Alaska wild, need rifle

[jduvall89]

Looking at first rifle, found excellent reviews on these two affordable rifles.

Marlin XL 7 or Stevens 200.

Don't know much about rifle calibers so help me with that if you can.

Definitely in the price range I am willing to pay.



Live in Alaska, will be going on a "survival" expedition with friend/s in summertime, and want a rifle to bring along. We are wanting to explore the terrain out a few hours from Denali park most likely. Take off for a week or so, bring required gear and etc.

What would be the better of the two? Or any others? And a scope..?

Terrain is mountainous, grassy,snowy.

Could be in danger of black bear, moose, wolves.

Will be bringing our handguns, maybe my truck, need a rifle and these two have been rated affordable,accurate, and light.

BTW, I will be 20, friend is 19
Any opinions on my trip, guns, general tips? thanks

 

[WardenWolf]

You forgot to tell us which rifles you'd picked out.

 

[nrgetik]

Mosin...Nagant?

I'm (very) biased

 

[jduvall89]

fixed, thanks

 

[expvideo]

Mosin. It is cheap and so is the ammo. It's powerful enough to easily kill any creature in the western hemisphere.

 

[bang_bang]

I'd go for the Stevens. They're light, ugly, but excellent shooters for right at $300.

No sights on the rifle, so you'll have to use a scope. Since this sounds like it won't be a seasonal hunting rifle, a nice Simmons or so would fit the bill nicely. I had a cheap $20 Tasco 3x9x40 on mine for a year. Held zero and took several deer as well as being abused while out in the field.

They come in standard calibers, but if bear/moose become problems, you'll want something that will put them down in 1 shot. I'm thinking 30-06 or larger. Shouldn't be too many critters that will challenge a 30-06.

But either would fit the bill. I just prefer the Savage/Stevens line-up since I own a Stevens, shot it, and trust it.

 

[jduvall89]

is there a stevnes 30-06 or anything 30-06 in the $300 range? I do not want to come across any bear, but might need it in case..

 

[oregonhunter]

I'd opt for a 45-70 lever gun

 

[bang_bang]

The Stevens (made by Savage) is just a pre-Accutrigger Savage.

Around $300 brand new, no scope included. Some people have paid less than $300 for theirs from their local gun shop. The Marlin is pretty close to that price range too.

Calibers are as follows:
Short Action- 223 REM, 22-250 REM, 243 WIN, 7MM-08 REM, 308 WIN
Long Action- 25-06 REM, 270 WIN, 30-06 SPFLD, 7MM REM MAG, 300 WIN MAG

 

[moooose102]

for me, i would get something at LEAST at the 30-06 level or above. the big danger is suprising a big grizzley or brown bear at 30 feet. forget a scope, just get something with decent open sights. if possible, some kind of fibre optics like williams firesights. you NEED to be able to put him down with one, or two rapid shots. 220 grain 30-06, 400 grain 45/70, 500 grain 458 win mag, 500 grain 458 lott. something of that nature. of course the last two (capable of droping an elephant) would be no picnic to shoot (or carry). just dont go out there with a 223 or 30-30. something that underpowered will only get you EATEN!

 

[SaxonPig]

Black bear, moose and wolves?

A person would have to do something very dumb to be attacked by any of these animals. Wear pungent cologne and make a lot of noise as you walk and these animals will avoid you.

The insects, on the other hand, are another matter.

 

[Kilgor]

I'd opt for a 45-70 lever gun

Second.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/bigbore/1895.asp

 

[stevelyn]

just dont go out there with a 223 or 30-30. something that underpowered will only get you EATEN!

Don't tell the natives that. They've been using .30-30s and .223s as woods and boat guns for many years and whacking whatever gets in their way with them.

 

[Schleprok62]

Either rifle in a 30-06 will work just fine... My personal preference would be one of the two magnums if bear was a possibility... Either the 7mm Rem Mag or the 300 Win Mag will work just fine... But, as Steve said, the natives have been using what "everyone" says not to use for years... but then, I'd rather have and not need it, than need it and not have it... (the extra umph, that is)

Either choice, Marlin or Stevens will serve you well... The Stevens has more options though...

 

[Duelist]

Pool your money. Have one of you get a Marlin 45/70 or 450 Marlin. The other one gets a Crickett .22. Stay together at all times during the trip. A bear starts bothering you, your buddy opens up with the big gun. If that doesn't work, you cap him in the knee with the .22 and start running.

