7400 was an autoloader piece of junk. You are thinking of the 7600 pump that came in .35 Whelen. If you go this route you'll need your gold mastercard because your regular mastercard might not have enough room. Those 7600 whelen's are pricey (I've been keeping my eye out for one).
moving to alaska i the future,going to need a new rifle.
- Thread starter screaming4vengence
- Start date
7400 was an autoloader piece of junk. You are thinking of the 7600 pump that came in .35 Whelen. If you go this route you'll need your gold mastercard because your regular mastercard might not have enough room. Those 7600 whelen's are pricey (I've been keeping my eye out for one).
Dirty_Harry
New member
Why are you limited to those choices?
I would be looking at a .45-70 marlin if I were you.
I would be looking at a .45-70 marlin if I were you.
screaming4vengence
New member
I'm limited because Mauser only makes a few calibers. Going to the candyshop later tonight 
For anything you'd run into in AK you might want to consider a .338 WinMag. I have one in a Browning BAR and the recoil while there is more than reasonable and a 250 grain round will take down anything you're interested in hunting. You can drop down to a lighter bullet for medium game. JMHO
I hunt Alaska…NOW!
I'm impressed with the knowledge by Scorch, Husqvarna, T. O'heir, Jimro AND Tahoe2….because they are the wise ones when it comes to a great Alaska caliber in the Light Mediums…the 9.3x62 IMHO! It IS a proven caliber even on African game. I say that because it has LESS recoil than ALL the larger caliber alternatives. I AM NOT SAYING IT IS THE BEST CALIBER IN THE WORLD….just commenting on Alaska game as you have asked…all of which is just my opinion, nothing more!
If you are so lucky to find one….Buy a BRNO Mod. 21 or 22 and rechamber to the 9.3X62! The reason: the mag well will accept the round without modification. The caliber will take ANYTHING Alaska can present to you. The recoil of the BRNO Mod21, being a small ring, not only will chamber this round without modifications, but the recoil is so much less than the .300 WSM, the 338 Win mag, the 375 H&H, ANY of the >400 caliber rounds. It is actually a pleasure to shoot!!!
You can load the 285/6 grain bullets which is what the 9.3x62 loves!!! But you can also go 320 Woodleigh…what CAN'T that 320 take down….with less recoil and generating velocities in the lower 375 caliber ranges.
Of course, there are stock 9.3x62 firearms out there (In recent years, Mauser, CZ, as well as Sako and Tikka of Finland)…No problem with any of them…the recoil "may" be more than the Mod 21/22 small ring BRNO's produce.
As for ammo availability, it's up here! Anchorage gunsmiths stock it but I bought 100 Prvi Parizan rounds from Graf, 285 grains, and there are MANY up here who reload…Prvi Partizan are known for their fine brass and accurate 9.3x62 round.
Don't know what more to add, muzzle velocities are published, leave that research to you…you would be impressed! A brief overview of the 9.3x62: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9.3×62mm.
By the way, I HAVE a BRNO Mod21 rechambered to the 9.3x62, I use it for deer, moose and self protection on Brownies.
…screaming4vengence...I have 5 Mausers from the FN M1930 18" barreled Carbine to the 24" barrel K98….I load 170 grain all the way up to 250 grain Woodleighs for my Mausers….haven't had any issues with any of them up here….'course I haven't had the scare of a charging Brownie yet…hope that doesn't change any time soon! Here is a short read on the 9.3x62 in Alaska: [http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/alaska/anyone-use-a-9-3x62-in-alaska/ Here's another, a bit longer but VERY INCLUSIVE of opinions AND PICS: http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/3707248/all/9_3X62_build_questions
FNMauser
I'm impressed with the knowledge by Scorch, Husqvarna, T. O'heir, Jimro AND Tahoe2….because they are the wise ones when it comes to a great Alaska caliber in the Light Mediums…the 9.3x62 IMHO! It IS a proven caliber even on African game. I say that because it has LESS recoil than ALL the larger caliber alternatives. I AM NOT SAYING IT IS THE BEST CALIBER IN THE WORLD….just commenting on Alaska game as you have asked…all of which is just my opinion, nothing more!
