Guns for Kodiak

[mcseal2]

I have been whittling down my packing list for my deer hunt late November. I’m going on a boat based hunt and would like to try to get a darker fox if I tag out early.

I’m taking my 300 win mag shooting 180 grain Nosler E tips for deer. I’m debating if its worth also taking my Ruger American ranch rifle in 223 for fox? I’ve shot coyotes with the all metal bullets from my 300 before and not wrecked the pelt but never a fox. I am planning to take my Foxpro X wave to call with the sound away from me if I get to fox hunt.

I’m also debating if I pack my Sig 220 Hunter 10mm or just my S&W 60 Pro Series 357 if I will always have the 300 rifle along in case of a bear issue. The 220 is a great pistol, but it isn’t light. The 3” 5 shot 357 I carry a lot scouting and fishing is easy to carry, but I’m not sure I should be out fox hunting with only it and a 223. I have both handguns tested and zeroed with hardcast bear loads, 20ogr Underwood in the 10mm and 180gr Grizzly in the 357. I’ve always taken a 10mm with a light to Alaska before, but sleeping on the boat is a different scenario.

Thanks for any advice you have.

 

[kodiak725]

You will ruin a fox with 300 win mag. A 223 would be best. I'd leave the handgun at home unless you are hunting on Afognak

 

[mcseal2]

Thanks, good to know. I won’t be on Afognak.

 

[Grizz208]

I shot a fox their last year with my 270 and that always ruined it. A 300 definitely will. A 223 will be your best bet.

 

[kwackkillncrew]

If you are hunting with some one else who also has a rifle, leave the pistol in the lower 48.

Sent from my SM-S921U using Tapatalk

 

[SouthPaw]

I agree with the others, leave the pistol at home. If you are really worried about bears carry a can of spray, the boat likely has them or you can get one in Kodiak. Just be smart and you won't have bear issues.

I'd just bring 1 rifle to simplify logistics. Perhaps someone on the boat has a smaller gun if you truly want to target fox.

 

[skipper907]

you could take a 22 pistol for the fox

 

[Antares]

300WM is a hell of a lot of gun for a 150 lbs deer.

 

[mcseal2]

Thanks everyone.

The 300 is a lot, but its a lot lighter rifle than my 264 win mag. With the E-tips I’ve shot blacktail, whitetail, and muleys without a lot of meat damage. I got it for elk and moose, but as I get older it gets used more when I may be walking far.

I’ll likely be hunting alone some. One guy of the 6 sharing the boat backed out and I don’t mind hunting solo while the others pair up.

The 223 we are treating as a group item if we take it. It won’t just be for me, but for whoever wants to hunt fox. I just happened to have the lightest varmint gun of the group with a handy 16” barrel.

I do have a Ruger 22/45 Lite pistol with a red dot and aftermarket trigger that I like for small game, just didn’t figure it had enough reach for fox hunting.

I’m definitely leaning toward leaving the heavy 10mm at home this trip.

 

[kwackkillncrew]

300WM is a hell of a lot of gun for a 150 lbs deer.

but it isnt "Alot" of gun if a bear decided it wants to try to ruin your plans. Cue the 6.5 brigade!

 

[gman82001]

Took my tikka 223 and 7mag last year and my buddy packed his 06 I packed the 223 on days we weren’t necessarily climbing super high for deer. It worked great. He got 2 fox I got 1

 

[Chape1rm]

Check on the salmon run for this year. Last year it wasn’t good at all and the bears were hungry. We had a Kodiak come straight in to 20ft away and it was a one more step light him up situation. Thankfully it didn’t come to that.

I shared my rifle with my brother and he carried a 12 guage for ducks and bears. Glad he was standing next to me with 600gr slugs when that bear showed up. My 10mm felt really small at that moment. Also those harlequins are gorgeous ducks.