Which one to take?

[handirifle]

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?

[GatCat]

As much as I like Marlins, this is what I would be thinking ( and it influenced my choice on a BC moose hunt): This will probably be a once in a lifetime hunt, and do you want to risk possible success by limiting your effective range? If you are interested in the "challange" of shorter range, more power to you. Thats one reason folks hunt with handguns, bows, black powder. IF you are more interested in being able to kill possibly the only legal moose you may encounter, and it is 300-400 yards away, which makes more sense? Either way, enjoy yourself, and good luck to you. Keep us posted.
Mark

[no guns here]

That .338-'06 is the one I'd take...  As much as I love my .45-70's, unless I hunted moose on a regular basis and could afford to pass up shots I'd go with a bit more range for that big hunt.  It's been said that moose aren't that hard to kill, it just takes a while for them to know they're dead.  Stick that .338 in the right place and you will be eating well...


ngh

[Rangr44]

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

No bout adout it - the Marlin 1895GS .45-70 !  If I could take two, the second one'd be a Marlin 1895SS .45-70 - for long range hunting ('cause the longer barrel's closer to far away game).   

[handirifle]

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

No bout adout it - the Marlin 1895GS .45-70 !  If I could take two, the second one'd be a Marlin 1895SS .45-70 - for long range hunting ('cause the longer barrel's closer to far away game).   

 

[Swampman]

I'd take the .1895GS.  It's fine out to 200 yards.  Get a range finder and practice at longer ranges before you go.