If you are so lucky to find one….Buy a BRNO Mod. 21 or 22 and rechamber to the 9.3X62! The reason: the mag well will accept the round without modification. The caliber will take ANYTHING Alaska can present to you. The recoil of the BRNO Mod21, being a small ring, not only will chamber this round without modifications, but the recoil is so much less than the .300 WSM, the 338 Win mag, the 375 H&H, ANY of the >400 caliber rounds. It is actually a pleasure to shoot!!!
You can load the 285/6 grain bullets which is what the 9.3x62 loves!!! But you can also go 320 Woodleigh…what CAN'T that 320 take down….with less recoil and generating velocities in the lower 375 caliber ranges.
Of course, there are stock 9.3x62 firearms out there (In recent years, Mauser, CZ, as well as Sako and Tikka of Finland)…No problem with any of them…the recoil "may" be more than the Mod 21/22 small ring BRNO's produce.
As for ammo availability, it's up here! Anchorage gunsmiths stock it but I bought 100 Prvi Parizan rounds from Graf, 285 grains, and there are MANY up here who reload…Prvi Partizan are known for their fine brass and accurate 9.3x62 round.
Don't know what more to add, muzzle velocities are published, leave that research to you…you would be impressed! A brief overview of the 9.3x62: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9.3×62mm.
By the way, I HAVE a BRNO Mod21 rechambered to the 9.3x62, I use it for deer, moose and self protection on Brownies.
…screaming4vengence...I have 5 Mausers from the FN M1930 18" barreled Carbine to the 24" barrel K98….I load 170 grain all the way up to 250 grain Woodleighs for my Mausers….haven't had any issues with any of them up here….'course I haven't had the scare of a charging Brownie yet…hope that doesn't change any time soon!
Here is a short read on the 9.3x62 in Alaska: [http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/alaska/anyone-use-a-9-3x62-in-alaska/ Here's another, a bit longer but VERY INCLUSIVE of opinions AND PICS: http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/3707248/all/9_3X62_build_questionsFNMauser
Last edited:
Emory Bored
Inactive
Boy am I glad that some of the other Alaska hands set the record straight on those little bitty grizzles. The only ones I ever saw that were black bear sized had momma with them.
I've been inside of 10 feet from a mature male grizzly INSIDE of one of the hotels in Deadhorse. Another fellow and I (I kept the other guy between me and Mr Griz) chased that sucker back out the open door he came in by waving our jackets around and screaming like little girls. It's amazing how brave you are until it's over. Anyway. If you counted up all the big bears killed in Alaska over the last 100 years the 30-06 probably has racked up the most kills. By far. That's because that's what was available. Is it adequate? Why sure. Some guys kill them with a bow and arrow.
Campfire and kitchen table talk with hundreds of friends and the general consensus of the folks at my barber shop in Fairbanks was to be safe. 375 H&H. It's not fancy, it's not kool, but it kills big bears in a hurry. There are a couple of brothers that used to guide on the gulf islands for big dollar bear hunts for rich Europeans. Those guys carried 45-70 lever guns for backup. My wife used to camp cook in the Brooks Range before most of it was declared off limits and the guides carried 375 H&H. I knew several of them. They weren't super macho types, just ordinary guys that took no chances. Back on topic, it sounds like the 9.3X62 is that kind of cartridge.
I've been inside of 10 feet from a mature male grizzly INSIDE of one of the hotels in Deadhorse. Another fellow and I (I kept the other guy between me and Mr Griz) chased that sucker back out the open door he came in by waving our jackets around and screaming like little girls. It's amazing how brave you are until it's over. Anyway. If you counted up all the big bears killed in Alaska over the last 100 years the 30-06 probably has racked up the most kills. By far. That's because that's what was available. Is it adequate? Why sure. Some guys kill them with a bow and arrow.
