I have booked a Sheep/Moose hunt for this fall in SE Alaska, and am curious as to hearing some opinions on which of the following (2) rifles I should use;
1) a 7mm Rem Ultra Mag
2) .270 Weatherby Mag
both rifles are synthetic and weigh under 8#, scoped, so that shouldn't be a factor. I also shoot each one equally well. Also, does anyone know anything (first-hand) about Conley Precision Cartridges??
Any opinions or information would be helpful.
Thanks

Both should work fine . I'd pick the 7mm with a 160 gr or heavier premium bullet . Good shot placement will do the trick .

If you booked a Sheep/Moose Hunt in SE,I got a very lovely bridge to sell ya'............

Big Stick,

I'll second that!

I'm guessing somewhere near Yakutat.

But, back to the question...

I'd go with the 7mm Mag rifle.

Good luck, and please let us know how it turns out.

7mm Ultra Mag for sure.

270 Wby would be great for sheep, but moose are ALOT bigger than a sheep! The extra penetration offered by a 160 gr. premium will come in handy if you have to punch through a foot of bone or muscle before reaching the lungs of a moose on a quartering angle shot.

I'd try the 160 gr. Partition, or the 160 gr. Barnes XLC. Either one, loaded to 3200 fps or so, will shoot very flat and do the job.

Let me clarify; sheep hunt in the Wrangells out of Chisana, w/ a moose tag if sheep bagged early, and time is left to go to another area...
I'll pass on the bridge for sale.....

Craig,

If it were me I would go with a larger caliber but the big 7 with 160 or 175gr premium bullets will do the trick. If you can take some weight off your rifle I would highly recommend it. The sheep hunting can be quite physically demanding in the Wrangells and a light rifle will be a blessing.

Good luck! There are still some very good rams in the Wrangells and some mayor moose particularly if you hunt in Sept. when they start to think about rutting.

Mark, thanks for the input. Each of the (2) rifles listed weighs about 7 3/4#, about as light as I can get them. Of course, everyone can always use a lighter (another) rifle...
The hunt is schedule for Sep 10-20, roughly, a good moose would be a bonus to the sheep.

thanks again
Craig

Since you will be in bear country, I would suggest the 7mm.
Use a 160 gr North Fork or partition or if you like X bullets, a 140 gr.

Craig,

I would ask your outfitter/booking agent what the chances are of getting snowed out on the sheep that late in the season.

Don't be discouraged because the hunting could be very good with the sheep moving down a little. My concern would be the possibility of landing areas being covered and access being limited. Our hunt in the Wrangells started at the 6500 foot level and we had snow 3 times in mid August. At this elevation you could have a foot of snow but the valley floor would be clear.

The bonus is that you will hit the absolute prime time for moose.

On rifles how about a light 300WSM with that 180gr. FailSafe bullet. All the pentration you will need for the moose and flat enough trajectory for the sheep. Actually I think you will find that your shot on sheep will not be ultra long. Probably on average around 200 yd.
I think you can get a WSM in a pretty feathery rifle.

This is probably more than you wanted to know but I have been there and done that so I thought I would share with you.

Good luck,

Mark

Craig: Either rifle would be fine for what you're going after. If you choose the .270, I'd go with the heavier 150 gr. bullets however. You're .270 would be able to take down a moose just fine. Whatever you do, use a premium bullet. I think I'd use the most accurate rifle & the one I had the most confidence with and practice, practice, practice. Also, as a side note, make sure you wear a pair of high quality boots with vibram lug soles. Don't get a cheap pair from Wallyworld or some other source and be sure to break them in very well. The Wrangells will tear a boot apart. Just a word to the wise. I'm sure you're gonna have a great trip. Bear in Fairbanks

Mark,
thanks again for the information, I'll cross my fingers on the snow for the sheep. As to rifles, I actually had a Browning A-Bolt SS in 300 WSM in my hands, but I'm not crazy about the overall looks of that rifle, particularly the action. I know they're supposed to be good guns, but I passed on buying one. I also looked at the Model 70 Shadow Stalker in 300 WSM, also very light, but again I don't know about the rubber-inserts in the forearm and stock, looks kind of cheap. I'm sure it's a good gun though. I'll most likely take my 7mm RUM Mdl 700 AWR.

I appreciate your opinions on hunting that area of Alaska, any other pointers you have would be appreciated. The hunt is booked thru a reputable booking agency I'm sure you've heard of.

take care
Craig

Bear in Fairbanks,
Any suggestions on a specific boot? I live in the SF Bay Area of California, so, as you might imagine, I do most of my gear buying through mail-order; Cabelas, LL Bean...

I looked at a pair of Meindl's, they looked pretty good. I will not skimp on boots, and am willing to spend $$$ for the best pair I can find.

