What guns would you take on an expedition to Alaska?

[amoebicmagician]

Sounding like a Ruger fanboy but here goes:

1.) GSR .308
2.) Ruger Alaskan in .44 Mag.
3.) 10/22 Takedown with suppressor

nothing wrong with liking what works

 

[photoracer]

When I still owned a .41 Magnum I used to keep a box of Buffalo Bore 265g 1350 FPS ammo around just in case I went back to Alaska.
The only rifle I have owned I would have taken was a Sako in .350 Rem Magnum I used to own. Sort of like a 6.8/.270 round but with double the bullet weight at the same velocity. Would be considered a short magnum today.

 

[Gryphon]

After further thought, I am thinking a Navy Rail Gun in a compact/carry model.

 

[Derwood]

Great discussion! My choices:

1) Marlin 1894 Lever Gun in .44 Mag

1) S&W Model 29 in .44 mag

Why?

1) because I can hunt well with the lever gun, it is reliable and the ammo is widely available. The .44 mag in 240 grain hard cast will take down Alaska big game.

2) because it takes the same ammo as the carbine.

If I wasn't doing an Ultimate Survival trek type show and so weight wasn't so much of a concern, so I could carry differing ammo, etc.

1) Remmington 700 in 30-06 180 grain. Again, largely because it just plain works and the ammo is easily obtainable.

2) S&W .44 mag sidearm for protection

A trip like this is my lifelong dream. I actually applied for Ultimate Survival Alaska. If they ever decide to do a season with regular people who sort of know their way around the outdoors, but aren't professional outdoorsmen, I hope they'll call me.

 

[Minuteman]

Great post Derwood! Actually this thread went very well, happy to hear other opinions and options.

Very smart idea just sticking with one caliber, it uncomplicates resupply. And 44 mag is a very common caliber. But on a trip only lasting a few days, I don't think resupply will be an issue.

I also don't think taking big game would be viable, it takes too long to process and is way more meat than your small team could eat or even want to carry.

So the primary purpose of firearms on an Alakan expedition is simply self defense from predators (most likely bears). I agree pepper spray would be mandatory for each member, in addition to a firearm. But this thread is just about firearms. Secondary purposes for a firearm are most likely taking small game and signal.

With these priorities in mind, I'm sticking with just one light weight gun for every team member - FN5.7 pistol, with one 20 round mag in the gun and 2 extra 30 round magazines. This way we could crossload ammo if necessary and no one would be burdened with carrying a heavy caliber rifle. The FN5.7 is sufficient bear protection, and plenty accurate to take small game. It was designed to military specs so I have confidence it will function in the cold and be very reliable. Also being mostly made of plastic reduces maintenance and cuts down weight.

 

[traveller]

The FN5.7 is sufficient bear protection, and plenty accurate to take small game.

Have there been any published cases of a 5.7x28 chambered pistol being used to successfully defend against a brown-bear ?

 

[bama47]

Good choices without the 10mm.............. anything less than 44 Mag or 300 Win mag one will probably be a double meat snack much like this *******. MORE than the mentioned even better.

Sorry man but I just don't understand the need to call the guy an *******. He was studying and living with the grizzlies.; he may have been careless and stupid by my standards - and he paid the ultimate price but damn, you're a bit harsh on the guy.

 

[bama47]

Ruger 30-06
Savage 22lr
glock 21
Beretta 40cal.
Remington 870 12 gauge with combo barrels so I can shoot shot and slugs.

 

[traveller]

Spoke to an older guy at the range the other day who goes fishing in AK every other year or so. He has a 16in mossy with synthetic stock strapped to his pack, just like about everyone else he encountered. And he is not lacking for firepower, has a nice 338 weatherby magnum. But that is for hunting, not protection.

 

[traveller]

Sorry man but I just don't understand the need to call the guy an *******. He was studying and living with the grizzlies.; he may have been careless and stupid by my standards - and he paid the ultimate price but damn, you're a bit harsh on the guy.

The label fits. He was a selfish prick whose behavior habituated bears in the area to humans and put many of others at risk. He was told not to do what he did and eventually it killed him.

 

[SRD]

The label fits. He was a selfish prick whose behavior habituated bears in the area to humans and put many of others at risk. He was told not to do what he did and eventually it killed him.

