big bore take down lever

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scott

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how do I get my hands on a big bore, carbine take down lever? like a marlin 1895sbl

are there people in Canada that do this conversion? and what are the chances I could have one by the summer? I found US websites but they seem to be pretty backordered.

I'm planning an artic expedition this summer and looking at polar bear defence options.

the mares leg 12" takedown would be a sweet packable gun but I don't think the .357 would be enough?

any other ideas? I have an 18" 870 which might be an option (and a 14" norc but I'm not trusting my life to a norc) but something I could break down and fit into a kayak would be best.

probably something stainless too.

how does the 45/70 with factory loads kick vrs a 2 3/4" 12awg slug? never shot one.

thanks,
 
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Bring a real gun, think 338 winmag maybe 375 H&H. Takedown lever actions were invented for when people travelled by train and buggy. They all wear out from people screwing with them or shoot loose.

If you get a lever action, pull the screws and remove the butt stock from the action, problem solved cheap takedown. Factory 45-70 loads are very mild, the heaviest 400 grain jacketed handloads going 2000 fps will make you wish you bought a heavier gun.

But really think about bringing a real gun.
 
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.357 isn't even close unfortunately, and you'll be looking for awhile to buy a takedown custom .45-70 like the Alaska copilot used. I'd put your order in for a new build ASAP if that's what you want, or suffer with a full length .375 H&H or the like. Your 12 gauge with quality 3" slugs like Brennekes will work too, it's 99% for peace of mind. I'd use your shotgun and save the money for the items in the next sentences. It can also shoot flares for rescue if this is your first arctic experience. :p

What is this expedition? I'd pay your attention to survival training and the gear that really will save your life, clothing, tents, sleeping bags, freeze dried food, emergency rations, and so forth. Hope you don't have the pole in mind, the distances are absurd and to all but one in a well funded million, impossible. :) Anyhow it sounds like a good bad time, adventure is the stuff of life.
 
not going too far north or for too long. ~10 days. we were looking at northern baffin island but trying to get transport has been an issue. one place wanted $5000 for a 5 hour boat ride to drop 4 of us off which is absurd. but I guess they figure they got you by the balls up there. but instead they just got nothing by their greed as we are making other plans now.

I found the co pilot after posting this. looks awesome but defiantly not going to pay $3000.

I also found this http://drybags.com/product/FGW-GUN.html which would be handy for strapping onto boat. at 37" an 18 barrel gun would probably go inside between legs too.

don't worry I have lots of other gear.

the other 3 were on baffin last year hiking inland and were less concerned. but this year it'll be more costal and more concern. they just had bangers and spray last time. this time we want a tent perimeter system too for sleeping.
 
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Here's what I keep in my tent in the high arctic. It's only a medium bore.

PA170025.jpg
 
I've never hunted polar bear, it's interesting to hear that they are apparently 45-70 proof as per above though, weird, it sounds like they work well enough on bison . I would have thought an SBL that feeds reliably would be adequate, or try the garret hammer heads out, they sound quite impressive by their feedback used for large African game, an interesting read on their website.

Someone should tell all those inuit to get rid of their .303's and get real rifles. :jerkit:
 
If you know who sells Garrett Hammerheads in Canada, I would love to know where, seriously I have always wanted to try one of those specialty loading companies cartridges.

And I could use them for defense from the 5-6 bears left in Alberta!! :nest:
 
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cody c said:
Someone should tell all those inuit to get rid of their .303's and get real rifles. :jerkit:
Click to expand...

The Inuit use smaller bore rifles than .303. They have the advantage of being life long hunters from a young age who can spot game much earlier than most southerners. They are skilled at placing their shots where they will count.

They also keep their snowmachines close by during their hunt.

BA0808-12_P_zpsdf33450c.jpg


As a southerner working in the north, I figure bring the H&H when the job is in the high arctic.

I also have a GG in 45-70 and in the south I use it as a camp and traverse rifle sans scope but in the cold and with the great bears possible, the CRF H&H bolt gun which is more reliable in terms of feed and very easy to degrease makes sense to me.

