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Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: RB on November 24, 2020, 09:26:22 PM


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Title: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: RB on November 24, 2020, 09:26:22 PM
Need thoughts on rifle choice for SE Alaska Brown Bear hunt. I am going to apply for the family tag in area 4 (all three islands between Sitka and Juneau) and am looking at getting a bigger rifle. All three of us (me, brother, nephew) all have .300 Win Mags, but thinking of stepping up to .375 H and H as a primary. I do not want to take any kind of long shot and want to be able to put one down with authority. I tried in 2014-2015 but did not draw and life got busy, so want to try again.

Other calibers I am looking at .45-70, .450 Alaskan, .338 Win Mag, .348 Win

Those that have done this please give me your thoughts.

Thanks

Bob
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: Bango skank on November 24, 2020, 09:29:52 PM
Havent done it myself, but by "not taking long shots" what do you mean?  Your mentioning .45-70 makes me think 100 or less.  If thats the case i dont see a .300wm being underpowered  :dunno:  but once again, never hunted brownies.  But id feel comfortable going on a close range brown bear hunt with my .444 and .460  :dunno:
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: Skillet on November 24, 2020, 09:42:25 PM
I've thought a lot about this myself. 

I'm not looking for an excess of recoil, so I've arrived on a 338WM, 35 whelen or 9.3x62 for 250-ish and under.  I don't think you want to really limit yourself to 100 yards.  The odds are you will be spot-and-stalking these guys from the boat, and when you get to shore and make your stalk there can be a lot of flat beach between the last bit of cover and your bear.

I get to shoot a grizz every four years up here in SE, and might do it next year.  There's a LOT of them around here.  If you decide to hunt Baranof/Chichigof, let me know.  :tup:

Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: RB on November 24, 2020, 09:43:50 PM
Just throwing some calibers out to start a conversation, and would not want to take a shot any further than about 150 yards or so, 200 would be about max for me on a Brown Bear, want to make sure I am making a good ethical shot on an animal that can take a lot of lead and keep moving.
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: Skillet on November 24, 2020, 09:47:15 PM
Roger that.  I like the mid-weights for this work, but there are a lot of 375H&H up to .458WM rigs in this town.
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: RB on November 24, 2020, 09:47:45 PM
I've thought a lot about this myself. 

I'm not looking for an excess of recoil, so I've arrived on a 338WM, 35 whelen or 9.3x62 for 250-ish and under.  I don't think you want to really limit yourself to 100 yards.  The odds are you will be spot-and-stalking these guys from the boat, and when you get to shore and make your stalk there can be a lot of flat beach between the last bit of cover and your bear.

I get to shoot a grizz every four years up here in SE, and might do it next year.  There's a LOT of them around here.  If you decide to hunt Baranof/Chichigof, let me know.  :tup:


 :yeah:

Those two and Admiralty are the islands the tag covers and yes would definitely let you know. I just don't want to take a poke at distance and make a bad shot. Have heard it a couple times when I have been up there about guys that hit a bear and could not recover and now everyone that goes to that drainage for a while has to watch out for a mad wounded bear!
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: Bango skank on November 24, 2020, 09:49:36 PM
I was shooting the *censored* with a native up the yukon river a few years back.  He showed me a pic of a nastie brownie he killed with a 7mm.  I said, you mean 7 mm mag?  He said no, just a 7mm.  Assuming he meant 7mm-08  :dunno:  of course, these are the same dudes that think nothing of routinely killing caribou with .223
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: Skillet on November 24, 2020, 09:52:18 PM
I was shooting the *censored* with a native up the yukon river a few years back.  He showed me a pic of a nastie brownie he killed with a 7mm.  I said, you mean 7 mm mag?  He said no, just a 7mm.  Assuming he meant 7mm-08  :dunno:

I'll bet it was an old 7x57 milsurp with a split stock and consistent 10" groups at 50 yards  :chuckle:
Dead's dead, tho.
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: RB on November 24, 2020, 09:54:16 PM
Roger that.  I like the mid-weights for this work, but there are a lot of 375H&H up to .458WM rigs in this town.

