OT Which one to take?

[handirifle]

Not a handi but looking for advice.
I am planning a Sept, 2009 moose hunt in Alaska with a co-worker and I am wondering which caliber to bring, or if both, which to hunt with.

I have a Savage 30-06 that I converted to 338-06 and am still working up loads for it.  Most likely settling on a 210-225gr bullet at 2700-2800fps.

I just acquired a Marlin 1895GS in 45-70 and will be working loads for it also, including the possiblilty of Garrett ammo for bear medicine.

The co-worker, has been and will again be an AK citizen, living north of Anchorage.  He says shots run from 50 to 200yds in that area.

I figure I'll most likely bring both rifles, but am torn as to which one to actually hunt with.

The 338-06 will obviously have the advantage of range, but the 45-70  will have the nod at 100yds or less.  If i use just the marlin, I figure a powerful 400gr load at 1800-1900, or at minimum a 350gr at 2000fps.

The 350gr would most likely reach to 150 without problem.

The question is, If you could only take one, which one would it be?

[Fred M]

338-06 will take your moose at any range out to 400 yards. With a 45-70 you may miss a good moose at long range with the rain bow trajectory.

[dumgunny]

 I vote for the .338/06. It should do the job at short or long range, and the Savage rifles are tough, accurate, and if you drop it in a creek, your not out too much money.
JMH2¢

[whiteoper]

Have seen moose shot with booth the 338-06 and the 45-70 with very predictable results.  If this is a once in a life hunt I would have to give the 338-06 the nod as you may not want to pass on THE shot.  The factors are all range related to the area you plan on hunting.  Here in northern Alberta we hunt moose in thick cover, open cut blocks, pipeline rightaways, sysmic lines, river and lake shores.   If you are going during the rut then use the 45-70 and call that little swamp donky to you (more fun and less work).

Roscoe

[handirifle]

I vote for the .338/06. It should do the job at short or long range, and the Savage rifles are tough, accurate, and if you drop it in a creek, your not out too much money.
JMH2¢

Now if I didn't know better, I'd say you've followed me around on my hunts  

[handirifle]

All very good point, and the same ones that have rattled around in my head.  I guess I was romanticizing a bit for the Marlin, but like you guys say, this might not happen again and it WOULD be a bummer to see the ONLY shot I was offered and it be at 250-300yds.

OK, I'll take both, and use the 338 until (and IF) I get my moose, and take the Marlin along for bears afterwords.

Whiteoper
I am in the process of seeing if the 210gr Partitions I have will group acceptably, do you suppose this would be heavy enough or should I go for the 225-250gr range?

My friend hunts only with his 338 Win Mag (just a one gun guy) and he uses 250gr for moose (and bear if need be) and 225 for everything else.  What say ye for the 338-06?  The 210-225 range seems the most effecient for this round as far as trajectory and energy.

[Mac11700]

Since you have time before your hunt...I suggest the following...

Buy some of the factory 210 partition loads and see if they shoot good for you...they ain't cheap..but neither is you time...Personally...heading up there...I would rather go up in bullet weight...and use a NorthFork bullet or TBBC bullet in the 225 grain weight...you might give up 100 fps in velocity...but your going to get better bone smashing penetration out of them...http://cpcartridge.com/cart2/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_117

The 45-70 is a good choice...and is a great brush gun..and using Garrets ammo is a wise choice when critters are wanting to eat you...

Yes...take both...having a back up gun is always a smart thing to do when your out in the boonies...

Mac

[handirifle]

Mac,
Good thoughts.  Never heard of the TBBC bullet, what's it like?  Had figured on the partition or Barnes TSX.  Looking at Midway they're about $42 for a box of 50 and that is nearly half the cosat of the loaded ammo.  Counting time and powder, etc, you're probably right about the savings.

The reason I mentioned the 210gr also was because Randy at Barnes suggested the 210 as an all round bullet for that caliber, says it will open on deer nicely and HE FEELS it's plenty for elk and moose.

I do think I'd feel more comfortable with a 225gr or higher.

I know moose have been killed with much less, but as my friend says, "I don't carry the 338 for moose, they're easy to kill, I carry it for bears".

Maybe I'll order some ammo tonight.

[Foggy]

The 338-06 is the ticket. Elmer is smiling down on you right now. It will work on Bears too. I prefer a 3" 12GA pump a 590 Mossberg or 870 Remington with an extended mag tube  anyway  yet another opion Have a Great Hunt 

[handirifle]

Well, I hope that in the case of an unwanted close encounter with a bear, first, that I don't load my pants until AFTER the shot, and second, that I have the Marlin loaded with Garretts to use.  I'd feel just a tine bit safer flinging a 500gr pill at him than even one half that size.

I need to save my pennies for ammo it looks like.

[whiteoper]

 Just my two cents I like to find a bullet and a load that shoots good in my rifle and has great performance history and than I use it for everything.  I like to know where my hunting rifle is hitting every time it goes off.  My deer load is the same as my elk load same as my moose load same as .......  If the 210 gr load shoots in your rifle and you can do your job with it then it will more than kill a moose, bear, elk,ect.

Roscoe

[handirifle]

Will have to see what works and what doesn't.