What cartridge for Alaska and western big game?

[Snowwolfe]

30-06 if you can handle the recoil, otherwise stay with the .308. A 168 grain TTSX will kill anything that walks in NA with a well placed shot.

 

[SloppyJ]

I mean if you want another rifle, a 6.5prc would do it and give you more "power".

However invest that money in a solid scope, suppressor, and a case of ammo and go practice. Then do it some more.

 

[BigNate]

Pick whatever makes you smile. I have a favorite in .338WM that is very worn and incredibly effective, but both it and I are old, and the truth is the modern bullets are so good you'll get equal performance from smaller cartridges these days.
Learn to shoot what you are going to use, pick bullets that produce the wound channel you desire, and buy a durable scope. Everything else will just kind of happen.

 

[skipper907]

6.5 creedmoor

Sent from my SM-A156U using Tapatalk

 

[Kal-Elk]

Your Tikka will work for 95% of hunting scenarios.

 

[Ringbill27]

I went with a Tikka 30-06 for my bigger game rifle.

At the time I chose my bigger game rifle my deer rifles were a Ruger in 7.62x39, a Lee Enfield 303 Brit and a Winchester 94 30-30. So I wouldn’t say I was recoil sensitive but definitely wasn’t used to. The recoil was stout with the factory pad so switched to a limb saver. Which made it much more manageable.

I struggled between 30-06 and a 300wsm, which were the two they had in the shelf at the time. Ultimately went with 30-06 won due to 15-20 ammo options on the shelf vs 2-3 @ twice to cost. At the time I didn’t reload and I didn’t have access to a range that went past 300yds, so 500yds was on my mind.

With all that said, I’m still happy with my decision.

30-06 isn’t a very popular cartridge on this forum it seems anymore. But if I’ve learned one thing since I’ve been on here it’s not the cartridge it’s the bullet. So what’s the bullet that would make the 30-06 a 500yd moose killing machine?

 

[Castle Rock]

Most likely the 178 ELDM

 

[PredatorSlayer]

280 AI

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I went with a Tikka 30-06 for my bigger game rifle.

At the time I chose my bigger game rifle my deer rifles were a Ruger in 7.62x39, a Lee Enfield 303 Brit and a Winchester 94 30-30. So I wouldn’t say I was recoil sensitive but definitely wasn’t used to. The recoil was stout with the factory pad so switched to a limb saver. Which made it much more manageable.

I struggled between 30-06 and a 300wsm, which were the two they had in the shelf at the time. Ultimately went with 30-06 won due to 15-20 ammo options on the shelf vs 2-3 @ twice to cost. At the time I didn’t reload and I didn’t have access to a range that went past 300yds, so 500yds was on my mind.

With all that said, I’m still happy with my decision.

30-06 isn’t a very popular cartridge on this forum it seems anymore. But if I’ve learned one thing since I’ve been on here it’s not the cartridge it’s the bullet. So what’s the bullet that would make the 30-06 a 500yd moose killing machine?

180g accubond

 

[Merril]

6.5 will be fine. What scope and rings are you currently using?

I use an Athlon Midas Tac 4-16 with some Vortex rings.

 

[Thegman]

As already stated, many times, you may want another rifle, but don't need one. 6.5CM is fine for everything you've listed, and much more. I've never shot a pronghorn, but have shot lots of moose and caribou, neither are particularly "tough to kill". Last year I used a 223 on moose and even it worked fine - single shot, instant drop.

 

[K9kodi]

Use what ya got, if you wanna step up, 338 win mag or 300 win mag

 

[TaperPin]

Even if you had a larger rifle, the creedmoor is a great trainer/plinker/coyote/deer/antelope rifle. Once you move out here you’re bound to meet up with guys with all sorts of cartridges to try out.

A 6.5 PRC or 270 are nearly identical. Your creedmoor or a 7mm08 both shooting a 140ish gr bullet are nearly identical out to what - 400? 500 yards?