Campfire and kitchen table talk with hundreds of friends and the general consensus of the folks at my barber shop in Fairbanks was to be safe. 375 H&H. It's not fancy, it's not kool, but it kills big bears in a hurry. There are a couple of brothers that used to guide on the gulf islands for big dollar bear hunts for rich Europeans. Those guys carried 45-70 lever guns for backup. My wife used to camp cook in the Brooks Range before most of it was declared off limits and the guides carried 375 H&H. I knew several of them. They weren't super macho types, just ordinary guys that took no chances. Back on topic, it sounds like the 9.3X62 is that kind of cartridge.
Bears!
I live in Southeast Alaska, 3 miles across the channel from Admiralty Island. Admiralty is called Kootsnawoo by the Tlingit Indians….That's their Tlingit word for "Fortress Of The Bears"…there are 3000 square mile of Island, and 1 Brown Bear per square mile!!! Not hard running into them…Had them in our hunting camps at night….they don't hibernate, those suckers sleep a bit, but are roaming all winter long!!!!
Our Black Bears here in Southeastern Alaska are also known for being the biggest Blacks in the whole country…they can run 650 lbs. …I got one good size bruin (to eat!) that was 6' 2" nose to tail laid out on his back and that was letting the bigger ones walk because the smaller, younger ones taste better…I DON'T hunt trophy…I hunt FOOD!
FNMauser
I live in Southeast Alaska, 3 miles across the channel from Admiralty Island. Admiralty is called Kootsnawoo by the Tlingit Indians….That's their Tlingit word for "Fortress Of The Bears"…there are 3000 square mile of Island, and 1 Brown Bear per square mile!!! Not hard running into them…Had them in our hunting camps at night….they don't hibernate, those suckers sleep a bit, but are roaming all winter long!!!!
Our Black Bears here in Southeastern Alaska are also known for being the biggest Blacks in the whole country…they can run 650 lbs. …I got one good size bruin (to eat!) that was 6' 2" nose to tail laid out on his back and that was letting the bigger ones walk because the smaller, younger ones taste better…I DON'T hunt trophy…I hunt FOOD!
FNMauser
edward hogan
New member
Not so much in need of a new rifle, except why not indulge???
What could make all the difference is Handloading! Get some loading gear, tune your rifles to your needs and be set. Even a Lee Loader will do a fine job. At about $30ea you are in the game for all 3 of your ctgs at cost of about one boxe premium super-duper magnum ammo. Loading your own ammo is The Ticket!
Need a new gun? Probably a .44 magnum or larger handgun. The new Ruger Tolkat/Toklat super redhawk w/5" barrel is a fine choice in .454 Casull, or a SRH in .480 Ruger. You'll want to cast bullets for either one. Big Meplat, Heavy flatnose bullets cast from wheelweight alloy will serve. Maybe a 10mm Auto chambered pistol for city and woods carry? Heavy flat point bullets do the trick. Lightweight .44mag like S&W 329 is a very interesting choice for woods carry and can be your city gun also.
If you want a magnum rifle, the .338 win is very versatile when handloaded. The smaller case capacity means more versatility for mild loads. For $20 you can buy the Lee 220gr rn mold w/handles and shoot very cheaply. The round is almost like a .30-06 with a belt in terms of powder used at max loads. The BIG Plus of the .338 bores is the bullet weights range from 160 to 300gr and all bullets are jacketed more thickly than the smaller bores.
I load 180gr Grand Slam bullets in my .308win for woods carry. Study the loading manuals and read the reloading and hunting forums and you will get an idea what works.
Hunting in Alaska is very different in terms of gear needed to get to the game. There are very few walk-in or accessible areas to hunt from the road system. Spend some time an read about what you want to hunt and where the animals are.
Good luck!
What could make all the difference is Handloading! Get some loading gear, tune your rifles to your needs and be set. Even a Lee Loader will do a fine job. At about $30ea you are in the game for all 3 of your ctgs at cost of about one boxe premium super-duper magnum ammo. Loading your own ammo is The Ticket!