Yes indeed, about 20 years ago there was a dead Whale that washed up around Nismeni and had a ton of Bears on it someone took a poke and wounded one and nobody would hunt the area for a while. If I am going to shoot at one it will be far enough away, but close enough to make a clean shot.
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: Skillet on November 24, 2020, 09:55:06 PM
I've thought a lot about this myself. 

I'm not looking for an excess of recoil, so I've arrived on a 338WM, 35 whelen or 9.3x62 for 250-ish and under.  I don't think you want to really limit yourself to 100 yards.  The odds are you will be spot-and-stalking these guys from the boat, and when you get to shore and make your stalk there can be a lot of flat beach between the last bit of cover and your bear.

I get to shoot a grizz every four years up here in SE, and might do it next year.  There's a LOT of them around here.  If you decide to hunt Baranof/Chichigof, let me know.  :tup:


 :yeah:

Those two and Admiralty are the islands the tag covers and yes would definitely let you know. I just don't want to take a poke at distance and make a bad shot. Have heard it a couple times when I have been up there about guys that hit a bear and could not recover and now everyone that goes to that drainage for a while has to watch out for a mad wounded bear!

Ya, you don't want to be that guy.  These things have a bad enough attitude as it is, especially in slow pink salmon years.

If they get too far off the beach in this jungle, you aren't going to get more than a 10 yard follow-up.  Most likely a lot less. 
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: h20hunter on November 24, 2020, 09:56:37 PM
Make it sporty....25-06.
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: Skillet on November 24, 2020, 09:56:54 PM
Roger that.  I like the mid-weights for this work, but there are a lot of 375H&H up to .458WM rigs in this town.

Yes indeed, about 20 years ago there was a dead Whale that washed up around Nismeni and had a ton of Bears on it someone took a poke and wounded one and nobody would hunt the area for a while. If I am going to shoot at one it will be far enough away, but close enough to make a clean shot.

There was a dead humpback on the beach just outside of town here a few years ago.  4-5 bears on it all summer, they were the nastiest, greasiest looking things ever.  Just wallowing in that rotten blubber.   :puke:

Could smell it from a mile away.  Literally.
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: Skillet on November 24, 2020, 09:57:51 PM
Make it sporty....25-06.

Just use a recurve and knapped flint heads while you're at it.  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: h20hunter on November 24, 2020, 09:58:27 PM
Nasty.

Honestly,  i think the 45 70 would be great in a lever gun. Big A heavy slug that will break bone and travel end to end in  bear.
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: RB on November 24, 2020, 10:01:01 PM
Make it sporty....25-06.

Know guys that use AR .223 with a 30 round mag, one or two for the Sitka Blacktails, and if a Bear bothers them the other 28 for him hahaha
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: RB on November 24, 2020, 10:02:58 PM
Nasty.

Honestly,  i think the 45 70 would be great in a lever gun. Big A heavy slug that will break bone and travel end to end in  bear.

 :yeah:

That is why I was thinking .375 don't need to be fast just hit hard!
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: Bango skank on November 24, 2020, 10:03:13 PM
Roger that.  I like the mid-weights for this work, but there are a lot of 375H&H up to .458WM rigs in this town.

Yes indeed, about 20 years ago there was a dead Whale that washed up around Nismeni and had a ton of Bears on it someone took a poke and wounded one and nobody would hunt the area for a while. If I am going to shoot at one it will be far enough away, but close enough to make a clean shot.

There was a dead humpback on the beach just outside of town here a few years ago.  4-5 bears on it all summer, they were the nastiest, greasiest looking things ever.  Just wallowing in that rotten blubber.   :puke:

Could smell it from a mile away.  Literally.

