Second on the not getting an obscure caliber. I use a 7mm STW and love it, but don't recommend it to the average hunter who doesn't reload. While you can buy factory ammo for it, the choices are somewhat limited and you aren't going to find it on the shelf of a mom and pop sporting goods store unless they or one of their good buddies owns one.

.338 WM. Common, plenty flat shooting and is nice when you encounter a bear. It's about all I've used for big game hunting for years. Mine is a Ruger.

^^^^^
I've only shot a couple of 338WM rifles, but they all kicked like a mule; never have figured out why my 375H&H rifles are so tame compared to the 338.

If big bear are on the menu, I would opt for the 375 H&H. More recoil push than the sharp kick that you get from the Winchester Mags And if you handload you can generate some sweet but effective reduced loads. If your shooting across cannons for elk, goats or sheep, I'd go with one of the 300 Weatherbys. In all fairness, the 30-06 will take everything on your list with patience and good shot placement.

The 375 H&H runs lower pressures than the Win Mags. At least in factory loads. This helps tame recoil, and stock design of specific rifles and how they fit an individual makes a big difference on felt recoil.

When I was guiding brown bear and grizzly bear hunters and a client hopped off the plane in camp with a 30.06, I was always excited.

It meant that the guides were going to get in on a lot of shooting too....!

Pete

Bahaha that’s good stuff. Been looking around since I started this thread and it’s hard finding the 375H&H but I can find the win mags. So I’m thinking 300 or 338wm. Leaning towards 338 wm. I do handload but it’s nice being able to find boxed ammo, especially because I can’t find brass right now. Looks like 7mm mag can be necked up easily too. I also would like to get a suppressor for this rifle and now Rugged came out with what looks to be a pretty sweet .35cal can that a guy could actually lug around the boonies without a huge weight penalty

Ha! We always think the opposite (with black bear). The guys who show up with the latest super ultra magnum cannon and $3000 scope usually can't hit the broadside of a barn. On the other hand when the guy showed up with grandpa's 06 with half the bluIMG worn off, chances were he could actually hit what he was shooting at.

Been shooting a 338 mag for years but with the monolithic bullets like the Barnes ttsx I'm considering going to something smaller. Haven't seen any 338 mag on the shelves in Fairbanks for two years, lot's of 308 and usually some '06................not sure how it is in your area but food for thought.

The Homeschool option is a great decision. Congratulations
I run a tikka lite in 300wsm with handloads and can't complain

Whichever cartridge I pick I plan to use monolithics in, if it’ll shoot em well. Shot a few does with .223 62gr TSX’s and that sold me on the bullet. I’m mostly an archery hunter so placement, pass through and hemorrhaging are my main concerns. I tried the fabled nosler partitions in 25-06 on some deer in SD but didn’t like the results, have had better luck with softpoints and SST’s.

My second choice after 375hh would be the 300 winnie, third would be the .348 in the M71.

Sam Fadala, .54 RB, Henry Mountains
One of my favorite pics...

Yep.

I've shot 2 of the 3 you have listed with a 338 wm and never felt I was undergunned. . My tikka 695 is very pleasant and with good bullets it never disappoints. Bullet placement is key but in means nothing unless you get good penetration. I typically use 210 or 225 gr barnes bullets which provide great penetration and weight retention.

I am still shooting the same 06 my Dad gave me when I was 14 so 46 years 40 yrs of that has been in Alaska. I wouldn’t hesitate to shoot a brown bear with it have killed more moose and caribou then I can remember along with a few bears both brown and black Familiarity with the gun and shot placement are key I am so familiar with this gun is pretty much an part of me when I pick it ip to shoot. That being said if I was going to do a significant amount of bear hunting I would opt for the 300win mag them bears just don’t always know how to die even when they are dead

You can do moose and bison within a day or so drive from where you live. They aren’t that hard to kill. Where would you apply for a brown bear hunt? Generally a very expensive outing due to paying a guide.

As far as I know Maine and Alaska are the only places allowing nonresidents to hunt moose. Our DNR is letting the wolves have a hayday with our moose so we haven’t had a moose season in years. I won’t participate in a fenced buffalo hunt. Not my style. But applying for Sd’s hunt and looking into MT’s for the future. As far as Brownies go, I put my foot in my mouth. Since starting this post I started digging around and yes it’s quite expensive chasing bears up in AK. Too expensive for me at the moment.

You can hunt moose here in Alaska as a non res. without a guide. Still an expensive undertaking. If you reach the point you want to do a moose hunt up here there will be plenty of members to help you pick where and how to get there.

Thank you. I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.