Hunting the Brown Bear in Alaska - First-Timer needs help

Status
Not open for further replies.
R

RastaMan

Moderator
Hello,

Let me introduce myself. I am retired in Jamaica after 30 years with the NYPD. I am a little bored right now and want to do something fun. I read about hunting the brown bear in Alaska and I am interested.

I have a prized collection of AK-47s back in the USA stored at my friend's business which is a gunshop...my friend is an FFL holder. So I am wondering what your thoughts are on hunting the brown bear with an AK-47. I feel comfortable with the penetration of the AK and how it works.
 
I'm just looking at a set of tracks in front of me and trying to read them.So,with a handle like Rastaman,a location of Jamaica,and the question about hunting brown bears with an AK,,,,,,
I just don't know what to say.
If twas me,I'd probably take a good .375,the one I have.A 338 would be OK.
But,then,I just don't really care to shoot one,myself.
 
I would LOVE to go for a browner in Alaska, but it is SO dang expensive.

30 yrs NYPD then retire in jamaica? Way Out of the norm but very cool.

I wouldnt use the AK, you have no other rifles?
 
Alaska requires guides to hunt Brown/Grizlys, I rather doubt you will find a guide that will allow you to use an AK.

They get grumpy when shot and not killed, I'd leave the AKs home and find real gun.
 
I am from Jamaica. Its also much cheaper to live in Jamaica then in the tri-state area...I also like the weather better in Jamaica. The NYPD was very tolerant of my religious and cultural beliefs when I joined them. They are a very diverse force with 100s of countries represented within its ranks.

Anyway, I need a big thrill and that thrill is large game. I dont want to hunt elephants or rhinos as that is way too big. My friend was telling me about the Brown Bear in Alaska. Airfare is cheap and so I thought I would consider it.

I have handled a lot of rifles in my time. I never liked the AR15 as it just did not sit comfortably with me. It seemed to plasticy and not like a real rifle. I settled on the AK and believe that is a superior weapon...just my opinion.
 
Airfare MAY be cheap, but you have to add in Guides and tags. It Is NOT at ALL cheap from the info ive looked up on it. There are several Alaskan guys on here, im sure theyll chime in soon enough. an AR is NOT a bear gun. I would look into getting a "real," hunting rifle if your goals are to be doing big game hunting. 06', 300 WSM, .338, 45-70 (closer), 7mm etc. Shot placement is more important, granted.
 
Last edited:
7.62x39 is a little weak for a bear round. It'll probably kill them just fine but it won't stop a charge. A few guns have the same action as the Ak but are chambered in 7.62x54, which is a respectable bear round.

I'd take something like a 12-gauge with slugs or a .44 magnum or larger caliber handgun as backup.

Also the bear are pretty much down for the winter. From what I've seen at least.
 
Minimum .30 ! preferably things like 338 Win, 35 Whelen, 375 H&H ,45-70. When you find a guide ask what he suggests. Whatever you pick - practice, practice !!
 
I own a BLR in .300 wsm and wouldn't hesitate to use against a grizzly if it was all I had, but I would deliberately hunt grizzly with it. .338 is the minimum by most guides and .375 H&H is better. These are big, very big, fast and cantankerous creatures.

I knew a preacher who hunted bear in Alaska and actually shot a couple of them. He quit hunting one day when a grizzly stood up a few feet away from him. He says that he told the Lord, if you take this bear away from I will never hunt them again. If you hunt grizzly or brown bear, be aware that more often than not, they are hunting you first.

Good luck, I will stay home.
 
Your AK's should work just fine for Brown Bear. I wouldn't hesitate to use one with those 125 gr hollow points. I would imagine that would stop a Brown in it's tracks. Make sure you find a reputable outfitter. I would check with him first to see if he would prefer that you use the flash suppressor or want you to take it off. No sense in spending several hundred dollars on a new rifle for a hunt like that if you have an AK that will do the job.
 
No reputable Bear guide in Alaska is gonna let you use an AK. Period.

I wouldn't hesitate to use one with those 125 gr hollow points. I would imagine that would stop a Brown in it's tracks.
Click to expand...

