Alaska Black Bear Caliber Choice?

[APDDSN0864]

Not to side track a thread, but are you shooting an early Contender? I was going to buy one of JD Jones 375 barrels when I lived in AK, but he would not sell it unless I shipped the frame to him to beef up. It was a six month turn around. Caribou season was coming up and I could not wait that long. I carried my .30 Herrett instead, but did not get close enough to connect with it.

My Contender frame is a Gen 1 and I bought it to put my .375 JDJ barrel on. I shot it extensively without any issues other than the obnoxious recoil.
That same frame is now host for my .30-40 Krag Carbine barrel and is just as tight as when I bought it in 1986.
I only have two barrels for it now, the .30-40 and a Carbine length .22lr Match.

If I was new in the market for an all-around Carbine length barrel for North America, I'd have to get a .30-40. Again.

Ed

 

[RidgeTop]

.450Marlin

 

[Bucklowery]

I would have to visit the camp and spend some time there before I could make an informed decision. LOL.

Hope you have luck on the hunts and enjoy the new cabin

Thanks

Buck

 

[Ol' Red]

I would have to visit the camp and spend some time there before I could make an informed decision. LOL.

Hope you have luck on the hunts and enjoy the new cabin

Thanks

Buck

Two informed decisions are better than one. One form a guy in Florida and one from a guy in Wyoming , that used to live in Alaska.

 

[PApa Black]

45-70 works on every thing! I'd consider a 45-70 lever Action.

 

[Bucklowery]

Two informed decisions are better than one. One form a guy in Florida and one from a guy in Wyoming , that used to live in Alaska.

I agree it would be a great time. This is a important decision and must be pondered and proven among friends. Something this important should not be rushed during the research and development phases either


Thanks

Buck

 

[dogbuster0006]

A BIG black tail deer is 120lb, anything 22-250 to 30-06 will be sufficient. Ive got a 15" 243 barrel with 2-7x tc scope running 80 speer hot cores that's dropped as many whitetail as most hunters see each year. 12-17 per year for a guy running an orchard locally they were destroying his young trees and pumpkin patch.
For blackies 308 with a partion/bonded bullet up to your comfort level. I can tell you a 20" 460 s&w loaded to 454 pressure is a sweet shooter, at full 460 pressures it's a bit abusive. Mine is a factory katahdin barrel with peep sight and been plenty accurate for 100yd shooting but is a handful at full even with "comfort" stock. I've shot a few guide guns and the encore with 460 spec loads kicks hard as any 45-70 I've shot without porting.
The cost of encore/contender barrels keeps climbing so haven't bought new barrels in years but they sure are fun. No bs the 15" 243 is hands down my favorite deer gun if shots are expected inside 250yd.
I'd like to build a 358win or 35whelen but don't get into big critter/brown bear country enough to justify it. Elk are about the biggest critter I can with some regularity.

 

[dogbuster0006]

A few pics I could get to compress properly. I've got a pass through on almost all of them from 25-250yd. That buck while not impressively racked was 220lb field dressed shot about 120yd he ran 40-60yd and left a blood trail Ray Charles could follow. The doe was 227yd off a round bale for a rest on the hoof about 90lb. I aim for the off side shoulder this combo kills way better than it should most times they are DRT.

 

[dogbuster0006]

Doe off side shoulder, bucks heart lungs were jello, last years doe at 80ish yd Dad couldn't believe it swears up and down it's the damndest thing he's ever seen. Shot through both shoulders and she dropped like head shot. The wet corncob she was chewing on when I broke the shot.

 

[Akredneck]

I would go with the 35 rem, 180gr quality bullet. Will do good with bears, I have one with super 14 barrel. I am getting pretty accurate with it at 200yrds. I would suggest a larger handgun, revolver or auto 10mm, 460rowland, 357 mag, 44 mag etc... coastal griz can be big and aggressive, they bust out of brush quick and fast. Just my 2 cents

 

[Sockeye66]

Might consider a Super 14" .44 Mag barrel rechambered to .445 Supermag, Buffalo bore makes ammo for that cartridge and although not mainstream it's not obscure either. I'm a fan of the rimmed cartridges for Contenders. I have owned a Bulberry .357 Max barrel along with a Gary Reeder 240 Raptor (6mmx.204 Ruger) amongst others and the .357 Max is a great cartridge in itself, but the .445 Supermag would be great for your intended purpose, along with a 12 gauge slung over your shoulder.

 

[Bret GRAVELINE Graveline]

I understand you wish to stick Thompson, I personally use a carbine in 7-30, something you may want to take a look at is the CVA Apex, its no longer produced But they aren't that hard to find, they are stainless and have a good selection of interchangeable barrels to cover most situations, A local gun club member carries one in his plane he has 4 barrels for it 223 3006 12ga and a 50 muzzle loader, just something to think about

 

[LKR12]

I recently purchased a cabin in southeast Alaska, primary home in Idaho.
I want to put together either a TC Encore or Contender rifle for Blacktail deer and Black bear in the Southeast area and want to leave it at the cabin.
I own a Contender and an Encore but don't want to take the Encore up there and leave it there.
So my options are to purchase another Encore in say a .270 or 7-08 or pick up a new barrel for the Contender.
For the Contender Barrel I have narrowed it down to either 7-30 waters (which I have brass and reloading dies for) or possibly 35 rem, yes there are the jdj wildcats and others but really don't want another round that I would have to reload.
Obviously the range is going to be limited with either one. Yes the .270 or 7-08 would be the obvious choices but I have a wife and a safe full of firearms already. lol
Just thought it might be fun to pick some brains for opinions, let the games begin.

You need to buy my outfit: Encore action with Eben Brown trigger job and accuracy hinge pin. 7mm-08 24 inch barrel with black thumb hole stock and foreend and a 26 inch .300 Win Mag barrel with a grey laminated thumb hole stock and foreend. Bushnell Firefly scope on the 7 and Leopold VX-II on the .300. Hunt anywhere in No. America!

 

[Sockeye66]

I understand you wish to stick Thompson, I personally use a carbine in 7-30, something you may want to take a look at is the CVA Apex, its no longer produced But they aren't that hard to find, they are stainless and have a good selection of interchangeable barrels to cover most situations, A local gun club member carries one in his plane he has 4 barrels for it 223 3006 12ga and a 50 muzzle loader, just something to think about

I have an Apex and it's a great break action. I have the 7-08, 243, and 50 cal ML. It's only CVA in name as it's all Bergara.