Need a new gun? Probably a .44 magnum or larger handgun. The new Ruger Tolkat/Toklat super redhawk w/5" barrel is a fine choice in .454 Casull, or a SRH in .480 Ruger. You'll want to cast bullets for either one. Big Meplat, Heavy flatnose bullets cast from wheelweight alloy will serve. Maybe a 10mm Auto chambered pistol for city and woods carry? Heavy flat point bullets do the trick. Lightweight .44mag like S&W 329 is a very interesting choice for woods carry and can be your city gun also.
If you want a magnum rifle, the .338 win is very versatile when handloaded. The smaller case capacity means more versatility for mild loads. For $20 you can buy the Lee 220gr rn mold w/handles and shoot very cheaply. The round is almost like a .30-06 with a belt in terms of powder used at max loads. The BIG Plus of the .338 bores is the bullet weights range from 160 to 300gr and all bullets are jacketed more thickly than the smaller bores.
I load 180gr Grand Slam bullets in my .308win for woods carry. Study the loading manuals and read the reloading and hunting forums and you will get an idea what works.
Hunting in Alaska is very different in terms of gear needed to get to the game. There are very few walk-in or accessible areas to hunt from the road system. Spend some time an read about what you want to hunt and where the animals are.
Good luck!
reynolds357
New member
I dont know first hand because I do not have the money to hunt in Alaska. I have heard from reputable sources that the .30-378 and the .300 RUM, pushing gilding metal bullets, are absolutely devastating on the great bears.
I guess it depends on which ".308" one is shooting.
I guess it depends on which ".308" one is shooting.
Dependent on the ammunition chosen, the .30-378 has a maximum point blank range of over 400 yd (370 m). The cartridge retains enough energy for deer-sized game at distances over 1,000 yd, and has enough retained energy for elk and moose-sized game at a distance of over 700 yd.
IF, and I mean IF, you'd plan to try this caliber round on Brown Bear, you must hit a vital area and track your game until it drops, if it drops.
We are talking at best, TROPHY HUNTING at these ranges. Try that weapon, caliber size, for protection at closer ranges, the ranges that a Brownie likes to circle on you when he wants to attack you and when you least expect it….and you might as well douse yourself in Ketchup, or A-1 sauce….you at least make a better tasting meal.
If, the calibers you have listed are your choices, you can't go wrong with any of these: 8×57, 9.3×62, 7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, .338 Win Mag. If you plan to use your 8mm's….work up some loads for the 250 grain bullets. If your fear is the happenstance of running into a determined Brown Bear…go bigger with the .404 or .416 but stay away from the .44 magnums, especially the Ruger, cause by the time he is within effective range, a kill shot will still get you eaten… and the A-1 sauce will at least have him satiated!
IF, and I mean IF, you'd plan to try this caliber round on Brown Bear, you must hit a vital area and track your game until it drops, if it drops.
We are talking at best, TROPHY HUNTING at these ranges. Try that weapon, caliber size, for protection at closer ranges, the ranges that a Brownie likes to circle on you when he wants to attack you and when you least expect it….and you might as well douse yourself in Ketchup, or A-1 sauce….you at least make a better tasting meal.
If, the calibers you have listed are your choices, you can't go wrong with any of these: 8×57, 9.3×62, 7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, .338 Win Mag. If you plan to use your 8mm's….work up some loads for the 250 grain bullets. If your fear is the happenstance of running into a determined Brown Bear…go bigger with the .404 or .416 but stay away from the .44 magnums, especially the Ruger, cause by the time he is within effective range, a kill shot will still get you eaten… and the A-1 sauce will at least have him satiated!
Last edited:
FNMAUSER,
I'm curious as to how the 308 Win would be "wanting" for moose, elk, or caribou.
