Which gun would you take? .375 or 30/06
This fall I'm going on a 10 day fly-in drop camp Moose hunt in Alaska. I've used my 30/06 to kill all kinds of big game in the lower 48 without ever feeling like I was under gunned. When I started planning this hunt I was sure I wanted to take my 375 H&H mag for a couple of reasons some of those are that I am shooting it really well from the bench and offhand, I should be able to put a Moose right down and no worries about it walking off into the river or a deep bog, and if by a remote chance we have any big bear problems I'd like to be able to stop the situation quickly. On the other hand the 30/06 has been everywhere with me and shoots like a dream, it is my favorite rifle. I know I could kill a Moose with ease and stop a bear but the 375 seems to offer a little better margin for error. Weight restrictions wouldn't allow to bring both and besides if I brought both I'd only have one in my hands anyways so which one?
Both rifles are up to the task of weather, have good optics (Leupolds)and are easy to carry, what would you "Experts" do?
Both rifles are up to the task of weather, have good optics (Leupolds)and are easy to carry, what would you "Experts" do?
0
-
Hey Snellstrom,
If I were in your shoes I would undoubtably have as hard a time choosing as you are. In the end, however, I would most likely end up taking the 30/06. If it were my favorite rifle and it is able to bring down the species im hunting, then im bringing it. I am a believer in accuracy over caliber anyday. I'm not saying that your .375 isn't accurate because im sure it is, but if you are extremely comfotable with the 06' then undoubtably you will be more accurate with the 06'. Also, im sure you already know this yourself by now, but don't listen to the people who say the 30/06 isn't big enough for moose. Remember one thing, when a bullet exits an animal you just wasted energy as well as bullet expansion. I hope this helps you some.
"The man who can hunt with 1 gun is the most dangerous, but that doesn't mean you can't have a lot of guns"
http://www.geocities.com/jonnya0322/0 -
Go with the rifle you're most familiar with. If you've shot your 06 so long that you've developed a "sixth sense" for it, I think it would be the better choice. Under stress or excitement, I think you would be better off with the your favorite rifle rather than your biggest one. 0 -
Sounds to me that you are leaning towards the .375 H&H. Take the .375, I'm a firm believer of having enough gun to take care of what type of game is in the area you are going to hunt. Then you won't come back saying 'I wish I brought the big gun'. 0 -
Bring the .375 and lots of ammo. A well placed 30-06 will take most anything on the continent, but no way in hell would I want to find the limitations of my presuure situation accuracy during a Brown Bear charge. Banging a big .375 solid off a Brownies shoulder will likely at least turn him...the same shot with a 30-06 would, I think, do nothing more than anger him.
"When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
"When I was 14 I used to marvel at how ignorant my old man was...by the time I was 21 I was truelly amazed at how much the old bugger had learned in the intervening 7 years!" Samuel Clemens
"History is written by winners"(Patton)
"You get a lot farther with a kind word and a gun than you do with a kind word alone!"(Al Capone)
"There is nothing lower than the human race...except the French" (Samuel Clemens)0 -
Snellstrom, you didn't say what bullet you have been shooting in the 30/06 but my experience with the 30/06(since 1958 anyway) has been that it will bring down anything on the north american continent when the right bullet is placed in the right spot. I am a big fan of big bores and they do a great job on the right game. But most people do not handle them very well, especially under stress. When the pucker factor kicks in(like when a brown bear charges) you would be far better off with a rifle you are familiar with and have shot quite a bit. If it is a .375--fine. If it is a 30/06 with at least 180 grain bullets such as the barnes or partition point nosler- that too will get the job done if the bullet placement is right. It mostly boils down to what can I hit with when the pressure is on and the proper bullet selection. After all, a charging grizzly at 25 feet will make a 155mm howitzer seem too small at the time. No comfort there. 0 -
Take the .375...It's perfect for the hunt you're planning. When I go, I'm taking my .338 Winchester Magnum. If I had a .375, it would be my first choice. 0 -
30-06. its that simple. btw, what error? if youre hunting moose, you should be skilled enough not to make an error.
former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, former navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction. NRA certified instructor.0 -
All six moose I killed with a 30-06 got dead fast, they die pretty easy if well hit. A .375 is fine too if you plunk then behind the front shoulder so you don't blow softball sized holes through good meat.
Bring the rifle you have the greatest confidence in hitting a basket ball sized target at 100 yards while getting rained on, bugs in your eyes and ears and standing on a slippery tree truck shooting off hand, leaning on a willow branch out of breath and dead tired.
That is moose hunting!0 -
The 30/06 with 180 grain Hornady Light Magnums are awesome. 0 -
I don't remember if you said if this was going to be a guided hunt or not . If it is and you will be in big bear country ,the guid will have a back up rifle big enought to stop a bear charge .
I would take the 30-06 ,only because it sounds like you shoot it better and are more comfortable with it . Good luck0 -
Well ????????? if you don't use that 375 on a moose----what will you use it for????? old chevys maybe????? 0 -
North Europeans routinely use 6.5x55 to hunt moose. They are not a hard kill. I would take the 06 and let the guide handle the bears. If not a guided hunt take both and use which ever the country dictates. Both is not a bad idea anyway, unless you are hunting Alaska every year and can deal with a broken gun or scope. 0 -
Hi Snellstrom,
Tough choice because each is one of the best all around cartridges in the world.
I have been to Alaska and seen big bull moose up close -real close-and believe I would want as much gun as possible. Besides if conditions are somewhat less than optimium the extra insurance wouldn't hurt - not to mention a bear rushing out of the brush if surprised.
Either way you will be well armed.
Regards,
Heavyiron
"If I don't see you nomore on this world, I'll meet you on the next one, and don't be late!" - Jimi Hendrix0 -
Well by my signature you know my answer. I'd say .375 minimum, a 30/06 will kill anything up there, but, you don't always get a chance for a perfect killing shot. Hit 'em with something that will really make 'em real sick. Personally, I'd rather have a .416 as a minimum caliber. Dave 0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
14 comments