I am vacillating between a 338 WM and 375 H&H I am left handed so that complicates finding non custom rifles. I am in the Navy but am an Alasakn resident. I hunt elk, moose, bears now. I have been using my 1886 45/70 for most of my now bow hunts but feel like I need a flatter shooting big bore.
Comments please?

what about a 405 winchester

I would pick the 375, ammo available everywhere in AK and works good on the big bears. It also shoots pretty flat for a big bore.

Either one would take care of the biggest game just fine, although I'd lean to the .375. In the "do everything" catagory, neither one would be my #1 choice in varminting or small game hunting...but for the big critters, don't think you'd be too disapointed in either.

To admit, the only .338 I've shot is a .340WM, and it was one of the older ones with th eexagerated "Weatherby" stock. Tended to a rather shap-sudden application of recoil...my face and the cheek piece shape just didn't match, the thing "slaped" me on the cheek bone eaach shot.

Once had a .375H&H that ran all of 7 1/4 pounds ( I later wised up and added 1 1/2 pounds of ballast). Not a pleasant gun to spend the day plinking with, but i'd rather shoot that lite-.375 that that ill-fitting .340WM.

Man, I hate to disagree with Bob, and I hope lightning doesn't strike me, but I'd opt for the 338 Win Mag. I can't remember what mag I read this in, but a good stout 250 gr .338 bullet usually out-penetrated a stout 300 gr .375. Lighter rifle, less recoil, and I'd bet 338 Win mag ammo is fairly available there. However, Bob has lived in Alaska, and I haven't, so factor that in!

Do everything rifle for North America? That implies a lot of deer hunting, plus antelope and hog hunting. Your considering a .375 or .338 for this??? Tremendous overkill. You might think about a .35 Whelen. Can't see shooting deer, antelope or feral hogs with a .338 or .375.

For me it would be a .30-06 for everything but the brownies. The -06 will dispatch moose and elk very cleanly. In fact it has accounted for more kills on those species than all other calibers combined. I'd then upgun for the browns. Your asking a lot to go from lopes and deer to brown bear. I would personally hunt Browns with the -06 before I would shoot an antelope with a .338 or .375. The .35 Whelen or .338-06 Ackley Improved might be real good compromise choices as well.

The .338 is undoutably the nost common magnum rifle in Alaska. That said, I would prefer the .375. Less kick, more push.
Either is too big for the Sitka Blacktails found on Kodiak and the other islands, but, since the gunshot is a dinnerbell for some of the world's biggest bears, maybe not TOO big.
One retired guide I knew, now deceased(of old age) used a .300 Savage. He gave me my tagline.

subdoc,
If I had to choose one rifle to hunt Alaska I would choose the 375 HH. Since I don't I also have a .325 wsm in a montana Kimber, a 300wsm in winchester featherweight and a wildwest marlin in 457.
Goldbelt

Hello,
Used to live in Eagle River, AK, now back in the steep, forested hills of West Virginia, but do miss Alaska at times.

Anyway, you mentioned North America taking in a whole host of game animals, from big bear to deer, antelope, etc. As mentioned by others the 338, 375 are great rounds but a bit much when taking other game that are not big and dangerous. My selection might seem strange, but for sometime how have learned to really like the 348 Winchester round in a Browning Model 71. I happen to favor peep sights for very familiar with them since shooting matches for years and find that if within 250 yards, no problem hitting the targets in the right spot. ( Most shots at game on average are far less than 250 yards from my own experience.) The 348 packs a substantial punch and yet works great on lighter game such a mule deer, whitetail, antelope, pigs, etc.

No it is not exotic, does not jar the earth when it goes off, only found in a lever gun-Win. or Brown version- but it will get the job done about anywhere or place you would go with it.
I am on the down hill side of this earthly travel and only wish I had discovered the 348 some decades ago. Just a suggestion and good luck.
dsiteman
Favor Center!!

Hello,
Used to live in Eagle River, AK, now back in the steep, forested hills of West Virginia, but do miss Alaska at times.

