG-7, LAW Rocket, Dragon Anti-tank missle, TOW Missle, F-15E with 500lb drag bomb.

My choice: I do good commo with Eagle driver. Objective accomplished. I get to take the next test.

Paulinus........I won't go into detail of why NOT use a particular caliber such as the 7mm caliber or .308 calibers to hunt those big bears in Alaska or Russia.

However, I will relay the advice of a famous bear guide who hunted those big brown bears up into his 70's. His words to me once years back, were simply these: "If your going to hunt the big bears, get yourself a model 70 Winchester in a .375 H&H".......I did take his advice and never regretted doing so. He was a living legend for hunting bears!

My gun of choice for big bruins is my model 70 .416 Rem. using 350 grain Swift A Frame bullets. You need lots of bullet for the big bruins and to date I can't think of anything being to big as long as your accurate enough on target. Remember bears are Professional Killers!

Paulinus we have added your daughter to our prayer list.
GOD BLESS!

First off, I appreciate all the comments regardless of your position. Please keep in mind that I have hunted many of predators with less than a 7mm RUM. I am also an accomplished bow hunter and on ore than several occasions have taken black bear, cougar, elk, whitetail and several other beasts.

My point is I believe this round is a qualified round to take a big bear. Can a 22 LR take a whitetail deer? Sure can. Shot placement counts.

for some of the other people that responded to the thread about safety. First off I don't go in the woods un prepared I take precautions to ensure I will return home at the end of the day.

I currently carry a 454 Casull redhawk when in the field and would not try this with out a guide that was backing me up. I think that would be a little off base as well.

My point is, the 7mm RUM is a fine round and if you are an accomplished shooter then it will do the job. It is truly one **** of a round.

Try it. It drops lots of creatures where they stand.

I know.

Greetings:
I am not on the forum as much the last year or so, but feel some responsibility for this thread. In response to those who mentioned our daughter, she is doing reasonably well and the cancer is "under control." We appreciate your prayers.

I am deer hunting in Kansas this week and using the .257 Wby (miss that 7RUM, but that is history).

Since I have been hunting since 7 years of age (now 59), I know that shoot selection (placement) and having the correct bullet is essential to any hunt. Without a first hand experience with big bears, I am only estimating, but would not be afraid of using a 7RUM for bear. Having said that a 7RUM does not have much of a margin for error. For much of North American large game a 7RUM is enough or more than enough. When (if) I get to Alaska, I will probably have a .375 H&H; though I would like to know more about the new 338 Federal.

Paul the 338 Federal is a 308 case necked up to 338. It would be very simular to the 358 Win. You might want to take a look at the new 375 Ruger just introduced or at least a 338 Win mag. I've been out of Alaska since 1979, but when I was there the 339 Win mag was a very popular cartridge.

Paul the 338 Federal is a 308 case necked up to 338. It would be very simular to the 358 Win. You might want to take a look at the new 375 Ruger just introduced or at least a 338 Win mag. I've been out of Alaska since 1979, but when I was there the 339 Win mag was a very popular cartridge.
If the 338 Federal is similar to the 358 Win. it would be a bit on the light side for big bears. I have not read much about the 375 Ruger, just a notice somewhere. It might be a possibility. The 338 Win mag does appear to be an almost universally recommended round for bears.

First off, I appreciate all the comments regardless of your position. Please keep in mind that I have hunted many of predators with less than a 7mm RUM. I am also an accomplished bow hunter and on ore than several occasions have taken black bear, cougar, elk, whitetail and several other beasts.

My point is I believe this round is a qualified round to take a big bear. Can a 22 LR take a whitetail deer? Sure can. Shot placement counts.

for some of the other people that responded to the thread about safety. First off I don't go in the woods un prepared I take precautions to ensure I will return home at the end of the day.

I currently carry a 454 Casull redhawk when in the field and would not try this with out a guide that was backing me up. I think that would be a little off base as well.

My point is, the 7mm RUM is a fine round and if you are an accomplished shooter then it will do the job. It is truly one **** of a round.

