What gun should I take to Alaska?

AzMike

AzMike

New member
With some incredible luck it looks like I am going to Alaska to hunt Moose and Grizzly this September. I know this is not really the best forum for this question, But this is the best place to get an answer I can trust. My question is this. Which gun should I take? I have a pre 64 win 70 in 7 STW w/ a SS barrel and fiberglass stock, or a completely custom 03-A3 in 338-06 in the black w/ iron sights. I built the 03-A3 as an ultimate north american dangerous game rifle, but now I don't want to mess it up. Plus I like to have some optic. Is a 160 gr 7mm round traveling at about 3000 fps big enough?
 
7 stw will flat out knock the poop out of a moose but is a little small bullet wise for the Grizz.Get the best shooting heaviest bullet you can and you will be fine.Copper solids would be a good one.Plus that gun being a fiberglass stock and stainless will be a better suit for the Alaskan environments.
 
If I were taking the 7 STW I'd load it with good 175gr bullets. But I would not take it. Probably a fairly long rifle? I'd want something more manuverable. The 338-06 would be my choice of what you have with a 225gr bullet. But I'd have it drilled and tapped and put something like a 1-4x or at most 2-7x scope on it.

As much as this trip will cost you, I'd buy a new rifle; cheapest part of the trip. Sounds like you can handle recoil well so I'd get a 338 win mag and load it with 250gr bullet's.
 
Interior grizzlies or coastal browns...there's a BIG difference (about 500 lbs). I'd go with more gun that either of those.
 
The 7mm with a 175 grain will do the job BUT its not going to be that great as far as just shoot and drop as its mass isn't all that big. Many of the guides up there use something like a 45-70 with something near a 520 grain round. Or a shotgun with a sabot, both will do a good job up close but not too far out. I guess it really depends on where you are hunting. I've seen the 45-70 instantly floor a huge Grizzly (he was just taking a stroll and didnt know what hit him.) I've also seen a charging griz make a u-turn after getting hit with one at around 10 yards, then ran 30+ yards then drop. Mass is the key for saving your butt in a pinch, Most mags 7mm on up will do the job if your not in a huge hurry (and can cetainly drop them in their tracks if hit right). Assuming you'll have a guide, shoot them an email and ask what they recommend for the location you'll be at.
 
I lived and hunted Alaska for 7 years and have taken both moose and brown bear.

If your good at handling and shooting your big 7 it would be fine for the big bears. I'd use heavily constructed bullets in the 175 grain wt. Then you are covered for Moose or Bear.

Silvertp
 
Originally Posted By: JBPrecisionSTW with a 168 or a 180 VLD

That would be my choice in the rifles you own, however I'd prefer a 338 Wing Mag as a minimum for grizzly.
 
Originally Posted By: DogpopperNot sure if your going guided or not, but I know some guide services set a .338 minimum for bear.

He'll certainly be guided for the bear, it's required up there, moose can be hunted unguided. I too would reccomend talking w/ your bear guide. Sounds to me like a perfect opportunity to buy or build a new rifle. 375 H&H?
 
Get a .270 Win and leave your kids at home. 150 Gr. will be enough, if not shoot twice. Ever heard of double tap.
 
30-06 like i've done for 30 years..just learn to shoot
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.375 Weatherby!

I have a spare here that really likes the 300 grain Barns bullets. Got some loaded up and ready to rock!

Oh BTW, she has been there done that.
 
Very few people can handle the recoil of the 375 H&H and shoot well. I certainly can't. The Weatherby is way more than 98% can shoot well.

Jack
 
I have a Encore Pro hunting in 375 H&H with some custom work done to it and i know it would be a fine choice for anything walking.With the break i have on it it doesnt kick as bad as my 300 WSM A bolt. Thanks Billy
 
I wouldn't purposely go after any brown bear with anything less than a 338WM. Your 7mm and your 338-06 will work. The 338-06 is a nice cartridge but a small zoom would be nice for it. Both are great for moose.

Check out the forums here and you can ask plenty who know for certain:

http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/forumdisplay.php?f=5

edit - was in a pissy mood and retracted my statements...
 
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With what that trip will cost, I would just buy a new rifle. A Stainless Ruger Hawkeye or Tikka T3 in 338WM shouldn't be too expensive, and both will have a 24" tube instead of the more common 26". That shorter barrel might be nice in the think cover you may encounter up there. I personally wouldn't go with less than one of the 300 Mags, and 338 or 325WSM would be even better. It's an excuse to buy a new gun, why not do it!!?
 
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