I watched my DVD's about Dick Proeneke again. For those who don't know his story, Mr. Proeneke retired to the Alaska wilderness in the late 1960's. He built himself a comfortable log home and documented the process with a movie camera. Those films and some others he made are available on DVD and are a staple (at least around here) of the PBS pledge drives.
Besides his tools and camera equpment, he took along two firearms, a sporterized Springfield .30-06, and a .357 single action revolver.( A fellow on another board said he had known Mr. Proeneke's brother and was told that it was a Hawes revolver.)
So, if you were going to retire to the wilderness, what firearms would you take? I think I'd add a .22 and 12 gauge shotgun to the battery above and change out that Hawes for a Ruger Blackhawk.

a good relationship with his reliable bush pilot friend.

For guns a .22lr pistol Bearcat or Kit gun or K-22 for grouse hares (Ptarmigan...if I was starving chewy liver tasting birds)

A .44 mag in a 4" Mountain Gun

a .338 scoped M-70 (338 is the 30-06 of Alaska)

A short 12 gauge for versatility

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Of the Troops & For the Troops

Just add a very accurate 22 revolver and a reliable pump 12 ga. For the '06, I'd stock 150 gr, 165 gr, 180 gr and 220 gr ammo. For the 12 ga, I'd keep a few 750 gr Brennke slugs handy in addition to the normal 4's, 6's & 7 1/2's.

I mean, if you HAD to eat it...

-AaronB

Always remember and never forget the winters up there last a long time and get real cold....

Byron

!

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Of the Troops & For the Troops

I would switch the '06 for a 35 Whelen, make sure I had some lead suitable for casting and a 250gr mold, my Red Label in 12ga, my FA 454 with my 289gr mold, and my recurve. Of course I would need a powder magazine built a suitable distance from the cabin. I would also have an auger and my flyrod. Some Wild Turkey Reserve for medicinal purposes, and a well stocked library.

I would take the 30-06 rifle for big game, .44mag for carry and big game, and .22LR rifle for small game. The .30-06 rifle and .22LR rifle would not have to be fancy, even a single shot .22LR would probably do. All 3 of these are common calibers with good availability of ammo and all 3 would serve their functions well, the functions being to provide game for food.

a good relationship with his reliable bush pilot friend.

For guns a .22lr pistol Bearcat or Kit gun or K-22 for grouse hares (Ptarmigan...if I was starving chewy liver tasting birds)

A .44 mag in a 4" Mountain Gun

a .338 scoped M-70 (338 is the 30-06 of Alaska)

A short 12 gauge for versatility

My .22 pistol would be a six inch Smith & Wesson 622. Accurate and reliable, but so light you hardly know it's there.

Ditto on the 629 Mountain Gun

My 338 is a stainless/synthetic Remington Mountain Rifle

Remington 870 12ga, 18 inch barrel with choke tubes, preferably the Mariner model