Hi friends,
Again we're packing up and moving north - way, way north. Glad to be here! Alaska and Northern Canada – Yukon, Northwest Teritories and Nunavut. So, I'd like a few inputs on what to get. We'll need rifles - for when we're travelling, and sidearms for daily wear around town and in camp.
I 've got experience around polar bears and arctic conditions, so minimum rifle calibershould be .308. We have Magnums, Mausers, Mossberg and Lee-Enfield due to their reliability in the harsh arctic environment over long periods of time - Northern Norway, Svalbard, Greenland, Lapland and Siberia.
The weapons must be 100% reliable, even in -40 deg C. It doesn't matter if the barrel won't last through a lot of shots, it just has to work when it's needed, and of course for target practice. I would think that of course typical northern sled dogs are one of the best alarm systems around, not to mention a possible deterrent and distraction when it comes to big bears.
In Alaska and Northern Canada the say .30-06 is minimum for the great bears, which is roughly the same recommendation.
I suppose all the regular hunting calibers are OK for Alaska and Northern Canada.
I'd start looking at the Winchester model 71.
Comes to mind and with proper bullets at reasonable velocities would work very well .444 marlin, that's what my friend took in Baffin Island, Resoluteand on the northwest coast of Hudson Bay.
Given the legendary popularity of the Winchester model 71 in Alaska.
I have been told many times that the Winchester model 71 is well liked in Alaska, at least by enough people that they only last seconds if they come up for sail. Supposedly quite a few were converted from .348 to .450 Alaskan as well precisely to have more oomph for the great bears.
Local gun dealer said the Winchester and Remington .375 H&H magnums was the weapon of choice.
Part of the problem with this thread is that local knowledge trumps all, and few of usknow either the conditions or the practical reality of what is allowed under law and/or commonly available.
So, any recommendations on what to get?
Thank you all for the education
Thanks for making me family outdoor directory.
This forum has been such a great help with some many helpful people.
Have an awesome day
Cherish the great outdoors!
Greetings
Sara Foit
Again we're packing up and moving north - way, way north. Glad to be here! Alaska and Northern Canada – Yukon, Northwest Teritories and Nunavut. So, I'd like a few inputs on what to get. We'll need rifles - for when we're travelling, and sidearms for daily wear around town and in camp.
I 've got experience around polar bears and arctic conditions, so minimum rifle calibershould be .308. We have Magnums, Mausers, Mossberg and Lee-Enfield due to their reliability in the harsh arctic environment over long periods of time - Northern Norway, Svalbard, Greenland, Lapland and Siberia.
The weapons must be 100% reliable, even in -40 deg C. It doesn't matter if the barrel won't last through a lot of shots, it just has to work when it's needed, and of course for target practice. I would think that of course typical northern sled dogs are one of the best alarm systems around, not to mention a possible deterrent and distraction when it comes to big bears.
In Alaska and Northern Canada the say .30-06 is minimum for the great bears, which is roughly the same recommendation.
I suppose all the regular hunting calibers are OK for Alaska and Northern Canada.
I'd start looking at the Winchester model 71.
Comes to mind and with proper bullets at reasonable velocities would work very well .444 marlin, that's what my friend took in Baffin Island, Resoluteand on the northwest coast of Hudson Bay.
Given the legendary popularity of the Winchester model 71 in Alaska.
I have been told many times that the Winchester model 71 is well liked in Alaska, at least by enough people that they only last seconds if they come up for sail. Supposedly quite a few were converted from .348 to .450 Alaskan as well precisely to have more oomph for the great bears.
Local gun dealer said the Winchester and Remington .375 H&H magnums was the weapon of choice.
Part of the problem with this thread is that local knowledge trumps all, and few of usknow either the conditions or the practical reality of what is allowed under law and/or commonly available.
So, any recommendations on what to get?
Thank you all for the education

Thanks for making me family outdoor directory.
This forum has been such a great help with some many helpful people.
Have an awesome day
Cherish the great outdoors!
Greetings
Sara Foit
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