Help me choose a caliber

[Dusty Stevens]

375 h&h

 

[K22]

Ok, you've talked some sense into me. Tomorrow I'll load up some 153.5 Hybrids and play with the 6.5(above) some more. In the mean time I'll look for a Ruger Alaskan in 375.

I'm a solo hunter generally and will be bush plane dropped next August into the 40 mile herd. I have zero intention of screwing with a bear. However, I've met a big Grizzly up close and personal once who wanted to eat me and based on that encounter, I want a caliber big enough to end future encounters.
Thank you all for the advice.

Solo hunter - I understand your position - get a heavy caliber with lots of energy and a tough bullet that will penetrate. The 338 Win Mag has a good reputation for brown bear in Alaska.

 

[miningshawn]

I've build a 6.5 PRC on a Defiance XM. It is un believably accurate and the nicest rifle I have ever owned. However, I find that I'm hunting with my 280AI and not the 6.5prc. So, I can either sell the 6.5prc, or chamber. I'd like to chamber it in a 338 caliber so when I'm in Alaska I have something a little more stout than the 7mm. Suggestions? I reload.

Ummm, I may sound a little snide here, but I don't intend to.

Buy another rifle and keep them both. 280I and 6.5PRC are both uncommon calibers. There's nothing wrong with having a 30-06 or 300 Win as an everyday rifle.

 

[Bill K]

You can not go wrong with a 375 either Ruger or H&H, as most anywhere you hunt, where large and dangerous critters roam, store will have that ammo on the shelf. Another one is the old 458 Win.
Some of the other ammo, which is good, i.e. 338, etc is not so much available in a lot of the places.
So can not go wrong with the 375 that you mention. Enjoy your trip, place safe and remember when you get back home, we like stories and PHOTOS.

 

[ebb]

338 win mag

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Solo hunter - I understand your position - get a heavy caliber with lots of energy and a tough bullet that will penetrate. The 338 Win Mag has a good reputation for brown bear in Alaska.

When i went there for brown bear they told me dont bring a 338 nothing it has to be bigger. 375h&h was their minimum. My guide had some kind of huge lever gun that shot 45-70 and 410 when you wanted a plinking load and something bigger around bears

 

[Ringostar]

My cousin went up there hunting Alaskan browns and was told the same thing by the outfitter. Bring at least a 375, or don’t bother coming! So he was in a late search for a left handed 375 H&H. He found one before the trip, and was successful in his hunt.

 

[ckaberna]

This post has me glad I’m living in Ga….. damn, if I had to arm up like y’all are talking about to go to the outhouse it would get old.
May as well get in great shape and get a Barrett m99 in 50 bmg with some Amaxes.

 

[gunnermhr]

I think a lot of the 373 H&H, but why not go with a 338 Edge with a 300gr Berger, plenty accurate and powerful for self defense and also to shoot something at a long distance. An African hunt, 100% big hammer at close distance, 375 H&H, 416 Rigby, 460WBY or something in that line without a scope or a scout scope for close shots.

 

[Migolito]

Years ago, I had a chance at a side/side 375HH. I don't remember the make, however, it was English. I was young and dumb and said no thank you. It was in a pawn shop.

 

[Adam in WI]

GunBroker.com - Error

 

[potatojudge]

I've been playing with a 416 wildcat and what I've learned sourcing bullets is get a 375 something instead.

375 bullet selection and availability is the best of the big bores. Beyond that, pick the action and case you like. Reliability trumps all, and in second place is capacity. Third place is accuracy, so long as it's hunting accurate. Also look into optics with a wide field of view and adjustable to a low power, like 2-2.5x. Illuminated as well.

 

[ronsatspokane]

9.3 x 62.

 

[drop_point]

The 6.5 PRC and the .280 AI are for practical purposes the same. I wouldn't sell one for the other for hunting. However, if both are custom rifles, you'll lose your hind-end by selling either of them. Shoot them, rebarrel in the future if you don't like one round or the other. When that 6.5 PRC is toast, a .300 WSM is an easy transition if that's what you want. Personally, if I wanted a magnum to extend my hunting range, I'd be looking .300 Norma, .338 Norma, or .338 Lapua. If you're not going to shoot longer ranges, just pick up a .338 Winchester for peace of mind.

If I were worried about bear, I would be more concerned with a sidearm over choosing a hunting rifle designed specific to bear, myself. Its the bear that surprise you that will be the issue.

 

[Ringostar]

If I were worried about bear, I would be more concerned with a sidearm over choosing a hunting rifle designed specific to bear, myself. Its the bear that surprise you that will be the issue.

This is why lever action open sight 45-70 is very common in Alaska. Quick to point for close up personal bear defense. Plus they’re reasonably priced.

 

[Drop Port]

My 280AI is also a custom rifle. I'll actually be hunting Elk next week with it because I can shoot 145LRX and 150TTSX and I like the penetration of both. Starting next year I'll be doing many more hunt's in Alaska. The 280AI is great for Caribou, moose, Black bear, etc. However, it isn't imo a first choice for Brown bear protection.
I built the 6.5 to shoot in Comp and hunting. However, times have changed and I wont be doing matches/comp. So, I can either rechamber, or sell and buy/build something else. I was looking at 338 Ruger Mag because it would fit hand/glove with the current rifle set up. But, I am now kinda leaning @ a long action Magnum.
Also, the wait on the Defiance was very very long and I really didn't want to wait that long again. But...

What's the max distance you plan on shooting?

 

[JBT47]

I would buy a .375 H&H and use a good 300gr bullet or the Norma 350gr soft point.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I love my 280AI as a hunting rifle. Like you, it has become my "go to" rifle. But for something as big and bad as brown bears, I'd go bigger. I like the idea of a 45-70 lever gun and I'm a bolt guy for most anything else.

 

[Twicepop]

For Alaska, 416 Remington or maybe a 416 Ruger.

 

[Ray123]

Alaska Master Guide Phil Shoemaker used....
A 9mm with hard cast Buffalo Bore bullets ...stopped a charging grizzly at 6 to 8 feet.
He states that a 30-06 with 200 to 220 gr is big enough, and has gone in the brush after em so armed...and states that more one shot kills were made with the smaller calibers like 270, and 06 than the big magnums (shot placement)...and he could not tell much difference between the 30-06 and the 300 magnums in killing power. And I've felt the same about the 7 mag and 7 Mauser no discernable difference in killing power at close to moderate ranges in my limited experience.
The master guide seems to have used a variety of cartridges over 40 years and fond of cartridges like 35 Whelen & 9.3X62.
Jack O'Connor used the .270 on interior grizzlies. It's bullet construction and shot placement. I have a 416 Rigby, but would probably use the 338 win mag and good 250 gr bullet, because it's lighter to carry over distances...and the master guide says it works good....along with a host of lesser and similar calibers with good bullets placed well in the kill zone... even a few heavy of 9mm's from your favorite hand gun...in an emergency!