?'s about caliber choice for bear attacks

[S.B.]

First let me say, I've never been to Alaska but, I read alot on this site of
the personal choice of a .375 H&H for a rifle. Is this pretty much the caliber of  choice? Or is a .458 Winchester popular in your country, also? I just can't help but wonder if a .375 H&H is good then a .458 Win. should do the job just as well if not with a little more stopping power? Even with a uncivil  moose? Haven't seen much mention of using a Remington .416 here either,  this thing should certainly have merit in the field of such endeavors? Here in Illinois where I live not much danger from anything attacking unless it's a disgruntled liberal so, please excuse my ignorance. My great plan for life is to retire(if that's ever possible with the taxes we pay) and ride the motorcycle to your part of the country just for a look around, if nothing else. If and when this took place, can I legally carry a heavy rifle on the bike with me? Would anyone know of any Canadian laws that would prevent this from happening?

[Matt in AK]

SB,

It's easier to mail a rifle, pistol, or shotgun to Alaska.

I've got a Road King and dream about ruding back to Alaska...but that's one long drive, brother.

Calibers?  I had a friend in Anchorage with a double barrel 475 Nitro Express.  Now that's a close up bear gun...

[S.B.]

So Matt in AK, I'm a little lost as to what part of my questions your answering or exactly what your answer is? Do you live in Alaska? Is it legal for me to carry a heavy rifle on the bike if I do make this trip? And your saying a double barrel .470 is your answer to a rifle for bear protection? How available are these guns? I don't think I've ever seen one other than the ones from England for around $25,000 at the cheapest. I don't think my budget would stand this. Wouldn't it be cheaper to get a rifle made by either Winchester or Remington?

[Moose-Hunter]

The 375 H&H is fairly popular up here amongst hunters, but that cartridge doesn't even compare to the 30-06, 300 Win. Mag. or the 338 Win. Mag. The last three that I listed are the top three most popular cartridges in the state. I used to hunt with the 375 H&H until I sold it. I don't need it!

[Matt in AK]

SB,

I didn't spend a lot of time and gave you some half answers...sorry.  You can legally take a rifle or shotgun through Canada but will have to pay their fee to do so.  I drove up on the ALCAN and back as well and saw no need to bring along a firearm.  That said, however, we slept in motels and not out in the elements.  I only lived in Alaska for two years and am no Sourdough or even a marginal authority on anything other than putting my socks on before my shoes.

My buddy bought his double rifle for around $8K and there are other, less expensive, options available.  Daveinthebush, who will likely post again as soon as he gets back to Alaska from a trip to New York, carries a 12ga shotgun when bowhunting.  I carried a 338 Win Mag rifle (with quick release scope mounts) or Freedom Arms 454 pistol when off the paved road in Alaska -- saw a few Brownies and lots of Blackies but never got too close unless I was chasin' 'em.  I selected the 338 because I wanted a "do everything rifle" in Alaska.  If the only mission was protection myself from toothy critters, I'd have likely chosen a 375 or something larger.  As it was, the 338 was pleasant to practice with and accounted for a black bear, moose, and a couple of blacktail deer during my short tenure.

If you're a hunter, and think you might end up in Alaska in September, let me know.  There are some easy to access areas for black bear.

Cheers,
Matt

P.S.
If you're even thinking about driving up to Alaska buy a copy of "Mileposts."  There's not a better publication to lay out the ALCAN -- where to sleep, eat, gas, etc...

[S.B.]

Thanks Matt, I appreciate the info and help. Steve

[Dand]

Moose hunter is right on and there are a few other calibers that are pretty common too:  270,  the 7 mm mags as well as some of the standard 7's, .308, and 45-70.  Like Matt says the .338 is a darn good all around choice.  But you'll find a lot of long time hunters who are totally satisfied with their 30-06's - though most of those guys don't mess with the big bears a lot.

[tundragriz]

For a cheap and effective solution, a 1895 marlin guide gun in 45/70 or 450 would work relatively well.  It is the shortest rifle that is very bear deadly and still be legal in canada.  A flat lever action would pack the least obtrusively on a bike.  I have the ported 450 and it is very sweet.

My second inexpensive choice that is Canada legal would be an 18.5 inch 12 gauge.  Something like a Mossberg Mariner or one of the 870 knock-offs.  I had a Mariner originally but it got stolen.  Now I have a Norinco that is an 870 knockoff.  For less than $200 it is smooth, parts interchange with the 870, and it comes standard with extremely rugged ghost ring and front blade sights.  Really knockaround friendly. The shotgun choices will be slightly longer than the guide gun.