We towed a barge into the red dog mine by kivalina, just above the arctic circle, few years back.  3 walrus carcasses had washed ashore by the dock.  There was, if i remember correctly, 11 grizz (that far north theyre considered grizz agsin, not brownies) tearing up those walrus carcasses.  We were not allowed to land the barge at the dock.  Did round turns waiting while a helicopter came out from the mine and chased the herd of bears off, then an excavator came out and buried the walrus carcasses.  Dont knoe where i was going with this story, but i think it pertained to the thread, and it was pretty cool.  Im going to bed now.  Adios.
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: wadu1 on November 24, 2020, 10:06:44 PM
I'm with Skillet, 9.3X62. A guide I know in BC always carried a 45-70 but now is using a .416 Rugar.
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: Skillet on November 24, 2020, 10:08:12 PM
I'm with Skillet, 9.3X62. A guide I know in BC always carried a 45-70 but now is using a .416 Rugar.

I'm thinking I'm going to try and pry that 9.3x62 CZ550FS out of your hands for my bear hunt next year  :tup:
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: RB on November 24, 2020, 10:09:39 PM
I'm with Skillet, 9.3X62. A guide I know in BC always carried a 45-70 but now is using a .416 Rugar.

Ok that is what I am looking for did not think about either of those cartridges just want to consider all the options
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: Skillet on November 24, 2020, 10:11:02 PM
Nasty.

Honestly,  i think the 45 70 would be great in a lever gun. Big A heavy slug that will break bone and travel end to end in  bear.

 :yeah:

That is why I was thinking .375 don't need to be fast just hit hard!

This would be a fantastic choice in a pre-64 M70, CZ550 or Sako.  Just my  :twocents:
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: h20hunter on November 24, 2020, 10:12:04 PM
4x Fixed Power scope....dead bear.....hell dead anything.
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: Dan-o on November 24, 2020, 10:14:16 PM
Make it sporty....25-06.

 :o

 8)
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: kselkhunter on November 24, 2020, 10:14:45 PM
I was shooting the *censored* with a native up the yukon river a few years back.  He showed me a pic of a nastie brownie he killed with a 7mm.  I said, you mean 7 mm mag?  He said no, just a 7mm.  Assuming he meant 7mm-08  :dunno:  of course, these are the same dudes that think nothing of routinely killing caribou with .223

My close friend from Alaska got his brown bear with his 270 Win (he had a guy backing him up with 338 WM).  Guys use what they have.  Shot placement matters regardless of caliber/cartridge.


338WM and 375 H&H are common calibers for brown bear.   I would take my 35 Whelen as I've owned it 30 years and am very comfortable and confident with it, and at only 8.2lbs w/scope it's not too heavy to carry all day.  With my custom hand loads with the most recent load data the 250gr loads are plenty of power, plus have some 310gr Woodleigh loads I'd take.  If I draw a moose tag in next month's Alaska application the 35 Whelen is what I'll be packing and feel safe if having to defend myself from bears. 
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: RB on November 24, 2020, 10:15:49 PM
4x Fixed Power scope....dead bear.....hell dead anything.


Oh thats pretty.....pretty deadly!
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: RB on November 24, 2020, 10:19:08 PM
I was shooting the *censored* with a native up the yukon river a few years back.  He showed me a pic of a nastie brownie he killed with a 7mm.  I said, you mean 7 mm mag?  He said no, just a 7mm.  Assuming he meant 7mm-08  :dunno:  of course, these are the same dudes that think nothing of routinely killing caribou with .223

My close friend from Alaska got his brown bear with his 270 Win (he had a guy backing him up with 338 WM).  Guys use what they have.  Shot placement matters regardless of caliber/cartridge.




338WM and 375 H&H are common calibers for brown bear.   I would take my 35 Whelen as I've owned it 30 years and am very comfortable and confident with it, and at only 8.2lbs w/scope it's not too heavy to carry all day.  With my custom hand loads with the most recent load data the 250gr loads are plenty of power, plus have some 310gr Woodleigh loads I'd take.  If I draw a moose tag in next month's Alaska application the 35 Whelen is what I'll be packing and feel safe if having to defend myself from bears.



