Rifle choice of Alaskan Yukon moose

[Hvfl]

Heading up to Alaska in September for moose with possibility of grizzly bear and caribou add-ons. I have two rifle options I’m considering. The first is a Ruger M77 stainless in 338 win mag that I usually shoot Remington Core-Lokt in either 225 or 250 grain bullets, sighted in a 200yds or a Savage 110 7mmMag that I typically shoot Nosler accubond in 160 or 168 grain bullets. Also sighted in at 200yards. Never shot a moose or grizzly bear with either but i have killed an elk and caribou with the 7mmMag . What are thoughts on which rifle I should take to Alaska and the bullets I’m currently using? Thanks for your opinions.

 

[johnnycake]

As long as you put the bullet in the right spot (which on a moose is about the size of a basketball backboard) either of those will kill it dead just fine.

Don't overthink it, and just take whichever one you prefer to carry and shoot and is set up to handle environmental abuse better.

 

[Scottf270]

Either will work fine. Pick which one you like best. Weight, length, accuracy etc. matter most.

 

[easternoregonballistics]

I would probably take the 338 just because its a classic alaskan rifle on a classic alaskan hunt. That being said, either rifle will do that job. I do have a personal thing against corelokts but they're probably a good bullet

 

[FranklinBluth]

As long as you put the bullet in the right spot (which on a moose is about the size of a basketball backboard) either of those will kill it dead just fine.

Don't overthink it, and just take whichever one you prefer to carry and shoot and is set up to handle environmental abuse better.

Exactly this. Take the gun that can handle moisture, sand, sticks, crap weather, etc.

Bullet-wise I'd be shooting something solid if it were at a grizz.

 

[easternoregonballistics]

Yeah Im with franklinbluth that if youre going after grizzly as well, pack a 225 TTSX or a 250 accubond. Something designed for bigger animals.

 

[cwitt]

I would probably take the 338 just because its a classic alaskan rifle on a classic alaskan hunt. That being said, either rifle will do that job. I do have a personal thing against corelokts but they're probably a good bullet

Yeah Im with franklinbluth that if youre going after grizzly as well, pack a 225 TTSX or a 250 accubond. Something designed for bigger animals.

This.

If you don’t reload yourself, Pendleton Ammo may be worth looking at. They loaded me a few boxes of the 225 TTSX for my .338 M77 and it shoots them well. I bought the set up intentionally to pack up there for more or less the same purpose as you. If you own a stainless M77 in 338, what better time to use it??

 

[Runningwater]

As above, the real answer is whichever you are more comfortable shooting - either will do well. That said, if you aren't taking your 338 win mag on an alaskan moose hunt with the possibility of a grizzly, when do you ever plan to use it?

 

[dallen]

338

 

[easternoregonballistics]

Ive found good results with the 225 TTSX with IMR 4350. Maybe a friend would load it for you if you dont reload

 

[Maverick1]

.223, Rok-style it.

(@PNWGATOR - imagine the replies! )

 

[35WhelenAI]

As long as you put the bullet in the right spot (which on a moose is about the size of a basketball backboard) either of those will kill it dead just fine.

Don't overthink it, and just take whichever one you prefer to carry and shoot and is set up to handle environmental abuse better.

Not to rain on the parade here but a basketball backboard in the smallest size you'll find at the sporting goods store, for round numbers is 48 in wide and 36 in tall... if you're talking the square painted on the backboard that is 24 in wide and 18 in tall on each and every backboard. I'd recommend a bit better aim than putting it in even the smaller of those.

With respect to the original question, both are great choices, which one do you shoot better? Then you can aim for a bit smaller spot on the moose than a backboard.