DSCN1700_zpsc04c3a3b.jpg
 
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Anyone check out hsm 430 gr. hard cast in 45-70,they look promising.What are you using?Very nice geo ,hard to argue with 7 300 gr. failsafes.
 
hickstick_10 said:
If you know who sells Garrett Hammerheads in Canada, I would love to know where, seriously I have always wanted to try one of those specialty loading companies cartridges.

And I could use them for defense from the 5-6 bears left in Alberta!! :nest:
Click to expand...

I don't know, there are a few importers on this site, you may try prophet river, but they are still $100+ USD per box ammo before all the shipping customs etc nonsense. would be easier and a hell of a lot cheaper to roll your own of a similar or home brewed cast projectile "bang for the buck"

geologist said:
The Inuit use smaller bore rifles than .303. They have the advantage of being life long hunters from a young age who can spot game much earlier than most southerners. They are skilled at placing their shots where they will count.

They also keep their snowmachines close by during their hunt.

BA0808-12_P_zpsdf33450c.jpg


As a southerner working in the north, I figure bring the H&H when the job is in the high arctic.

I also have a GG in 45-70 and in the south I use it as a camp and traverse rifle sans scope but in the cold and with the great bears possible, the CRF H&H bolt gun which is more reliable in terms of feed and very easy to degrease makes sense to me.

DSCN1700_zpsc04c3a3b.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting pictures, I have to say, the term "southerners" applies to about 99.99% of the population when it comes from an inuit though.

Perhaps a 375 H&H is better for those of us who don't live in that environment, first hand experience in this case will trump all us internet know it all's at the end of the day I suppose. Well, I should say, living in that environment for a lifetime will lend a different perspective/interaction then someone from Vancouver dropped into it.

Hoping to use my 45-70 on game this year for some first hand experience actually. Perhaps I should be pursuing something bigger then white tail with it I guess.
 
I spent 5 years flying in the high arctic(from Yellowknife to the pole) in a twin otter and always carried an 1895GS with hand loaded 450gr hard cast going 1650fps. Never felt under gunned and I had half a dozen times that I had to climb on top of the twotter because a curious polar popped over the hill. The marlin guide gun is an excellent choice, don't overlook it.

Here's a pic of Tanquary Fiord just because I miss that place...

a8b981de4eac537beaa2ab78af9b0a34.jpg
 
The 303 Is popular because the rifles and ammo are free through 1CRPG. Elsewise the 243 is the RUM of the high arctic. I know a guy that has a 257 Roberts and saves his 25-06 as his "big gun".
 
Although it is not the high arctic we deal with a lot of p bears here. I have never had a problem with my Marlin. Carry it almost every day,I do have other rifles .416 Ruger & this year a few 9.3x62's.BUM is right Inuit don't really like big bores like any .3o cal. 22-250 up to .243 is what we see north of us.


pounder
 
pounder said:
Although it is not the high arctic we deal with a lot of p bears here. I have never had a problem with my Marlin. Carry it almost every day,I do have other rifles .416 Ruger & this year a few 9.3x62's.BUM is right Inuit don't really like big bores like any .3o cal. 22-250 up to .243 is what we see north of us.


pounder
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Interesting, is it the recoil, or the weight, or they just find the big bores redundant when smaller calibers get the job done?

In the same brush stroke that you paint these peoples using small calibers for the biggest of NA animals it seems we're also painting us from the south end of the country as sissies overcompensating with over sized calibers, which is fine if you have a reasonable sense of humility. Doesn't mean I'll drop my magnums or large bore's for .243's but...

More hunting pictures please! Always good to hear first hand feedback, and the pictures are worth a thousand words as they say. Curious though as to the comments about bolt guns, it sounds like they are more hardy for that climate then a lever, and with all the moving internals of a lever, they sound more prone to lubrication issue in the cold, any other feedback on that?
 
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