[paintballdude902]

im looking into a new rifle to take to alaska with me

im looking at cartridges that wont be just an alaska gun so i dont want to get like a .375 or anything like that

i want a bolt action like a remmy 700 or a winchester 70

i was thinking .260-.280 or a .30-06 mostly but today at a gun store a .25-06 caught my eye and i started taking with a guy that regularly takes elk and mule deer with it

what would be a good round to take with me or should i just take my marlin guide gun in .45-70

this is for an all around gun moose, caribou mainly maybe larger game and probably smaller too

edit i forgot to put the .25-06 up there but anyone a fan of it?

[Bartkowski]

What are you doing there? Hunting bear, moose, or something else big up there. I chose 45-70 because it could be used on anything from bear down effectively. If you just want to buy a new gun, a 30-06 is always nice.

[SamG.]

30-06 all the way. Can't go wrong.

[paintballdude902]

this is for an all around gun moose, caribou mainly maybe larger game and probably smaller too

[Shawnee]

The 45/70 wouldn't be a bad choice by any means.

Personally, I would probably opt for a 7mm/08. Second choice would probably be the 7mm Rem. Mag.

If you've already selected a guide/outfitter - ask them for their opinion. Even if they suggest a caliber you don't care to keep back at home - you can always sell (or maybe rebarrel it) it when you return.

:cool:

[paintballdude902]

im going up to work in alaska in april so im gonna definitly do some hunting i doubt i will use a guide unless i need to im hoping to use friends which i already have up there

[MCgunner]

If I was after a trophy brown bear, I think I'd get something over 30 caliber that ends in Magnum. A .338 can be loaded down for deer. A .30-06 can't be loaded up for a ton of mean, gnarly bear. I know exactly what I'd get, though. This would be my excuse for a Browning BLR in .325 WSM. :D Yeah, wouldn't need that much gun for Caribou, but hey, them bears are BIG. Be a good caliber for moose, too. I'd probably take my 7 mag along, though, for smaller game than bear. It does a number on big animals, just think I'd want more to face down a big bear with.

[paintballdude902]

im not planning on a bear hunt i want to do this with friends not with a paid guide that why im looking mostly into animals that dont require a guide for an out of stater.
heck if i was going for bear i would be taking a .375H&H but i dont like the gun much and im not hunting bear lol im working on my black bear here im using a .44mag for that

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I'd go with .280, .30-06, .35 Whelen, or 9.3x62mm.

[koja48]

I selected .30-06 based on the calibers listed & inferring you wanted something of use in other than Alaska. While I like the 06, I'd be inclined to take a .338 if it were me going.

[22-rimfire]

I like Mc's advice. With what you said, 30-06 all the way also.

If you are hunting in an area which has large bears, you might want something larger than the -06. It would be for protection, not hunting and you could use the same rifle for hunting.

[TCB in TN]

Never been to Alaska myself, but friends have and one who lost part of his luggage (including his ammo, but not rifle) said that he was glad to have brought his ole 30-06. Not to many off cals to be found out in the boonies! That said any can get the job done, but out of your choices I would pick the ole 06.

[memphisjim]

since you already have a 45/70 i say use it and put the money into a good backup revolver like a 500 mag

[lawdogso]

I would go with 338 Win Mag. It can take anything in Alaska and every out of the way fishing village has ammo for one.

[Deer Hunter]

Keep the .45-70 and grab one of those Magnum Research .45-70 revolvers to match it!

[ltetmhs]

+ 1 on .338 win mag. Widely available, and imo the classic alaskan cartridge.

[Bartkowski]

Now that I know what you want to do with the gun I would say to get a .30-06. But if you are not set with any of your choices in the poll, a .35 whelen might be better for bears.

[moooose102]

in alaska, you never know what or when you will run across. you want enough gun to kill anything, at any distance. of what you have listed, i would choose either the 45/70, or the 30-06. if i was taking the 06, i would buy, or load some 220 grainers for a big old nasty bear defending her cubs @ 20 yards! personally, i think something like a 338 magnum (340 weatherby) would be more to my likeing. but i admit to being overkill. i use 300 win mag on deer. and i still like big blocks!

[JShirley]

7mm Magnum
.30-06
.300 Winchester Magnum
.35 Whelen

These are all good rifle calibers that could be useful both in Alaska and Cont. U.S.

I have two .35 Whelens, but if you could only have one rifle caliber for N. America, 7mm Magnum or .30-06 are the likeliest choices, IMO.

