I LOVE M70's and derivatives/clones but I also suggest considering the Mauser M12. 20", iron sighted, synthetic stocked, 9.3x62, short and super smooth bolt throw, 5-shot detachable reloadable while in battery, feeds like greased owl poop
Yes, and bring lots of ammo for it making sure you don't lose it during the travel to Alaska.
Like you I had rifles that would work but wanted something different for AK moose so used a Nosler 48 synthetic in 325WSM. A 300 WM or WSM would have worked just as well.
With your concern about a bear encounter I would choose a Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan 375 Ruger. It’s on the heavy side for moose but would work very well on a bear.
Like many said, you’re -06 would be just fine, but if you have to have a new rifle with easily sourced proper ammo in AK, a 338WM with a SS barreled action in a synthetic stock would be ideal, especially because it would be a caliber you don’t currently own.
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty of give me death! P. Henry
Well,,,, for what it's worth, I have Two-[2]- Rifles that I Hunt with here in Alaska, a Rem. M700 Mtn. Rifle, in 30-06, and my Weatherby MK-V .375 DGR Stainless Version, which Shoots either the .375 H&H or the Weatherby Load, 300gr. Nos. Partition, so as it has been said already, use your 06, unless you have to have something new, and if that's what your looking to do, then a .375 cal & up,,,,, Sky's the Limit, or maybe your "Wallet", not sure, just sayin,,,, anyway, Best of Luck to you, on your up-coming Trip. TG
Well,,,, for what it's worth, I have Two-[2]- Rifles that I Hunt with here in Alaska, a Rem. M700 Mtn. Rifle, in 30-06, and my Weatherby MK-V .375 DGR Stainless Version, which Shoots either the .375 H&H or the Weatherby Load, 300gr. Nos. Partition, so as it has been said already, use your 06, unless you have to have something new, and if that's what your looking to do, then a .375 cal & up,,,,, Sky's the Limit, or maybe your "Wallet", not sure, just sayin,,,, anyway, Best of Luck to you, on your up-coming Trip. TG
Or just buy a .338WM and be done with it. But yes, the .30-06 will be fine. Keep in mind that he is planning to hunt moose somewhere near Fairbanks, not coastal bears.
I have used a .338 Winny on moose, caribou and bears for a little over 40 years and a custom Mod. 70 "Stainless Classic" since the 80's along with the wonderful Barnes X bullets. It has all the "right stuff" for a long moose shot or a close big bear shot. It weighs about 8.5 lbs. with a Leupold VX5-HD 2-10x42mm and a Mag na Ported 23" barrel, Bansners stock and four 225 grain TTSX in the magazine. I really can't imagine an Alaskan hunting scenario this rifle and bullet combo can't handle.
We have four of those "Stainless Classic" Mod.70's with the wonderful old style trigger. Rifles come and go, but these always stay with us.
I feel the same way about my customized Pre-64 Mod. 70 Featherweight 30-06 and the 168 grain TTSX bullet. Those rifles, those bullets will cover it all, take your pick and go kill a big moose.
They didn't make stainless classic model 70's in the 80's...
Originally Posted by raybass
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style.
Originally Posted by Pharmseller
You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole.
Consider the 35 Whelen in a Stainless Ruger 77. Easy to find ammo in Anchorage and shouldn’t be a problem to find anywhere else. I wish 338/06 ammo was as easy to find as Whelen ammo.
Also consider the 6.5x55. Not the best selection of ammo, but it kills stuff dead and it’s 100% pure joy to shoot.
Would be pretty hard to overlook the 7mm Rem Mag, 30-06, 300 Win Mag, or 338 Win Mag when heading into the hinterlands for moose. Pretty hard to blame any of them for a screw up, even if you have to buy "available ammo" off the local store shelves.
Sometimes, the air you 'let in'matters less than the air you 'let out'.
I wanted an all around moose rifle when I moved up here so I got a m70 extreme weather in 30-06 and but a meopta meopro 3-9 on it and a timney trigger. Never looked back.
That being said, I also have a weatherby vanguard dangerous game rifle in 375HH which I chopped the barre to 20” dropped a timney trigger in and mounted a leupold vx3i 1.5-5x20 with Talley quick release rings.
Both will get the job done but my moose this year was actually taken with my kimber Montana 308.