{"id":130447,"date":"2020-08-03T08:44:00","date_gmt":"2020-08-03T12:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=130447"},"modified":"2025-11-14T06:01:02","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T12:01:02","slug":"hunt365-assembling-an-alaskan-hunting-rifle-part-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/hunt365-assembling-an-alaskan-hunting-rifle-part-one\/","title":{"rendered":"Assembling an Alaskan Hunting Rifle: Part One"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Assembling<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The wind came ripping off of the Bering Sea, driving a wall of rainwater ahead of it and hell-bent on blowing us off the mountain. I laid prone across a large rock, toes futilely trying to find a purchase. A caribou stood at a range a competent archer could have connected with on a calm day but this was the Aleutian Islands and those moments are few and far between. I waited until the wind dipped, removed my scope covers, and got on the trigger. At the shot, the bull fell and lay still. The water continued to cascade down while we opened the bull up and turned downhill to seek shelter at a soggy camp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m the first to admit I\u2019m a lucky man. I have a wife,\ntwo growing boys, a home and a full-time job; I also get to spend numerous\nweeks a year chasing Dall sheep, mountain goats, moose and brown bears in\nAlaska. I work for a prominent guiding outfit out of the Wasilla area with some\nof the best mountain hunters I\u2019ve ever been blessed to share a camp with. We\nwork hard, and if the clients get their animals and capes are salted and the\nmeat\u2019s in the freezer, we play hard- usually involving more hunting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Assembling
Sunrise from a Dall sheep camp. Alaska affords views and animals that very few other places on earth can match.<\/strong> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This year, despite my historically terrible luck at drawing tags of any kind, when the dust settled from the Alaska draw I had not one but two permits of my own. The opportunity to hunt caribou and moose for myself was exciting, to say the least, but was soon matched by a cold dose of reality. Despite the hunting opportunities I\u2019ve had in the North Land, I\u2019ve only ever harvested a caribou which was accomplished with my heretofore go-to rifle, a Winchester Model 70<\/a> in .270. Now, realizing the need for a step-up in caliber, I started exploring my options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rifle<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

After speaking with several well-respected people in the outdoor industry, I had a short list of ideas. Conversing with my wife and agreeing on a realistic budget, the list got even shorter. I knew I wanted a universal caliber, where the possibility of finding ammo in a pinch was realistic. After several commercial and bush flights to many areas of Alaska, there\u2019s a very real possibility that some things can turn up missing. I also knew it had to be weather-proof, as much as possible, as there are no places I\u2019ve hunted in the lower 48 that can match Alaska and her ferocious temperament; beating gear, men, and rifles into submission with her inclement weather. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the list of lightweight, weatherproof rifles that won\u2019t break the average Joe\u2019s budget continues to grow every year, I opted for familiarity and chose a Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather SS. The rifle came in at the advertised weight of seven pounds, four ounces naked and after mounting a scope, scope cover and sling, it tipped the scales at nine pounds even, not an ultralight sheep rifle weight but easily manageable for an all-around hunting rifle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All major components of the rifle are stainless steel,\ngiving the rifle it\u2019s SS moniker. The barrel is a free-floated twenty-six-inch\nbeauty. It\u2019s fluted to cut weight yet maintain its stiffness and has a recessed\nmuzzle crown to protect the rifling, according to Winchester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Assembling
Winchester\u2019s barrel is fluted and free-floated for weight reduction and accuracy.<\/strong> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Extreme Weather comes standard with a Bell and\nCarlson stock that\u2019s manufactured using their \u201chand lay-up process\u201d, using\nseveral different composite materials including fiberglass, aramid fibers,\nepoxy gel, and laminating resin. This gives the stock a more full, dense feel\nthan most injection molded stocks. The stock incorporates an aluminum bedding\nblock and Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad which, as a smaller framed guy, I\nappreciated. Shooting from the bench, I was surprised how long I stayed\ncomfortable, trying numerous different weight loads and bullets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rifle also features the Pre \u201964 claw-type\nextractor with controlled-round feed. This was a major selling point as knowing\nthe very real possibility of surprising something in the brush that likes me\nless than my mother-in-law and, possibly having to run the bolt at awkward\nangles while needing a round to feed right the first time without fail was of\nutmost importance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Assembling
