Lately a lot of attention has been paid to long range hunting and the rifles that accompany it. However, for a lot of parts of northern North America these types of rifles aren’t ideal. Northern British Columbia, Alaska, and the territories often demand fast handling rifles in larger cartridges to handle the dense willow thickets and larger quarry that inhabit them. Here are some considerations for the ultimate bush rifle for the north country.
Cartridges
First of all, a great bush rifle starts with a great bush rifle cartridge. These are larger than what would typically be used for western hunting rifles, for reasons I’ll cover below. The medium bores between 30 and 37 caliber are the sweet spot for this style of rifle. Some popular cartridges are the 30 caliber magnums, 338 Win Mag, 35 Whelen, 375 H&H, and the 9.3×62.
Some of the more experienced hunters are probably thinking that you don’t need a 300 Win Mag to kill a moose. This is undoubtedly true. However, when hunting can take you into dense willow thickets and gnarled alder flats, you often don’t have the luxury of picking your shot angle. Additionally, when it comes to the big bears, you may need to take a frontal shot in the event of a charge. The larger cartridges have a better chance of penetrating to hit CNS and can more rapidly incapacitate a bear if the situation goes sideways. A fatal shot is worthless if the bear dies after it’s done with you.
Barrels
Another key characteristic of the perfect bush rifle for the north is the barrel. The optimal barrel length is on the shorter end of the spectrum. My preference is in the 20 inch range, but depending on whether or not you’re shooting suppressed adding a couple inches either way is suitable. Shorter barrels are less apt to get snagged while hiking through the alders. Not only that, they handle and point nimbly during fleeting shot opportunities.
Also, bush rifle barrel profiles are a little heavier than standard sporter contours. This adds weight, helping to keep the rifle shootable even in larger cartridges. Adding weight forward on the gun facilitates quick follow up shots as well.
Thirdly, a great bush rifle barrel has a set of iron sights. My favourite models have a shallow V-notch set of express sights, reminiscent of the African dangerous game rifles. The purpose of iron sights is two-fold. Firstly, following up a wounded bear in thick brush is dangerous, and you can find yourself needing to acquire a sight picture with little warning. Secondly, much of the north country does not have the logistical support of the rest of the continent. If your scope goes down, having a set of irons as a back up can save your hunt, especially on float or fly in adventures.
Rifles
Next, there are a few styles of rifle that are well suited for a northern bush rifle. Compact lever guns in a heavy hitting cartridge like the 45-70 are savvy choices. However, my favorite options are controlled feed style bolt actions. The camming action of a bolt action is better suited for handling the ice and snow that can hit even in September in the north. Furthermore, the added accuracy of a bolt gun is useful if a 300-350 yard shot across the muskeg presents itself.
Another important attribute of any purpose built bush rifle is imperviousness to the elements. Stocks made of laminate, polymer, or other synthetics handle moisture and temperature swings much better than traditional walnut. Stainless barrels and actions also provide added weatherproofing in harsh conditions. Cerakoated rifles are also durable. Taping the end of the muzzle is especially important with cerakoat because while the coating itself is very tough the inside of the barrel is not protected.
There are many rifles on the market that are well suited for work in the northern brush. One great bush rifle for the north is the aptly named Winchester Model 70 Alaskan. Recently, Ruger introduced the Alaskan Bush Rifle M77 Hawkeye, which is also perfectly adapted. Finally, while unfortunately discontinued, Sako’s bear series of their Model 85 provide quick pointing power in a quality made rifle.
Optics
Lastly, bear in mind the intended purpose when choosing an optic. While I usually favour FFP scopes, for a bush rifle SFP offerings make a compelling argument. Choose a scope with a minimum power of 3 or lower. For the max magnification 9-10 power is usually sufficient. In addition, due to the thick vegetation that covers most of the coastal north, locking or capped turrets are preferred because they are guaranteed to stay zeroed.
When picking a reticle, simpler is better. Pick a straightforward Duplex or Mildot reticle that is easy to see. The ultra-fine reticles often used for precision work are difficult to pick up quickly. Another advantage of a thicker reticle is when hunting in the wet. Try as you might, when everything is saturated with rain water will inevitably get on your lenses. When it does, a thicker reticle is much easier to use, even with minor fogging.
Finally, consider a set of quick detach rings. They allow for easy removal of the scope prior to following up on wounded game or after damaging your optic and reverting to iron sights. With modern advancements in machining many of the quick detach systems return to zero very well. Unlike see through scope ring designs, quick detach rings allow a proper cheek weld while still allowing access to the iron sights.
Concluding Thoughts
In closing, hunting the northern reaches of North America takes you into some of the most rugged, wet, and harsh climates chasing the largest game on the continent. A bush rifle for the north must be reliable, handy, weatherproof, and powerful. Such a rifle can capably handle steep angled shots, chaotic shot opportunities, and ornery bears. If you have an adventure taking you to coastal Alaska, British Columbia, or the territories, it’s worth setting yourself up for success with the right rifle.