 :yeah:

If I was going to be hiking any distance that would factor in, but as Skillet has stated he sees them on the beach all the time, and this would be a boat hunt, so weight of the gun should not be an issue.
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: Skillet on November 24, 2020, 10:25:00 PM
Yep, the standard tactic for guides and residents is to position the big boat in an area with a lot of salmon streams, then run the fast skiff around and check them out. See one you like, beach the skiff out of sight and stalk in for the shot. It's not a particularly strenuous hunt, rifle weight doesn't really matter.

Moose hunting in SE can be a whole different deal, though, slogging through muskeg all day.
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: RB on November 24, 2020, 10:34:06 PM
Yep, the standard tactic for guides and residents is to position the big boat in an area with a lot of salmon streams, then run the fast skiff around and check them out. See one you like, beach the skiff out of sight and stalk in for the shot. It's not a particularly strenuous hunt, rifle weight doesn't really matter.

Moose hunting in SE can be a whole different deal, though, slogging through muskeg all day.


 :yeah:

Biggest Bear I have ever seen was at the head end of Necker Bay where a stream dumped into the bay sow with cubs and she looked like a Volkswagen bug!
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: carpsniperg2 on November 24, 2020, 11:45:33 PM
I have 2 that I would love to take a brown bear with. Both have there place depending on the type of hunt. Inland vs boat hunt.
For a inland bear with more range possible. I love the 340wby mag. Has the range and weight to easily take any moose or bear that walks.
" I have only personally take black bear/elk/hogs with my 340" I have been very happy with the blend of bullet weights and still a extended range gun
as compared to some of the heavier bear gun options like the 45/70 and 444 etc.
For a more costal bear that might be brushy shorter shot distances I have a beloved rifle that I recently had re cambered to a 375 ruger.
Has the much heavier bullet options lots of knock down KE and better for tighter shots in brushy stuff.

Good luck to you in the draws. Hopefully we can follow a thread one day of your adventure.
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: jeffro on November 24, 2020, 11:48:44 PM
.458 socom, 10 rds of 600g solids per mag
Or
Rifled 12g slug gun would be my choices
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: Jellymon on November 25, 2020, 03:47:12 AM
Make it sporty....25-06.

Just use a recurve and knapped flint heads while you're at it.  :chuckle:

Tred Barta did that back when his show was on. Still one of the best hunts I’ve ever seen.  :tup:
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: NW SURVEYOR on November 25, 2020, 05:30:22 AM
33 Nosler, standard length action, 270 ELDX out the pipe at 2900 FPS.
When you get home you have a great elk rifle.
That's my choice.
Rob.
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 25, 2020, 05:51:11 AM
.45-70 Ryan you can't go wrong with it. Love my guide gun and it packs a wallop if need be
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: Brotherman on November 25, 2020, 06:46:45 AM
My son in law was a LEO in Yakutat for years, and his rifle of choice in the patrol car was a 45-70, as they were always getting calls to dispatch problem bears in town. Would always give them a dirt nap.
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: Onewhohikes on November 25, 2020, 06:50:59 AM
 :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup:
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: JimmyHoffa on November 25, 2020, 07:06:42 AM
Make it sporty....25-06.
Guy I know that works the coast all the way to the North Slope said the eskimos all use .25-06, .243 and .223 for things like walrus, polar bear, seals, etc.
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: Cougartail on November 25, 2020, 07:32:01 AM
More bears have fallen to the old 30-06 than any other round. With a premium bullet that is heavy for caliber it does the job.

Regardless, accuracy kills.
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: WSU on November 25, 2020, 07:52:32 AM
I’ve never shot a brown bear but would something like the 190 Barnes bullets would penetrate plenty out of your 300.
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: BULLBLASTER on November 25, 2020, 08:14:42 AM
Ive never been to alaska or hunted brown bears but i sure do love my 375 h&h. Mine is a winchester 70 classic stainless and ive killed deer, black bears, elk, and moose with it.
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: JJB11B on November 25, 2020, 08:20:43 AM
500 Nitro express!
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: RB on November 25, 2020, 08:43:09 AM
500 Nitro express!


