The Only 4 Bear Defense Rifles Worth Carrying in Alaska

The best bear-defense rifle in Alaska isn’t necessarily the most powerful rifle you can carry. This video compares four rifles against a simple close-range test: can they deliver fast, accurate follow-up shots with heavy, deep-penetrating ammunition in cold, wet conditions when a bear may cover the distance in only seconds? The final four are the Winchester Model 70 Alaskan in .338 Winchester Magnum, the Henry Side Gate in .45-70, the Ruger Guide Gun in .375 Ruger, and the Marlin 1895 SBL in .45-70. Each has strengths and weaknesses, but the real lesson is bigger than caliber. Sights, ammunition, recoil control, handling speed, and practice matter more than raw muzzle energy—and bear spray still belongs in the plan.