John

[MCgunner]

Yeah, the .325 WSM is probably not going to be available just everywhere and factory loads could cost you as much as the plane tickets. LOL But, I just like the idea of that BLR in that caliber and I'd handload it. The .338 is a fine big game caliber that's more available. The .30-06 is plenty for anything you'll hunt if you ain't lookin' for big bears. I like my 7 mag a little better, but ain't like there's much difference ballistically.

[glockman19]

IMHO the .30-06 is a great all around caliber capable of taking just about any game in N. America.

[jetrecbn]

308 Win as minimium but I would prefer a 338. I do have a 7RM that I would not feel undergunned if loaded with 175 gr ammo. If you are making a new purchase I suggest the 338.

[mejeepnut]

You said you would be hunting with friends who already live in Alaska,ask them!I am a 30-06 fan and would take nothing smaller if it was me going.If the area that you are going to hunt was known for having big bears then I would suggest a sidearm to go along with what ever new rifle you get to celebrate "Your first Alaskin hunt".Some people get tatoos and some get cheap trinkets to commemorate all kinds of stuff.I would get a new rifle,wheel gun,Knife,and good pair of boots and break them all in before I went.But then again most of the people that know me say I just ain't right so you may just want to get a Savage in 300mag and call it good!

[Art Eatman]

I've read many an article about hunting in Alaska, and a fair amount from Alaska residents here and at TFL.

Of the choices given, I'd say the '06. Much better trajectory than the .45-70, and it seems reasonably probable that a shot on a caribou might well be at 300 to 400 yards.

I don't know of an animal up there that's a whole bunch larger than a big moose, and an '06 would be plenty good, from what experienced folks say.

In general, of course, a moose isn't likely to be up close and personal and closing fast. That's getting into the realm of the Big Hostile Bear, and I don't think an '06 would be my choice at all. Sure, if I'm taking a precision shot at a bear that doesn't have a clue we're together in the same state, okay, the '06. It doesn't always seem to work out that way, though, so I'd jump on the .338 bandwagon, I guess. Murphy was an optimist...

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Yeah, if you're hunting woods, then .45-70 would do reeeeeal nicely. But tundra caribou are out in the open. I've seen guys on TV get plains caribou with bows, but they're guided by a very knowledgeable guide. I'd want a rifle that can reach out there, with a trajectory of the .35 whelen or better preferably. .30-06 with proper 180s up to 220s should do just fine on anything that walks. But I speak as an armchair hunter ; never been up there, so grain of salt, all that. I'm not a big fan of *magnum* rifles for hunting, but the 7mm Rem Mag is a classic good caliber with a lot of bullet choices available in up to 175s/180s. If you're willing to go semi-wildcat, .338-'06 is a nice round, and for that matter, the very similar old old 8mm Mauser (aka 7.92x57mm Mauser) is a good choice with proper ammo selection. The .338 Win Mag may be a "classic" round up there, and no doubt it would work well, but I don't see the need for all the extra recoil. I would not risk taking a shot at the range at which having a .338 maggie would be justified in using in the first place, on an expensive hunt like that - but nothing wrong with that choice if you've got intact shoulder joints.

Personally, WHEN I make it to the great white north, I'm taking 3 rifles. My primary will be my CZ 550 FS in 9.3x62mm, with 20" bbl. My first backup will be my sporterized U.S. 1917 "Enfield" in .30-'06 spgfld with 25" bbl. My 2nd backup will by my Marlin 1895 in .45-70 with 22" bbl.

[lgbloader]

You know the saying... The closer you get to the city, the bigger the caliber. I live in the Los Angeles metro area and I would call upon my 338 RUM with my 300 Weatherby Mag along side it.

[Master of Arms]

300 win mag

[MCgunner]

But tundra caribou are out in the open. I've seen guys on TV get plains caribou with bows, but they're guided by a very knowledgeable guide. I'd want a rifle that can reach out there, with a trajectory of the .35 whelen or better preferably.

Caribou can be easily taken with a standard deer caliber like .270 or .280. It is the exterior ballistics of the 7 mag that is why I bought it over a .30-06 or .30-06 case based cartridge. It don't give you a lot more, but it does give you a little more. :D

I wouldn't worry about the horsepower of the .30-06 or similar or bigger cartridges on moose, probably the toughest game up there short of bear. It's only big bear that require the big stuff.

Listen to me, I've never even been north of South Dakota/Wisconsin. :D But, I have friends that have hunted and taken Caribou. It's not that hard an animal to kill, just need a flat shooting rifle. The .45-70 would definitely be out of its element on them.

[NCsmitty]

Make it another for 338 Win Mag. It will do it all.