I'll give him credit for what he was trying to do,but he failed at remaining on top of the food chain from his own stupidity.He should have bought clothing from Duluth Trading Co.(flame suit on)

 

[fidelity]

Have there been any published cases of a 5.7x28 chambered pistol being used to successfully defend against a brown-bear ?

I've camped in Alaska in bear country more than a few times. Only had pepper spray back then, but if I had to choose from my current handguns on a return trip, I would take my 357 magnum revolver with bear loads (or even a 357 Sig semiautomatic) before my FiveSeven pistol. It takes a lot of energy to crunch grizzly or brown bone, and they move so fast that it's unlikely one will get more than a few shots off. Some guys that I know go up there routinely in August for remote fishing trips. They take 44 magnum or 454 Casull revolvers or 12 gauges with slugs. Many in the party also have spray. It's not complicated stuff.

Worked with a woman from Alaska at one point whose dad was an ursinologist and studied the big Browns on Kodiak. Visited him at their home in Anchorage before one of my outdoor trips there, and his standbys were bear spray and weapons similar to what I mentioned above. Yes, there will be occasional reports of a 22LR revolver or 45 HiPoint taking down a grizzly, but these are the exceptions.

 

[fidelity]

I'll give him credit for what he was trying to do,but he failed at remaining on top of the food chain from his own stupidity.He should have bought clothing from Duluth Trading Co.(flame suit on)

Was this the guy who was the subject of the Herzog film? His Darwin Award was fitting.

 

[fabsroman]

Here you go. A news cast about a hiker/photographer killed by a grizzly in Denali National Park. It also mentions Treadwell, who is the a-hole mentioned, and his girlfriend who were mauled to death. Google the recording for that one and you can hear Treadwell telling his girlfriend to hit the bear with the frying pan.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/bear-kills-man-alaskan-park-17082766

Well, I went and found it for you guys. Here is the audio. You can hear the bear growling, stuff snapping, Treadwell screaming, his girlfriend screaming for him to fight back, more crunching, etc. Not for those with squimish stomachs.



Here you go, momma grizzly charging hunters. Look at how fast she moves and how quick she is on them.


If I could carry only one gun, it would be to make sure I do not end up somebody else's meal. Wolves and bears are deadly. Yep, one gun to make sure I can continue breathing and picky berries or whatever else to sustain myself.

 

[Bikebreath]

 

[traveller]

Worked with a woman from Alaska at one point whose dad was an ursinologist and studied the big Browns on Kodiak. Visited him at their home in Anchorage before one of my outdoor trips there, and his standbys were bear spray and weapons similar to what I mentioned above. Yes, there will be occasional reports of a 22LR revolver or 45 HiPoint taking down a grizzly, but these are the exceptions.

That is why I was asking whether there is a single report of a 5.7 being used. Seems ill suited for the task.

There is data from fish&wildlife that hikers using spray are less likely to get mauled than hikers using guns for protection. I would take both.

Most fatal bear attacks have single victims. If you stick together, you can use more than one tool simultaneously.

 

[dontpanic]

I think I would take a Savage model 24. 22 hornet over 12ga. I would carry a mix of bird shot and slugs for the 12ga.

Because my rifle is basically a single shot, my pistol would be a 9mm autoloader with 18+ rounds.

The FN 5.7 seems pretty cool. I have to look at them some more. They might be better than a 9mm. I'm thinking defense against wolves (who hunt in packs) and bad people (who also hunt in packs)

Bear spray for them

 

[SRD]

 

[trickg]

I didn't read the whole thread, but they have probably been mentioned already. In any case, my picks are for 2 calibers rather than specific firearms:

375 Weatherby Magnum
.44 Magnum

My reasoning would be that both are fairly common and easy to come by in various loadings, and both are pretty potent for just about anything. The 375 Weatherby Mag might be overkill for the smaller side of the big game spectrum, but for elk, moose or grizzly, it'd be a good choice.

 

[PapiBarcelona]

5.7 would be the last gun I'd take for Bear protection, ammo barely knocked the paint off a .22 swinger plate.

I think also choosing good stopping power is training to shoot well under stress and train how you plan on carrying it.

Seems pointless to carry a big .500 if you can't even get it out ready without dropping half your gear and fumbling around.

Carrying a big heavy revolver on your side for hours also gets heavy, annoying. If you are in and out of equipmemt, bumps into everything.