From Michigan, have done lots of white-tail hunting with .243 and .308 Win. Interested in an elk/grizz gun. Looking into 300 Win Mag/ 338 Win Mag/ 375 H&H. I am not sure the added the added recoil of the "ultra mags" is worth it. From my experience (such a 300 gr Barnes out of my muzzleloader), larger bullets seem to have more "take-down power" and the velocity of the bullet appears less important, until ranges outside 400 yards.
Anyway, any advice would be great. Thanks. Just wondering what would be the best choice for both elk and lage bear!
You want a .416!!! The hardest decision will be Rem or Rigby. For elk, you can used a Barnes 300 gr X bullet and get darn near 3,000 fps. The Barnes #3 manual gives 5,995 ft/lbs energy at the muzzle and 3,789 ft/lbs at 300 yards, still zipping along at 2,400 fps (REM numbers). 2.6 in high at 100 yards and you are only 3.7 in low at 300 yards. For big and nasty, go to 400 gr, and you can take any game on the planet. The full blown 400 grainers HURT, you aren't going to shoot three boxes off the bench in an afternoon, 80+ ft lbs. I shoot the 300 grain loads (max) ALOT and the recoil is less than my .45-70 Guide Gun using max loads.
With the .416 you get ALOT of flexibility. I went with the REM because I got a great deal on a NIB SAKO, Ruger makes a Rigby, and it doesn't even break a sweatgetting .416 Rem performance. Rem ammo is less expensive.
Good luck,
CE
__________________
"A hunter should not select a caliber and bullet that will kill when everything goes right, rather,
should choose ones that will kill when everything goes wrong."
"Recoil lasts a second, but gravity lasts forever."
Most of the Grizzlies were killed before the Ultra Mags were invented. I have used the 30-06 and 45-70 for the big bears. I had a 416 Rem mag and would recommend it as a fine big bear gun. If I were buying a new rifle for this duty though it would be a 375 H&H. Plent of bullet weight and velocity for the biggest game. Good Luck.
I would opt for either a 338 WM or 375 H&H. My personal do all alaskan rifle is a Wincheter M70 Classic in 375 H&H with 3-12 burris Black diamond. Its a little more scope than is really needed but comes in handy for those longer shots. The 260gr Accubond federal premium load shoots great in my gun and is surprisingly flat shooting.
I have never hunted grizzly bears. That said my 375-R.U.M. should be enough. My 300-win mag is enough for elk.
This year I plan on hunting elk, deer & antelope with my 375-R.U.M.
If Icould start my gun collection over again? My big rifle would be chambered in 458-Lott.
I personally wouldn't hunt griz with anything less than a 338win.
So that eliminates the 300 in my eyes. The 338 is a great cartridge, but I would choose the 375 for this endeavor. The 416 Rem is a terrific cartridge no doubt but it wasn't a choice in your original post. Still I think the 375 is plenty of gun for the bruinsand is exremely versatile. You can load the 375 with 225 grainers and push them out at 3000 fps (read awesome elk round), load it with 300 grainers andtake out your bear or even a cape buffalo.
__________________
"Well, If'n I had me a horse pistol like that.... I wouldn't be afraid of no bogger man." Rooster Cogburn
If you are hunting elk and just want protection, then any ofthe cartridges you mentioned (even on the lower end) would likely doreasonably wellfor the unlikely chance you have to defend yourself (I'd recommend the 338WinMag unless you "enjoy" a little recoil and then the 375 Ouch and Ouch would be my recommendation). I'd say in this circumstance you have to focus on an elk rifle you can handle well first and then reasonable defense against bears second.
If you are going to hunt Griz as well and if Brownies in particular are on the menu(technical difference, but same idea) then the 375 Holland & Holland is a truely heartwarming cartridge and IMHO instills a lot of confidence going into a potentially dangerous situation. Plus, it opens the doors for you to go elsewhere and engage in even more craziness (a good thing ).
If you just flat out want to be one of the "baddest boys on the block" then a good 416 in a repeating rifle would be a fine choice, tons (literally) of energy up close and way flatter shooting than many people realize if you use 350 gr. bullets.
EKM
__________________
Never Go Undergunned, Always Check The Sight In, Perform At Showtime!
Good judgment comes from bad experience! Learn from the mistakes of others; you' ll never live long enough to make them all yourself!
Elk/Grizzly bear caliber choice
