Choosing the right gun for the hunt

[Nuts]

With Alaska in 2 months I have been mulling over what gun to take. The Ruger Alaskan in 338 win mag has been the staple. Not a great deal of fun to shoot but I shoot it well. And other then ash marks it has been indestructible. Since this is primarily a Caribou hunt and not moose I bought a rifle specifically for this hunt. Also wanted lighter then the 338 since we will mostly be on foot. I purchased a Ruger 6.5 Cm. Cerakote with a suppressor. I was pretty excited for it but never fell in love with it. I have a Winchester 6.5CM that is light. Shoots well. Handles well and I am very comfortable with. But it is blued. I have been worried in my mind I will destroy the Winchester with it being wet for possibly a week or more. On the other hand there is plenty of old rifles that have been around forever and with proper maintenance have stayed fairly clean. So my thought is that I snake it and oil it regularly. Something I would do a couple times a trip with the 338 but never was vigilant with. Anyone have any experience with any products that I could apply to help beyond straight Rem oil?

 

[brymoore]

Any bear issues?

I’d pick your favorite stainless.

 

[cgasner1]

Personal opinion moose are a soft animal. They take awhile to die due to there size but I would have zero hesitation shooting another one with a 6.5 most the natives use ar 15s where I go

 

[sneakypete]

Take the gun you’re most comfortable shooting! A can of oil and a sheep skin pad, todo your maintenance.

 

[Nuts]

1. We have never had real bear issues. Although we see them. My thought also was that the Winchester 6.5 CM is my go to deer driving rifle. While I am proficient with the 338 under pressure I would probably be more accurate with the 6.5cm. I will have a 10mm that I feel confident in. Plus at my wifes insistance bear spray
2. I do not have a 6.5 cm in stainless. I am trying to make sure I don't destroy a blued one
3. I will be the last in the group to shoot a moose or a Caribou. I go often enough that I always give the guys who this is a once in a lifetime trip priority. So lightweight is what I need.

 

[Nuts]

Take the gun you’re most comfortable shooting! A can of oil and a sheep skin pad, todo your maintenance.

Sheep skin pad? Had to look that up. Looks decent

 

[cgasner1]

1. We have never had real bear issues. Although we see them. My thought also was that the Winchester 6.5 CM is my go to deer driving rifle. While I am proficient with the 338 under pressure I would probably be more accurate with the 6.5cm. I will have a 10mm that I feel confident in. Plus at my wifes insistance bear spray
2. I do not have a 6.5 cm in stainless. I am trying to make sure I don't destroy a blued one
3. I will be the last in the group to shoot a moose or a Caribou. I go often enough that I always give the guys who this is a once in a lifetime trip priority. So lightweight is what I need.

A box of shells weighs less that a rifle just borrow a gun

 

[NR_Hunter]

Rem oil is ass. I use Balistol and it works great.

 

[Steiny77]

Lots of moisture is definitely an issue in AK. I've used a .300 Weatherby on nearly everything in AK; brown bear, black bear, caribou, moose and wolf with zero issues.
Only exception was a Dall ram which required a pre 64, .270 Win, because that's what Jack O'Conner said to use.

 

[longbow51]

I took a blued, walnut stocked Model 70 to Alaska, and a small cleaning kit and small spray can of CLP. It was fine, and it was always wet. It was 300 Win Mag, because I was a one-gun guy for big game those days (and many after).

 

[geetar]

Rem oil is ass. I use Balistol and it works great.

Those prepackaged Ballistol wipes are handy for hunting camps.

 

[Nuts]

A box of shells weighs less that a rifle just borrow a gun

You mean from one of the other guys on the hunt or before I leave home? (I hate borrowing guns unless its from my life long hunting partner)

 

[NR_Hunter]

Those prepackaged Ballistol wipes are handy for hunting camps.

I love them shits too

 

[cgasner1]

You mean from one of the other guys on the hunt or before I leave home? (I hate borrowing guns unless its from my life long hunting partner)

If Im giving a guy first shot at a moose I expect he’d be willing to let me use his gun after he is done with it. I doubt I take a rifle this year be the 3rd year in a row I haven’t

 

[Nuts]

If Im giving a guy first shot at a moose I expect he’d be willing to let me use his gun after he is done with it. I doubt I take a rifle this year be the 3rd year in a row I haven’t

Not a bad thought. And I understand why you say it. There is multiple reasons I will always have a rifle. #1 being the amount of times I have filled a tag after the prime shooter wasn't able to seal the deal. #2 While I have never had real bear trouble should it arise I am not going to borrow anyone's gun. And I want a gun that I know and is handy. Its a good thought. I understand why some do it. Just not for me.

 

[MTLabrador]

I wouldn’t be afraid to bring my blued and wood model 70. I’ve hunted in some pretty terrible conditions with it and never had any issues. You also won’t be dealing with salt water, which would be my main concern. Just make sure your stock is sealed well and keep up on oiling your rifle as needed during the hunt.