Try it. It drops lots of creatures where they stand.

I know.

You definately can't argue with results! For me the type of terrain dictates my preference for what round. My father took a one shot kill on an interior grizzly with a 300 Win Mag at about (if I remember correctly) 100 yards or so. But IMO, that is a different situation than creeping around tag alders....I'd prefer something with a larger bore. I'm still amazed how fast these things are. You wouldn't think they're that quick looking at one.

You definately can't argue with results! For me the type of terrain dictates my preference for what round. My father took a one shot kill on an interior grizzly with a 300 Win Mag at about (if I remember correctly) 100 yards or so. But IMO, that is a different situation than creeping around tag alders....I'd prefer something with a larger bore. I'm still amazed how fast these things are. You wouldn't think they're that quick looking at one.

And that gentlemen, is what I was thinking about. Mr. Brown Bear is tooooo fast and too scary bad.

We need a Big Scary Teeth icon for stuff like this. :)

M1,
Brings up a great point. If my idea of bear hunting was shooting one at 100 yards plus, with a guide backing me up, the 7 Ultra or STW with the right bullets would be better than fine.

I, along with most Alaskans and quite a few guides like Phil Shoemaker, feel hunting the big bears is more like hunting elephants or cape buffalo, something done up close. The brown bear, polar bear and grizzly bear are North America's true dangerous game animals. For comparison in the world today, it would be the African Big Five or Six and hunting done in a similar fashion. Spot & stalk, still-hunting and tracking to get in close within breath smelling range.

And remember, if something goes wrong it isn't just wounding an animal and not finding it. It will require your guide to track that animal down in the thickest alder, willow and devils club jungles that you can imagine. It is getting in there where visibility limit is pretty much the end of your gun barrel. Not only have you put your hunt and a lot of big money at risk (the big bear hunts are anywhere from 12000-16000 on average), but you are going to put your guide at risk. Alaska law requires the guide to follow up and dispatch the wounded animal without putting the client at risk. The guide will be in the lead.

Bears aren't that hard to kill when everything goes right. I know some fellow Alaska residents that take the opportunity to bag some very big bears with some very small caliber rifles. But they do know the consequences and wait till everything is absolutely perfect for the shot. When you only have a week or two to bring down the critter you have paid 15 grand for, sometimes people pressure themselves into not waiting till everything is perfect, or the perfect opportunity doesn't occur. Then when the shot angles are acute or obtuse, I really prefer something with a bit bigger bullet that is designed for all penetration and bone breaking ability.

That's my take for the visiting hunter. I hunt and work in these big bears kitchen and I can tell you, I want something of at least 30 caliber stoked with the best constructed bullet I can find with outstanding sectional density. When I built a rifle for bear, my requirements were very similar to what the African PH's recommend. I wanted with a 40 caliber or larger, throwing a **** for stout constructed bullet of at least .3 sectional density at a minimum of 2100 fps. If any of those requirements weren't met, I kept looking. While the visiting hunter doesn't necessarily need the 40 cal, I would recommend a 30 cal minimum and the rest of the requirements in place. Note, energy had nothing to do with it. When talking about dangerous game minimums, it never does...

Thanks Alyeska,

Nicely put. I'm just not that articulate.

Not to discount what an experienced hunter from alaska has to offer, but I do have to mention the the 7mm RUM has more velocity and energy and the standard 338 at 200 yards.

Ask me if I would take a 7mm RUM to shoot a grizzly Sure thing! I would take that chance as I think the 7mm RUM is a better round than the 338.

First chance I have to hunt a grizzly that is what I am taking. I won't take a 140 grain bullet as that is obviously not a smart move and would take a 175 grain.

I have no worries about it doing the job!
That is the kind of attitude that is gets people killed, I don't care how much energy the 7 RUM has, it just doesn't have the killing power of the .338 or the .375, energy means nothing when a 1500 lb grizzly is trying to rip you into pieces, bullet diameter and weight, mean a **** of a lot more.