A close-up of the familiar Model 70 action and 3 position wing safety.<\/strong> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I had read about Winchester\u2019s MOA Trigger System and was eager to see if it was everything they advertised; including no creep, over-travel, or take-up. My first day at the range, with the trigger weight set to three pounds, I settled into the rifle and started sending lead and copper downrange. It took no time at all to see that the trigger system had not been over-sold, it was crisp and clean, shot after shot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Assembling
The Bell & Carlson stock on the Extreme Weather is functional yet eye-catching.<\/strong> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Caliber <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

As most hunters who\u2019ve had the opportunity to hunt the remote regions of Alaska know, there can be numerous unforeseen circumstances that can test patience and resolve. Gear failures, a broken pack miles from a pickup point, boots that come unsoled like a big rig truck tire on the interstate, and countless more challenges that could test Mother Theresa\u2019s patience are not uncommon. Because of Murphy\u2019s Law and its prevalence, I decided to get my Extreme Weather in .300 Win Mag<\/a>. One of the most popular calibers for hunting the Great Land since its inception in 1963, the cartridge was released by Winchester for use in its Model 70 hunting rifle, a touch of history I found noteworthy. If something were to go wrong and I discovered myself without ammo, I would lay good money that I could get my hands on a box of .300 Win Mag before much else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no question that other .30 caliber cartridges with better performance have been introduced since the .300 Winchester Magnum<\/a> but the popularity of the Win Mag is still strong and can\u2019t be argued with. The plethora of options from ammunition manufacturers avails itself to the hunter who doesn\u2019t have numerous hunting rifles at their disposal. A stop at a local sporting goods store can provide ammo in a variety of price points and uses, giving everyone from the recreational shooter to hardcore outdoorsman several options to choose from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Assembling
Waiting out some of Alaska\u2019s inclement weather high up in sheep country.<\/strong> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Once I had picked up the rifle from a local sporting goods store, it was time to add a scope and the various accouterments to turn it into a legitimate all-weather hunting rifle, capable of holding its own no matter what Mother Nature throws at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specifications for the Winchester Model 70 Extreme\nWeather SS are below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MSRP- $1379.99<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
\n Action Length- Long Action\n <\/td>\n Caliber- 300 Win Mag\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Barrel Length- 26″\n <\/td>\n Overall Length- 46 3\/4″\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Length of Pull- 13 3\/4″\n <\/td>\n Drop at Comb- 1\/2″\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Drop at Heel- 1\/2″\n <\/td>\n Weight- 7 lbs 4 oz\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Magazine Capacity- 3\n <\/td>\n Twist Rate- 10″\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Barrel Finish- Matte\n <\/td>\n Stock Finish- Textured\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Receiver Finish- Matte\n <\/td>\n Chamber Finish- Polished\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Barrel Material- Stainless\n <\/td>\n Barrel Contour- Sporter\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Stock Material- Composite\n <\/td>\n Recoil Pad- Pachmayr Decelerator\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Pistol Grip Cap- None\n <\/td>\n Checkering- None\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Sling Swivel Studs- Matte Nickel\n <\/td>\n Receiver Material- Stainless\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Trigger Finish- Matte\n <\/td>\n Bolt Slide Finish- Jeweled\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Magazine Type- Hinged Floorplate\n <\/td>\n Trigger Material- Stainless Steel\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Trigger Guard Material- Alloy\n <\/td>\n Trigger Guard Engraving- None\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Floor Plate Material- Stainless\n <\/td>\n Drilled and Tapped for Scope- Yes\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Watch for Part II next month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n