Here's a good write up from the Alaska Department of Fish & Game explaining why you don't need a whiz bang ultra mag:

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm...nting.firearms

Great article Jeff. I've been preaching that for years. Magnums just make you flinch. A 30-06 will kill anything if you can shoot.

The best gun you can use is the one you have the most confidence in! Having owned 7mm's, .300 win mag's and 30-30's . . . I now use a Savage .308!! I have 3 elk, 5 deer, and 2 antelope in the freezer over the past 2 seasons. The longest shot was 285 yds and the elk fell in his shadow!
It is one of the most popular calibers for bench shooters because of it's inherant accuravy at long distances. Best of all . . . it is fun to shoot. Shooting more means shooting better and you can't do that with a magnum of any kind. At the range they will spook your shot every time you try and squeeze the trigger. Not to mention your shoulder.
So I have the most confidence in the .308. If I ever get a Moose tag, it will go with me. I have used 168, 165 gr and 180's with very good results.

.370 Sako

http://archives.gunsandammo.com/content/tough-enough

9.3x66 = 370 sako, federal loads for it...not sure who else? essentially a 30-06 necked up to 9.3 or .375?

a 286-grain bullet at 2,550 fps

sounds like the lil brother to the 375H&H, could be a great lighter recoiling 375 for alaska/the really big bears.

I actually own a Remington Model 7 XCR (22 inch barrel) in 300 WSM...I have only shot max 125 yards and consistently can shoot one inch groups at 100 yards...using Federal 180 Trophy Bonded Tip. I use it for deer and bear in NY. This year I switched to 165 Noslers but emergency heart surgery in Sept put the kabosh on my season...

Do I have the right set up to tackle elk, moose, and caribou in the future???

I love my .270...

45 70 all the way.

Thank-You for another informative post Jeff.

I have been hunting the past 10 years with a Win. 270 and I've shot Mule deer, Whitetail deer, and Elk and it works great. Some people like the 300 or 30-06, but for hunting in Montana I love my gun. It doesn't have much kick, it knocks them down, and the shells are cheap, but it all depends on what you like and what your hunting.
Have fun with it.

AK Jeff is spot on.

In Russia they consider 7.62x54R to be adequate to overkill so there you go...