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here's a good read

buschmaster
still looking for the right polar bear rifle. last year I had a line on a job taking samples for an environmental co. up in the arctic circle; that opportunity has slipped past, but when something similar comes around I would like to be ready to take it. that entails knowing what rifle to bring. which starts with what cartridge to use.

came across this article about dangerous game and cartridge/rifle selection.

"The Other Dangerous Game" by Craig Boddington.

http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ammo/ammunition_rs_dgame_200708/
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Comments

19 comments

Date Votes
  • He Dog
    You will be fine with a .22.
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  • Warbirds
    https://www.GunBroker.com/item/771551176
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  • buschmaster
    quote:Originally posted by He Dog
    You will be fine with a .22.
    right... maybe when it's chewing on the rifle the .22LR's will pop the bloody chunks of what's left of me out from between its teeth so it doesn't need a toothpick
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  • buschmaster
    quote:Originally posted by Warbirds
    https://www.GunBroker.com/item/771551176
    I really like that rifle. if I were to use the .450 bushmaster, though, I could have it in an AR package instead, in which case I could also choose between .458 SOCOM or .50 Beowulf. but none of those are quite powerful enough.

    there are much better choices for a bolt action. anywhere from .338 Rem Ultra Mag on up to .375 Rem Ultra Mag or, hell even .416 Rigby or .458 Win Mag. but I think bolt actions are too slow.

    right now I'm thinking .50 Alaskan in a lever action. 525 grains @ 1700 ft/s
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  • savage170
    338 Winchester mag in a Browing BAR or BLR 325 win short mag or a Marlin 45-70 using some of buffalo bore magnum ammo
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  • dpmule
    https://www.GunBroker.com/item/778540731

    Fed with 420 gr +P or your choice.
    http://www.garrettcartridges.com/4570.html


    Mule
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  • savage170
    quote:Originally posted by savage170
    quote:Originally posted by dpmule
    https://www.GunBroker.com/item/778540731

    Fed with 420 gr +P or your choice.
    http://www.garrettcartridges.com/4570.html


    Mule
    That's a good price if it was a older Marlin being how that is a Remington made gun I would have to see that one in person before buying that one





    That's a good price if it was a older Marlin being how that is a Remington made gun I would have to see that one in person before buying that one according to the barrel code that one was made 2015 the quality in those years was pretty poor
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  • dpmule
    quote:Originally posted by savage170
    quote:Originally posted by savage170
    Originally posted by dpmule
    https://www.GunBroker.com/item/778540731

    Fed with 420 gr +P or your choice.
    http://www.garrettcartridges.com/4570.html


    Mule






    That's a good price if it was a older Marlin being how that is a Remington made gun I would have to see that one in person before buying that one according to the barrel code that one was made 2015 the quality in those years was pretty poor



    We have two of the older original GG's without big loop and they have ported barrels which I do not suggest as in low light conditions they have a muzzle blossom that pars a small howitzer. Wish I would have traded them both for non-ported when they dropped the porting.

    Mule
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  • savage170
    There is some JM stamped guide guns out there that isn't ported.At one time you could send a ported barrel gun back to Marlin and for 100.00 they would put a non ported barrel on for you the one zI have was sent back at one time to have that done
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  • dpmule
    quote:Originally posted by savage170
    There is some JM stamped guide guns out there that isn't ported.At one time you could send a ported barrel gun back to Marlin and for 100.00 they would put a non ported barrel on for you the one zI have was sent back at one time to have that done


    Never knew of that option or would have done it.


    Mule
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  • llama
    For defense or a planned hunt?

    You want a dead nutz reliable delivery system, and a good quality bullet. Preferably lots of 'em.

    I'd do some research on how the AR10 and FN-FAL types perform in cold weather, but I think even the canuks kept the Enfield 303 in service in arctic conditions/areas until very recently...

    Then either go with 308 and super quality bullets (Barnes X or equivalent) OR build one up in a larger caliber. There is a guy on the FALFILES forums that built a FAL in 358 Winchester and uses/used it for Alaskan brown bear hunting, quite successfully.

    I would imagine knowing that you have 20 round of 225gr@2300fps thump available at the pull of your trigger would be a rather comforting thought...
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  • savage170
    quote:Originally posted by dpmule
    quote:Originally posted by savage170
    There is some JM stamped guide guns out there that isn't ported.At one time you could send a ported barrel gun back to Marlin and for 100.00 they would put a non ported barrel on for you the one zI have was sent back at one time to have that done


    Never knew of that option or would have done it.


    Mule



    Marlin quit porting them in 2003 so there is some out there before the Remington take over
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  • grumpygy
    Have a .444 I would use.
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  • He Dog
    quote:Originally posted by buschmaster
    quote:Originally posted by He Dog
    You will be fine with a .22.
    right... maybe when it's chewing on the rifle the .22LR's will pop the bloody chunks of what's left of me out from between its teeth so it doesn't need a toothpick



    I actually know a fellow who kayaked across the artic with a pack and a .22. I don't think he took trophies or ate polar bear.
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  • DONDALINGER
    .338 RUM or .338 Win mag would be my choice.
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  • Tflogger
    Pump 12ga 3 inch chamber with brenneke slugs or my 35 Whelen.
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  • buschmaster
    well here's my notes so far:
    (and another good read on .50 Alaskan)

    article "The Other Dangerous Game" by Craig Boddington gives an idea of what sort of power is needed for big bears.
    http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ammo/ammunition_rs_dgame_200708/

    basically hunting:
    375 HH
    375 REM UMAG
    375 RUGER
    375 WEATH MAG

    to get you out of serious trouble with a bear:
    416 RIGBY
    458 Win Mag

    made an .xls with KE and Power Factor data.

    looking at the power factor, nothing in .30 is going to be up to snuff.
    PF needs to be > 800

    .45-70 Hammerheads are probably acceptable. although the dude says some govt agencies carry that load for bear. (Boddington *may* differ on the use of hard cast vs something that expands, look into it)

    but this guy makes a persuasive case for .50 Alaskan:

    http://www.leverguns.com/articles/anderson/50_alaskan.htm

    he has Hogdon reloading data that pushes 970 PF!! most power you're going to get in a lever action.

    says his was built by Reg Nonneman of Nonneman Custom Rifles of Maryville, Missouri. author thought he would build it from a Marlin 95 in .45-70 or .444, but Reg said he can do it with a Marlin 336 in .30-30. author didn't feel so bad about destroying a .45-70 or .444. see other considerations about barrel length, taper, sights.
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  • buschmaster
    pbc.jpg
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  • buschmaster
    Garand in .458 WinMag
    hmmmm...

    http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2015/07/06/oood-mccann-industries-458-win-mag-garand/
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