I personally don' t own a Browning rifle, only shotguns. The A-bolts I have been handling in gunshops recently have very slick actions, nice wood, the glossy blueing is nice, matte ok if you like matte finish. I like the short throw of the bolt. The Brownings are also lighter on average than other MFGS. The only thing I see wrong with Brownings are those gold triggers[X(].

If I was going to hunt anywhere in Alaska I would want a rifle with a stainless action and barrel and a laminate stock. Caliber? probably start with a .300 mag of some kind, .338 mag would be ok too. Lots of brownies on Kodiak Island, something to keep in the back of your mind.