Posted on 02/21/2014 1:18:26 PM PST by Chuckster
Seeking advice from experienced shooters. I am considering a New Rifle. I am in Alaska and the gun will spend a lot of time on a boat. I want something compact, light and semi-auto. I am trying to decide between an AR pattern or a Garand style action. I would prefer a .308 but the wife will likely be using it as much or more than me and her vote is for the Mini14. I think that is too light a caliber, and .223/5.56 ammo is hard to come by locally.
Any way, the Mini14 is half the price of the AR or any .308 I've seen so I turn to the experts here on FR for advice.
BAD idea. Over the past five years on FR, I have decided that guns and boats don't mix.
Lever action .30-30 or an SKS. Fairly simple, reliable, hit reasonably hard, light.
I’d pick something with more steam than a poodle shooter if I was thinking about a meet up with a bear.
The shotgun, a Mossberg 500 Mariner, is primarily for bear protection (And zombies) I wanted something with longer reach for small game,up to deer, when we are out in the bush. Also, I think we should both carry long guns and one of them should be a shotgun. We are frequently in remote areas where there is no calling for help.
HOWEVER, for use around the compound and SKS spitting 7.62 x 39 is hard to beat for impact, cost of tool & ammo, and reliability.
Saiga IZ 240 AK 74 Rifle imported ,545 x 39 semi auto AK 74 Hunting Rifles. $499.00
http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/component/virtuemart/shipping-rifles/saiga-iz-240-ak-74-rifle-detail.html?Itemid=0
While I initially have the same thought bigger is better if concerned about Alaskan Brown Bear, the reality in such a situation is going to make shot placement and ability to control far more important. A rifle she accurately shoots with will be your best choice.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Firearms and Ammunition
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=hunting.firearms
Look into the Rowland .460 on a 1911 platform. I’ve never shot a Griz but I think that round would do the job.
They're probably just fine for a ten-yard gun against -- what? Too inaccurate to hit something little, and not suitable to shoot something big enough to hit. Great for making noise; not for target shooting or hunting.
I stick with a .30-06 or .308 for hunting. YMMV
You can pick up a Century AK N-Pap m70 (7.62x39) for about 500 bucks.Ammo is available at $225.00/1000 rnds.30 round mags and a hoot to shoot
Be careful with a possible slam fire on these models.
If bears a worry plenty of power can be had in 18 inch to 24 inch barrel
Proving and easy to use
BAD idea. Over the past five years on FR, I have decided that guns and boats don’t mix.
And all my ammo too. Ya just never know.
A mini 30 might be better than a .223 especially in AK where you really should have ENOUGH GUN. Neither the .223. Nor the 7.62x39 is really enough for AK except for 2 legged varmints.
How about a Marlin Guide Gun. Lever action in .450 marlin or .45-70 if you reload. A pump or semi auto 12 gauge loaded with sabot slugs would be a good short range bear stopped.
I have Yugo SKS and the first time I took it out it double fired. Turns out the firing pin was caked with dried grease.
AR-15 with 1/7 twist (i.e., Colt)
you can load up to 77 gr. bullet with no problem in accuracy. A 75+ gr. hollow point will do some serious damage.
aaaa kaaayyy four T seven
boo ya
??? AR-10 length action for the .308 winchester not an AR-15 action.
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