I can see wanting the hardest hitting rifle you can shoot well when hunting for bear, but even a "quartering away" shot on moose shouldn't be a problem for a 180gr bullet (partition or failsafe) from a 308 Win inside of max point blank range.
Jimro
I'm curious as to how the 308 Win would be "wanting" for moose, elk, or caribou.
I can see wanting the hardest hitting rifle you can shoot well when hunting for bear, but even a "quartering away" shot on moose shouldn't be a problem for a 180gr bullet (partition or failsafe) from a 308 Win inside of max point blank range.
Jimro
Last edited:
.308
It's really a small caliber for game up here. That's not saying just about any caliber could bring down any animal…but you most likely will need a second kill shot. Even with the larger caliber firearms, a RNSN bullet is wisely followed by a FMJ when necessary.
Do you really want to hunt with an underpowered caliber when you know the larger calibers can kill with one shot?
Sure….some here use the .243, the .257 Roberts, the .270 and .280. I have friends who take their .280 out for moose. We know the .3006 will get the job done. But any and all of those calibers are not for Brownies or mountain goat, or dall sheep. At least not by Alaskans.
The OP didn't even list any of the calibers as his potential choice of hunting firearm, nor did he include the .308.
That's my point.
It's really a small caliber for game up here. That's not saying just about any caliber could bring down any animal…but you most likely will need a second kill shot. Even with the larger caliber firearms, a RNSN bullet is wisely followed by a FMJ when necessary.
Do you really want to hunt with an underpowered caliber when you know the larger calibers can kill with one shot?
Sure….some here use the .243, the .257 Roberts, the .270 and .280. I have friends who take their .280 out for moose. We know the .3006 will get the job done. But any and all of those calibers are not for Brownies or mountain goat, or dall sheep. At least not by Alaskans.
The OP didn't even list any of the calibers as his potential choice of hunting firearm, nor did he include the .308.
That's my point.
FNMAUSER,
The OP listed 308 Win and 300 Win Mag in his current possession.
If you are shooting a round nose soft nose standard cup and core bullet, I would agree the 308 is on the light side. It's hard to get enough "oomph" to push a 200 or 220gr bullet from a 308 the way the 30-06 can, and heavy bullets are where the 30-06 does best. With the old round nose solids/fmj (aka 30-40 Krag ballistics) the 308 does just fine as penetration is quite adequate, but no expansion.
A tough 180gr bullet makes a lot more sense for the 308, a Partition or Failsafe, or even Accubond instead of a traditional cup and core round nose. For those older bullet designs there really is no replacement for larger caliber and more mass. The 9.3x62 is the best choice among the "new" calibers listed for those types of bullets, although the 444 Marlin and 45-70 do even better in terms of penetration from cheap bullets, at least at closer ranges. Even a 9.3x62 will have a hard time leaving an exit wound with a soft point on a large animal if it isn't a perfect double lung shot as 19-24 inches of penetration is about all you can expect from the 9.3 with something like the Prvi 285gr round nose soft point.
There I go, rambling again.
Jimro
The OP listed 308 Win and 300 Win Mag in his current possession.
If you are shooting a round nose soft nose standard cup and core bullet, I would agree the 308 is on the light side. It's hard to get enough "oomph" to push a 200 or 220gr bullet from a 308 the way the 30-06 can, and heavy bullets are where the 30-06 does best. With the old round nose solids/fmj (aka 30-40 Krag ballistics) the 308 does just fine as penetration is quite adequate, but no expansion.
A tough 180gr bullet makes a lot more sense for the 308, a Partition or Failsafe, or even Accubond instead of a traditional cup and core round nose. For those older bullet designs there really is no replacement for larger caliber and more mass. The 9.3x62 is the best choice among the "new" calibers listed for those types of bullets, although the 444 Marlin and 45-70 do even better in terms of penetration from cheap bullets, at least at closer ranges. Even a 9.3x62 will have a hard time leaving an exit wound with a soft point on a large animal if it isn't a perfect double lung shot as 19-24 inches of penetration is about all you can expect from the 9.3 with something like the Prvi 285gr round nose soft point.