Imagine all you want:cool: Learning is good too.:rolleyes:


WildthisisntthethirdworldAlaska ™©2002-2010
 
1. All non-residents must be accompanied by a guide when hunting brown bears in Alaska.

2. The cheapest guided Kodiak Bear hunt I've heard of was around $7500.

3. There ain't a single guide in Alaska that would allow you to use a rifle chambered in 7.62x39mm on a brown bear hunt.

4. There are more than 2 types of rifles in the world. When members started questioning your proposed use of an AK-47 clone for bear hunting, you immediately defended your decision, comparing them against AR-15 type rifles. Neither are suitable for bears.

5. When going after brown bears, experienced Alaskan hunters would start with a .338 Win Mag and go bigger. I prefer a .45/70, mainly because speed don't kill and I want to thump him good, hard, and close so I don't have to drag him very far.

In the end, none of our opinions are going to matter much. Only three things will matter, in this order:

1. Can you afford the plane ticket, guide expenses, licenses, tag fees, and any other costs not covered by the guide fees?
2. What is the minimum caliber allowed by that guide?
3. Can you afford and accurately shoot a rifle chambered in that caliber?

Answer those three questions and you're off to a good start.
 
Last edited:
7.62x39 is a little weak for a bear round. It'll probably kill them just fine but it won't stop a charge. A few guns have the same action as the Ak but are chambered in 7.62x54, which is a respectable bear round.

I'd take something like a 12-gauge with slugs or a .44 magnum or larger caliber handgun as backup.

Also the bear are pretty much down for the winter. From what I've seen at least.
Click to expand...

The AK47 only generates about 2000 ft-lbs of muzzle energy which is really not enough when you are talking about a huge brown bear which can weigh over 1200 pounds.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7.62x39mm

Take a look at how a AK47 round sizes up to 30-06 which is NOT recommended for brown bear and I think you have your answer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cartridges_20081227.jpg

Look at the 30-06 and the 375 H&H and then leave the AK47 at home.

http://www.cybertorpedo.com/africanhunter/classcart/65x54_mannlicher-schoenauer_01.htm

3000 ft-lbs is the minimum muzzle energy and most would recommend a minimum of 4000 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. Many outfitters supply the rifles for some of their clients. Leave the AK47 home, it is for killing people not huge Kodiak brown bears.
 
Find the guide you want then follow their advice for a gun and round.

Once you have determine what the appropriate gun is, practice with it. 500 rounds of aimed shots should get you familiarized with the gun.
 
The AK47 only generates about 2000 ft-lbs of muzzle energy which is really not enough when you are talking about a huge brown bear which can weigh over 1200 pounds.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7.62x39mm

Take a look at how a AK47 round sizes up to 30-06 which is NOT recommended for brown bear and I think you have your answer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ca...s_20081227.jpg

Look at the 30-06 and the 375 H&H and then leave the AK47 at home.

http://www.cybertorpedo.com/africanh...oenauer_01.htm

3000 ft-lbs is the minimum muzzle energy and most would recommend a minimum of 4000 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. Many outfitters supply the rifles for some of their clients. Leave the AK47 home, it is for killing people not huge Kodiak brown bears.
Click to expand...

I fail to see how this correlates to my post. I agree with everything here. Although, in theory 7.62x39 could kill a bear. If it can be killed with an arrow, it can certainly be killed with bullets, its just a matter of whether or not it goes out before it take you with it. Not a risk I would take, but someone might.
 
I have come to the conclusion this is a Darwinian moment.I think everyone who wants to hunt brown bears and/or cape buffalo with AK-47's and 125 gr hollow points should be given full support by our government to live their dream.It can only help.
Follow your bliss.
 
I have come to the conclusion this is a Darwinian moment.I think everyone who wants to hunt brown bears and/or cape buffalo with AK-47's and 125 gr hollow points should be given full support by our government to live their dream.It can only help.
Follow your bliss.
Click to expand...

+1 :):):):):):)
 
I fail to see how this correlates to my post. I agree with everything here. Although, in theory 7.62x39 could kill a bear. If it can be killed with an arrow, it can certainly be killed with bullets, its just a matter of whether or not it goes out before it take you with it. Not a risk I would take, but someone might.
Click to expand...

Dear 2500ak,

Just offering agreement with your prior post on the 7.62x39 being a little weak for brown bear. I agree, that theoretically you could kill a brown bear with an AK47, a .22LR in the eye has killed them, but that is not a money shot for sure. If you can't shoot like Annie Oakley, then for us regular humans, get as big a gun as you can shoot accurately. The bigger the better. If someone wants to go with an AK47, then go for it, but I will pass on that encounter.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top