When I draw the T-Rex tag I'll step up to that! hahaha
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: RB on November 25, 2020, 08:52:25 AM
I have 2 that I would love to take a brown bear with. Both have there place depending on the type of hunt. Inland vs boat hunt.
For a inland bear with more range possible. I love the 340wby mag. Has the range and weight to easily take any moose or bear that walks.
" I have only personally take black bear/elk/hogs with my 340" I have been very happy with the blend of bullet weights and still a extended range gun
as compared to some of the heavier bear gun options like the 45/70 and 444 etc.
For a more costal bear that might be brushy shorter shot distances I have a beloved rifle that I recently had re cambered to a 375 ruger.
Has the much heavier bullet options lots of knock down KE and better for tighter shots in brushy stuff.

Good luck to you in the draws. Hopefully we can follow a thread one day of your adventure.



Sometimes a guy just needs a new rifle can't say as I have even heard of the 340 but looks interesting. The plus of the 375 Ruger is standard length action. Thanks
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: BULLBLASTER on November 25, 2020, 08:56:55 AM
I dont get the “standard length action” idea. A long action is a long action. It may have a shorter mag box and a bolt stop but its still the same action.
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: RB on November 25, 2020, 08:57:42 AM
More bears have fallen to the old 30-06 than any other round. With a premium bullet that is heavy for caliber it does the job.

Regardless, accuracy kills.


 :yeah:

Yes indeed! I have one of those too, but my .300 win mag, shooting the same bullet, seems to do a better job. Sometimes a guy just wants a new rifle in a different caliber.  :chuckle:

Thanks
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: KP-Skagit on November 25, 2020, 09:22:47 AM
I hunted caribou back in the day up on the North Slope. Our guide was a Kodiak bear guide, turned out my dad had read some of his escapades in American Hunter of the years.

He was pretty particular about rifles when it came to that hunting. He said he didn't care if he ever saw another 338 (not exactly sure why). I had a heirloom model 70 in 300 H&H, he told me a better bet was a 375 but he liked the 300.

He carried a .416 rigby with a breakaway scope to iron sights. I am not a gun guy but he led me to believe that was not a common cartridge but it was his preferred having shot most big bore rifles. 
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: kselkhunter on November 25, 2020, 09:34:01 AM
The Ruger Guide gun in 375 Ruger or 416 Ruger would be a fun toy for Alaska.  Have had my eye on one of those for years.  If the local Sportsmans ever stocked them, I'd already have one in the safe.  Just not going to go out of my way to try to find one...
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: Fl0und3rz on November 25, 2020, 10:18:43 AM
There's a real pretty 300 H&H with full length stock up a Clark's All-Sports in Colville I would be looking at for a brown bear hunt.  As I recall, it was pretty reasonable, too.  And it has class.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2012/12/27/shooting-loading-the-300-hh-magnum/
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: 7mmfan on November 25, 2020, 10:25:42 AM
The biggest I saw was a big boar in the waterfall at Port Banks. There was a big sow with 3 cubs there for a few years as well. This was a close second, running through Dorothy Narrows, on the Goddard side. No more than 1/2 mile from the hot spring.
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: RB on November 25, 2020, 11:15:07 AM
The biggest I saw was a big boar in the waterfall at Port Banks. There was a big sow with 3 cubs there for a few years as well. This was a close second, running through Dorothy Narrows, on the Goddard side. No more than 1/2 mile from the hot spring.