You’ll have a friend who knocks the turds out of everything with a larger cartridge of some kind and you’ll find his rifle easy to shoot and have to have one. I’ve sold a few west Texas deer hunters on a 7 mag.

Like what was said above, get something that makes you smile.

 

[AKNomad]

6.5 is fine for Alaska. I take my 270 for everything except brown bear.

More important to consider for AK is length-- you might be well suited cutting down the barrel of your rifle, as moving through the thick brush up here can be a real pain with a longer rifle. My 270 has a 16.5" barrel and wears an 8" suppressor, and that's about as long as I prefer to deal with. My 300WM has a 20" barrel and the same suppressor, and it's a bit unwieldy in the alders.

 

[AcesHigh]

As already stated, many times, you may want another rifle, but don't need one. 6.5CM is fine for everything you've listed, and much more. I've never shot a pronghorn, but have shot lots of moose and caribou, neither are particularly "tough to kill". Last year I used a 223 on moose and even it worked fine - single shot, instant drop.

So a CNS shot?

 

[AcesHigh]

6.5 is fine for Alaska. I take my 270 for everything except brown bear.

More important to consider for AK is length-- you might be well suited cutting down the barrel of your rifle, as moving through the thick brush up here can be a real pain with a longer rifle. My 270 has a 16.5" barrel and wears an 8" suppressor, and that's about as long as I prefer to deal with. My 300WM has a 20" barrel and the same suppressor, and it's a bit unwieldy in the alders.

What bullets you shooting in brushy areas with those rifles?

 

[AcesHigh]

I am looking for a cartridge to hunt big game out west and in Alaska. The largest game I hunt now are whitetail deer. I use a suppressed Tikka T3x in 6.5CM at ranges of 70-300 yards.

I am moving out west and want to go after elk, black bear, pronghorn, mountain goat, and other things. Later I plan to go to Alaska to hunt caribou and moose. I still don't expect to take shots at more than 500 yards. The 6.5CM should be enough for pronghorn but I think I need a more powerful cartridge for the rest.

I don't hand load. I don't put together custom rifles. And I am very adverse to recoil. So I am not even considering the 7PRC, or 300 Win Mag, or anything that kicks similarly hard. I cannot shoot those effectively. I am currently looking at the 6.8 Western, 7mm-08, or the 308. Which of those would be best for an off the shelf mountain rifle and ammunition? Whatever I go with will have my 8" suppressor on it.

So your recoil shy and want to hunt alaskan bull moose, in bear country…got it. You are going guided I take it as a non res? Or are we pipe dreaming here? You know how to become less recoil sensitive? Lift weights, and shoot a lot. I did. I had to. It worked.

 

[AcesHigh]

So your recoil shy and want to hunt alaskan bull moose, in bear country…got it. You are going guided I take it as a non res? Or are we pipe dreaming here? You know how to become less recoil sensitive? Lift weights, and shoot a lot. I did. I had to. It worked.

You are focused on where you are now. focus on where you will be. Best of luck. I live in bear country. Bring the biggest rifle you can hit with. Bears on the charge don’t die by lil bore sec density science. I’m not being a smart a*s. Its truth without marketing involved.

 

[Lou270]

You will be very happy with any of your 3 708, 308, or 6.8W. I have 2 6.8W and love them and would be my choice. Very accurate and mild recoil for down range performance. The 308 will be king of ammo choices but there are good offerings in all 3.

Lou

 

[AcesHigh]

You are focused on where you are now. focus on where you will be. Best of luck. I live in bear country. Bring the biggest rifle you can hit with. Bears on the charge don’t die by lil bore sec density science. I’m not being a smart a*s. Its truth without marketing involved.

Also, call a few alaskan shops and ask what ammo is on the shelf. That’ll help ya figure it out. I found a caliber that did all. I then shot the rifle until I was confident. Not the otherway around. Served me well. To each there own. If you end up living in alaska, montana, northern Id. Thats how it is. Its how you adapt. You’re not a once or twice a year traveler with tags. You are living here. It’s a different mindset.