Going Hunting in the Yukon...

Not my idea of good hunting rifles but they'll certainly kill moose. The AICS would be an ungainly beast, and anyone hunting alongside that .338 with its brake isn't going to be a happy camper (or hunter rather).

What you need doesn't have to be fancy or pricey, a standard sporting .30-06 or .300 Mag out of the EE will be perfect, probably something decent in there for just six hundred bucks right now.
 
Northmann999, you too have good perspective on things...I've taken a number of moose with my .308 in Northern Ontario...but Northern Ontario is not the Yukon..the word around here is much different from the comments on CGN...it's all good..

I am leaving for Whitehorse in early September for a few weeks...I am expecting 0 to just below zero temperatures at night, but it is nice to hear it from someone who has been there...I'm going with full goretex(jacket/pants/boots), heavy/light fleece, bivy sack and down clothing when at base camp....
 
Rosie6781 said:
Northmann999, you too have good perspective on things...I've taken a number of moose with my .308 in Northern Ontario...but Northern Ontario is not the Yukon..the word around here is much different from the comments on CGN...it's all good..

I am leaving for Whitehorse in early September for a few weeks...I am expecting 0 to just below zero temperatures at night, but it is nice to hear it from someone who has been there...I'm going with full goretex(jacket/pants/boots), heavy/light fleece, bivy sack and down clothing when at base camp....
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i have seen -20C with 2 feet in sept and i have gotten sun burn as well is sept. get the best rain gear you can get as you can bet on using it a ton.
 
Weather will be very unpredictable. The range of weather in the spring and fall up north is really something to behold. I knew locals who hunted muskeg swamps in hip waders!

Your real lucky. That area might be the nicest area in Canada. Alberta excluded of course.

Your rifles will do the job. Find a proper bullet and load for the one you choose and practice until shooting accuratly is second nature. I suggest you dedicate some real practice time shooting offhand to 100 yards. When I finally worked on that (it was very humbling at first) until I was consistent it really increased my confidence. I also used a one knee down position to help clear scrub brush. Check your zero when you get there. I actually find solid confidence in my equipment and skills is as important as the skills themselves.
 
Northman999 has given you the best advice you could get.

Sounds like you already have a 308 Winchester. It will be handle any moose you will find. My wife has killed lots of 60+ inch moose with her "little" Ruger RSI and 180 gr Partitions.

Bring the 308, and plenty of very warm clothing that you can put on and/or take off in layers! You could very easily see -20C at night, and sitting in a boat on the river in September can be bitter cold.

Are you hunting with an outfitter or a friend? They should be able to help you sort this out as the time draws near.

Ted
 
Rosie, I would have to say that the comments, information and suggestions have received should be placed into to piles: BS and Realistic.
Into the BS pile should go anyone saying you need a bloody cannon.
Cannons are fun and can give you a sense of security, but Ted and North have it right.
Stick a good bullet in the easy to carry and point .308 and send us pics of the great bull you tip over.
Hell, I will lend you are rifle to keep you from packing a 11lb rifle into the Yukon, and for the sake of the people you are hunting with, please don't take a Lapua with a brake. If you shot that thing beside me without an opportunity to shovel clay into my ears, I would punch you in the nose, very hard.
I am jealous of your opportunity, and given that opportunity, sell a LR rig, and get a easy to carry suitable hunting rig for the chance.
My idea of a good Yukon rifle is the 7-8lb all in, 30-06 to 338 Win Mag, but then again thats me, and to each there own.
 
Your 308 with quality bullet, Partition or else will do the job perfectly you are not at all undergunned here... JP.
 
Hey Why Not?,

We are hunting with some friends...I am going to bring my -20 hybrid down bag with a bivy sack...I did buy a Savage Model 10 precision from a CGN'r a while back...I may sell that to buy a REM 700 7mm SPS with DM or something else a little more practical as everyone has stated...If you know of anyone who wants to trade for the precision model 10, let me know...that little rifle weighs more than thought it would before I bought it..maybe I'll post it today...

I have all military goretex gear..that should work well...I appreciate all of your comments; thank you!...plan for the worse, hope for the best....
 
The remington is a good choice if you plan on hiking a bit.You will enjoy travelling by river up here, it a fantastic way to hunt.I enjoy river trips , relaxing and peacefull, and the cell phones don't work out on the rivers up here :)
 
In the Yukon I had a Sako (Hunter '82 vintage, heavy barrel in 30-06). Traded the Sako for the BLR at the Canadian Tire in Whitehorse because the Sako was just too heavy to lug around. I hunted around the Carmacks, Snafu lakes and North Canol and pretty much stuck to rivers, lakes and bush trails. The hiking was often more pleasure/exploring than hunting. As a result, the rifle will get a scratch or two or three on those excursions, so don't buy anything too pretty or a work of art, 'cause it will look "used" after a few trips. You won't go wrong with a 30-06, 270 or 7mm. Some folks like the 300 mag, but it's a lot of ka-boom for a lil' ol' moose. Remember, for those of you whom love the long shots, you have to go and get it...and in the Yukon, that could be a lot of hard work and grief too, especially when you have to cross that wet area you didn't see or that damn beaver dam.

Northman covered it off pretty well. I a week we went from +07 C in the day to -8 C at night. Had a tent heater, so we were pampered. Enjoy the northern lights and engorge yourself in the magic and beauty that is the Yukon. I know in the fall and summer, I still miss it, and it's been almost 15 years since I lived up there.

Cheers! :D
 
Rosie6781 said:
Although I have a .300 win mag with AICS, I purchased a .338 Lapua with FTE muzzle break (shoots like a .308 now) for long range shooting. Out of these two rifles, what would you recommend to bring? .300 or .338 lapua?
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Neither one of those heavy LR rifles would go with me. I'd look for something lightweight/accurate and dependable with enough power to do the job.

I took a 375Mag both times I went, but a 30/06 loaded with a TSX or Partition would have worked just as well.

.
 
If you are canoeing lever actions as a way to go a good Marlen gide rifle is perfect.
6.5x55 30-06 are my all-time favorites.
Sorry I didn't realize there was more to this thread miss that.
I would not get too excited about long-range shooting in the Yukon.
You do not want a laser beam that will shoot clean through your animal without the bullet expanding.
If it was me I would stick with something with a long track record like 30-06 for a carry rifle.
I would still bring the 300 just in case a opportunity comes up on the river sometimes it is nice to have that laserbeam handy just in case.
 
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just get a six pound 308 and be done with it. chances are good that you are going to get one on the river bank. make sure you hit him good so he doesnt step into the river. 12 inches down from the top of the hump in line with the front leg does it every time. happy hunting. i might see you out there.
 
MTM said:
You're way over gunned, sell them both and get a 308. Hahaha Take whichever handles best.
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the 308 win ballistics is not even close to the 300 win mag or the 338 lapua. if your going to use a 308 win you shoulnd just get a 243 its more accurate.
 
Not wanting to buy a new rifle is entirely reasonable, take the .300. If you get up there and find your ammo is MIA, you'll likely not any .338 Lapua. You will find .300 Win Mag.
The weight will get very heavy towards the end of the day. Mind you, by the time you add a scope and sling(don't even think about not using one) to a 6 lb rifle, it won't be 6 lbs either.
 
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