best rifle for alaska
 

I know this has been beat around for a while, but since I' m going in the air force one of the first places I want to go is alaska and I was wondering what the best rifle to have in alaska is.

Recoil is not that much of an issue as I' m sure a great big paw with big claws across the face has more recoil than any rifle. What kind of scope should I look into?

I was thinking of something like a marlin lever rifle, but I don' t know which of the options on calibers and such would be best. Ammo avalibility would be something to think about too (do they have a walmart in alaska?). I don' t need a long range caliber, I don' t think I' d shoot that far anyway.

I' m guessing a synthetic stock would be best also?

RE: best rifle for alaska
 

http://www.biggamehunt.net/sections/..._02180212.html

They can never be too dead. I heard they almost always run at you if you don' t " break them down" with the first shot by shooting at the shoulder or something.

RE: best rifle for alaska
 

whats your thought on using it? Hunting or just strictly back up?

RE: best rifle for alaska
 

This would be a hunting gun. I would think it would work as a back up gun too?

RE: best rifle for alaska
 

I' ve never had the opportunity to hunt Alaska yet, but I hope to some day (My sister and her husband are moving up there, so hopfully the chance will come soon), so I guess I' m really not as qualified to give advice as some of the other folks around here, but from alot of the things I' ve read, it sounds like you would do well with some type of .338. It seems like the people who hunt Alaska generally view the .338 as the best all purpose caliber. Good luck.

RE: best rifle for alaska
 

imo, overall, 300/338, take your pick.

The marlin guide gun would be an awesome backup gun, but I think you' d fall short on some hunts with it.

I have a 7mm, imo its not probably the best all around rifle for up here. An 06 might be about perfect though.

I do think though most folks up here would recommend one of the two, 300 or 338 for the average guy hunting everything in the state.

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RE: best rifle for alaska
 

Kodiakhuntmaster;
Good luck getting to Alaska! It took me 7 years before I was lucky enough to get an assignment to Elmendorf! It seems everyone and thier brother wants to go there or Hawaii. Just depends on your AFSC, I was a firefighter. My rifle of choice was the .300 Win. Mag. Bought it at the Sports Stoe on base, they have great deals on guns. I killed everything but Grizz with it and had no problems. You will get all different opinions on caliber for grizzlies, from 30-06 all the way up to .500' s. I think in choosing a rifle for Alaska you must consider your specific usea and requirements. The selection of bullet weights and effectiveness is why I chose the .300 Win. Mag. 150 grain for Blacktails on Kodiak up to 225 grain for grizz. This was just my personnel preference. Let me know if you get assigned up there and I can give you some quality fishing spots frrom Homer to Talkeetna.
Good Luck!
Rogo

RE: best rifle for alaska
 

Another vote for the 338 Win. Mag. It' s very popular up here.

And, uh, yeah we have a Wal-Mart! Too many, I think.

RE: best rifle for alaska
 

Kodiak,
If I may ask, what is the arrangement you have with the USAF that is going to get you up to Alaska with some sort of certainty and promptness? How tightly do you have it wrapped up? Be careful of recruiters -- they ARE salesmen.

You have been on a LOT of these Alaskan game versus cartidge versus rifle threads -- if I may ask -- what aspect, specifically, do you need re-hashed?

Never Go Undergunned,
EKM