July 05, 2018, 02:49 PM
valkyrie1Have a friend who moved up to Alaska and wants to start hunting,
He's looking at taking any of the larger game that's available there. I mentioned the usual, Browning,CZ,Winchester in calibers ranging from 7mm to .338 but he mentioned he has a messed up rotator cuff and was wanting to know of an AR platform with a caliber that would do it all. I'm familiar with the AR10 style up to a .308. What other options are out there(.458 Socom might be too much).
July 05, 2018, 03:21 PM
YellowJacketThere is a .450 Bushmaster and a .375 SOCOM (458 necked down to 375) but I don't know if they would deliver any less thump to his shoulder.
In the AR-10 platform, I believe you can get plenty of hunting loads, though for big Alaskan game, you'd probably be limited to .338 Federal or .358 Win.
July 05, 2018, 06:06 PM
newmexicanDoes he want to shoot big bears??? Or just get anmoose and a few caribou every year and maybe take a trip to hunt blacktails once in awhile???
The Winchester 70 30-06 is the “official” gun of Alaska and it works for all of that stuff.
I don’t know anyhMthint about ARs so I can’t help with that. But seems like one in 308 would be ok, or even just a nice 8lb rifle in 308 shouldn’t kick that bad and would be fine for everything up here.
Before I moved to AK I thought everybody would have 338wm, 375HH, 416rigby etc etc, but that’s just not the reality, people have those but most of them Do t seem to get used much. I have a few 375s and I’m not even sure I’d take it for a serious bear hunt.
July 05, 2018, 06:17 PM
WARPIG602AR10 can be had any pretty much any caliber imaginable. Nemo has a 300WM among others. If recoil is a problem, the typical calibers used for big game will also likely be an issue. I have a feeling hes going to have to decide whats more important. If dangerous or very large game arent on the menu, Id look at a AR10 in 6.5CM or possinly .243.
July 05, 2018, 10:19 PM
AnubismpDepends on what he feels is a thumping. I have a DTA 338LM that feels about like a 308 maybe a bit better with a good break. Maybe an autoloader like a BAR in 30-06? That gives you plenty of gun and a gas system to soak it up.
July 06, 2018, 03:01 AM
smpsmpNo matter what route he goes, get a good brake. They are loud, but knock off a good bit of felt recoil. If a bolt gun, then also suggest a better recoil pad. When I was doing gunsmithing full time I did a ton of hunting guns for those with shoulder or back issues and always started there.
July 06, 2018, 03:14 PM
LVJDSCAR 17 is about the softest shooting .308 I’ve ever fired. If you can get over the 16 inch barrel That’d be a fine choice.
July 06, 2018, 03:31 PM
Opus DeiI remember the Cobb ARs in .30/06, but I don't think they're around anymore.
July 06, 2018, 03:58 PM
WARPIG602quote:
Originally posted by LVJD:
SCAR 17 is about the softest shooting .308 I’ve ever fired. If you can get over the 16 inch barrel That’d be a fine choice.
16in barrel wont give up much at typical hunting ranges.
July 06, 2018, 06:28 PM
fritzquote:
Originally posted by valkyrie1:
He's looking at taking any of the larger game that's available there. I mentioned the usual, Browning,CZ,Winchester in calibers ranging from 7mm to .338 but he mentioned he has a messed up rotator cuff and was wanting to know of an AR platform with a caliber that would do it all. I'm familiar with the AR10 style up to a .308. What other options are out there(.458 Socom might be too much).
Start with a good definition of "any of the larger game". Does that include grizzly and polar bears? Or moose, caribou, and black bears? Form follows function.
Assuming factory ammo, AR-10s can be purchased from 6mm/.243 bores up to .338 bores, in standard action length -- meaning a case roughly of the size and capacity of a .308. A few specialty shops make ARs which handle long cases and magnum calibers.
458 SOCOM is meant for an AR-15, and is likely about the biggest thumper of that class of cartridge. Muzzle energy on the round will likely max at 2400-ish foot pounds.
308 Win is meant for an AR-10. Expect max muzzle energies of about 2700 foot pounds.
338 Federal is another AR-10 chamber. Max muzzle energies of about 3100 foot pounds.
The lighter side of AR-10 chambers include 7mm-08, 260/6.5, and 244/6mm. Muzzle energies will be less than 308. In the middle of the pack will be the 260/6.5, with max energies of 2300-2400 foot pounds.
Recoil reduction can occur in the following ways:
- increase the weight of the rifle
- reduce the power of the load
- add some form of mechanical recoil absorption to the stock
- add some form of muzzle brake, which also includes silencers
- for a semi auto platform, DI may offer slightly less perceived recoil than a piston system of the same basic configuration, but many shooters will be unable to tell the difference
July 07, 2018, 08:20 AM
valkyrie1I think his max game would be grizzly but would be in an ohoh moment. More than likely caribou, moose and black bear.
July 07, 2018, 06:55 PM
dog44338 federal. Federal power shok 200gr 2700 fps at muzzle. This little round packs a real punch. I own a Tika t3 in this caliber.