NCsmitty

[Gus Davus]

If I have a choice I take the .375H&H, just because it will do what ever it needs to do. Better to have more than you need than not enough. I like my .45/70 but a single shot sometimes just is not the best choice. I carry my .30-06 with 220 grain loads just in case I feel I might need them. I always carry a side arm in the field, my Redhawk .44Mag or my Desert Eagle in .50AE just because I can and I like to. Bottom line is carry what you can shoot well with, if it is not enough, stay home.

[MDHunter]

OK - your 45-70 will work for all the animals you list, you'd just need to get close enough to caribou - it's pretty darn hard to get within bow range of bou, but not hard to get within 150 yards or so, and the 45-70 can handle that just fine.

If you're SET on adding another rifle to the arsenal, go with the .06, most versatile in terms of Alaska AND lower 48 hunting, AND you can find ammo in the remote Alaskan villages and the small general stores along the road system. I've shot 3 bou with my Win Model 70 in 30-06, at ranges from 150 to 250 yards.

Forget about the pistol, your rifle packs more punch and you'll be carrying it already, a pistol just adds more weight for little added benefit (since you already have a powerful rifle in hand).

Like I said, I shot 3 bou with my .06 - but I shot this moose with a .338 WinMag - just because I wanted one. :D

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n95/akhunterinmd/2006%20Alaskan%20Adventure/Moose.jpg

[stevelyn]

There isn't anything up here that can't be taken care of with a .30-06.

If you think you need a little more horsepower, Hornady Light Magnums and Federal High Energy will put you into .300 H&H territory.

[Cosmoline]

For big game the single most popular AK cartridge these days looks to be the .338 WM. It has power and bulk for close range bear and good range for longer shots at everything down to sheep and goat. The .375 H&H kicks you up to larger scale rifles which adds a pound or two to the platform. And the .30'06, while it will do the job, doesn't have as much power or as long an effective range.

For hunting the .45-70 has that rainbow trajectory issue and most of the platforms for it are not set up for spitzer custom loads so you lose a lot of power quickly. It's more of a bear defense cartridge or short range affair.

The fact is we've been having a lot more attacks around Anchorage and near established lodges than out in the sticks. We've had multiple attacks just this summer on Anchorage and Eagle River trails. You are probably less likely to run into a habituated, dangerous bruin out in the bush than in town.

[cjanak]

I'd think your 45-70 (http://www.chuckhawks.com/45-70Govt.htm) would get the job done just fine, but if you're looking for an excuse to get a flatter shooting rifle than I'd think .30-06 or 7mm Remington Magnum would be excellent choices, .338 Winchester Magnum if you want a bit more punch, or on the lighter kicking side 7mm-08, 7x57, 6.5x55, .260 and the like. Of course .308 is a great cartridge as well. Oh, and you might consider bringing some bear spray (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=381835&highlight=Bear+Spray).

[bb21]

Of the ones you listed the 30-06. If you are hunting caribou you may want something with a little more range than the 45-70. The 30-06 is probably one of the most versatile calibers. It has already been said but 180 grain bullets and 220 grain bullets will do about anything you need it too up there as long as your not looking for trouble where the big bears are, and hopefully your friend is carrying something in a larger caliber. Oh yeah I didn't see anyone else say it so I will, no on the 25-06 for an Alaskan rifle, great for deer but an Alaskan moose with a 25 cal. might not even be legal, and is not even enough gun for elk in my opinion. Anyway I hope you have fun.
Good Luck and Be Safe!

[Browning]

.338 Win Mag

[michaelmcgo]

I voted .45-70. Not only is it a nice powerful cartridge, but you can get it in a lever gun! There is no finer gun designed specifically to lug around than a lever gun. Plus follow up shots are fast and smooth.

p.s., don't worry about ammo availability. DON"T FORGET YOUR BULLETS! The problem with the theory that if you forget/lose your exotic ammo, you will not be able to replenish it at a gas station is flawed. I only know of a handful of places where I can buy 30-06 ammo in my rather big city, let alone a podunk town. Also, what about every other piece of gear? Your broken-in boots, your GPS with saved waypoints, your rifle (sighted in for your perfect ammo), your keys to your quad... etc. My point is: ammo is one of the many irreplaceable items on a hunt, don't exclude certain calibers because you want to have the choice of loosing or not loosing your ammo.

[cjanak]

"don't exclude certain calibers because you want to have the choice of loosing or not loosing your ammo"

I agree completely. My friend the internet makes all kinds of ammo readily available and even delivers to my door at discount prices. That internet's a real nice guy and will deliver to you people too. So I can buy all I need and then take it with me to where I want to hunt. And most any place I can take my rifle I'm likely to be able to take ammo. So what's the big deal?

