What cartridge for Alaska and western big game?

[Merril]

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. Are there other cartridges I should consider?

 

[PNWGATOR]

Nope.

Choose the correct bullet ie 147 ELDM.

Invest in your delivery system (scope, rings, stock, suppressor) and in becoming a field expedient rifleman.

 

[Maverick1]

416 Rigby or 458 Lott. Minimum.

Your 6.5 CM will work fine.

 

[Castle Rock]

Just stick to what you have, or go to a 6mm Creedmoor

 

[ozyclint]

Pffft..... .223 77tmk

 

[keystone112]

Nope.

Choose the correct bullet ie 147 ELDM.

Invest in your delivery system (scope, rings, stock, suppressor) and in becoming a field expedient rifleman.

I think bullet is critically important here. The right bullet in the 6.5 CM should get it done for what you are saying.

If you really want to add a larger cartridge, maybe look at the 280 AI.

 

[waspocrew]

I think you’re fine with the 6.5 CM and the right projectile.

 

[AkMtnRunner]

Your 6.5 cm will be fine.

 

[hereinaz]

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. Are there other cartridges I should consider?

Your 6.5 is enough. Bullet choice is more important than caliber size. If you want “more”, I like the 6.5 PRC, it will have recoil close to the 308 shooting heavy bullets.

The 7-08 and 308 are not improvements over the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Do you want to change your thinking?

Watch EXO Eperience Project videos where they kill caribou and moose with 6mm Creedmoor. Then read the .223 for bear, moose, elk thread…

 

[Maverick1]

Your 6.5 is enough. Bullet choice is more important than caliber size. If you want “more”, I like the 6.5 PRC, it will have recoil close to the 308 shooting heavy bullets.

The 7-08 and 308 are not improvements over the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Do you want to change your thinking?

Watch EXO Eperience Project videos where they kill caribou and moose with 6mm Creedmoor. Then read the .223 for bear, moose, elk thread…

Buuutttt….he needs more down range wallop and knock down power!

 

[chizelhead]

Your 6.5 CM will be more than enough to get started out West for what you want to hunt. You don't need to start taking 500 yrd shots. Most of mine have been inside of 250. I prefer to hunt as close as I can. I recommend you spend the money you were thinking on a new gun towards optics. Start slow and build your hunt kit as you learn what you need through experience.

 

[BlackSheep125]

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. Are there other cartridges I should consider?

I used a 308 successfully on caribou while in the North Slope

 

[mt100gr.]

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. Are there other cartridges I should consider?

There isn't a critter on your list that I wouldn't shoot confidently with a 6.5 CM. As mentioned, the 147 eldm is fantastic on game. I killed 2 elk from the same herd a couple months ago at 470yds and 515yds (different bullet, 156 berger) with a suppressed 6.5CM with zero drama and have seen multiple other elk, bear, deer, etc die quickly and cleanly with well placed shots from the 6.5.

You're all set!!

 

[Quandary]

I think given you are all factory for a bit more velocity 6.5PRC would be the answer. Use the 156 Berger ammunition for the big stuff. The 147 ELDM for everything else.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

30-06

 

[ROAL Reaper]

270 it kills everything

 

[Jsikora]

6.5 PRC with 147 eldm is the ticket.

 

[Yukon Cornelius]

This moose was harvested with a 6.5cm at 250ish yds. You will be fine with a 6.5cm

 

[Robobiss]

As others have said, take the money you would have spent on a new rifle, rings, and scope and buy a few cases of factory 147 ELD-M and start slinging lead every weekend.

 

[RWT]

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