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I like the 45-70 on paper as well but apparently it kicks like a mule and it drops speed quickly so it is hard to judge shooting it at ranges 100+ yards.
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For a hunting rifle cabable of taking bears, either you are going to have a heavy gun, or pretty stout recoil: TANSTAAFL, it's physics. Action means equal and opposite reaction.
You want a gun capable of taking down a brown bear that won't kick you (much*)? It'll have to weigh on the order of 10+ lbs.
Going looking for bear? Want to shoot more than 100 yards without holding over? Start with something in at least .30 caliber driving a 180 grain bullet at least 2700-2800 f/sec. That means a carefully loaded 24" barelled .308WIN as a
minimum .... if you are going to Alaska, you'll have to have residency, a relative, or a guide. A guide will tell you the minimum caliber, and it will likely be something on the order of a .338 WinMag....... 4,000+ ft/lbs of ME. A relative that cares about you will tell you the same thing the guide will......
*Recoil is largely subjective. If you believe it will whack you, it will. You're a big guy- practice with progressively harder kicking loads will convince you that it is "not that bad".....