Which Sheep Caliber

[DuckDogDr]

Guys I'm wondering which gun to have built for a Dall Sheep Hunt in the Yukon territories.
I know any of the possibilities will work with sheep..
however I'm sweating bullets over a grizz encounter and want something to reliably put down a bear if needed.

Thanks in advance . I'm not overly sensitive to recoil..and will have a brake on for practice sessions

 

[Slugz]

Understand your point.
I personally would pack spray and a sidearm with hardcast bullets and have a rifle in the 270 to 280 range built.

I didnt vote but I would think you have lots of options from the 300 WM to the 338 WM range.

 

[Old and gray]

The most dangerous thing on your hunt will be the journey whether driving or flying. Oh and the 270 is not on the poll.

 

[Steve O]

Agree with the fine gentlemen above. .270 with 140g Swift A Frames shoot in the same holes as 140g Accubonds and pack a wallop!

 

[Steve O]

I voted 300 Win. It does everything well.

 

[FLAK]

Yep, cant go wrong with the 300 Winny!!!

 

[adventure907]

I killed my first and second sheep, and my first grizzly bear with my 300 SAUM, hence my vote. These days I tote around a 300 WSM.

 

[NorthCountryAB]

Understand your point.
I personally would pack spray and a sidearm with hardcast bullets and have a rifle in the 270 to 280 range built.

I didnt vote but I would think you have lots of options from the 300 WM to the 338 WM range.

Unfortunately a sidearm and cast bullets wont be an option in Canada.

IMHO pretty hard to beat a 300wm for an all around NA rifle.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Go with whatever floats your boat that you will shoot well. I’d take a 6.5 of your choosing myself. Though I did take a 300 WM on my sheep and grizzly bear hunt.

All are capable of killing a grizzly. Bullet construction has a bigger role in stopping a grizzly than does diameter. That and being able to get a CNS shot off under a few seconds with no warning. This last part is the hard part.

If it makes you feel better, have a mag loaded with something like Barnes or Federal Bear Claws and keep it in your rifle. Easy enough to swap to your hunting rounds when it comes time to shoot a sheep. And if a sheep pops up close enough, shoot it with your “bear” ammo.

Bear spray mentioned above is a great suggestion.

Have seen several folks bring a gun for “just in case” situations. The problem is they’re so afraid of the gun that they can’t hit a stationary piece of paper (8.5x11) at 100 yards. But they still believe that they’ll be Cool Hand Luke if a bear pops up 5 yards away and it is about to maul them.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I voted for the 300 but I use a 308.

 

[7layerburrito]

Jack O'Connor would clutch his heart at a poll like this that didn't include .270.

Any of these are fine, bring what shoots best, pack spray for bears, but most importantly be smart and aware.

 

[Slugz]

Unfortunately a sidearm and cast bullets wont be an option in Canada.

IMHO pretty hard to beat a 300wm for an all around NA rifle.

Oh. I did not know that. Thank you

 

[Slugz]

I voted 300 Win. It does everything well.

I voted the same for the same reasons

 

[ericthered]

I prefer a 308 or 270 / 270 WSM. Neither on the list. The 308 is light and cheap ammo which these days is a consideration. I also like the option of a 200 grain bullet in the 308 if you want the energy for bear. The 270 WSM is nice as a magnum option for longer range. Todays advanced scopes sort of negate the advantage though.

 

[Rackmastr]

I own a 7SAUM as my all-around rifle. Voted 6.5 SAUM though in this poll.

 

[AK Shane]

What would be your main use for the rifle after the sheep hunt? That would be a larger factor to me in choosing a caliber than bear protection.

A charging grizzly isn't going to know the difference between the 7 saum or 30 saum. The explosion in their face is probably as much of a deterrent as the bullet it's self.

If you regularly hunt grizzly country then maybe up your caliber but don't go out of your way for one hunt.

 

[Fjelljeger]

Had a grizzly make his way toward camp on my last solo sheep hunt. Used my .308 (180grain) Nosler Partition and put him right down. Haven’t had the fortune to connect with a sheep yet. I will be taking the .308 again this year without any hesitation.

 

[Snyd]

Well, all of em will poke a hole in a bear. Have you shot any of these calibers? a 338 or 300winmag packs quite a wallop. Might not be a issue but some guys can't shoot the big magnums accuratly. Your ability to shoot accuratly and have that self confidence in the gun trumps caliber. I didn't vote but have shot all my rams with a 325wsm also griz and moose. 200gr 1950fps. Mine is a Kimber and with the light pencil barrel has/had quite a bit of muzzle flip and torque/twist. I had it Mag-na-ported, not muzzle braked. And it tamed the flip and twist. I shoot it better now.

 

[DuckDogDr]

Snyd.
Yeap I have shot the equivalent to most of those. My main squeeze is an unbroken 300 RUM that i can literally cloverleaf the rounds at 200...I can only do that for about 7 shots a session but can do it. Only problem with her is she's a big girl at 11 lbs.
I would take her but she shoots so well I don't want to change anything trying to get weight down. I have considered a lighter mcmillan vs the B&C that's on it. If I could get to 9lbs.....

I have considered the confidence factor as this is the first one out of the safe. Harvested 5 whitetail, 2 antelope and a coyote with it.

 

[Antares]

Had a grizzly make his way toward camp on my last solo sheep hunt. Used my .308 (180grain) Nosler Partition and put him right down. Haven’t had the fortune to connect with a sheep yet. I will be taking the .308 again this year without any hesitation.

I’m curious about this story. You had a bear “make his way toward camp” and you DLP’d him. Go on...

Or did you have a bear tag?