Alaskan working rifle

[MountainWalk]

I am most likely moving to AK next year on my families propert.i will be alone for the most part, and I'm looking for a rifle for bear protection and hunting. Looking for a fight stopper. Any ideas on cal an rifl  under one thousand

[HighCountryHunter88]

for hunting and protection id go with 338, low power scope

[Jim the Plumber]

375 H&H, 338 WM, 300WM. Rem 700, Ruger 77.

[headshot5]

375 H&H, 338 WM, 300WM. Rem 700, Ruger 77.

Perfect answer.

[Biggerhammer]

.375 H&H

[jackelope]

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

[quadrafire]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,144511.0.html

[Fl0und3rz]

Any one of these. 

http://www.ruger.com/products/guideGun/models.html

I have been stalking the 30-06 for a good WA brush gun, but would prefer a synthetic stock.

[snowpack]

For the interior bears I'd think a .338/.375 would be pretty good.  If coastal a .375 should be fine, but I'd lean toward something more towards .416 to .458 cal.

[mountainman]

338 winchester will do it all!

[coachcw]

.338 wm or a 338-378 weatherby

[b23]

I would first decide on how far you think/believe you will need to shoot. 

I could be wrong but based on the OP's description of what he's looking for, I would want something that will inflict maximum damage at 50yds or less and likely,  if needed for self defense, it would be closer than that.  Under those circumstances I would think a short, tactical style, shotgun with slugs would be the best choice.  With something like a 450 Marlin lever gun as a close second.

[jackelope]

The only reason I didn't suggest a slug gun was because he mentioned hunting.
 

It's one of those questions that probably has a plethora of correct answers. Best to get answers from someone with real world experience in that scenario but you'll probably find 99% of the suggestions made so far would get the job done as long as the guy on the operating end of the rifle is able to do his part.

[mountainman]

My choice on my last Alaskan brown bear hunt..A 338/378 Accumark for long shots, and a Marlin in 450 magnum for in close! All bases covered!

[coachcw]

a browning BAR in 338 wm  has more stopping power than a 12 gauge as far as penetration and ke