New guy....going to Kodiak this fall...

Hi guys, I’m Dave, a Navy Vet (many, many years ago on the USSgridley) from Northern Illinois. I’ve been here a few times over the years and thought I’d finally join. I’m far from an expert on guns or hunting, but I have an interest in both. I’m getting into reloading a bit for some rifles (.308, 30-06, 300H&H, 7 RemMag). I also have a once in a lifetime trip planned to Kodiak Island for late fall. Going to be working on my humble skills and generous waistline to get ready. Can’t decide if I’m bringing the McMillan stocked SS m700ADL in 7Magor the SS m7 in 308...what do you think?

 

From those you mention, I think 30-06 or 300 H&H would both be more suitable. Kodiak is notorious for the size of its bears. 200 or 220 grs is what I’d want.

 

Self guided hunt, Sitka Deer only...

 

Thanks Doc, the 300H&H weighs a bit over a ton... it will definitely not be making the trip! We’re only hunting Sitka deer, but do want to be well armed in case we upset a bruin.

 

If you aren’t taking the .300, and you’re thinking about the possibility of bumping into a bear on Kodiak Island, the 7mm Rem with some stout bullets like partitions, A frames or X bullets is what I would bring.

My Grandfather spent WWII in the Marines on Kodiak waiting for a Japanese invasion that never came. He told me a few times he saw a few bears that were so big he and the others felt undergunned armed with Garands and .45s as they watched over mates fishing for salmon in the rivers.

He said they never shot a grizzly while he was stationed there so he told me never did know what it really took to take one. Since bear guides ask hunters for pretty heavy calibers, the 7 may even be too “light” in a scrape with a big boar or an angry sow.

Good luck getting into shape and in the hunt!

Stay safe..

 

Take the rifle you are most comfortable with, Sitka deer are little, but the bears are not. If you need to defend yourself from a bear repeat accurately placed shots are important. 308 or 7mm mag will both work fine. Make sure to bring the best rain gear you can afford!

 

Yes, Adcoch, now that I’ve settled on my boots, rain gear is at the top of my list... any suggestions?

 

Grundens rain gear. All the pro fisherman I've met use there stuff. I used helly Hansen stuff surveying and it wouldn't hold up like grundens... And I was surveying the north Washington Coast so very similar to Alaska Islands.

 

Thanks Gordon, that is one of my options, although also have some 139gr GMX monos on the bench too...

 

Bring 2 sets. Preparing for a big bear is a good idea. But at the distance where you’re forced to engage, because you can’t just shoot one because it’s kinda close and you’re scared, I don’t think you’ll have any discernible difference in performance between the 7Mag and 308 if you use well constructed bullets like Partitions.

 

Might be worth going here to do some reading also.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/what-gun-for-bears.785992/

 

The Alaska Fish and Game Dept. says 30-06 loaded with 200-220 gr bullets is plenty of gun for the biggest bear.

Firearms and Ammunition for Hunting in Alaska, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

I've also seen test results from multiple sources showing 200-220 gr bullets fired from 30-06 or 300 WM out performing rounds such as 338 WM, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and 45-70. Basically if you're not carrying a 375 or bigger, 30-06 is the 2nd best option.

Everything I've seen with 308 was with 180 gr bullets and it gave a lot less penetration. But I've got to think that 200's fired from a 308 would come close to, or maybe even match 30-06. Remember 300 WM and 30-06 tied with the same bullets. 308 firing the same bullets may do as well, it was just never tested.

The 7mm Rem mag wasn't tested in anything I saw either. But a 175 gr Partition has a sectional density that splits the difference between the 200 and 220 gr 30 caliber bullets and in theory should give comparable penetration.

If I were going on this hunt I'd take my SS Winchester 70 in 30-06 sitting in a McMillan stock loaded with 200 gr Partitions. With the concerns of bigger bear I'd lean toward the 7 mag in your case. But think the 308 would work too especially if you shoot it better. If I carried the 308 I might use a lighter 165 gr bullet for hunting, but also carry a few handloads with 200 gr Partitions for bear defense . Remember, the truly monster 1000-1500 lb big bear are only located near the SE coastal parts of Alaska. If you're hunting anywhere else there are still pretty aggressive grizzly, but they are much smaller.

I'd also highly recommend a handgun in 10mm or one of the magnum cartridges. The most dangerous times are when gutting a game animal and when you don't have the rifle in your hands. This is especially important on a solo hunt. An elk hunting guide was killed in Wyoming a couple of years ago while processing an elk his client had killed with a bow. He had a Glock 10mm, but took it off while cleaning the elk. The hunter was injured, but escaped.

Jackson Hole Elk Outfitter Killed by Grizzly | Realtree Camo

 

Worked on the Olympic peninsula for enough years to say -get the Grundens so you can enjoy your time there.

I would try to do some of the weight burning while wearing my Grundens.
Not making a joke (you can always hose them out for cleaning) as the practice will help to fit them to you.

You might also consider packing the chosen rifle with you for getting used to getting
to bringing it into action while wearing the rain gear. A bit different than wearing layered coats
Better to get familiar here than up there.

JT

 

dkpack99,

1st of all, thank you for your service to our Country.

2nd, regardless of what caliber rifle, clothing, boots, etc. you decide on, watch your backside:

https://www.foxnews.com/us/alaska-woman-outhouse-bear

Best of luck on your trip!

Sam

 

Thank you for serving your country.


30-06 has plenty power, put on a clear durable optic and start practice hiking with the rifle and a full pack.
Good luck
J

 

If you’re gonna have another hunter or two with you take the rifle you like that’s best suited for the climate and prey just make sure you and the others not only carry bear spray but also I recommend everyone carries some double stack 10mm side arms. The sound of a gun shot in some parts up there is like ringing a dinner bell for the bears. Get your deer out quickly. A study I read some years ago suggested 30 minutes or less for bear arrival.

 

In the fall the bears there will all be congregated by the salmon streams and lakes, and will have so much easy free food available that they will want nothing to do with your deer meat. You’ll likely be up in the rolling hills getting rained on. I would worry more about your rain gear and tent than your rifle.

 

Thanks guys! Lots of friendly and solid advice, I really appreciate it!

We’re using Kodiak Combos as our transporter and will be dropped for hunting off each morning and picked up each night. We’re going to be a group of 5 or 6, and will always be in groups of two or three. I already scored a decent deal on a G40 and a stainless barrel and plan on toting it, ammo TBD, (each group will have a 10mm Glock, if not each individual).

The leading contender is the 7Mag with the 175gr Partitions, I’ll keep you updated!

Any additional advice is appreciated!

Thanks again for the hearty welcome!

Dave

 

Good luck be safe be smart.

 

A chest rig for the Glock. There is no substitute. I don’t carry pistols on my hip anymore in the woods. And my hips thank me.

 

You better hope you don't need to use a 10mm on a mad brownie. IMO, a stainless .338 in a synthetic stock would be a good choice. BTW, practice quick snap shooting before you go just in case.