[TCB in TN]

I voted .45-70. Not only is it a nice powerful cartridge, but you can get it in a lever gun! There is no finer gun designed specifically to lug around than a lever gun. Plus follow up shots are fast and smooth.

p.s., don't worry about ammo availability. DON"T FORGET YOUR BULLETS! The problem with the theory that if you forget/lose your exotic ammo, you will not be able to replenish it at a gas station is flawed. I only know of a handful of places where I can buy 30-06 ammo in my rather big city, let alone a podunk town. Also, what about every other piece of gear? Your broken-in boots, your GPS with saved waypoints, your rifle (sighted in for your perfect ammo), your keys to your quad... etc. My point is: ammo is one of the many irreplaceable items on a hunt, don't exclude certain calibers because you want to have the choice of loosing or not loosing your ammo.

Really, well my podunk little town has at least a dozen gas stations that still carry ammo and while I haven't checked out the stock on all of them, the one closest to me has winny 30-06 150s, Winny .308 150s, Winny 30-30 150s, Winny .22LR, Winny 38 & .357s, and both 12ga and 20ga.

[huntershooter]

.338 Win. Mag.

[paintballdude902]

if i take the .45-70 ( its a marlin guide gun) will i be able to use it for caribou? its far from flat shooting but heck they have shot them at over a 1000 yrds in sharps style rifles

[Cosmoline]

It depends on how far away the bou is, but you'll have to make sure you have calibrated sights to the precise round you're going to hunt with. A .30'06 or the .338 WM would give you more options. I think of a guide gun more as a bear defense rifle than a caribou hunting rifle, though I'm sure folks have used it for hunting. It's great medicine for moose.

[paintballdude902]

im starting to think about taking both up with me a .30-06 for smaller stuff then the .45-70 when im hunting in thick bear country

[dubious]

I think your biggest issue would be your sights. If you have a Rem 700 with a scope and you have a bear charge you at close range, you're going to have trouble getting a shot off with that scope on. You'll also be hard pressed to toss your rifle on the ground and draw a pistol. And you'd be better off shooting a charging bear with a rifle than a pistol anyway. So... in my scenario, I'd seriously consider using iron sights. Maybe you could have a 1-4x scope? Or a scope with a see through mount so you can still see iron sights? Or mount a laser sight on the bottom? :evil:

[paintballdude902]

dub if i buy a new rifle im getting ghost ring sights for a backup

i hunt alot in black bear country for deer and i have a 1.5-4.5x scope i find that it is alot easier to aquire a target with a low power then crank it up to a high power

[MDHunter]

I agree completely. My friend the internet makes all kinds of ammo readily available and even delivers to my door at discount prices. That internet's a real nice guy and will deliver to you people too. So I can buy all I need and then take it with me to where I want to hunt. And most any place I can take my rifle I'm likely to be able to take ammo. So what's the big deal?

cjanak - if you ever venture to wild Alaska or Canada, you'll find that the Internet can't help you get ammo in time to save your hunt, if somehow you and your ammo are separated en route to remote Alaska (yes that happens, more than you want to know). If TSA happens to seize your ammo for (in their mind) being improperly packed, and you're on a tight schedule to meet your flights into the bush, you'll be hosed if you have a short mag or some of the rarer calibers.

On the other hand, if you have a .30-06 or .338 WinMag, ecery general store in bush Alaska has ammo for purchase, and you could even borrow some from someone in the village as a last resort.

THAT'S the big deal.

[MDHunter]

p.s., don't worry about ammo availability. DON"T FORGET YOUR BULLETS! The problem with the theory that if you forget/lose your exotic ammo, you will not be able to replenish it at a gas station is flawed. I only know of a handful of places where I can buy 30-06 ammo in my rather big city, let alone a podunk town. Also, what about every other piece of gear? Your broken-in boots, your GPS with saved waypoints, your rifle (sighted in for your perfect ammo), your keys to your quad... etc. My point is: ammo is one of the many irreplaceable items on a hunt, don't exclude certain calibers because you want to have the choice of loosing or not loosing your ammo.

Sounds like you haven't tried to buy your ammo in remote Alaska - see the post right above this one, the Alaskan bush is like going way back in time, a lot of the things that you buy without a second thought, have never been available there. And yes, you can get separated from your ammo in between leaving your house and getting to your remote Alaskan camp.

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

What? You mean to tell me that Akkilopikok's General Store in Boondunkisticks, Alaska, doesn't carry 31 flavors of 7mm DakotaSTWRUMEargasplittenLoudenboomer Ackley Improved SuperMagnum 3.5"? :)