 

[Hvfl]

Thanks for all the replies. I’m leaning toward the 338 because of the rifle’s durability in the Alaska weather and the caliber but I am more comfortable with tthe 7mmMag past 300 yards. My only other concern with the 338 is the core-Loki’s on grizzly bears. I’ve only really shot the core-Loki’s as several years ago during the ammo shortage that was all I could find and the rifle shoots it well. Are the core-Loki’s acceptable for grizzly bears or should I try some other ammo this summer? I will be in interior Alaska near the Brooks Range. Thanks again for all the advice.

 

[fmyth]

Thanks for all the replies. I’m leaning toward the 338 because of the rifle’s durability in the Alaska weather and the caliber but I am more comfortable with tthe 7mmMag past 300 yards. My only other concern with the 338 is the core-Loki’s on grizzly bears. I’ve only really shot the core-Loki’s as several years ago during the ammo shortage that was all I could find and the rifle shoots it well. Are the core-Loki’s acceptable for grizzly bears or should I try some other ammo this summer? I will be in interior Alaska near the Brooks Range. Thanks again for all the advice.

I have a friend that is native Alaskan and he has killed dozens of brown bears and moose with .300WM Core-lokts. I know another guy that has killed 14 brownies with .30-06 Core-lokts. Both guys are in their late 70's, have spent the majority of their lives on a remote Island in AK and don't see any need to change their choice of caliber or ammo.

 

[Maverick1]

Thanks for all the replies. I’m leaning toward the 338 because of the rifle’s durability in the Alaska weather and the caliber but I am more comfortable with tthe 7mmMag past 300 yards. My only other concern with the 338 is the core-Loki’s on grizzly bears. I’ve only really shot the core-Loki’s as several years ago during the ammo shortage that was all I could find and the rifle shoots it well. Are the core-Loki’s acceptable for grizzly bears or should I try some other ammo this summer? I will be in interior Alaska near the Brooks Range. Thanks again for all the advice.

You are not considering the .223?

 

[johnnycake]

Not to rain on the parade here but a basketball backboard in the smallest size you'll find at the sporting goods store, for round numbers is 48 in wide and 36 in tall... if you're talking the square painted on the backboard that is 24 in wide and 18 in tall on each and every backboard. I'd recommend a bit better aim than putting it in even the smaller of those.

With respect to the original question, both are great choices, which one do you shoot better? Then you can aim for a bit smaller spot on the moose than a backboard.

Just breathtaking to get to observe the literal autist in its natural habitat, unable to enjoy the blunt nuances of hyperbole.

Moose hearts are big

Moose lungs are even bigger

Point is, put the bullet of your choice from basically any caliber in either place (or in the spine/neck) and the moose will be dead very quickly. Moose are not hard to kill.

 

[280rem]

Either would be fine, whichever you shoot the best and have the most confidence in would be the ultimate pick. Weatherproofness would be 2nd concern. As far as bullets if you are referring to the 168 ABLR, that’s a pretty soft bullet and I would avoid it for the species you seek.

 

[35WhelenAI]

Apparently the jest I entered in was taken literally as well. Good generalization that vitals are large, I understand that and most folks do.

Honestly, keep the immature digs to yourself, says more than enough about the type of people that hang out here as well.

 

[AK Troutbum]

No question about it, I'd take the "boat paddle", for no other reason than, it checks all the boxes and just belongs in the AK bush.

 

[AKDoc]

No doubt in the 338 being a good choice for Alaska, as long as the rifle shoots accurately and you shoot it well.

As others have suggested, I would find a better bullet that shoots well in your 338 rifle. There are many better bullet choices for this hunt than the Core-Lokts, which I put near the bottom of the list. I know that is a debated topic...no offense to others.

I hand-load my own ammunition, so my choices are numerous. That said, I'm a long-time fan of the TSX's. They have always performed well for me over the years with Alaska big game...and will be going with me again in the fall. As suggested previously, if you can find 225 TSX's or 250 TSX's that shoot accurately out of your 338 rifle, that would be my choice.

Caliber and bullet preference for various game and hunting applications are always debated topics. Bottom line...accuracy is first and foremost.