Dedicated Alaska / Canada big game "just one" rifle chambering

[memphisjim]

12 gauge

 

[oneounceload]

416 for bears, but that 375 H&H will do nicely, preferably in a double gun

 

[grubbylabs]

Well like Ronsch said a compound bow. Its the most versatile tool I have for hunting right now. With a 400 grn arrow I can take any thing on the north American continent. But I would have a magnum revolver for self defense.

 

[Art Eatman]

Hey, grubbylabs, how about a compound howdah pistol?

 

[GPWASR10]

Hard to go wrong with a .45-70....

 

[wlewisiii]

9.3x62 in a Mauser 98 action. I hope to build it in the next year or so.

William

 

[T. Bracker]

.358 Norma mag is a good choice, even better than the .35 Whelen (if that is possible!)

 

[roklok]

35 Whelen is my choice, have killed deer, black bear, grizzly, wolf, caribou,moose, and muskox all with my Whelen loaded with 250 grain Nosler Partition.

Also own and use 45-70, 30-06, 308 (have killed a grizzly with 308 also), and 375 H&H. Still would and do usually pick the Whelen, lots lighter than my .375 with nearly the same punch.

 

[skiking]

I would go with a .300 Win Mag, .338 Win Mag, 35 Whelen, or 375 H&H.

 

[Old Time Hunter]

.444 every thing from squirrels to elephants in a fast shooting short levergun.

 

[SKINRBACK]

.338 win mag in my winchester mod 70. Makes "big wapiti" hits.

 

[LeontheProfessional]

Why the Howdah pistol? Is that a joke or is there something to them that I am missing.

 

[SHvar]

For the broad range of animals and terrains, Id say .308.
Inuits commonly use .223 because its cheap, also effective, they hunt everything from rabbits to whales with the .223. Just in case from the list, a 30-06 would work more than effective for anything in the entire state, I have a relative who uses the .35 for almost everything from deer on up.

 

[Gungnir]

Why the Howdah pistol? Is that a joke or is there something to them that I am missing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howdah_pistol

Google is your friend

 

[Cosmoline]

I suspect a lot of Alaskans would say the .338 Win Mag, but for a single do-it-all big game rifle I'd go with the .375 H&H. It can cover long shots in open country and deliver massive punches in close timber.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Poll results so far:

1. .375 H&H Mag
2. .45-70
3. (tie) .338 Win Mag
3. (tie) .30-'06 Springfield
5. .300 Maggie of some sort
6. (tie) .35 Whelen
6. (tie) 9.3x62mm
8. .338-'06 A-Square

everything else is an also-ran.

Seems to me like those last 3 (among the top 8) strike the best balance, but I know very very little.

 

[Fetus]

30-06 or .300 win mag .

 

[Maverick223]

I "would" go with a .375H&H Mauser action. A close runner up would be the 9.3x64 Brenneke, which you left off the list , because it will fit in a long action and still have a nice thump. The .45-70Govt. in a guide gun would be a nice back-up rifle, but I want something that can reach out a bit farther if I am actively pursuing the beasts, especially for Polar Bear which are large and tend to congregate on the flat tundra making long shots probable.

 

[atvalaska]

This what a poll last month/from a Alaskan site came up with..

View Poll Results: favorite "all around" big game hunting rifles in Alaska?
This poll will close on 01-29-2010 at 21:32
.30-06 127 21.34%
7mm Magum 33 5.55%
.300WM 162 27.23%
.338WM 163 27.39%
.45-70 21 3.53%
.35 Whelen 14 2.35%
.338-06 11 1.85%
.340 Weatherby 13 2.18%
.338RUM 9 1.51%
.375 H&H 42 7.06%
Voters: 595. You have already voted on this poll

 

[LAR V]

444 marlin with hardcast will do it all

 

[berettashotgun]

I have and use a 375 RUM and 376.
With the Styer stock the 376 is sure easy to shoulder. My like for this stock has led to multiple purchases.
For the specified region, a 338 wm with 225-250 bullets is the most practical choice.
IF-IF-IF any round would be classified as "practical" I'd easily chose the 376.
Those heartless ba$+ard$ at Hornady seem to have abandoned this round.
Then along comes the 375 ruger - hummm...........
But, I'd put a 24-26" tube on it and shoot some 300gr solids with some 270gr sp for the short stuff.
I don't think you could go wrong with any 35cal or bigger.
I honestly believe a smaller than 30cal would get you in over your head at some point.
I honestly think a blind magazine or hinged floorplate is a requirement in remote areas.
Having lost a mag once:banghead: - you get the point.
Any rifle would work - but a rifle with controls that would work with mittens or gloves is most desired IMHO.
An adjustable length of pull ( Steyr Prohunter ) to compensate for clothing layers would also be of great benefit.
The 8mm mag is an excellent round but it's dead.
Now the 7mm STW - that's another story.

 

[shadowalker]

.338 Win Mag would be my choice.

 

[dougw47]

338 Win Mag

using 200 - 300 grn slugs, I would feel comfortable on all game there.

 

[MetalHead]

You all must be rich so that you can hire some poor shlub to be gun barer for you. But then the title does say Big Game not what one gun would you carry if you were living off the land. Still I think I would stick with my choice, something in 358 Winchester, when I go hunting I don't plan on sniping from long range.

 

[Maverick223]

You all must be rich so that you can hire some poor shlub to be gun barer for you.

How do you figure that? My big game rifle weighs less than 10lbs (as pictured above), and I can carry it just fine.