Alaska trip...caliber to take..

[Mike Sr.]

My brother's cabin will be finished -along the Kenai River- by the Spring in 06.
So we are going up there for a number of days.

I have the following caliber rifles and I will carry one at all times. What caliber should I take :

Marlin GG, stainless 45-70.
Marlin Rifle, Blue 450.
Ruger Custom 338.
Winchester stainless 300 Win mag.

and recommended factory loading's ...

Trying to find a Stainless Winchester in 375...

Srry did not mention this: for Defensive purpose only...

 

[Vern Humphrey]

My brother's cabin will be finished -along the Kenai River- by the Spring in 06.

This is obviously a sign that you should take a Springfield '06!

While lots of people in Alaska like lever actions in calibers like .450 and .45-70, the .300 Winchester and .338 are more versatile. Not knowing the terrain or what you plan to hunt, those are the calibers I'd take.

 

[carebear]

Which is the most comfy/natural for you?

If you anticipate caribou or spring bear (black) I'd go with the .338 for the range and mass, though the .300 should be fine too.

If you're not gonna be hunting, the shorter (handier) levers would probably fit the "haul around for defense" niche better.

Maybe one of each?

 

[TMM]

the 300winmag has alot of power behind it, but it's only .30 cal [granted, it'll do a good job killing, but i wouldn't feel that great with such a little hole in such a big animal]...

i'd go with the .45-70... theboxotruth.com has shown the true power of this cartridge. if you handload, try Punch Bullets.

~TMM

 

[cane]

The only thing you can hunt in the spring is Black Bear, and any of the calibers/rifles you mentioned would work. If you are worried about bears (and the spring time is a good time to worry about them, use a 12 ga. pump or semi auto with BRI slugs.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I'm a big fan of the 45-70. If you look at Garrett or Buffalo Bore they should be able to get you some "serious medicine" for that rifle.

 

[gbran]

My trip

I spent 9 days on the Kenai penensula last summer. I stayed in a nice cabin on a private lake (small) just outside Soldotna. All my guides carried pump shotty's, 1st round buckshot (to the face) followed by slugs. Lot of guides carry big bore lever guns too.

Saw more moose than bear...... lots of moose and a handfull of bear. I carried a big bore handgun, but never needed it.

 

[stevelyn]

From your list and requirements, I would take the Marlin GG. Factory Remington 405 gr loads should be okay.
If you want the comfort of more whomp, the offerings from Buffalo Bore And Corbon will work nicely. The Garretts, although very effective, are more than you need for the Kenai Peninsula area.

 

[Tag]

A 12ga pump if you've got one, otherwise the 45-70 or the .300 win mag should be just fine.

 

[bad LT]

I would take either your 45/70 or possibly a 12 gauge loaded with slugs.

 

[Taurus 66]

Srry did not mention this: for Defensive purpose only...

What will you be defending against? bears? people? both? or something else?

 

[355sigfan]

I would take the Stainless guide gun in 45 70. Go to Wild West guns in Anchorage and pick up some 400 grain bonded core soft points loaded by Corbon to 2000 fps. They are potent. If your going to use a shotgun don't use buck at all and stick with Breneke slugs. Foster slugs don't do well against bears up here.
Pat

 

[Cosmoline]

A .45-70 is as good as anything else, esp. in the potent loadings. However, make a point of shooting some of the powerhouse loads BEFORE you carry them for protection. The recoil in an 1895G takes some getting used to, and you may decide you want more padding on the rifle stock. A shotgun shooting hardcast slugs is also OK, but I would not suggest buckshot against a Kenai brown bear! That's like spraying it with a .32 ACP The coastal boars are twice the size of a male African lion.

The best weapon is between your ears. If you see a bruin and it doesn't give way, leave politely. Don't try to get pictures and don't stand and point like some idiot tourista.

 

[mnrivrat]

Another vote for the 45-70 . Some good loads already mentioned.

Easier to carry and will do good on defense against most any creature up there.

 

[db_tanker]

As much as I like my 45-70, I think one would be better served with a 338 Winnie. 230 gr. Winchester Supreme Fail-Safe is what I would load, seeing as how you worded this, you don't roll your own. IF you do load your own, Swift has a 275 gr slug and Sierra a 250 gr SBT GameKing that would work quite nicely I feel on most big, mean, critters...


IMHO, 338 is one of the better calibers out there, very close to what you can do with a 375 H&H.


Now I just hope I didn't initiate a flame war! lol

 

[cookekdjr]

I'd take the 45-70.
I'd also take a handgun (Sorry to open up a whole 'nother can of worms).
I've done quite a bit of research on bear attacks in Alaska.
It appears that there are a number of traits common in the successful repulsion of surprise bear attacks with a firearm:

1. The person had a gun. . Seriously, the most important factor in surviving the attack was that the person had a gun they could reach instantly, i.e., in a holster, not propped up against a nearby tree, in the truck, in the cabin, etc.
2. The person had a handgun. Some of the attacks were repelled by one buddy with a handgun when the other buddy could not raise his longgun fast enough. This occurs more often than you would think.
3. Smaller calibers are effective. This is the one that shocked me. Although some of the successful folks used .44 mags or .45 LC's, a number of them used 9mm's and .40 cals (and some were using ball ammo). In one account in particular, two buddies were fishing. A brown bear charged one buddy so fast, he couldn't raise his shotgun to fire, so he through it at the bear and dove into the water. His companion shot the bear with a 9mm pistol (ball ammo), and one of the shots broke the bear's shoulder. Once the bear was disabled, other fishermen joined in with their handguns and killed the bear.
4. The handgun appears to be effective because it is always there. The hunter/fisherman draws and shoots in an instant. The handgun might night kill the bear, but it often disables the bear sufficiently for the hunter/his companion to procure another handgun/long gun and then the bear is killed. Some local's have said "use the handgun to fight your way back to your rifle".
5. One last surprise. Urban legends aside, I found no documented evidence where an outdoorsman was able to shoot the bear (regardless of caliber) but was unable to repel the attack. There were some close calls, but nobody who got off a shot died. Not saying it hasn't happened, just saying I haven't seen it.
6. Final recommendation. If it were me, I'd bring something like a Glock/XD etc that is light enought to carry with me everywhere I go. I'd load something hot and non-hollow point.

Good luck and have fun,

David

 

[spacemanspiff]

shotgun or 45-70.
depending on exactly where along the kenai the cabin is, you may not encouter too many four legged monsters.

 

[carebear]

Less likely (unless you have bee allergies) in AK.

No poisonous bugs in any quantity, no ticks so Lyme disease, RMSF etc.

Just wear enough bug dope to keep the skeeters from draining you dry. Exsanguination, that's the danger.

 

[Cosmoline]

In certain areas there are swarms of amazingly nasty biting flies who seem immune to DEET. But other than that and the flying bloodsuckers insects aren't too bad here. Nothing compared with the deep south.

Some of the attacks were repelled by one buddy with a handgun when the other buddy could not raise his longgun fast enough

That's a good point. See my thread about using a quick release snap on your sling.