First off, I appreciate all the comments regardless of your position. Please keep in mind that I have hunted many of predators with less than a 7mm RUM. I am also an accomplished bow hunter and on ore than several occasions have taken black bear, cougar, elk, whitetail and several other beasts.

My point is I believe this round is a qualified round to take a big bear. Can a 22 LR take a whitetail deer? Sure can. Shot placement counts.

for some of the other people that responded to the thread about safety. First off I don't go in the woods un prepared I take precautions to ensure I will return home at the end of the day.

I currently carry a 454 Casull redhawk when in the field and would not try this with out a guide that was backing me up. I think that would be a little off base as well.

My point is, the 7mm RUM is a fine round and if you are an accomplished shooter then it will do the job. It is truly one **** of a round.

Try it. It drops lots of creatures where they stand.

I know.
Again, you just can't take your Ultra Super duper magnum, and hunt anything on the planet, like most think, they have limitations as well, and the 7 RUM, would never be on my plane ride into grizzly territory. It just doesn't have the bone smashing abilities of the larger bores, and, BTW, the 7mm RUM doesn't have more power than the .338'ss with factory ammo.

M1,
Brings up a great point. If my idea of bear hunting was shooting one at 100 yards plus, with a guide backing me up, the 7 Ultra or STW with the right bullets would be better than fine.

I, along with most Alaskans and quite a few guides like Phil Shoemaker, feel hunting the big bears is more like hunting elephants or cape buffalo, something done up close. The brown bear, polar bear and grizzly bear are North America's true dangerous game animals. For comparison in the world today, it would be the African Big Five or Six and hunting done in a similar fashion. Spot & stalk, still-hunting and tracking to get in close within breath smelling range.

And remember, if something goes wrong it isn't just wounding an animal and not finding it. It will require your guide to track that animal down in the thickest alder, willow and devils club jungles that you can imagine. It is getting in there where visibility limit is pretty much the end of your gun barrel. Not only have you put your hunt and a lot of big money at risk (the big bear hunts are anywhere from 12000-16000 on average), but you are going to put your guide at risk. Alaska law requires the guide to follow up and dispatch the wounded animal without putting the client at risk. The guide will be in the lead.

Bears aren't that hard to kill when everything goes right. I know some fellow Alaska residents that take the opportunity to bag some very big bears with some very small caliber rifles. But they do know the consequences and wait till everything is absolutely perfect for the shot. When you only have a week or two to bring down the critter you have paid 15 grand for, sometimes people pressure themselves into not waiting till everything is perfect, or the perfect opportunity doesn't occur. Then when the shot angles are acute or obtuse, I really prefer something with a bit bigger bullet that is designed for all penetration and bone breaking ability.

That's my take for the visiting hunter. I hunt and work in these big bears kitchen and I can tell you, I want something of at least 30 caliber stoked with the best constructed bullet I can find with outstanding sectional density. When I built a rifle for bear, my requirements were very similar to what the African PH's recommend. I wanted with a 40 caliber or larger, throwing a **** for stout constructed bullet of at least .3 sectional density at a minimum of 2100 fps. If any of those requirements weren't met, I kept looking. While the visiting hunter doesn't necessarily need the 40 cal, I would recommend a 30 cal minimum and the rest of the requirements in place. Note, energy had nothing to do with it. When talking about dangerous game minimums, it never does...
My favorite caliber for DG is the 416 Rem Mag.

Can you post a picture of your 416?

That is the kind of attitude that is gets people killed, I don't care how much energy the 7 RUM has, it just doesn't have the killing power of the .338 or the .375, energy means nothing when a 1500 lb grizzly is trying to rip you into pieces, bullet diameter and weight, mean a **** of a lot more.
I think we need to end this one. Let's be civil here. The fact is, a 7mm whatever will probably be fine for the visiting client because he will be required to hire a guide. The will be backing him should things not go right.

This thread has been beat to death and everyone that has wanted a chance to respond has had that opportunity. Fair enough?

Sounds good to me, Alyeska - let's shoot it with a 7mm RUM! :D