LOL

Seriously, get a pair of used 30 caliber used Remington 700s or 18" 12 guage pumps to load with slugs.

 

[woof]

I agree with Saxon, you will have no problem with black bears, moose or wolves unless you provoke it. Especially if you have a handgun, I wouldn't lug a rifle along. If I really felt a need for a gun for defense it would be either a compact 12 ga with slugs, or a Marlin 1895 carbine in .450 Marlin.

 

[jduvall89]

Well I dont intend on searching for any danger, but walking around the wilderness means there are wild animals anywhere. We could run into them anytime, does not mean they found us.

The Classic 1895 is a very nice looking gun, I will look into it. I am thinking now that, my friend get a gun with a shorter barrel, and open sights, with more firepower, to be the last resort or the first hit if close enough. But keep the tips coming, I appreciate it.

 

[woof]

I hope you don't think that because you "run into" a wild animal you have to shoot it. You'd be surprised how many people think that way. In what possible scenario do you think you might need more than the handgun?

 

[SaxonPig]

That's why you make noise. That way you won't run into them. They will run from you.

The only really bad situation is to accidentally get between a bear sow and her cubs. She may attack thinking she needs to defend them. Just walk quickly in the other direction. Most times this works.

Not that I wouldn't want a gun along, but odds are 10,000 to 1 against actually needing it.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

Have you considered a 12 GA shotgun with slugs? It sounds like your looking more at a gun for self defense from critters.

I am no expert on it, but I have heard that a lot of guys in Alaska use 12 GA slugs for bear mace. The good thing about shotguns is that you can find a nice used gun for $250.

A person would have to do something very dumb to be attacked by any of these animals.

Dude, people get killed by bears all of the time. I think in Montana, 1 out of every 4 people is attacked by a bear. Saying you're not going to get attacked, and not bringing adequate protection is setting yourself up to be dinner.

 

[alaskanativeson]

Your best weapon will be your voice. Animals have a natural fear of human voices. Generally animals will run from man whenever they can so if you don't surprise them you should be okay.

I'd rely on a big handgun for last ditch help. I carry a Ruger Super Redhawk in .454 Casull loaded with Corbon 300 grain Penetrators. My main choice for large backup gun was easy: Mossberg 590 12 gauge with Brenneke slugs. If you do need to defend yourself, there's nothing like a 1 oz. chunk of lead to do it with.

If you're wanting a rifle for hunting purposes (even though we know nobody up here ever hunts out of season) I'd recommend a 30-06. Either gun you mentioned is okay, not my first choices but they're from reputable companies. I'd lean towards the Marlin, but that's from personal preference more than anything else.

However I'd have to say that I agree with those who are saying a 45-70 in a Marlin Lever would be a better choice. That's a gun you bet your life on, it's a caliber that'll do whatever you need it to in North America. If you want to talk about something, PM me. I have a little bit of experience up here (you couldn't tell by my board name, could you?)

 

[nrgetik]

I think either the shotty with slugs or a decent caliber lever action would serve your purpose just fine

 

[Mike2]

It's the ones you don't see and that don't see you that you have to worry about. I have a buddy who was hunting in AK who stumbled (literally) on a bear who was either just coming out of hibernation or was asleep. The bear stood his ground, my friend did to, needless to say after a couple hundred stitches and several months of rehab. My friend was using a Rem 700 in ..308 but simply did not have time to use the weapon...........stuff happens that no matter what, we can't prepare for, regardless of the situation your most important weapons are your eyes and nose. Although, I would bring the biggest caliber I could afford just in case.

 

[TexasRifleman]

I'd opt for a 45-70 lever gun

Can't imagine going with anything less.

The Marlin 1895 is a reasonably priced rifle all things considered.

 

[JonB]

I think in Montana, 1 out of every 4 people is attacked by a bear.

Probably not in Montana. I lived there for 18 years and can't recall bear attacks being that big of a deal. The only time we worried about bears was huckleberry picking in the spring. That's when momma bear and her cubs might be in the area looking for berries too. As others have stated, make noise while walking and if you come across a bear or cubs, back away quickly.

Back on topic, a 45-70 would be my choice. But my Glock 10mm would definitely be easily accessible. 10 to 15 rounds of full power 180gr pills.....sounds perfect to me