Thank you,
Craig

Craig: I wear a pair of White's that were custom made for me in 1971. They've been re-built twice. They're a modified "Smokejumper" style that are 10" high. One drawback to them is the weight. I think they're a bit too heavy for sheep hunting but at the time, there weren't as many selections on the market. I've seen pictures of the Meindl's in the catalogs & they appear to be of good quality. If I didn't have my White's, I'd consider them. To me the important thing for boots is ankle & arch support and snug fit. BTW, on my trip to the Brooks Range this last summer, I thought I had conditioned my feet to my White's before we left. I ended up getting some blisters anyway. Can't emphasize breaking in your boots & feet enough. We didn't get drawn for several walk-in sheep hunts for the Interior so I'm now looking at the Wrangells my self this Aug. You'll find the Wrangell's to be straight up & straight down. Wonderful trip ahead of you, keep us posted on it . Bear in Fairbanks

Craig,

One our hunters used a 7mm UltraMag in the Brooks this past season. Took a decent ram and a very good grizzly. Plenty of gun. I've never hunted the Wrangells but the boots for the Brooks were all rubber, lots of stream crossings. Choose your boots wisely. Your outfitter shoud be able to give you an idea of what you will need. Good luck on your hunt.

Joe

Joe,
thank you for the advice, always good to hear from those who have "been there and done that"

Regards,
Craig

Craig,

Here I am sheep hunting in the Wrangles around 1993ish...



Didn't see any legal rams that trip, and I haven't been sheep hunting since. I still plan on going, one of these years.

I wore Cabela's (Danner) gore-tex line boot with the air-bob soles. The provided great traction and decent ankle support. Here's a picture I took during a goat hunt last fall, of our base camp (down at the lake) and the boots can be seen in the picture...



Their about 10 years old now, and the left boot leaks water. Time for a new pair.

One problem I noticed while sheep hunting, is that down low, before you climb up, there are usually glacier streams to cross. These streams can be low enough in the morning, that regular boots will work, but the streams swell up later in the day, due to the glacier melt-off. Tkae care where you set up camp, and keep your gear!

thanx Brian, good information; I'm new to this internet-forum thing, but I appreciate everyone's input. Me being from California and all, I didn't know it was possible to get skunked in Alaska!!

Craig: Just a couple of more ideas for you to consider. I agree with the previous suggestions on checking with your outfitter as to what type of boots to get. Also, I'd suggest that you tape over your rifle muzzle with a couple layers of electrical tape then roll several layers of tape around your barrel somewhere behind the muzzle. Obviously, this will prevent anything from getting into the muzzle by accident, even rain. Should you take a shot, you can remove the tape on the muzzle & replace it with tape that you rolled around the barrel. This procedure saved me a couple of times up in the Brooks Range this last summer.
Also, when we hunt sheep, we carry our rifles across our pack boards. Wrap some tape around the grip and on the forearm (not around the barrel) then using a pair of quick release nylon straps, you can carry the rifle across your packboard. I think you'll find you won't want to carry your rifle in your hands while climbing, get & use a walikng stick instead. These are just some suggestions we've found helpful.
Bear In Fairbanks

Craig Nolan,

I would reccomend Danners(cabelas Elkhunter model) or their outfitter series for boots. I'm gonna send you an email too..Good luck on your hunt

Craig -
I'm guessing you'll be hunting with Terry Overly of Pioneer Outfitters. Been there, done that.

Gorgeous country, and you'll likely get your sheep. I saw hundreds of sheep on that ten day hunt, killed a nice one on day seven. I used a .270.

Either of those rifles will work fine for both sheep and moose. Like others said, just take whichever one you're most fond of and use it.

Good luck ! If I hit the outfitter on the head and you want to know more, just ask.

Good advice from most posters regarding rifles. Both are fine for whatever you will shoot. pick your lightest, and ounces count on a mountain hunt. But more important, one does prolly shoot a wee bit better at longer range than the other. Go with that one. Confidence is all.

Regarding boots: Take a pair of hip boots with you. not for sheep, for moose. All the moose country I have seen was better hunted with hippers than with wet legs and feet. You may just take them to a stream crossing and leave them on the other side until return later, but you will thank me when you have dry feet all day. With your leather boots: Walk in them. run in them. climb in them. soak them completely in hot water and wear them until dry and form fitted. They will get soaked on your trip anyway. Carry a pack in them. get your blisters walking in Oakland or Golden gate Park or up Mt. Tam. or my favorite: Mt. Diablo.

Last thing on moose: A guide told me just last weekend that he had never seen a moose die with just one shot. Mine took three at 293 grains each to drop. Not to say they dont die eventually, but a moose will seek out the worst place for collapse if given any chance. and even a small ravine or creek or forbid the water-shot moose.... You must keep shooting until it drops or face a bit of work.

I am happy for your hunt.

Opinions Opinions Opinions....

[ 02-04-2003, 07:48: Message edited by: Jameister ]

Steiny and Jamiester, thanks for the advice on hunting sheep and moose in AK. Jamiester, you know some bay area landmarks, are you a former resident of California, kudos to you on your escape...
Steiny, Pioneer Outfitters it is!! I'me sending you an email...

Thank you again for the information, it's all very helpful to me...
Craig

Danners are good boots, they have a seconds store in Portland for blemished boots--good deals. Find the model/style you like and see if they have the model for you--they can put your name on a list if a pair comes available. White boots for a sturdy leather boot is good advise too.

There is NO single boot that works in all conditions. Leather boot with aggressive thread good ankle support PLUS something waterproof and works in snow again with ankle support and a non flexing sole. I suggest people take a very very close look at Hoffman boots with a stiff shank and full insole. http://www.hoffmanboots.com/ I have a pair and would not leave home without them.

There is NO easy answer but this is a combo that works for me.

HI,

whatever Big Stick saids I agree with, he knows his stuff. By the way I will be near you in August my friend. Thanks,Kev