Which three guns?

[JamesWP]

I’d take my Winchester Model 71 (standard- made in 1948), Browning BPS 20 gauge, and H&R 929 .22 revolver.

I’d bring 60 rounds of .348 ammo (handloaded with 250 grain Barnes Original bullets, 50 shotgun shells (probably just basic game loads with 7.5 shot), and fill in the empty space in the can with all the .22 mini-mags I could get in there....

I would feel very well prepared for most anything.

 

[bigwheelzip]

8ft grizzly taken in Alaska 2004 with Win M70 300 win mag.

Something that surprised me about those big critters is how well they blend into low brush. In Denali during October, had this grizz walk up to within fifty feet of us unseen, and then disappear once it stepped into the low alpine scrub that matched the color of his coat.
Read stories of hunters that literally walked into them in the woods, and I could see how it could happen, especially camouflaged in the colors of the autumn foliage.

 

[Hoosierville IRN]

Thanks to all who responded to my “survey”!
It pretty much turned out the way I thought it would but I was slightly surprised how few “heavy hitter” rifles were listed, especially with bears in the mix.
Forrest ( Capt. F)

Nice thought-provoking question...but in regards to your surprise at how few "heavy hitter" rifles were listed, you limited it to guns that people already own. Comparatively few people own .375s, .458s, 416 Rigbys, etc....308s and .30-06s are much more common. (Of course, bullet selection becomes critical here!). And just about every shooter I know owns a "deer rifle" or a 5.56...

Good question, though....

Have a great day!

 

[AlHunt]

I probably wouldn't shoot any big game because what am I going to do with all that meat by myself?

So, likely:
AR in .223 with open sights
Either of a 6" 686 or Super Redhawk
Ruger Mk 1

Maybe 90 rounds of 223, 50 or 100 of either 44 or 357 and dump loose 22's in to top the box off. I assume I can put the AR mags in my duffel bag.

I'd expect the 686 because the SRH is currently anchoring my boat in the harbor.

 

[brendonjames65]

Nice thought-provoking question...but in regards to your surprise at how few "heavy hitter" rifles were listed, you limited it to guns that people already own. Comparatively few people own .375s, .458s, 416 Rigbys, etc....308s and .30-06s are much more common. (Of course, bullet selection becomes critical here!). And just about every shooter I know owns a "deer rifle" or a 5.56...

Good question, though....

Have a great day!

Excellent points! While I recommended a pre 64 M70 30-06, I do own more powerful rifles: 375 Rem Ultra Mag, 9.3x62, several 300 magnums of various makes and multiple 7mm magnums plus a 444 Marlin and 45-70. I used a Win M70 300 win mag loaded with 200 grain TBBC to kill an 8ft grizzly in Alaska in 2004 with old time bear guide George Faerber, Trapper Creek. George felt anything 30-06 and up with good bullets like 180 grain Nosler Partition was fine for grizzly/brown bear.

I believe the 30-06 is adequate for anything in North America with the correct bullet and shot placement. Famous Alaskan bear guide, Phil Shoemaker, has opined the 30-06 is entirely adequate for Alaskan brown bear. Mr. Shoemaker is attributed with the following statement:

“Anyone who claims the 30-06 is not effective has either not used one, or else is unwittingly commenting on their marksmanship.”

Have a great day!

 

[smoothshooter]

CZ bolt-action .22 Magnum
Marlin lever action .30/30
S&W .357 3” Model 60

Might swap out the .30/30 with my Benelli Super 90 or a Mossberg 12 gauge.

 

[smoothshooter]

Why am I the only one so far to list a .22 Magnum rifle?

It will do anything a .22 LR will do, and do it 100 yards farther out. And work better on animals in the 15 to 75 pound and larger sizes.

 

[JamesWP]

Personally, I didn’t say a .22 mag because having been a trapper in a past life, that’s how I approached the question- as a trapper. And for the purpose of dispatching a trapped animal a 22lr revolver works just fine and ammo is cheap. Plus, I’ve never shot an animal in a trap with a 22 mag but I do have some fur damage concerns. That may not actually be an issue, however....

 

[smoothshooter]

Personally, I didn’t say a .22 mag because having been a trapper in a past life, that’s how I approached the question- as a trapper. And for the purpose of dispatching a trapped animal a 22lr revolver works just fine and ammo is cheap. Plus, I’ve never shot an animal in a trap with a 22 mag but I do have some fur damage concerns. That may not actually be an issue, however....

I do not think it would be an issue either; at least not for me.
If I was only going to get to spend 6 months in Alaska, I would for darned sure would not want to spend a single minute scraping and stretching hides.

 

[smoothshooter]

Personally, I didn’t say a .22 mag because having been a trapper in a past life, that’s how I approached the question- as a trapper. And for the purpose of dispatching a trapped animal a 22lr revolver works just fine and ammo is cheap. Plus, I’ve never shot an animal in a trap with a 22 mag but I do have some fur damage concerns. That may not actually be an issue, however....

I do not think it would be an issue either; at least not for me.
If I was only going to get to spend 6 months in Alaska, I for darned sure would not want to spend a single minute scraping and stretching hides.

 

[Erocksmash]

First, that sounds fun, second I'm taking my 629-4 power Port, my Marlin 1894sbl with some 430+p gas check and my stainless ruger 10/22 take down, I may bring the 1013 as an emergency back up or a 1026

 

[Mr. K]

I’d bring my Ruger 96 in .44 mag, a SW 629 and a SW 617.

 

[RWPBR]

Ruger 10/22 International
Rossi R92 in 44mag/44 Special
Ruger Stainless Flattop Bisley in 44 Special.
I would use my 255 grain Skeeter handloads in both of the 44s

I cant hit anything on the wing with a shotgun so I wont miss having one!