Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska Minimum caliber for Coastal Brown Bear...

Hoping to do a coastal brown bear hunt in the next two years and need to get a rifle ready. What caliber should I be looking at to keep the guide happy? TIA

My Winchester 95 in caliber .405 is the slickest feeding rifle I have ever owned. It even feeds upside down when fed slowly, (don't ask how I know). Even the great Winchester 71 and some of my bolt guns fail at that test. Would this ever matter? Probably not but I trust the 95 as the closest thing to controlled round feeding in a lever gun. With 300 grain Woodleighs it also kills stuff pretty well. If going for a lever I'd feel very comfortable with the 95.

I'd marginally rather have a 30-06 with 220 Partitions than a 7 Mag with 175's but those would be the minimum choices for me. I am not a bear hunter but I do hang out in the wilderness in the Yukon and my favourite 25-06 caribou rifle starts to feel pretty small when a bear comes by to check out the gut pile. Looking at the disposition paired with the bone and muscle mass I'd think a designated bear rifle would start at 9.3x62 and go up from there.

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=150

Jorgel, I’m sure this load and others on this page would work fine. However, you change up the scenario you are working toward a bit as opposed to a 375 with a good low-range scope. Having been around the big bears, I’d think you want to be well within 100 yds.

Think a very liberal bow-hunting scenario as to range.

And that’s after I see you put five into a tea saucer at 75 yds back at camp. Or at a hundred. With those irons. 😉

It’d be an interesting way to do it.

I was just asking, as I know a lot of folks use that caliber up there. Would not be my personal choice. as to putting three into a tea cup at 100 with irons, easy peasy...

there is no one here or in Alaska thats going to argue with a .416 Ruger you can hit the bullseye with.That, or id take my 9.3x62mm Mauser. Thats just what i would think, as long as my guide didn't have a better suggestion.

there is no one here or in Alaska thats going to argue with a .416 Ruger you can hit the bullseye with.That, or id take my 9.3x62mm Mauser. Thats just what i would think, as long as my guide didn't have a better suggestion.

What is wrong with people always wanting the minimum caliber for game..

Brown bear hunts cost a LOT these days, especially when a plane flight is added to the price. Why wouldn't somebody be interested in whether one of the rifles they already have would work?

On an expensive, guided coastal brown bear hunt, and want to make the guide happy? Bring a medium bore you can shoot well. Because of ammo availability, I’d lean toward the .375 H&H or Ruger. It’s what I used on my grizzly this spring. Can you handle a .338 Win Mag? Bring it. Next would be .35 Whelen or 30-06 (which is my all purpose rifle). My evolving thoughts on the best cartridge for Alaska May be turning to the .35 Whelen. Your guide would probably be disappointed with the 30-06.

You need a solid scope, perhaps with detachable mounts, and back up iron sights - just like my Model 70, 1.75-6 Leupold, Talley mounts, and pop-up peep rear sight w/fiber optic front sight.

The ammo was Hornady 250 gr. GMX. One shot at 125 yds.

After over 40 years of doing this, I will say the quickest kills I have witnessed over the year were from propel shooting rifles they were comfortable and competent with, and a 270 or 7 mag, . 308 or a 30-06 loaded with premium bullets is as deadly as any hunter needs. If you have something larger you like take it, but only if you are comfortable with it.

What is wrong with people always wanting the minimum caliber for game..