Building Alaska hunting battery

[Boreal]

I'm looking to build up a small, 3-4 rifle Alaska hunting battery. I'm starting with my X-Bolt 30-06, good shooter. Feel comfortable with that for just about anything, but thinking about more specialty rifles like a mountain rifle, dense brush deer rifle, large bore bear safety rifle, etc. So the question: starting from the 30-06, what calibers would you recommend, and what models, if you care to get that specific?

[ak_cowboy]

.243, 375, and a 12ga

[Music Man]

.243, 375, and a 12ga

Very good choice!

[AKMtnRunner]

After your 30-06, a 22lr and you may be all set. Instead of separating rifles according to targeted species, separating them by geography may be better. A faster flatter cartridge for high elevation and long range for sheep/goats/caribou and something slower bigger for low elevation and short range for moose/bear or deer with bears around. I would think your 30-06 would be fine for both.

[BrownBear]

Might sound off the wall until you think about it, but how about a muzzleloader? Pass the exam and you qualify for all sorts of primitive weapon hunts around the state. Won't cost you an arm and a leg either, like lots of the other options.

[yukon254]

7-mm08, 22 LR, 12 gauge..

[hodgeman]

You X-Bolt in '06 would do about anything, I use mine in .270 for a mountain rifle and open tundra caribou gun. I'd shoot a moose with it without hesitation and a griz under the right circumstances.

Add a .22LR- a GOOD bolt action one with a scope for practice and small game hunting.

A shotgun of some persuasion if you want for ducks and grouse.

If a guy was into predator hunting- a decent .22 Centerfire would be a good addition.

I'm a big fan of the .375 with irons if you want a bigger bore or a lever gun in 45-70 for hiking around but I think BrownBear's suggestion of a muzzle loader makes a lot of sense...you'll qualify for draw tags year after year and get some great opportunities out of it.

[mike h]

Might sound off the wall until you think about it, but how about a muzzleloader? Pass the exam and you qualify for all sorts of primitive weapon hunts around the state. Won't cost you an arm and a leg either, like lots of the other options.

Hey so maybe it's like that ADFG bio who used a plane to finish his moose, but:

Can you use a non primitive gun to finish off something that you wounded with a muzzleloader?

[Smitty of the North]

280 BA,
30-30. LA,
22 volver,
357 volver
20 gauge SB shotgun.

SOTN

PS Could sub 7 mag for 280, and 44 for 357

[BrownBear]

Can you use a non primitive gun to finish off something that you wounded with a muzzleloader?

As far as I know, nodamway.

[AK Bearcat]

The 30-06 is a good start, next I would add a 45-70 lever gun, a 22-24 caliber for varmints and a good 22 LR bolt action rifle.

[Paul H]

Ruger American 22lr, ugly but they shoot and are durable.
.223, Either AR-15 SDM configuration, or a kimber montana
Kimber Montana in either 7-08 or .308 for mountain rifle, dense brush rifle, pretty much all around deer, caribou, sheep and goat rifle.
I'd look for a used Ruger all weather in .338 win mag for your moose, bear or backup rifle, though a Mdl 70 375 H&H ss would also be a fine choice.

I know that excludes your -06, but it's too heavy for a mountain rifle, and while the -06 is a great round, it doesn't quite have the reserve power of .338 or larger.

[AGL4now]

One that I would invite you to consider is 6.8 SPC II especially in a quality AR-platform. There are many times when a person is not really hunting, they are Ski-Dooing (Hehehehehehe) and have a shot at a wolf, lynx, wolverine, etc. The 6.8 SPC II is perfect for caribou & black bear. It is very functional out to 300 yards on thin skinned targets.

[limon32]

.375h&h, .22lr, 12ga.

You could cheat like me and get a .22/.410 combo gun, I love mine!


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[abreitzm]

Cover the basics - Pistol (44mag ?), shotgun (12ga), two rifles (22lr & your 30-06Sprig). Very soon you will be fleshing in your collection in all 3 categories depending on interests and focus. Can't say I disagree with BrownBear. Muzzleloading guns are fun to shoot and open up restricted hunts.