 :yeah:

That right there is why a big bore rifle would be more ideal, even a good shot with a quality .30 cal bullet that thing can be in the jungle behind it and disappear! Those that have not been to the area this is what a lot of the beaches look like around all the islands, yes there are some more open beaches, but this is the norm trees and brush right down to the water. Wading into thick brush with a mad wounded Bear that can kill me is not ideal.
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: birddogdad on November 25, 2020, 11:17:46 AM
Need thoughts on rifle choice for SE Alaska Brown Bear hunt. I am going to apply for the family tag in area 4 (all three islands between Sitka and Juneau) and am looking at getting a bigger rifle. All three of us (me, brother, nephew) all have .300 Win Mags, but thinking of stepping up to .375 H and H as a primary. I do not want to take any kind of long shot and want to be able to put one down with authority. I tried in 2014-2015 but did not draw and life got busy, so want to try again.

Other calibers I am looking at .45-70, .450 Alaskan, .338 Win Mag, .348 Win

Those that have done this please give me your thoughts.

Thanks

Bob

have a 375H&H and would totally recommend it, i run 300gr DGS Hornady's in brush and 300gr accubonds nosler in open areas with same 100yd poi with same gr load of 760 powder. my favorite/ most forgiving reload gun i have! extremely accurate and lethal. Have of above guns, 45-70 and 338 to reference my choice from your list. hope this helps you make the right choice! :chuckle:
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: RB on November 25, 2020, 11:25:40 AM
Need thoughts on rifle choice for SE Alaska Brown Bear hunt. I am going to apply for the family tag in area 4 (all three islands between Sitka and Juneau) and am looking at getting a bigger rifle. All three of us (me, brother, nephew) all have .300 Win Mags, but thinking of stepping up to .375 H and H as a primary. I do not want to take any kind of long shot and want to be able to put one down with authority. I tried in 2014-2015 but did not draw and life got busy, so want to try again.

Other calibers I am looking at .45-70, .450 Alaskan, .338 Win Mag, .348 Win

Those that have done this please give me your thoughts.

Thanks

Bob

have a 375H&H and would totally recommend it, i run 300gr DGS Hornady's in brush and 300gr accubonds nosler in open areas with same 100yd poi with same gr load of 760 powder. my favorite/ most forgiving reload gun i have! extremely accurate and lethal. Have of above guns, 45-70 and 338 to reference my choice from your list. hope this helps you make the right choice! :chuckle:

Awesome thanks! As per the picture 7mmfan posted you can see I don't need reach, just power. Question, for you what is the recoil difference like between the three calibers? Thanks
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: mountainman on November 25, 2020, 12:20:04 PM
.338/378 Weatherby and .450 Marlin. Covers the short and long of it. Pic is on Baranoff.
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: go4steelhd on November 25, 2020, 03:40:02 PM
I shot mine with a 338-378 weatherby at 400 yards, it busted both shoulders and dropped it in place. :tup:

Good luck on the hunt
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: RB on November 25, 2020, 06:43:49 PM
.338/378 Weatherby and .450 Marlin. Covers the short and long of it. Pic is on Baranoff.


Nice! Love Baranof Island  :)
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: RB on November 25, 2020, 06:47:17 PM
Need thoughts on rifle choice for SE Alaska Brown Bear hunt. I am going to apply for the family tag in area 4 (all three islands between Sitka and Juneau) and am looking at getting a bigger rifle. All three of us (me, brother, nephew) all have .300 Win Mags, but thinking of stepping up to .375 H and H as a primary. I do not want to take any kind of long shot and want to be able to put one down with authority. I tried in 2014-2015 but did not draw and life got busy, so want to try again.

Other calibers I am looking at .45-70, .450 Alaskan, .338 Win Mag, .348 Win

Those that have done this please give me your thoughts.

