i would like know what rifle brand you trust to carry in the ruff tuff cold weather in bear country if your life depended on that brand rifle . maybe the cartridge too ? i
have heard its mostly Winchesters and Rugers ? thank you ,Pete53
Have yet to see a Ruger in the woods...
You need to get out more rost495!
I see Rugers M77's a lot out in the bush. The 375 Ruger Alaskan has only increased these sightings.
My main gun is a Stainless Classic 375 H&H. Had he barrels lathed down, cut to 22" and dropped in a Winlite take off. Love that gun.
But like a lot of Alaskans I have used and owned a lot of different brands like Remington, Ruger, Kimber etc. Only one that has let me down was my Stainless Rem 338 Win. Went to clear the action before getting in the cub and it "fired" on closing the bolt on an empty chamber. Was a bunch of gunk and a spruce needle or two in the box trigger. So really I have to blame that on me for not taking care of my equipment. I do like the old style Winchester triggers for this reason though.
I"m sure they are out there and if I hunted for myself I might see them. But even then I hunt away from people and don't really see much other than clients stuff generally speaking. The folks I hunt with locally when I have time don't run rugers. Though Iv'e run a #1 some. 338/.378 and 416 Rigby. I just see a lot of other rifles out there.
I suspect years ago the ruger may have been the bigger norm. I"d have assumed I'd see a lot of boat paddle rugers and again they may be out there.
Fair enough and appreciate you sharing your experiences rost495.
Never really saw many clients with M77's. Then they started showing up in the camps I worked in on the Peninsula when the 375 ruger came on the scene. A lot of non rifle looney guides (and looney guides!) stared carrying them as well it seemed. Solid rifle in 375 at a decent price point got the attention of working guides and the more blue collar client on a once in a lifetime hunt. I had my H&H so I never did get one.
Traveling in and out of rural villages I've always noticed MKII's and now Hawkeyes too.
Like yourself I gravitate away from the crowds when hunting so outside of guiding and passing through places where guns are hanging on wheelers and boats I'm out of the loop on what the average AK hunter is packing. I haven't seen another person when out sheep or moose hunting for myself other than my lady in years actually. Not seeing people while out and about is a bigger draw than shooting something anymore!
I totally agree with you on the 3 position trigger. I carry with safety on fire on an empty chamber too.