Anyway, you mentioned North America taking in a whole host of game animals, from big bear to deer, antelope, etc. As mentioned by others the 338, 375 are great rounds but a bit much when taking other game that are not big and dangerous. My selection might seem strange, but for sometime how have learned to really like the 348 Winchester round in a Browning Model 71. I happen to favor peep sights for very familiar with them since shooting matches for years and find that if within 250 yards, no problem hitting the targets in the right spot. ( Most shots at game on average are far less than 250 yards from my own experience.) The 348 packs a substantial punch and yet works great on lighter game such a mule deer, whitetail, antelope, pigs, etc.

No it is not exotic, does not jar the earth when it goes off, only found in a lever gun-Win. or Brown version- but it will get the job done about anywhere or place you would go with it.
I am on the down hill side of this earthly travel and only wish I had discovered the 348 some decades ago. Just a suggestion and good luck.
dsiteman
Favor Center!!

Nice choice. I am thinking something in the .348, .358 Win, .35 Whelen category splits the middle pretty well.

I just don't think one rifle is a good idea for Alaska, much less all of North America. I have used a 338 WM as a one rifle for everything for many years up here, but found it lacking in some areas while exceling in others. Same could be said for the 375. As much as I like my 338 and as many hunts and miles it has accompanied me, I find it to be bother while on a sheep or goat hunt, and am not completely comfortable with it going into the alder jungles after big bears.

To me, short or even medium range cartridges limit you unnecessarily, especially if you consider continent wide hunting. Even here in AK, when you start after animals like Dall Sheep, Caribou, or Mountain Goat, you decrease your chances of success with those.

A heavy barrel long range rifle is not one you want to do a pack in type with either or fight the alders and devils club with all day. A rifle that is a lightweight wonder and great for the mountains, is probably not the rifle you want chambered for a cartridge that is a brown bear stopper.

It's not just about the cartridge you choose either. The rifle needs to be suited to the task you are asking of it. A short, light quick handling rifle is great in the brush, but isn't ideal when the ram is on the other side of the glacier and ready to scoot.

If you absolutely must have one rifle for everything, pick one that will handle the worst scenerio imaginable, a charge by an enraged brown bear at spitting distance. If that means you go sheepless on many sheep hunts because the range is too great, or tire too quickly because you are lugging a 10 or 11 lb rifle up 70 degree mountain slopes, that is the risk of a one rifle do everything.

Two rifles would be much better, and 3 or 4 so much more so.

A.....338

Kudos to you bud. That's probably the best reasoning/answer I've seen on the dilema of which gun, one gun, how many guns, etc. The voice of experience speaking with clarity of mind in an authoritative manner....good banter.

The .338 is undoutably the nost common magnum rifle in Alaska. That said, I would prefer the .375. Less kick, more push.
Either is too big for the Sitka Blacktails found on Kodiak and the other islands, but, since the gunshot is a dinnerbell for some of the world's biggest bears, maybe not TOO big.
One retired guide I knew, now deceased(of old age) used a .300 Savage. He gave me my tagline.
Actually the .300 Winchester Magnum is the most popular magnum in Alaska, right behind the 30'06 in overall popularity. Checkout the News Miner website and look at the 60 inch club link, even a 450 yard shot from a .270 Win for a 60" Bull Moose. I am quite comfortable with the .300 and 200gr premium bullets, they hit where I aim them, and that is 99% of the battle.

Dave

This thread parallels one from a couple weeks back, and there's a caliber I haven't seen mentioned...

Just finished my deer season with a family who are good friends. Many hunters, many calibers. .338s, .35 Whelan, 7mm Mag, 6.5mm Rem Mag, .270s, .280...etc.
Now, 2 guys use a the Remiington 600 series .350 Mag guide guns...both original and the reissue from a couple yrs back. The father of the pair "retired" his new 673 .350 (holding it until his first grandson is old enough to hunt with it!) after having bagged a deer, a 600lb+ cow moose, and a +/-200lb black bear (in 2-3 seasons). VT version of hitting for the cycle...

Now, there are larger bear than VT blacks, and a moose isn't the hardest of hunts...but the .350 seems pretty well rounded...especially in the shorter barrels...better walking gun.
Interestingly, the reissue 673 (.350, and 6.5 Mag) are both longer then the originals...

