Alaska Department of Fish & Game? http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm...nting.firearms
On their firearms and ammunition page they suggest hunting AK with a 270, 308, 7mm-08... and that "magnums are not needed". They make the case to visiting hunters that for brown bear a 30-06 is just fine and also say AK guides prefer their clients to tote a 270 or 06! They make the case that AK guides complain clients can't shoot the big magnums. Well if that's true, then they might not shoot an 06 well either, because some smaller rifles kick just as hard!
From all my reading I recall Alaskans recommend at least a 30-06 or 30 caliber as the minimum for AK game. Many like author Chris Batin say an 06 is OK, but a 338 is good for just about everything.
The AK site further lists a brown bear up to 1,500lbs. My impression of their 06 recommendation to visiting hunters (many who they imply can't shoot a magnum) is somewhat reckless? What, are these hunters thought of as AK ship and bus tourists wearing flower shirts with a gold pan in one hand and a license to hunt in the other? I know it's been done and can be, but have read the Bear Tales and other hunting stories and the 06 seems marginal at best? Especially taking into account all situations? Heck, then why not an 06 in Africa for Cape Buffalo too? (would one tow a 9,000lb trailer with a small PU because it can do it?)
Or are they right and all that's really needed for AK is an 06 for everything? Because if that is the case it sure would make things a lot easier. Grab your 06, select the right bullet and then go hunt anything in AK with confidence.
Funny, their site information was updated along the line and I can remember when they highly recommended a stainless control round feed 300 Winchester Mag. Now it's 30-06 or even the 7-08.
Unless the 06 is the end-all caliber for AK, I would much rather read a recommendation of learn to shoot enough gun- or stay home... so you don't wound our precious game!
Am I wrong here... because if I had to pick one rifle for AK it would be my 338 WM. Perhaps I should take another look at the 06 though? Have I been brainwashed for years by others and gun scribes? Because... I know the 06 is very popular in AK. When I went to Africa all the guides carried an 06 and many had never seen a 375 H&H cartridge! (that was surprising) On my Canadian moose hunts in grizzly country, my guides carried 06s. Several emails from a caliber expert who actually tests calibers/bullets on live animals at all sorts of ranges (you can search ballistics study/research online) implied the 06 would be his one gun.
Have my experiences been skewed, because my impression was things shot with my 338 went down much quicker than with an 06? I'm also reading on other forums that the 06 is even better within 200 yards than a 300 mag... because the slower bullets perform better and ruin less meat. I guess my favorite 300 Win is just for long range now? I'm just about ready to have an 06 bored to 35 Whelen and am now starting to wonder why- if the 06 is recommended for browns? With an 06 I might never have to reload and the ammo is more available at lower prices.
I think I would feel insecure packing an 06 around big bears- am I wrong? It's fun to dream about making an 06 a go to gun.
On their firearms and ammunition page they suggest hunting AK with a 270, 308, 7mm-08... and that "magnums are not needed". They make the case to visiting hunters that for brown bear a 30-06 is just fine and also say AK guides prefer their clients to tote a 270 or 06! They make the case that AK guides complain clients can't shoot the big magnums. Well if that's true, then they might not shoot an 06 well either, because some smaller rifles kick just as hard!
From all my reading I recall Alaskans recommend at least a 30-06 or 30 caliber as the minimum for AK game. Many like author Chris Batin say an 06 is OK, but a 338 is good for just about everything.
The AK site further lists a brown bear up to 1,500lbs. My impression of their 06 recommendation to visiting hunters (many who they imply can't shoot a magnum) is somewhat reckless? What, are these hunters thought of as AK ship and bus tourists wearing flower shirts with a gold pan in one hand and a license to hunt in the other? I know it's been done and can be, but have read the Bear Tales and other hunting stories and the 06 seems marginal at best? Especially taking into account all situations? Heck, then why not an 06 in Africa for Cape Buffalo too? (would one tow a 9,000lb trailer with a small PU because it can do it?)
Or are they right and all that's really needed for AK is an 06 for everything? Because if that is the case it sure would make things a lot easier. Grab your 06, select the right bullet and then go hunt anything in AK with confidence.
Funny, their site information was updated along the line and I can remember when they highly recommended a stainless control round feed 300 Winchester Mag. Now it's 30-06 or even the 7-08.
Unless the 06 is the end-all caliber for AK, I would much rather read a recommendation of learn to shoot enough gun- or stay home... so you don't wound our precious game!
Am I wrong here... because if I had to pick one rifle for AK it would be my 338 WM. Perhaps I should take another look at the 06 though? Have I been brainwashed for years by others and gun scribes? Because... I know the 06 is very popular in AK. When I went to Africa all the guides carried an 06 and many had never seen a 375 H&H cartridge! (that was surprising) On my Canadian moose hunts in grizzly country, my guides carried 06s. Several emails from a caliber expert who actually tests calibers/bullets on live animals at all sorts of ranges (you can search ballistics study/research online) implied the 06 would be his one gun.
Have my experiences been skewed, because my impression was things shot with my 338 went down much quicker than with an 06? I'm also reading on other forums that the 06 is even better within 200 yards than a 300 mag... because the slower bullets perform better and ruin less meat. I guess my favorite 300 Win is just for long range now? I'm just about ready to have an 06 bored to 35 Whelen and am now starting to wonder why- if the 06 is recommended for browns? With an 06 I might never have to reload and the ammo is more available at lower prices.
I think I would feel insecure packing an 06 around big bears- am I wrong? It's fun to dream about making an 06 a go to gun.
Comment