Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Brown Bear Gun(What would you do?)

If i was going Brown Bear hunting it would be my 338 Rem Ultra Mag with the Swift 275 gr A-Frames.

I have no beef with lever action rifles - just stated we never used them. Most of my group and myself were hunting before the 45-70 et cetera made the big comeback.

My 300 Win Mag shooting 150gr E Tips..

If I was looking for a new BB gun I'd give the 416 Ruger a loooong look, especially if they did something with the swing arm on their safety.




I know in certain camps that lever actions are popular, but in 20 year's guiding with 5 different outfit's I've never seen a guide use a lever action as a backup. I've wanted to give them a try just haven't found one that fit's me proper cept my Winchester 9422, go figure.

IF I WERE STARTING OUT AND WANTED A RIFLE FOR ALASKAN BEARS I'D BUY A 375 RUGER AND NEVER LOOK BACK.

Well then . . . the unimpeachable source has spoken.

Thanks Phil, but next time, don't beat around the bush, OK?

Its always nice to have clarity.

BMT

Never hunted Alaskan bears but ... my choice would be a Marlin in 45-70 or (better yet) 450 Marlin. When up close and personal with big rears, I'd favor a quick follow-up capability.

Actually I guess I could have been a bit more verbose. I should have added that I'd buy two- just as I did with my 458 - in case they ever decide to drop it .
Fortunately I still have my "just in case", pristine MkX 458 bbl action sitting around.

I suppose my pick would be the 416 Ruger, 416 Rem or my 404 for anything that bites back...

In a lever gun I would not even consider anything short of the Win. 71 in the 450/348 IMP case or the big 50 in the same case. If you can tolerate the recoil in those guns, then you got a hammer of Thor albiet on both ends.

The stock design on those big 40 or 50/348 Imp. calibers are lovely in balance and pointability but don't help much on the slobber knocker end, they hurt!!

My favorite caliber for the big bears is the 375. Specifically the 375 Ruger. Depending on the bullet used, it is as flat shooting as 270 Win, flatter shooting than the 30-06, and hits a helluva alot harder upon impact when it gets there.

With the right bullet, it has enough stopping power for the closer shots and is a good flat shooter for the longer ranges as well.

A great balance for everything between a 338 and a 416 to 458!

By all means, get the Savage.

If anything weird happens, the money you save can be used for your funeral.

You can't lose, you win either way.

Smitty of the North

For me, I would like to have a 375 H&H. Oh but I don't. If I was loading up today I would take my 338RUM. It will do just fine.

I don't have either of these, or the need for them, such as an abundance of Brown Bear, but I would do my best to find a 416 Ruger, and learn to shoot it. Probably would mount a 1.5-5 Leupold and scavenge all the brass and bullets I could find.

I am reasonably sure I could love a .375 Ruger just as much.

I'm running a Win M70, Post-64 PF in 375 Taylor (.375-338)

Here'a pic with a Leupy 2.5x compact, but I've got a Williams FP aperature sight also.

Should be picking up a box of 300 gr Partitions in the mail this week - my standard fodder. Graf's had then on sale for $39.99/box.

http://www.grafs.com/fc/browse.php?page=2&p=938&q=&v=&s=az

Have some Barnes 270 gr Banded Solids that I'm going to try too.



Will pick up an obligatory Brown Bear tag around May 1st for spring beach cruises. Maybe this will be the year I see a toad.

Another pic for case comparisons.

Since i've seen exactly 3 bear i'm "qualified" I'd look into an AR platform the .450 Bushmaster or a .450 Marlin Levergun.

And, on that note, you just helped Ruger sell me a rifle.

........You both are very wise!!!!!!!!!!

I'll be using my 300 winny with 180 gr barnes; I'll let ya know.

I've shot my Alaskan a lot and have yet to see where I went wrong with this rifle purchase, other than the fact that I'm still running the Hogue stock. That will change in about a week or so.

No disrespect towards anyone wanting a new gun, but... Why not use a .30-06 or similar that you already shot well? If your not an Alaskan local to where your hunting why not let the guide back you up with dangerous game rifle they already have and no how to shoot?

Again if you want a new gun, Great! But don't pretend that you need one. Ask your guide ahead of time what gun to bring. Just my opinion...

idahoguy101