Anyway, thought I'd mention it...

jonas

on a Browning M-71, bot a 405 and 30/06 Model 1895 Winchesters as well as a .243 Savage bolt gun.
I am trying to find something that is a compromise of power and flat trjectory. My brush gun/stopper cup runneth over. I can use the .243 on deer, lope and varmits.

I like the 338-06.

Subdoc I hear you on the curse of the left hand issue. Its tough to find what you want in a south paw configuration! If your looking for a stainless "all weather" left handed bolt action in 338win you may check out Browning. You may also have to go to Montana arms, as was suggested to me by one of the guys from this forum. They sell left barreled actions in left hand, chambered in about what ever caliber you could desire. They're more expensive than off of the rack, and you still have to come up with a stock ect, but you gotta do what ya gotta do when your born left handed! Good luck. Let me know if you find a better option out there.

As I see it, the trouble with this quest is that one must hunt with a big rilfe for the largest bears, yet vast majority of big game hunters in North America are deer hunters. Does not make sense to me at all to hunt deer sized animals at typical forest and foothill distances with a big booming magnum rifle.

From my viewpoint, a deer rifle should be short and light with adequate power to kill well at 175 yards or so. Longer shots than this are quite rare from my experience. A wide spectrum of rifle cartridges and action types fit into this scene quite well. I'm a big fan of the 30-30 and 35 Remington in a Marlin carbine. Others love their 270's, 30-06 etc. and I have no quarrel with these choices.

An elk rifle needs to be big enough in power to kill well at 225 yards or so. Longer shots than this distance are quite rare from my experience. I'm a big fan of the .308, 6.5mm Swede, and 9.3mm Mauser.

An antelope rifle must be accurate and flat shooting for shots out to 275 yards. Longer shots than this distance are common. Plenty of good cartridges available for knocking over these fairly light animals. I'm a big fan of the .243 and 25-06.

No doubt about it, the big bears need a lot of killing. I'm certain my .308 is up to the task under ideal conditions. But I'd rather hunt dangerous game with a .348, 444, 45-70, 35 Whelen, or 9.3mm for safety.

One rifle for all North American big game? I don't see it, too many variables.
TR

Well if you have the smaller calibers for the smaller stuff then what is wrong with a 338 ultra mag. My son who stands 5'4" and ways around 150 shoots a 338 um with out a muzzle break and has no problem with recoil. flatter shooting and more power than the other two.

Albert

my longbow. I think after having distilled all this down I'll go with the 338 WM. Big enough, flat enough can be loaded light and fast or heavy and fast. If I'm in the thck stuff after something that bites the 450 Alaskan is the right tool.

this is a likeable thread. I've 2 .338's and a almost built .338-06 (tell you something?)and considering doin a barrel swap in a .338 on this Higgins model 50 I picked up since its bolt face is opened up and a .375 caliber(rum). The .33 has alot of bullet selection 180grn up to the 300grn weight with very good bullet makers - NorthFork,Hawk,Barnes,Swift,TrophyBond,Woodleigh,N osler etc.etc......and I suppose and I have made my mistakes with wrong bullet construction and not weights mind you that did not in the .33 knockdown my moose or bear fast enough although hit em right the first time even had to shoot em up to 3 times-penetrated good but bullet did not react like I expected--there is the key factor-bullet selection. That is what makes a rifle get a bad rep. not the recoil. If recoil is factored in the picture then perhaps you should stick to a .06 if you listen to all who list the .338 mag as a kicker or something cause them big medium bores to do recoil. I grew up on recoil so it comes like breathing I suppose -don't bother me or my boys suppose my girls can handle them if they choose to. I also like and highly favor my .375RUM too, wonderful flat shooting hard hitting knock em down on the first shot gun!!! I would say overall the .338 magnum is the all-purpose rifle and it does not and won't take a back seat to any caliber with the right selection of bullet. good shootin

I'm from alaska and I own a 375 and couldn't be any happier most of friends own a 338 and there very impesssive on game in the 49 state.if weight a concern go with a 338 if you want more power go to the 375 other wise your comparing apples to apples

Seems to me the largest animal determines the cartridge.

A guy wants a pick-up truck that will do it all from daily commute to work to hauling his RV across the Rockies. So he buys this pick-up for his largest need. A big fuel guzzler with tow package for daily commute to work?