I think travelling with any standard bolt rifle on a bike, I assume you mean motorcycle, would look out of place, make it very tempting, and may make you a target for thieves.  How could you protect it without carrying it with you "ALL" the time, not practical for sightseeing?  Just a personal feeling, but with the restrictive gun laws in Canada, I think they become a very desirable target for theft.  My cousin had their van broken into in Quebec while they ate in a restaurant.  Only thing taken was 4 rifles.

For some more money and I think the best solution if you want to carry a long gun, is a Copilot take-down gun from Wild West.  

http://www.wildwestguns.com/

Another suggestion would be to drive to Washington, put the bike on the ferry bypassing Canada, and carry a handgun, also legal for you in Ak.  I would be more concerned with 2 legged bears rather than 4 if you're gonna be on the road system.

[Daveinthebush]

I have driven from New York to Alaska and back three times.  I have never felt the need for a gun in Canada except maybe for protection at customs, from customs.  I sleep in my truck camper at night in remote spots.  Maybe the big yellow dog helps keep people away.

Matt is correct I carry a 870 with 3" Brenneke slugs and don't worry.  The 870 is quick to point and a fast follow up is easy as I have been shooting it since the 1970's.  

The .338, .375 and .416 are favorites of the people experienced in handling  such calibers.  A 30/06 with 220 grain slugs might be better for the more timid.  Practicing good bear manners should be high on the list.

[Sourdough]

There is no way to drive to Alaska without going through Canada.  Even the Ferry, it goes from Seattle to Haines, then you have to cross into Canada, and drive up to the Alcan at Haines Junction, then west into Alaska.  

I worked at a campground two summers ago and we had a lot of tourist come through on bikes.  Most were riding big Hondas, then Harleys.  I did not talk to anyone who carried a gun through Canada.  You can only carry rifles and shotguns through Canada, no handguns.  

I did talk to a few fellows that had came to go hunting.  They either had someone here to supply them with a gun, (ie: brother, son, or in-law)  or had sent their gun to a local gunsmith, or gun shop, to hold till they needed it.    

But for anyone contemplating driving to Alaska, or flying up then driving around the state, get a "Milepost".  That one book has about 90% of all the information anyone will ever need to visit the state.  Even tells all the good fishing holes coming up through Canada.  My brother-in-law came up this summer, he had gotten his Milepost two months before he came.  They sat down and went through it throughly, they had decided what they wanted to do, and where they wanted to go, just from reading that one book.  They had a most enjoyable time.

[Winter Hawk]

Here is the link to the Canadian firearms site for the official scoop:

http://www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca/info_for-renseignement/factsheets/visitin_e.asp

-Winter Hawk-

[S.B.]

Winter Hawk, thanks for the straight stuff. I appreciate the help. Steve

[Camp Cook]

One of the things regarding transporting firearms in Canada is that they need to be cased and if you leave them at all in your vehicle the guns need to have trigger locks of some sort on them. Ammo needs to be cased separately as well. I live in B.C. and have dreamed of having a big dual purpose motorcycle to head up into the mountains with. You know to save money........ If I was to do this I would probably have taken my T/C Contender carbine broken down into it's 2 pieces with me. The idea is out of sight out of mind though with guns. A Marlin 1895 style rifle that breaks down is probably the best idea but cost would be a big facture.
If a ferry trip is what your looking for I believe you can take a ferry to Prince Rupert and only have to switch over to another one that will take you into Alaska. You would miss some very beautiful sights though. I have taken the ferry from Vancouver to Prince Rupert and it was a fairly boring trip. I have driven from Vancouver to Prince Rupert lots of times and have only seen maybe 2 or 3 police vehicles on these trips which takes about 18 hours to drive each way. In other words you will not be bothered by many people on your trip.
Cam

[S.B.]

I have driven from New York to Alaska and back three times.  I have never felt the need for a gun in Canada except maybe for protection at customs, from customs.  I sleep in my truck camper at night in remote spots.  Maybe the big yellow dog helps keep people away.

Matt is correct I carry a 870 with 3" Brenneke slugs and don't worry.  The 870 is quick to point and a fast follow up is easy as I have been shooting it since the 1970's.  

The .338, .375 and .416 are favorites of the people experienced in handling  such calibers.  A 30/06 with 220 grain slugs might be better for the more timid.  Practicing good bear manners should be high on the list.

Afraid your far ahead of me, with your travels. I work in the construciton industry and either I can't leave (make hay while the sun is shining) or can't afford the trip (unemployed). That's my reasoning behind the retirement scheme. Last vacation was in 1978 and it was a honeymoon, so I'm do. Planning a motorcycle trip to my oldest son's in Glauster Ma, next June to go to Laconia bike rally.