Tyler Freel has spent more time around big, Alaskan brown bears than most outdoorsmen would ever hope to (or want to). Of course, he chooses his guns for bear hunting and defense very carefully. It all comes down to a matter of opinion, but you can’t go wrong with his nine picks. The gallery includes handguns, shotguns, and rifles.
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1. Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan (.375 Ruger)
Use: Hunting/Defense
Ruger rifles are well known for dependability, and the Hawkeye and Hawkeye Alaskan, with their controlled-feed actions, are no exception. I have an Alaskan in .375 Ruger, and it is an ideal brown bear rifle. With a shorter case than a .375 H&H and the ballistics of a .375 Ackley, it packs a lot of punch into a standard long action. The Alaskan also has a set of iron express sights, which are a must–especially for defense.
2. Winchester Model 70 Alaskan (.375 H&H)
Use: Hunting/Defense
There’s hardly a more recognizable rifle than the Winchester M70, and the Alaskan model takes this legendary name to another level. With its controlled-feed action, you can depend on it not jamming up when the adrenaline starts pumping. The stainless finish, iron sights, and wide range of heavy-hitting calibers make it every bit as formidable as a guide’s backup rifle or as a hunting rifle.
2. Marlin 1895 (.450 Marlin)
Use: Defense
One of my favorites, and a big favorite for many Alaskans, is the Marlin 1895 lever gun. The two most popular flavors are the .45-70 and .450 Marlin cartridges, both of which are devastating inside 100 yards. My uncle carried a .45-70 when he guided brown bear hunters, and several times stopped charging bears with it at close range. The shorter barreled versions are very quick and handy in tight spots, and the lever act
1 comment
John WilsonJohn
I’m looking to buy a new rifle under 800$ thank you