Planning a Black bear trip to Whittier, Alaska in September. What caliber would you take? I have a Remington 700 .270 with a Zeiss scope. Would that be enough to do it? Shots should not be over 150 yards probably.

Your 270 will do just fine. Black Bear are not that hard to kill.

If it is a guided hunt ask the Outfitter what he thinks.

The .270 will do just fine unless your looking for excuse to buy another rifle

+1

x2

Although the .270 will work just fine, all of us yearn for a dedicated Alaska rifle. So.....time to re-arm!

It will have to handle the dreadful rainy weather common way up north, and it should cover the full spectrum from Sitka blacktails to brown bears.

I would cobble up a .338 Win Mag in a stainless bolt gun with a synthetic stock. Affix a low-power variable scope like a Leupy 2x7 or Conquest 2.5x8, and you're ready to make several trips to our 49th state.

Believe me, I know......Alaska gets addictive. I've been there 13 times already, and I'm going back to the Peninsula for brown bear in October and again for black bear to POW Island next May.

X2 on the .338. I would also think of a sidearm at least .44mag.

I've heard the .338 has a little more kick than I might want and I wouldn't really be using anything that large anytime except in Alaska. Have considered a .300 Win Mag though. As for a side arm, I am planning on taking my .357 just in case. I'm hoping if this trip turns out good to return next year maybe. This is my first time to get to go there.

the .270 is fine. I killed my black bear in Canada with a .270 it rolled him when I shot him in the shoulder!Spend more time learning how to judge and size bears and you'll do fine! Good Luck

.270 is fine for Black Bear.

22-250

Sounds like the .270 is a winner then . I just need to get a couple of good boxes of ammo and see what I can find. Thanks folks, I appreciate the input.

PM vanguard, he knows the perfect caliber.

Watch out for the griz...there's a few of them around Whittier. In my opinion a .270 is light. Most Alaskans when in bear country will carry 338 on up.

I've considered that a little. It's not only what I'm hunting for out there but what all else is out there while I'm hunting. If I ran into a BIG bear out there it could get a little more serious real quick.

I use a .338. My wife uses a 30-06 but your .270 is fine. Whittier is a neat place. Real small though. Take good rain gear. If your gun is blue don't forget the gun oil or get it dipped I would't bother with the sidearm. More weight when your climbing up the side of the mountain and something else to keep clean. You will have your .270 in your hand. No need to drop it to grab a pistol. You will see lot's of beautiful country from the boat!!!!

Ray

.338 Federal is just a necked up .308 case. You're probably thinking about the .338 Win Mag having a lot of recoil.

The rifles get bigger the closer you get to anchorage...

Get a .338 Win Mag with a muzzle brake. vIt will not kick any harder than a 30-06. I have never heard of anyone complaining that the gun was too big.

Have fun. Whittier is an interesting place.

Thanks for the info Ray338, I definitely don't want to carry more than I need to. I can't wait to get there and see the country side and take tons of photos. Looking forward to the scenery as much as the hunt I think. I'll take the gun oil for sure. Don't know how the salt water spray will be on the rifle or the wood stock either.

Seems like most of the Alaska folks use Stainless steel/ synthetic stocked rifles because of the moisture up there.

You just might be forcing me to have to go and buy a brand new rifle and scope just for this hunt. Come on, twist my arm. I was looking at the Remington 700 SPS Camo last night. I think my safe needs one of these in it. Now to figure out which scope to top it with.

Finally Wayne! You recognized that you "need" a new rifle!!

Will the .270 work? You bet!

......but you "need" a new bear rifle!!

Good Hunting,

Bob