Thanks

Bob

have a 375H&H and would totally recommend it, i run 300gr DGS Hornady's in brush and 300gr accubonds nosler in open areas with same 100yd poi with same gr load of 760 powder. my favorite/ most forgiving reload gun i have! extremely accurate and lethal. Have of above guns, 45-70 and 338 to reference my choice from your list. hope this helps you make the right choice! :chuckle:

Awesome thanks! As per the picture 7mmfan posted you can see I don't need reach, just power. Question, for you what is the recoil difference like between the three calibers? Thanks

i have a brake on the H&H and it really tames it ... others don't need.. if your ever down in Kitsap, you can send a round thru mine if you wanted... This was a family pass down 3 gens,2 years ago i refurb'd with cerekote and put custom stock on from a great guy in PDX area before he passed.

Dude, that is a real nice looking rifle! Don't ever get down that way, but thanks for the offer, I'll find someone closer and see if I can send a couple down range and see what how it works. Really like the brake on my .300 Win Mag and have learned to make sure I have hearing protection! Thanks for sharing
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: RB on November 25, 2020, 06:48:51 PM
I shot mine with a 338-378 weatherby at 400 yards, it busted both shoulders and dropped it in place. :tup:

Good luck on the hunt

Good to know, thanks for the reply, now just gotta draw the tag!
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: mountainman on November 25, 2020, 07:36:27 PM
I shot mine with a 338-378 weatherby at 400 yards, it busted both shoulders and dropped it in place. :tup:

Good luck on the hunt
👍😊
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on November 25, 2020, 09:42:19 PM
Pard just killed a giant last week on kodiak, where he lives, 7 mag, 29 11/16...
(https://i.postimg.cc/gJRhhWKq/1-D84-E6-A4-E325-4813-897-D-18033830-E390.png) (https://postimg.cc/CBhdy9Xz)
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: huntnphool on November 25, 2020, 09:57:02 PM
Pard just killed a giant last week on kodiak, where he lives, 7 mag, 29 11/16...

 :o
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: RB on November 25, 2020, 10:05:31 PM
Pard just killed a giant last week on kodiak, where he lives, 7 mag, 29 11/16...
(https://i.postimg.cc/gJRhhWKq/1-D84-E6-A4-E325-4813-897-D-18033830-E390.png) (https://postimg.cc/CBhdy9Xz)


WOW!

 :like:

Nice Bear!
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on November 25, 2020, 10:40:19 PM
Pard just killed a giant last week on kodiak, where he lives, 7 mag, 29 11/16...

 :o

Naw I’m sandbaggin a bit....
(https://i.postimg.cc/JnNjH8rV/47-C9-C023-5-CF8-4-CB3-A2-D7-91-F680743-EFE.png) (https://postimg.cc/TLPKBZ5C)water wisteria floating (https://bettafishcaretaker.com/marimo-moss-ball)

I would most definitely buy a 375 or bigger!!! 😂😂
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: Goshawk on November 27, 2020, 08:58:30 AM
Pard just killed a giant last week on kodiak, where he lives, 7 mag, 29 11/16...
(https://i.postimg.cc/gJRhhWKq/1-D84-E6-A4-E325-4813-897-D-18033830-E390.png) (https://postimg.cc/CBhdy9Xz)

Dang! That's my dream hunt right there!
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: jstone on November 27, 2020, 09:00:18 AM
Wow
Just amazes me how big those things are.!!
Nice bear
Title: Re: Rifle Choice SE Alaska Brown Bear
Post by: logola512c on November 30, 2020, 10:28:26 AM
I saw a few comments about 45-70.  I use the barnes vor-tx rounds in 7 Mag and 300 Win Mag, and love them.  But when I look at their ballistics chart, their loading for 45-70 seems really low. 2469 ft-lbs at the muzzle and 1509 ft-lbs at 100 yards.  Compared to 3500 ft-lbs at the muzzle and 3000-ish at 100 yards for 300 win mag.  For folks that like the 45-70, are you using much hotter loads, or just thinking it's a close-in brush-gun round? 

Thanks, and here's the link to the barnes ballistic data for their cartridges. 

https://www.barnesbullets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Barnes-Ammo-Ballistic-Chart-Standard-2017-1.pdf

Modified to add that I haven't hunted brown bear, and am just commenting on the cartridge discussion...
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