There I go, rambling again.
Jimro
reynolds357
New member
FN, I honestly believe you are under estimating the true destruction a .30 caliber X, TSX, or GMX bullet can do being pushed at the velocities the Rum and .30-378 push them at. The discussion moves to an entirely different realm when the gilding metal bullets enter the equation. I agree with what you are saying if lead core bullets are being used. The gilding metal bullets are truly game changers.
OK...
I'm not trying to be flippant here, honestly. I'm sure many of us up here have .308's…they have their use, but if you want to carry a "do anything" rifle up here…the .308 just isn't it and since the OP didn't even include it in his firearm wish list, I think he knows that already. Of course, if deer only is your venture, and you stay out of Brown bear country or are not hunting Mountain Goat, don't intend to take a second shot at a Black bear or moose, and aren't intending to climb high and fast on Dall Sheep…..then the .308 has it's place.
Read everything you can on Alaskan hunting, you won't find the .308 as a firearm of choice up here. The .300 WinMag, .338, .35 or .358, .375 H&H... are a different animal, however.
Phil Shoemaker, an Alaskan guide (http://www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.com), wrote he has utilized many different rifles and calibers. When you are confronted by a BIG BEAR, use big bores.
So...Come on up, bring your .308…hope it serves you well…I'm betting you go home with a re-thought out response. "This ain't Kansas, Dorothy".
FNMauser
I'm not trying to be flippant here, honestly. I'm sure many of us up here have .308's…they have their use, but if you want to carry a "do anything" rifle up here…the .308 just isn't it and since the OP didn't even include it in his firearm wish list, I think he knows that already. Of course, if deer only is your venture, and you stay out of Brown bear country or are not hunting Mountain Goat, don't intend to take a second shot at a Black bear or moose, and aren't intending to climb high and fast on Dall Sheep…..then the .308 has it's place.
Read everything you can on Alaskan hunting, you won't find the .308 as a firearm of choice up here. The .300 WinMag, .338, .35 or .358, .375 H&H... are a different animal, however.
Phil Shoemaker, an Alaskan guide (http://www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.com), wrote he has utilized many different rifles and calibers. When you are confronted by a BIG BEAR, use big bores.
So...Come on up, bring your .308…hope it serves you well…I'm betting you go home with a re-thought out response. "This ain't Kansas, Dorothy".
FNMauser
Last edited:
Alaskan guide preferences...
Read:
http://www.shootersforum.com/alaska-hunting/21621-what-do-alaska-guides-use.html
http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=90408&page=2
http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com...n-Alaskan-Guide-and-I-carry-a-xxx-Rifle/page6 What GUIDES CARRY.
You can go on & on…point is, carry for what you either plan to hunt, or expect to run across in the dangerous game category. You'll be hard pressed to find many if any Alaskan hunters, hunting in dangerous game country, carrying a .308.
TO THE ORIGINAL POSTER: Your list is good, choose from it. IMHO, nothing less than a 30-06, 8mm for increased lethality over the 30-06 within 300 yards, and you'd do well to shoot a medium size rifle as the 9.3X62 for low recoil and can DROP ANYTHING in Alaska….1 shot!
Read:
http://www.shootersforum.com/alaska-hunting/21621-what-do-alaska-guides-use.html
http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=90408&page=2
http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com...n-Alaskan-Guide-and-I-carry-a-xxx-Rifle/page6 What GUIDES CARRY.
You can go on & on…point is, carry for what you either plan to hunt, or expect to run across in the dangerous game category. You'll be hard pressed to find many if any Alaskan hunters, hunting in dangerous game country, carrying a .308.
TO THE ORIGINAL POSTER: Your list is good, choose from it. IMHO, nothing less than a 30-06, 8mm for increased lethality over the 30-06 within 300 yards, and you'd do well to shoot a medium size rifle as the 9.3X62 for low recoil and can DROP ANYTHING in Alaska….1 shot!
Last edited: