oneounceload
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Otherwise, the Browning BLR s.s. models have the choice of several decent cartridges as well
Best rifle to bring to Alaska
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Arkansas Paul
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Good point. For that reason, your suggestion of .375 H&H makes a lot of sense. You could load lighter bullets for hunting the tundra or heavier bullets for the thick stuff. Most people don't realize how versatile the .375 is. It wouldn't make a lot of sense where I live in Arkansas, but for somewhere like Alaska, it's the cat's meow IMO. This is speaking from an onlooker's perspective of course. I've never hunted Alaska.
+1, I love the BLR. I have one in .300 WSM. My dad hunted moose, caribou and bear in Alaska with his 30-06 and his .300 H&H magnum which is about the same ballistic wise as the .300 WSM.
The philosophy of what is enough gun in Alaska has greatly evolved which is not surprising. My dad never felt under-gunned with his two rifles while up in Alaska for 10 years. I was 10 when we left so I have not hunted Alaska myself as well, but I did eat a whole bunch of caribou, moose and bear while I was up there.
The BLR is a great option and it is my elk rifle here in Northern Idaho where we also have griz as well.
I agree, if I only had one gun for Alaska and was quite a bit younger than I am today, the .375 H&H magnum is probably the single most effective and versatile rifle you could choose. On the other hand, I don't want to go out and shoot one of those suckers right now myself.
The second consideration for effectiveness and versatility has to go to the much revered 30-06. You can't go wrong with a 30-06 and it has a proven track record in bear defense as well. If you are recoil sensitive, go with the 30-06 and don't look back, it is and will continue to be the king of versatile choice.
On the other hand, if hunting is not the reason for the rifle, get a .444 Marlin, .450 or 45-70 for pure woods defense. I am a crack shot with a rifle but I can't hit the broad side of a barn with my pistols. Well, maybe not quite that bad, but I can shoulder a rifle from my sling just about as soon as I can get my Ruger SRH .44 magnum on target. I love my .444 Marlin which has the penetration to do the job and is not at all bad on the shoulder recoil wise. As in any question, the first part is always, "it depends."
a-sheepdog
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I would have to ask what you own now, that would be a big factor. I would go with something like a 30-06 or 300 Win mag if I had to go buy something new, those are very versatile rounds and ammo can be found at most small shops. I would probably take my 338 Win Mag since I already own it and can take my own ammo as well. I would think that there is a good chance that I could probably find ammo rather easily in bigger cities for the 338. I admit, I have never been to Alaska, but spend quite a bit of time in Montana and can always find ammo for it there.
Shadow 7D
Member
338, that put me a bit in shock, almost a C note for factory ammo? 50 rounds would be fore expensive than most of my guns.
Sheepdog1968
Member
Of what I own, choices are listed in order of going from one to multi guns
1. 45-70 lever action does it all for hunting, bear protection, and range shooting
2. 22 rifle for the range to keep ammo costs down
3. 44 magnum revolver for a back up weapon always on me
4. 12 gauge for clay shooting fun
5. 30-06 for tundra hunting
6. Semi auto 45 just because I like one
I could live with just my top one or the first three quite well.
1. 45-70 lever action does it all for hunting, bear protection, and range shooting
2. 22 rifle for the range to keep ammo costs down
3. 44 magnum revolver for a back up weapon always on me
4. 12 gauge for clay shooting fun
5. 30-06 for tundra hunting
6. Semi auto 45 just because I like one
I could live with just my top one or the first three quite well.
caribou
Member
If you pick from the list above, you cant go wrong..... The All Alaskan 30-06, for all big Game,Moose to Wolverine .22 for all small Game , trapping and some applications for Big Game, and 12 gauge for Birds, Rabbits, small Game .....thats what ya'd get with those calibers here.
saltydog452
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From what I understand, there is a lot of Russian Milsurp use around the coastal areas.
My only experience there has been as a tourist. As such, I rec'd my allowance of protein on a plate, not from a seal. As much as I love the place, I'm just not tough enough to make the cut.
salty
My only experience there has been as a tourist. As such, I rec'd my allowance of protein on a plate, not from a seal. As much as I love the place, I'm just not tough enough to make the cut.
salty
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Neat but an poor choice for a general Alaskan hunting rifle. There are lots of places in Ak where you need a bit of reach to put meat on the table.
The .375H&H was my choice when I lived up there. There is no need to load light bullets for the tundra and heavy bullets for the forest. Just load 270 grain bullets at 2750 FPS and go kill anything you want at any range you can stand to shoot. They kill just as good at 10 yards as they do at 500 yards.
It's got more killing power than a .45-70 for defense and it's got the reach of any high powered rifle alive. That is a true all around caliber.
And the comments on a .30-06 are right on the money too. You can't go wrong with either but the .45-70 is really going to limit your hunting uses. They are cool, tools for carrying but they just aren't the best all around rigs. Another super popular Ak caliber is the .338 WM. It's basically a .375 Lite but almost identical in capability.
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caribou
Member
Funny, Mosin Nagants are quite popular along the Arctic coast, for the simple fact that the rifles are accurate, work in every condition, shoot a round that can be bought in bulk (like food and fuel) and shipped to the bush in a years worth of shooting, a crate of ammo , landed is about 200 for 880 rds, hard hitting and legal. The conditions of deep cold, Rain, saltwater, rideing in boats, on snowmachines and 4wheelers and such dont get effected from heavy hard use, as well as the low cost for an excellent rifle.
Mice to Moose, the Mosin is up top the job.
The Mosin is not "Cheap", its a Bargin!!!
Mice to Moose, the Mosin is up top the job.
The Mosin is not "Cheap", its a Bargin!!!
Shadow 7D
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Note what caribou said, there is a difference between a subsistence hunter, and some tourist coming to hunt. It's all about the person, not about what tool they happen to use to get the job done.
Promod1385
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I would look at something in 30-06 of 308 ammo availability is easy with these calibers (most gas stations in AK are likely to have ammo).
Other than that get something you are comfortable using and practice, practice, practice!!!!! If you get in a pinch and have to use the gun to save your life you will want a gun you know how to use.
I have never lived in AK but if I did I would get a short barreled 44mag to carry with me at all times. Its not the four legged critters that bother me its the two legged ones I worry about.
Other than that get something you are comfortable using and practice, practice, practice!!!!! If you get in a pinch and have to use the gun to save your life you will want a gun you know how to use.
I have never lived in AK but if I did I would get a short barreled 44mag to carry with me at all times. Its not the four legged critters that bother me its the two legged ones I worry about.
Very true about the two legged predators, but Alaska is a bit different than the rest of the US where you truly do need to worry about the 4 legged predators as well. Many areas in Alaska are so remote that you will be the only two legged predator around, that leaves the four legged critters your only worry.
I would also not go with the .308 since it is rather light for bear defense. Once again, most folks consider the 30-06 the minimum caliber for bear defense in Alaska. Plenty of ammo for the 30-06 just about anywhere you go. I agree with the .44 magnum as a BUG which is what I carry here in Northern Idaho.
Kachok
Member
^ An all weather 30-06 can be as versatile as any rifle out there if you can handload for it. 220gr Partations at 2600fps can handle just about anything, but still far from ideal for large dangerous game.
No arguments with that at all. My dad mainly hunted with his 30-06 while up in Alaska and never felt under gunned. I suspect he didn't have anything as good as 220 at 2600 fps either.
rodinal220
Member
.308/30-06 or a 45-70 Guide gun.
The interesting factoid about the .375 H&H magnum is that the recoil is more of a push than a snap. For those shooting top end 45-70, the recoil is nothing to sneeze at and many consider the .375 easier to tolerate.
I readily confess that I have never shot either, but that is just some of the observations I have heard from other "internet experts".
I readily confess that I have never shot either, but that is just some of the observations I have heard from other "internet experts".
a-sheepdog
Member
Shadow 7D, I am talking about a 338 Win Mag, not a Lapua or 338-378. I find Fusion ammo for $35/box of 20 and the Barnes TSX are going for about $55-$60 for 20. I know that if you are talking about the 338 Lapua, it is about a C note. The win mag is considerable cheaper and a little slower, but very effective.
On another note, I also have a Ruger African in 9.3x62. I doubt ammo is abundant in Alaska, but I like it when I am in bear country, gives me a sense of security. It served the settlers well in Africa.
On another note, I also have a Ruger African in 9.3x62. I doubt ammo is abundant in Alaska, but I like it when I am in bear country, gives me a sense of security. It served the settlers well in Africa.
sandy4570
Member
Thanks everyone for the great information. I am surprise that Moisin Nagant is popular in some part of Alaska because it happen to be one of the rifle that I shoot regularly and feel comfortable with.
lloveless
Member
The Eskimos I was around in Kotz killed 5 caribou a day per person. You have to realize the caribou only come through twice a year. They use very light guns-.22 long rifle to hunt the caribou, shotguns for walrus (30/06 make them sink), and .243 for Polar bear. They don't take many long shots. I asked how many times they had to shoot the Polar bear-"you get it with one shot or you don't go home". It is the hunter, not so much the equipment.
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Shadow 7D
Member
That's nice sheep dog, just telling you what I saw fusion selling for, and as far as I know, it was 338, and that may have been at the more expensive gun store, but wally world had some for about 50 (yellow/green box?) point is, ammo is more expensive, and the esoteric just may not exist (or be spec. order which you will pay for) as for something like a 9.2 or 9.3, um buddy put that up there with a 4.16, if you can find it, you will pay for it.
The interesting factoid about the .375 H&H magnum is that the recoil is more of a push than a snap. For those shooting top end 45-70, the recoil is nothing to sneeze at and many consider the .375 easier to tolerate.
I readily confess that I have never shot either, but that is just some of the observations I have heard from other "internet experts".
I suspect that the "internet experts" had never shot either, either.
The 45-70 is more of a push than a snap. If you load it hot enough it's a BIG push, but a push nevertheless, not like the punch in the face of a 300 Weatherby.
The 375 is both. Big, hard and quick. You can tame it some with a rifle "of the proper weight", i.e. heavy, but that makes it tough to carry all day. Still it's an excellent choice for Alaska, where you never know what you might have to shoot.
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I find a light weight guide stye rifle in .45-70 loaded with hot bear defense style rounds far more miserable to shoot than a bolt action .375H&H.
Besides that when you are hunting or shooting in self defense you'll never feel the rifle go off. My .375H&H is 8.5 lbs all in. the only time recoil bothers me with any rifle is when on the bench. from field positions I hardly notice them.
Besides that when you are hunting or shooting in self defense you'll never feel the rifle go off. My .375H&H is 8.5 lbs all in. the only time recoil bothers me with any rifle is when on the bench. from field positions I hardly notice them.
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