I’m in the market for a new rifle cartridge for my upcoming hunting trip in Alaska, and I’m torn between the .50 Alaskan and the .45-70. I know both cartridges have their strong points, but I’m looking for some advice from those who have experience with either or both of these calibers.
Bullet Performance
Caliber Size: The .50 Alaskan is a larger diameter round compared to the .45-70, which may translate to better stopping power on large game. How does that affect the effectiveness in the field?
Bullet Weight and Speed: What bullet weights do you typically use for either caliber? Does the speed difference significantly impact performance on various types of game?
Versatility
Hunting Scenarios: How do these cartridges perform in different hunting scenarios? For instance, are there specific game types or conditions where one outperforms the other?
Weather Conditions: Considering Alaska’s variable weather, which caliber has better reliability in challenging conditions?
Personal Experience
I’d love to hear your personal experiences with these cartridges. What have you found to be their strengths and weaknesses in actual hunts? Is there a particular type of game that you prefer to hunt with one over the other?
Recommendations
Lastly, if you had to choose one for a mixed bag of game in Alaskan terrain, which would you pick and why? Your insights would be greatly appreciated as I prepare for this adventure!
I’ve used both cartridges, and for sheer stopping power, the .50 Alaskan definitely has an edge. Its higher velocity translates to more energy transfer on impact, especially with larger game.
But isn’t trajectory over longer distances relative to shooter experience? A skilled marksman could make the .45-70 work effectively at range too, right?
That’s a fair point. Both cartridges can be effective, but the game you’re targeting also matters. For smaller game, I think either would work, but for large bears, I’d lean towards the .50 Alaskan.
The muzzle energy of the .50 Alaskan is certainly impressive—around 2,800 ft-lbs vs. the .45-70’s 1,800 ft-lbs. Makes you really consider your options when hunting something big.
For a whitetail hunt, I feel the .45-70 is more than sufficient. But if you’re going after something like a moose, .50 Alaskan might just be the smarter choice.
I’m really interested in the .50 Alaskan for large game. It packs a serious punch, perfect for bear hunting. Just curious, how do people manage the recoil?
Recoil-wise, I found they’re manageable with practice. It’s all about building muscle memory! What kind of rifle are you looking at for the .50 Alaskan?