If it were me, I'd buy a nice deer rifle and borrow or rent a bear rifle.
TR

I am vacillating between a 338 WM and 375 H&H I am left handed so that complicates finding non custom rifles. I am in the Navy but am an Alasakn resident. I hunt elk, moose, bears now. I have been using my 1886 45/70 for most of my now bow hunts but feel like I need a flatter shooting big bore.
Comments please?

I'm with alyeska338 on this one - Really think you need more than one "Do it all" rifle. Since you already have a 45/70, I would recommend you look at getting a 30/06. Believe a 45/70 and a 30/06 would complement each other very well in AK!

This should be popular... How about the BLR in 325 WSM? Short, light, powerful and handy for close in work, and (nearly) 338WM (claimed) performance at a distance, this using 220gr bullets I think.

I like these "which is best" threads. Nobody's right and everybody's right. My preference would be more than one rifle...at least 2 preferably more.

I've been in Alaska for 24 years. Shortly after moving here I jumped up from my favorite, trusty 7mm Rem Mag to a .338 Win Mag. I have not regretted it. My rifle is a stainless, synthetic Remington 700 fitted with a 3 x 9 Leupold. Some say this rifle is to large for blacktail deer but I have to disagree. I usually try get myself positioned lying down with a good rest and for the the head or neck shot on deer if they are at a resonable distance. I've shot several blacktails behind the shoulder with the 250 gr. Nozler partition bullet and haven't notice much more damage than if using and 30-06 or 7mm. In fact I really think the 7mm causes more blood shot meat. Having said this, I agree with alyeska338, there really isn't a perfect 'do everything rifle' but in my opinion the .338 is as close as you are going to get.

338. Gives you a flatter shot for that crunch time trophy shot.

I feel like torn here too. It does seem that if you already have a 45-70 that you might want something smaller for general purpose. If you really want an all around rifle, the .375 Hawk/Scovill is gaining popularity in Alaska at a brushfire rate. It is based on a 30-06 shell and has all the power of the Older, larger cased .375 H & H without the bulky long action and 85 grains of powder. The Hawk/Scovill does it with 63 or less, very similar to comparing the .308 win to the 30-06 springfield. Both are very similar with the efficiency and powder use nod and action size going to the .308 win. In the field, no game or distance will separate the two as a rule.

On the other hand, the .338 is a very high density load and is well regarded although would not go with the magnum since you already have the 45-70 and with Barnes X bullets, the 45-70 will take anything in alaska you should encounter. The same applies for the .338 though and even better if it is a .338-06 or 338 Hawk. Lighter recoil and better accuracy would let you take the smaller species like elk and deer.

With the .375 or .338 either and a nice barnes x or lapua naturalis, as someone noted above, you can either shoot a 200 grain bullet for deer and elk with little meat loss or, the bigger 300 grain bullet in the .375 and very little meat will be damaged, if you're conerned about the bigger caliber on the smaller game.

If I already had a 45-70, probably would go with the 30-06, the bullet selection is better than anything out there and, it is good for distance and, with the right bullet/powder combination, will still bail you out in a pinch. My $.02 worth.

SHOOT WELL.
LOAD BETTER.

I like the .325 WSM for one gun in North America. It will be interesting to see how it handles big bears, when some get into the field. On paper it appears to be super efficient, covering everything from .308 Win to .338 Win Mag. If it catches on, there will be a greater number of bullets to choose from.

George

Keep the 45/70 and get a Mdl.71 in >358 Win. You can equal the 30/06 with a 180 gr. and go up to a 250Gr.Easy rifle to carry and quick for the first shot and succeding shots if you need them. A lot of the old timers that lived wifh a rifle used the .348Win. and I feel the .358 replaces it. As said before, my 2 cents worth.

If you are a reloader consider one of the 300 mags. Handloader opens up all kinds of possibilities.

338-06, not to large for smaller game, and not to small for larger game.
REGARDS,
WOODY

If you absolutely must have one rifle for everything, pick one that will handle the worst scenerio imaginable, a charge by an enraged brown bear at spitting distance. If that means you go sheepless on many sheep hunts because the range is too great, or tire too quickly because you are lugging a 10 or 11 lb rifle up 70 degree mountain slopes, that is the risk of a one rifle do everything.

