i just read through the hunting regulations for alaska this season, and there seem to be some changes. there used to be a lower limit [.30] to centerfire rifle calibre. it seems that has been removed, and you cant use rimfire [.22] calibres except in special hunt of caribou crossing a river.

it seems [.223] would be a legal calibre for large game this year but id go larger.

[edit] i just went a little further on:

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=hunting.firearms

the concern is that a well placed shot as in staying in an 8" group at 200 yards is good enough to take large game.

a big bore rifle of such recoil that you cant place a shot is more likely to end in a wounded animal chase, than an accurate smaller bore of lower recoil that you can manage.