Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska Rifle for bear hunting in Alaska

I have done some reading about the 375 ruger. Would do the job I imagine!

I have shot a few rugers, and while nice, I prefer an older rem 700. Though recently some pre64 winnys have been calling. Half the fun of a new toy is the speculation in its purchase

Just can't seem to find the perfect solution for me.
The 375 looks very promising and effective, but I can't pair it down to 6-7# and shoot it comfortably (Based on what others here have mentioned).
I have been looking at a Remington 350 magnum. Seems nifty
Have also been looking at a Rem 7mmRM but its not too far off from my current rifle.
Need to take some more time reading I suppose. Getting out and shooting some couldn't hurt either.

To preface, I did thoroughly use the search function. Which led me down many rabbit-holes of research about larger calibers to use for brown/grizzly bears in Alaska. However not all of my questions have been answered.

I am looking into getting a rifle in the late future (12-16 months). Primarily to be used for large bears in AK. I currently have and love a rem700 in 7mm-08 (Mc Millan, leupold 3.5-9,Douglas barrel, cerakoted) which will do about anything I need. Such as deer, elk, moose, sheep, goat,and black bears. Though I don't feel it has enough oomph for the large species.

My research led me into looking at several different calibers, 35 Remington (Rem Mohawk), 350 Remington Magnum (Rem Mohawk), 300 Win mag, .338 Win Mag, .338-06, 35 Whelen, 375 H&H, and a few others. While these are all to me, suitable choices I have a few caveats which make the decision a bit more difficult.
Firstly I am a smaller framed individual, (5'10 and 150 pounds on a good day) though I am in good physical shape having the vigor of youth, recoil is something I need to be conscious of. I would much rather have a rifle I am comfortable and confident with, rather than a flinch inducing cannon. While at the same time not having to trade off weight for reduced recoil. Hopefully keeping the weight around 7.5# if realistic. Another restriction is that I would prefer not to have a muzzle-break, as I very much enjoy my hearing and ear-plugs in the field are just not realistic to me.
In addition, I do not reload so I am limited somewhat there as well. Though my father does heavily, and I'm sure with the proper motivation (New dies and lapua brass)he would be happy to load up a few piles of ammo.

Also I know that some larger calibers, while having large projectiles, compromise power for distance. I would like to see an acceptable range for animals out to 350-400 yards.

Any recommendations for an appropriate tool for the job?
I would likely get a mcmillan stock for it, get it coated, and drop a leupy or zeiss on it. My preference is for older remington 700. Though a winchester is not out of the question; and I have heard good things about the Kimber 84m here on the forum.


Thank you for the advice!

Ima dumbazz, dont even live in Alaska, and sure aint a Bear Guide.

But I came across a very cool 416 Taylor on a VZ-24 Mauser action, it wears 1/4 rib express sights, set it in a BC syn stock with alum. chassis, has a 1.5-5 Leupold in a set of 8-40 drilled Talley QD's.

The 400 gn Hornady RN Interlock bullets backed down to very reasonable 2250 fps is a very surprisingly manageable round to handle, and I would think it should be a perfect G Bear rifle up close or out to maybe a 100 yards or so.

Just one wannabe's opinion.

Gunner

...--buy a SS 30/06 and go hunting.

I've said it before and will make the same offer again.

I'll bet a cold Pepsi more brown bears have been killed by the '06 than by the next two most popular calibers combined.

George, I am also a III if I may say so.

I am admittedly over-thinking this, as I do most major purchases.

I would jump on a 350 Rem Mag, but am slightly concerned about the availability of ammunition. Especially given that I do not reload (Yet!).
For me it's either 350Rem Mag, 375 H&H, or a lightweight (7mmRM, 280, or 30-06)
I see the merit of going to a larger caliber most definitely. Though I do not want a heavy-heavy rifle, as I would use it in the future on longer back-packing/hiking hunts. Finding the happy medium seems difficult to me.
If a 350 RemMag has lower recoil than a 375 (Which I know to be a slow-push, as opposed to fast-hit) than it may be the golden ticket. If it can be slimmed down weight wise, and still be manageable. Given ammo is reasonably available.

Thoughts?

I don't hunt bear, and I'm not a guide, but that Ruger Compact rifle in 338 or 375 Ruger Compact Magnum sure looks like it would make a good bear rifle. Compact, rifle sights, decent cartridges, and from what I've seen and heard the Ruger would be adequately dependable. As far as factory produced rifles it looks like what in my mind's eye a bear rifle ought to look like.

You might go handle one and look at some reviews of the cartridges a little bit. It ain't gonna hurt anything.

Like any other hunting, it's the bullet that does all the killing - and where the shooter places it that determines how quickly the animal dies.
It is amazing how very little all the other stuff - like bullet diameter and velocity - changes any of the first two.
And how much you paid for you scope, or who built your rifle, or how well you once shot off the bench, doesn't matter a bit.

I bet, were one to put in the time, one would find a million example threads, probably more for each of the above...