Two rifles would be much better, and 3 or 4 so much more so.

...I'm with alyeska on this one.

A very experienced Hunter and Rifleman once gave me some sound advice:

"Always carry a rifle in a suitable caliber, to CLEANLY-STOP the largest predator in the food-chain you will be venturing into".

- "Everything else is secondary".

- I have always adhered to this advice when selecting a rifle, and cartridge for my chosen destination.

375 H and H. Jack O'Connor had a point. A handloader could have a hayday with this cartridge

sub doc,
Sounds like good quest. I have been on the same quest for quite awhile. what alyeska says rings true but on the other hand I'm trying the new .325 wsm in kimber montana and the 200 grain and 220 grain in barnes but have no track record to give you yet.

I will be the odd ball here. cdnninvestments.com has the Steyr Pro Hunter in .376 Steyr caliber for $599 + $15 shipping.

Just as soon as I can sell a couple of guns, I am going to buy one.

Go to www.chuckhawks.com/376steyr.htm . Good info. Also, search ".376 steyr" here at shootersforum.com for more info on the rifle and the caliber.

NITRO

ps; in your neck of the woods, a .375 H&H is never a bad choice. USE (more than) ENOUGH GUN WHEN THEY BITE BACK.

I would choose the rifle I reach for the most for big game and that would be my 673 Guide gun in 350 Rem mag. The gun fits me well and the caliber would serve me well.

Thanks

Jason

NITRO...You can come over a stand in the corner with me-mate...I know all about the 376Steyr. The 376Steyr was my first-venture into the "Non-Standard" Arena. Col. Jeff Cooper had given me an extensive indoctrination into the "fire-plug" concept in regards to the true Scout-Rifle-Concept years-ago. In-fact I was working on a Fire-Plug-Scout in .350Rem-Mag when the call came-in about an available 376/Steyr-Scout. I bought it 2-days before I shipped off to Iraq in Jan-03...and it was waiting for me, [along with 4-cases of Hornady-Ammo] in the armory when I returned later that year.

I had purchased the .308/Steyr-Scout the year after it came out, and had been training and hunting with that gem for quite some time...and now I had an almost-exact companion rifle that launched a .375Cal-bullet. I took that 375[6]Steyr-Scout to Africa this year...with some ammo Larry at Superior spooled up for me. Both my PH and me were quite impressed with the effectiveness, and handiness of my "thumper" and them Swift/A-Frames plowed through everything in my sight. I am almost ashamed at how fond I have become of this material-object.

I would choose the rifle I reach for the most for big game and that would be my 673 Guide gun in 350 Rem mag. The gun fits me well and the caliber would serve me well.

Thanks

Jason


Hey J...that 673/350Rem-mag is a sweeeet rig-huh?...I never have understood why more shooters didn't grow as fond of this round as some-of-us firepluggers. I'm still considering the 350Rem-Mag for my next project-gun with Brockman's...
BTW: What scope-set-up are you runnin aboard your Guide-Rifle?...

Ruger has a stainless Scout type rifle in 325 WSM.

Hey J...that 673/350Rem-mag is a sweeeet rig-huh?...I never have understood why more shooters didn't grow as fond of this round as some-of-us firepluggers. I'm still considering the 350Rem-Mag for my next project-gun with Brockman's...
BTW: What scope-set-up are you runnin aboard your Guide-Rifle?...


Burris fullfield ll 1.75x5-20

Burris fullfield ll 1.75x5-20

Not to butt in but I have the same scope on my CZ 550 FS. Love it, nice bright image and not too obtrusive either.

I also have to go with the 350 Rem Mag. Shot a moose and a caribou in Newfoundland with it and both were 300yd one shot kills. Plus I would feel more comfortable with a bolt action "in da woods" where I could easily field strip a bolt. Not too easy to work on a lever in the field.
I have the 673 with a Nikon 3x9x40 Monarch topping it off; but I think Ruger makes a stainless/synthetic lightweight in the southpaw configuration...might be hard on the shoulder at the bench,but a joy to carry afield.
Best of Luck
whizzum

A scoped, bolt action '06 COULD do it all. But just to add a little romance I choose a scoped, bolt action 35 Whelen.

I have, and use, both and could live happily with either one of them as my only gun for the years I have left.