funny a while ago i asked that same kind of question for a friend that wanted to upgrade from his 30-06 stainless synthetic stock winchester model 70: at the end he kept it.
for the lefty the rare ruger m77 stainless in 30-06 is a very good idea.
but hunting and exploring are 2 different things.
Are you saying that one hunter would choose maybe 6.5 Swede or 270 perhaps?
Versus an explorer might choose a 358, 35 Whelen or 338 instead?
It won’t be popular but for what the OP wants to do, it’s what I would choose. All you’ll be hunting while exploring is small game, big game is too heavy and appears the OP isn’t a Yukon resident anyhow. Small game in the Yukon is open to non-residents. It’s the weight of a large pistol, shoots .22 Hornet or LR (depending which you get) and .410 3”, and is stainless and virtually indestructible. In my eyes the ideal rambling and exploration gun.
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Yep, an M6 Scout, ammo stores under that stock comb compartment. Had one pushing twenty years ago that was there for all the fun, sold it in my 20s as responsibilities increased and fun decreased. Finally bought another one, had it on the trap range a few days ago and it did way better than you’d think if you get on the birds right in the climb.![]()
Are you saying that one hunter would choose maybe 6.5 Swede or 270 perhaps?
Versus an explorer might choose a 358, 35 Whelen or 338 instead?
I think Phil is talking more about configuration than caliber. I know the rifles that I choose when I am serious about hunting are not the rifles I choose as a general carry rifle, or one to back-up clients.
I had one for the trapline many moons ago, in .22 Mag/.410... I shot a ton (probably literally) of snowshoe hares with it... and capped a few lynx and wolves too.
Having worked a previous profession that requires me to carry a 12ga as an example, taking a header into a creek and filling the gun with sandy water required it to be stripped down as it would not action due to the amount of grit and crap that got into the moving surfaces. Same could be said about taking out the bolt on a marlin. Where it’s not hard, the Kimber I now will pack is extremely simple to take the bolt out and flush it out if need be.
Do a lot of this northern western grizzly country bush thing for a living between bush piloting and outfitting. Most folks here are right in my eyes but I particularly like lledwood, Hoyt, Gate, and Todd’s replies.
For me it’s some variation of weather impervious light rifle in a chambering that hits the animal over 2400fps. So that’s most of the regulars, I’ve carried a lot of 7x57s and .308s personally. A short, stainless Ruger or Kimber is gonna be hard to argue against in this role. I might try iron sighting an Adirondack personally for a expressly exploration / rambling rifle.
If you’re working in an approved profession, get your ATC. I’m always looking to shed weight and typically carry a Glock 10mm these days and nothing else.
I might have to grab one in .22 Hornet too, this is the LR. Then can give each of my boys one.
I might have to grab one in .22 Hornet too, this is the LR. Then can give each of my boys one.
What brand and model of 12 gauge ?
I don't understand the appeal of the M6, seems to be a take on the Marbles Game Getter. Google says it weights 4.7lb, which isn't exactly light. A Savage Rascal is significantly lighter, the Mossberg 510 isn't much heavier.
I think the idea of a "foraging gun" for downed military airmen is fantasy more than anything. They, friend or foe will be looking for them.
I have the clipping and the reciept for the M4 my Grandfather bought, $19 and change COD, nobody seems to know what ever became of it.




























