Big Game Rifle?

I would go with a .300 win mag, if you re-load you can loaded some 220gr bullets, and that should be enough gun and bullet to hunt any north american game animal.
 
I have a .300 Win Mag and a .375 H&H Mag for all my big game hunting needs. I can go from a 150 grain bullet all the way up to 300 gtain bullet. Its hard to beat two great classics in my opinion.
 
For moose and brown bears you'll want a .338 of some kind to get the job done. The 30's can kill these animals but bigger bullets do the job better.
 
I'm with Remington870 on the .338 only because you listed brown bears. The .300 can do it, but why take the chance on what most would consider a once in a lifetime hunt.
 
Fantasy land for me, but if I were fortunate enough to hunt the largest species of North American game animals given the wide diversity of terrain and species... I'm thinking something on the order of a fast .33 caliber. Say a .340 Weatherby Magnum shooting a good controlled expansion 250 grain bullet.
 
I have hunted both and killed both the moose is not that hard to kill shot place is very important any of the 338's if you are thinking about a big brown or grizzly there is only one and it has a proven track record all over the world
375 HH none better on the big bears Mauser
 
The .30-378 Weatherby would work too, but as with any caliber shot placement is critical. Just like my PH in Africa said, he rather have someone shooting a .375 H&H comfortably than someone who is shooting one of the Nitro Express Magnums and is afraid of it. It could be your life.
 
It would be a lot simpler question if brown bears were not in the picture. If you can afford a brown bear hunt, you sure can afford a rifle for them. A rifle for everything else is an easier choice.

Jack
 
Picking a good rifle with a good stock design is just as important. I've seen guys buy a low end rifle in .338 and it stomps them. The stock can help reduce recoil. .300 Win Mag and up. Whichever you can shoot best. You want to stop those big animals from getting you but also before they can get into a bad spot.
 
I have shot a 30/378 WBY extensively. I'm shooting a fluted Weatherby Mark V with the factory muzzlebrake, and I can tell you that it works well. I shot the Weatherby and a Savage 30/06 with a plastic stock 2 weeks ago. The Savage had a lot more recoil than the 30/378. Anyone who doubts that can meet me at the range sometime. The 30/378 is almost pleasant to shoot with the brake on.

The other shooters around you know your shooting a brake, but it wouldn't matter in the field. I'm shooting 103 grains of H-1000 with various 180 bullets. The Nosler Partition is hovering around the 1 inch mark with 3 shots and clocks just over 3400 fps with the 26" barrel. It is a definately a fire breathing dragon, but there's the oppurtunity to go to heavier slugs with great speed and energy.

Be aware that 20 rounds of unprimed brass will cost you almost 80 bucks alone. It is not a cheap cartridge to shoot. I was trying to talk the owner into a custom 30/338 Winchester, but he wouldn't listen. He would have spent alot less money. Now he wants nothing to do with the Weatherby and it is in my safe...

-MP
 
I have seen griz shot with the 300 win mag and wasn't too impressed. My moose/bear guns are as follows, 338 RUM with 225gr Accubond @ 3150fps, 9.3x62 mauser with 286gr Nosler partiton @ 2400fps, 375 H&H with 300gr Partitions @ 2550fps or 270gr Barnes TSX @ 2700fps, and 45/70 with 405gr Kodaik bonded @ 1925fps.

Anything bear worthy starts at 338 WM and goes up from there. If people are recoil sensitive they would be better served with something that shots a heavy bullet at modest velosites. 338/06 w/250gr, 35 whelen with 250s, 9.3x62 with 286gr, all have moderate recoil and are very effective out to a couple hundred yards. Premium bullets are a must.
 
Last edited:
If I was buying a new gun,I would look at the 338/06 or the 35 whelen. Very good for anything from a moose on down to a whitetail, and would also do the job on the big bears. I have a 375 H&H, so I would stick with that if I was strictly hunting in big bear country.
 
I have a Browning A-Bolt in .338WM and love it. Planing on a little Elk hunt in NM next fall.
I have thought about building a .35 Whelen or the 338RUM
I'M with remington870 - start with 338 and go up.
Sean
 
speaking from experience - the 375 - in fact a couple of my old guides kept a spare 375 with them, and if the client showed up with anything else they were told to leave it in camp and take the spare 375. and with good reason
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top