Alaskan working rifle

[j_h_nimrod]

16 years in SE Alaska spending a large amount of time working (commercial fishing, fisheries biologist, hunting guide), hunting, and living in remote locales gives me a few opinions and a little credibility.  For a hunting and bear stopping rifle look at .375 H&H or .338 WM.  Look at Ruger or Winchester. I don't like Remington 700s, it is the only rifle I have short stroked and had feeding problems with.  CZ is another good option with some good cartridge choices.  Steer away from oddball or limited popularity calibers unless you reload or plan on carrying a large stock of your chosen cartridges. You should be able to find the two calibers mentioned above just about anywhere in AK, other good choices of lesser popularity are .375 and .416 Ruger, .458 Win Mag, 30-06., or .300 WM. The last two are marginal for stopping a bear but adequate and better than threats and curses. A .375 H&H is a great all around if you can shoot it.

[carpsniperg2]

For me I would really want a 338+ gun. I am a big weatherby fan and love my 340wby. If it was me I would probably go to a 375 HH. I already have the rifle picked out. It is a Sako Kodiak but they are a little more spendy. I would look into the ruger line up.

[jdb]

 

A Marlin guide gun in .450, .45-70 or something along those lines....

[Ingwe]

.338 wm  with 250 gr nosler partition 2-7 leupold scope

[bowhunterforever]

A Marlin guide gun in .450, .45-70 or something along those lines....

[cohoho]

.375 H&H

 

[thinkingman]

A Marlin guide gun in .450, .45-70 or something along those lines....

You want a lever-action throwing big chunks of lead for the pucker situations.

[coachcw]

consider the distance your shots will be for hunting , if the terrain is going to keep them bellow 150 yards then the .375 will be a fine choice . if they may stretch out to 300-400 then the 338will out shine the 375. both will stop mr mean. plus you can get quality 338 rounds for 40-60 bucks a box . 

[kodiak 907]

Marlin 45-70, open sights.  Does the job on kodiak.

[wildmanoutdoors]

Marlin 45-70, open sights.  Does the job on kodiak.

  Just purchasd one!

[jackmaster]

lever action 444, open sights, that thing is a thumper 

[high country]

I spend half of my life in Alaska.  You can always find 375 H&H ammo here.......good luck with the Weatherby stuff.

[MountainWalk]

I will be logging old growth spruce for music wood. In a variety of locations. Thought about the 338 wm. I've owned a few a can attest to it's power and accuracy.  But this is also an excuse to get a new gun. Buying ammo isnt a problem, as I am taking four or so boxes of whatever. The ol oh six is going to be my primary HUNTING gun, loaded with 210 noslers. But I do want a light "heavy" gun for taking into the dark stuff.     I am wanting as short a barrel as I can practillaly get. And it won't be scoped.  Id like a couldnt and holland, but I'm having a hard time finding one, especially for less than a thousand. Have ben looking at 375 ruger.  Rifle models, I'm leaning towards winny or a ruger. Lever actions are out, bc I want more power than the ol gov round and can't afford bigger than that in a lever gun.

[MountainWalk]

How bout this? Min. Bullet weight I want is 300 grains. Velocity is of no concern.

[snowpack]

If you don't mind single shots, H&R makes a gun called a Handi rifle.  It comes in .45-70 and is small and lightweight.  It is one of the .45-70s that can handle buffalo bore ammo.  That ammo is hot loaded and is just a tad below .458 win mag.  Gun runs around $300 last time I looked.
Ruger No.1 is also a strong single.  Can handle any of the big dangerous game rounds.  can find used ones from $500 on up. (it is kind of a short/light rifle as well)