Who makes the best Alaskan rifle today?
- Thread starter Northern Shooter
- Start date
Agree. I have a Weigand picatinny mount for one. I would love to see a mount like the single divot EAW mount for the R8 though:
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Not Alaska but when I was living in the NWT I picked up a Ruger Guide Gun M77 in 338win as my main bush gun. Iron sights, controlled feed, great scope mounts, stainless, shorter barrel, laminate stock, and adjustable length of pull. Doesn't get much better than that in my mind for hunting/protection and reliability in bear country.
That's what I ended up going with as well. I topped mine with a mid range scope so that I can take those longer shots but I also enjoy using it strictly with irons.
Many moons ago, I found a stainless boat paddle iron sighted M77 Mark II in .338 Win Mag and ordered this McMillan Classic Clown Camo stock for it. It's classic because it has the red decelerator pad.
Supposed to be a working gun with high visibility. Too bad McMillan doesn't really do custom camo any more. I had more ideas. Barrel is 24", so not long, but not ear-splitting short either. Here it is with the NECG rear peep:
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Weatherby Fan
CGN Regular
- Location
- Maple Ridge,BC,Canada
I have mixed feelings on the clown stock... I like it but I'm also a big fan of the paddle stocks, the paddles are collectible these days from what I've seen. I've got three of them at this time, one is a 300win stainless with irons sights. I use it for more open country than I use the 338win Guide Gun.
it's funny you mention that. I am continually seeing M14/M1A rifles in use by alaskan hunters on television shows like life below zero and other alaska themed shows.
Seen some "trophy" sized mooze , cariboo and bears taken with them during those shows too along with other old surplus rifles and some modern bolt guns in the mix.
I like Charlie from tamanah (?) in shows from a few years ago hunting with his AR10. Seemed to be his go to rifle whenever he ventured away from the settlement.
I like the concept of a stainless guide gun though and would probably be a top contender in my own shopping.
Agreed although they are heavy weight wise. The 5 round magazine capacity in the .375 H&H rifles is a good thing when facing big bitey beasts....
I think their express sights for fast, very close range shooting, are superior to most Winchester, Ruger or Remington OEM irons.
Really liked their pop up peeps. Great design. - dan
I prefer a low power variable scope for fast, reflex shooting. Easier and faster than irons for me. I do like Iron sights on my rifles but just for back up use and not general use.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I know a handful of guides in NW BC and North East/Central, all former grizzly guides. An overwhelming majority , have a Tikka t3 stainless, all but one in 300 win mag.
Though I hear some use double rifles and glocks
Thanks Conor it’s nice to be remembered so often. Finding reminders of your concern throughout old threads I find in my increasingly fleeting time here, it’s odd but everyone needs a hobby.
As to the thread, best working Alaskan-application rifle I found and used for Grizzlies / Moose / Bison etc was a .300 to 375, if you’re hunting lean towards the .300, if you’re guiding or want to be lean towards the .375. Pick the shape and flavour you prefer, and let forums lose their minds over it if they disagree. Myself and thanks Conor for the introduction, I really like take downs and used a double an awful lot. They snap shoot the best for me on instinct, and are very short and balanced between the hands for the barrel length compared to a bolt gun. I also used a Winchester Stainless Classic .375 extensively, and can strongly recommend that formula, though at factory length it can be a bit unwieldy in thick ####. It was incredibly weather and salt proof, and was my #### kicking rifle. Oh and yes, I carried a Glock long slide 10mm a lot too, also very popular across the border in the way of Alaskans.
Right now, for my own tastes I’d look for a used Stainless Classic, or a Talkeeetna if after a production rifle. I liked the Talkeetna, but never worked it properly afield. Increasingly I’m tempted by Winchester lever guns in my retirement, and a custom takedown Model 71 .348 would be a great Alaskan rifle if I could stomach such an odd bore on the component bench. I’ve just started a skunkworks spirited project of sorts that will really eat at preconceptions. Friends know what it is.
For Conor,
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