Bear hunt around Delta Junction

[SectorSteve]

I have been invited on a bear hunt in the Delta Junction area next year (2006). I have decided on using my Savage 338 Win Mag. Not having hunted that area before, I need some help on a scope. What type of terrain will I be huntng and what type of scope should I use? I might possibly get a caribou hunt out of the deal too, so , I decided to bring my 30.06 for that or should I just use the 338 instead of bringing 2 guns? The last time I was in Alaska was 1984 to 1986 in Adak and I loved it.

[Daveinthebush]

It really varies a lot around Delta.  There is some tundra, mountains and woodlands.  You could be hunting any of these.  The .338 is a fine all round rifle and you won't need the 06.  If you get to go after caribou you will not be undergunned. A good quality 2x7 or 3x9 is all that should be needed.

I think I though of this quote:

Don't hunt with a gun big enough for what your hunting, hunt with a gun big enough for what might be hunting you.

In other words:  When your arms are wet with blood and something behind you goes, whoof;  would you want a 06 or a .338. :roll:

[Yukon Jack]

I would bring the 338 and be done with.  No sense taking two guns, especially when the trajectories are so similar.

As for the scope, a 1.5-5 or 6, 2-7, 2.5-8x would be fine for the most part.  If it were me, I'd go with the Leupold 1.75-6x VX-III.  It's a really nice scope, light, and rugged.

[Sourdough]

Ditto:  What they said.  I use a 2.5X7 scope on my old faithful Ruger M-77 in .338.  I've made shots from 15 to 500 yards with it.