What gun to use?

[D-Rock425]

I vote for the sako.  Or maybe one of your PSE

[Big10gauge]

IMHO you're overgunned with either caliber so I'd put some blood on the new gun, got to break it in sometime.

[carpsniperg2]

Why on earth would you put a 6-18x scope on a 338 to hunt big game with, especially at the modest ranges you indicate?

  most counrty i hunt the shots are 150-500 yards so i got a 6-18. i also have 6-24 and 8.5-25 on rifles try making a 500+ yard shot with a 9 power not as easy as with a 18+ power scope.
 
thanks "most" for the good posts and the ones who kept it on track. i am considering my x force for my 2nd tag but don't know how much time i will have and want to get one if the chance presents itself.

big10gauge my new calling gun is a r-25 in 7mm-08 which i use for all my calling now but the bullets i am shooting are lighter btips and i don't want to shoot a bear with them. but i have always fallen under the more power is better as long as you shoot it good.

[carpsniperg2]

I would take the one that will make the bears more deader.

I agree with some of the other posts. Take whichever one you want to take, whats the difference?
I personally think you run the risk of kinda being screwed if you're calling and a bear appears at 15 yards with a 6-18x scope....you're gonna have a hard time seeing your shot.

  if he is that close jackelope he will get a 357 or 454 casull slug to the head it would not be the first time it has happened to me calling if they are under about 35 yards the handguns i carry will do the job. it is a huge rush to take any big game animal with a hangun but a bear on the ground less then 35 yards

[bowhunt03]

I would say get some blood on the new one if you are comfortable with the way it shoots.

[bowhunterforever]

Bloody the new ruger

[ICEMAN]

I suggest buying a third option. You never want to be conrered into just two choices.

[one-eyed Ross]

Oh, oh, buy a new gun, buy a new gun.  I like that idea best.  It's what I'm trying to talk herself into, letting me get a new bullet launcher this year....

[carpsniperg2]

I suggest buying a third option. You never want to be conrered into just two choices.

  i have about 28 options i could use that is part of the problem i don't think one more will help me much but i am working on a custom rifle "in the early stages but option 29 is coming down the road

[addicted]

hell, put some heavier bullets in the r25. whats the rate of twist on that sucker.

[carpsniperg2]

all three the 243-7mm-08-308 all have a 20" ChroMoly barrel with a twit rate of 10" it really loves the 140s i am running now and they work great on yotes i am going to get some higer grain bullets and try them out as well. if they work out nice i might be using it for bear as well.

[jdb]

[
  most counrty i hunt the shots are 150-500 yards so i got a 6-18. i also have 6-24 and 8.5-25 on rifles try making a 500+ yard shot with a 9 power not as easy as with a 18+ power scope.    rather than try makeing a 500+ yard shot w/ a 9x power scope why not try getting closer
 

[carpsniperg2]

o.k. boys let get this strait. this is getting a little off topic. the point of this post is about what bear gun to use not why i put what scope on what gun. i was nice and said why i bought the 6-18 scope because most country i hunt in i would rather have a higer powered scope. yes i do have some guns that i shoot long range with. but i have not hunted mod firearm since i was 15 and somtimes you can get close and yes i like my shots under 200 just like most guys. but if i can;t get closer and i have a gun that i can shoot that far and i trust then yes the hammer would be droped. now how about back to topic please.

[1bugman]

I think what they're saying is you need to buy a new gun and a fixed scope.

[carpsniperg2]

i guess