coloradokevin
Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2008
- Messages
- 3,285
Okay,
So, I'm just starting to look into putting together an extended backpacking trip to the great north (Alaska)... This trip won't be happening in the immediate future, but is something I'm looking at for long-term planning (a year or two out at the minimum).
Anyway, I'm wondering right now about bear defense in a state with animals that are a good bit larger than the bears/mountain lions I deal with around here!
As such, do any of you guys know if a 45-70 would have enough power for a defensive application against coastal-sized brownies, and/or polar bears (depending on where we visit in the state once this trip is off the ground)?
I'm not intending to hunt bears on this trip, otherwise I'd have picked a different caliber. I'm mostly looking for a caliber that will do well as a defensive tool against the biggest bears we might encounter... I figure that use for this unfortunate application would involve short-range shooting, and likely not allow more than one follow-up shot. Based on what I've seen, the Marlin 1895 Guide Gun looked intriguing... just wondered if it was up to that task power-wise?
(if not, what would you guys recommend? It needs to be fairly light, and can't have a very long barrel for use on this trip... otherwise, I'm always open to suggestion. I'm sure someone on here has dealt with these large mammals!)
Mod's: If this is better placed in the hunting section, feel free to move it. I put it here since I'm not looking to hunt on this trip, but need a suitable rifle for this task!
So, I'm just starting to look into putting together an extended backpacking trip to the great north (Alaska)... This trip won't be happening in the immediate future, but is something I'm looking at for long-term planning (a year or two out at the minimum).
Anyway, I'm wondering right now about bear defense in a state with animals that are a good bit larger than the bears/mountain lions I deal with around here!
As such, do any of you guys know if a 45-70 would have enough power for a defensive application against coastal-sized brownies, and/or polar bears (depending on where we visit in the state once this trip is off the ground)?
I'm not intending to hunt bears on this trip, otherwise I'd have picked a different caliber. I'm mostly looking for a caliber that will do well as a defensive tool against the biggest bears we might encounter... I figure that use for this unfortunate application would involve short-range shooting, and likely not allow more than one follow-up shot. Based on what I've seen, the Marlin 1895 Guide Gun looked intriguing... just wondered if it was up to that task power-wise?
(if not, what would you guys recommend? It needs to be fairly light, and can't have a very long barrel for use on this trip... otherwise, I'm always open to suggestion. I'm sure someone on here has dealt with these large mammals!)
Mod's: If this is better placed in the hunting section, feel free to move it. I put it here since I'm not looking to hunt on this trip, but need a suitable rifle for this task!