338 vs 375 for Alaskan brown bear?

[Decker9]

Or, build the best of both worlds! 375-338wm

 

[omicron1792]

I weighed my Rifles, Inc. .375 H&H before this spring's trip. 7 lbs., 13 oz. with scope, but no rounds in the magazine. Recoil is a non-issue.

What does that mean?

 

[omicron1792]

Has anyone succeeded in building a lighter weight maneuverable 338 Lapua suppressed as a hunting bush gun ? I've seen some people build a 22" inch barrel 375 RUM.

I have a 20” in my Blaser r8. It’s a flame thrower. Problem is most suppressors aren’t rated for it.

 

[wyosam]

That’s a lot of horsepower for a short range brush gun. Seems like at those shorter distances, especially defensive close situations. You can drop down for more shoot ability and still have plenty of terminal velocity and less flame thrower. 338-06 or 338 RCM or WM


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[Arken7mm]

I moved to AK and had my “nearly perfect” AK rifle built.

P2 Summit Ti Action
PBB 3B 20” 35 Whelen
Stockys Carbon Fiber Sporter
TriggerTech
OEM M700 BDL BM

Same POI with and without Rugged Alaskan 360ti.


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So, you have a 20" inch barrel ? That's got to be a nice handy bush rifle...

I'm not too familiar with the 35 Whelen's performance as I never shot one. How is it compared to the 300 WSM in recoil and terminal performance on game for a short barrel bush rifle?

 

[LightFoot]

Weight and ergonomics being the same or similar, the 300 WSM will be a faster impulse, meaning sharper recoil.

My 35 Whelen without the can is stout but manageable. The can tames it very well. I think that is not just due to suppression but also the extended length.

It shoots 180 TTSX and 200 SP to the same POA at 100y. I would not hesitate to shoot either load to 300y for caribou, sheep, goat, or deer… but it wouldn’t be my first choice.

If you are hunting more than just bear, especially sheep or goat, where shots may be between 350 and 500y, the 300 WSM would be a better choice.

If this is a dedicated bear rifle that may take a caribou or moose if opportunity presents, 35 Whelen or 9.3x62 are better choices. Standard cartridges hold 1 or 2 more in the magazine.

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[49ereric]

If this is a dedicated bear rifle that may take a caribou or moose if opportunity presents, 35 Whelen or 9.3x62 are better choices. Standard cartridges hold 1 or 2 more.

Use a M1917 receiver for 9.3x62 or 35 whelen build and you get 6 in the magazine and 1 in the chamber.

 

[Arken7mm]

Weight and ergonomics being the same or similar, the 300 WSM will be a faster impulse, meaning sharper recoil.

My 35 Whelen without the can is stout but manageable. The can tames it very well. I think that is not just due to suppression but also the extended length.

It shoots 180 TTSX and 200 SP to the same POA at 100y. I would not hesitate to shoot either load to 300y for caribou, sheep, goat, or deer… but it wouldn’t be my first choice.

If you are hunting more than just bear, especially sheep or goat, where shots may be between 350 and 500y, the 300 WSM would be a better choice.

If this is a dedicated bear rifle that may take a caribou or moose if opportunity presents, 35 Whelen or 9.3x62 are better choices. Standard cartridges hold 1 or 2 more in the magazine.

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Plus, the 9.3x62 is larger in diameter compared to the 300 wsm. A better stopping cartridge for under 200 yards ?

 

[z987k]

Plus, the 9.3x62 is larger in diameter compared to the 300 wsm. A better stopping cartridge for under 200 yards ?

The bullet you use matters a lot more than the diameter of the bullet.

Just bring whichever gun you like best. I cannot stress how much it doesnt matter in the slightest between them.

 

[jsaz666]

For "stopping" stick with larger bore, heavier bullets. Look what africa PH use for backing up clients!

 

[Quandary]

Plus, the 9.3x62 is larger in diameter compared to the 300 wsm. A better stopping cartridge for under 200 yards ?

Did you decide what to go with?

For reference my 35 Whelen is built with a 22" barrel. I run 225 ABs at 2,775 fps with Varget, (CFE223 will get you more velocity if you want). That load carries 2,000 fps out to just past 400 yards. You can hunt anything in Alaska with that. Switch to a 250gr or 275gr for a guide scenario and you'd be all set. Could do the same with a 9.3x62. The Whelen recoil is much more of a push than a sharp jab.

 

[wildwilderness]

The 338 RCM- maybe the gunwerks version if you can afford it!

Gunwerks Lite SabR – Integrally Suppressed Bolt-Action Rifle Chambered in .338 RCM

The new Gunwerks Lite SabR bolt action rifle is chambered in .338 Ruger Compact Magnum (.338 RCM), has an integrally suppressed barrel and extensively utilizes light materials such as carbon fiber, titanium and magnesium. The result is an extremely lightweight yet potent hard-hitting rig.

www.thefirearmblog.com

But personally for Alaska very hard to beat a Ruger guide gun in 375 Ruger for value and utility.


Really not recommended to shoot a big bear less than 50 or more than 200

 

[Arken7mm]

Did you decide what to go with?

For reference my 35 Whelen is built with a 22" barrel. I run 225 ABs at 2,775 fps with Varget, (CFE223 will get you more velocity if you want). That load carries 2,000 fps out to just past 400 yards. You can hunt anything in Alaska with that. Switch to a 250gr or 275gr for a guide scenario and you'd be all set. Could do the same with a 9.3x62. The Whelen recoil is much more of a push than a sharp jab.

I'm thinking long and hard of a 338 Lapua, light weight carbon fiber from Fierce, suppressed, with a thermal scope.

Fierce CT Rage LR (Long Range) 338 Lapua. 6.1lb pounds.

 

[kkp005]

What about a 20” 300WM ? One of those with some 195gr TMK’s would sure enough do some tissue damage.. I’d imagine the wound channels would be bigger from that combo than a 338 or 375 with bonded or mono bullets

 

[jsaz666]

Did you decide what to go with?

For reference my 35 Whelen is built with a 22" barrel. I run 225 ABs at 2,775 fps with Varget, (CFE223 will get you more velocity if you want). That load carries 2,000 fps out to just past 400 yards. You can hunt anything in Alaska with that. Switch to a 250gr or 275gr for a guide scenario and you'd be all set. Could do the same with a 9.3x62. The Whelen recoil is much more of a push than a sharp jab.

I love my 35 Whelen! I have a 22" ruger #1 that only gets fed 225gr Barnes over RL-15, which is impossible to find these days. I need to try CFE223...

 

[kaboku68]

Just get the Alaska Bush Rifle in Ruger 77 Hawkeye Lipsey Special in 9.3X62. Five down and you can get an Alaska Arms floor plate that allows six down. Hits critters like a sock filled with nickels and the recoil is not bad. They are hard to find. 20 inch barrel. Iron sights. You can get Alaska Arms detachable rings that hold a repeatable zero. You can get S+B or PPU 285 grain soft points for 40.00 box.