What would you suggest ?

[theloyalsavage]

In my 2/19 post, I forgot the assumption that you might step in grizzly dung in those Wyoming blow downs.

if so, pick it out of your danners with a spare 338-06 cartridge, instead of the originally suggested 30-06.

either will meet all other requirements, nothin mor, nothing less.

[m12lrs]

The classic

.375 H&H

great on all North American big game all the way through grizzly bears

Works great in a short barrel.

[theloyalsavage]

500 yd shot with a 375 h&h? that 20" barrel just grew to 24, with that 4" muzzle brake you'll need.

[handirifle]

Personally I think he's mixing apples and oranges. A 500yd shot is NEVER easy, and under hunting conditions it gets worse. Longer barrels MAY not have powder still burning in them, but they WILL still have the pressure building velocity for the larger cartridges being mentioned. If one does ballistic charts, make sure you use a 20" barrel and ACTUAL velocities, not something from a book, since the various powders will vary velocities a LOT.

You could use a 45-70 for all you requested, but not the 500yds. Never hunted moose, but sure do not read of many folk taking shots at moose at that range, and of the folks that hunt elk, you always see long range guys going for every fps they can get, and that means long barrels.

To me, a short barreled cartridge is best kept to the 200-300yd limit. Good luck.