How big of a rifle does a guy need?
This picture is a friend of mine he is a taxidermist here in Idaho. This picture has not been altered. Ron

Your friend must be a midget....

Oh, and in answer to the question posed. I would take whichever of the .30's you shot the best with 180 or 200 gr good quality bullets (nosler partition, barnes tsx, etc) and were most comfortable with. Chances are in the Brooks (I'll be there in August too for sheep), most shots at bears will be at sufficient distance and you won't be after them in thick alders as along the coast. Either of the .30's you mention should do the trick and will be a better choice for longer shot at Caribou than the .375.

Since any of the 3 are fine for inland Griz, I would pick the rifle that:
A. You shoot the most accurately
B. You feel would be less affected by extreme weather
C. The lighter the better
I'd pick the most accurate bullet, but that goes hand and hand with your most accurate rifle. That said I think you have good bullets in your choices and I can say the Barnes have excellent penetration. Good luck and hunting on your trip. LDK

I posted these pics in the Big Bore forum earlier this week! I shot this 9 footer at less than 8 yards and in full charge with a Weatherby chambered in .300 Wty, shooting 200 gr Nosler Partition handloads... I usually use Barnes X for bear, but was moose hunting at the time and was packing my Nosler's. We saw a Black Bear and my Brother-in-law wanted it so we stalked it but got charged by the Brown Bear on the way up....


You can see the entrance hole about 1 1/2" to the left of the left eye, on the snout. Apparently the bullet fragmented and a piece exited under the left eye. But the bear's scull was crushed like a watermelon smashed by Galliger's Sledge-O-Matic....


The bear was coming down mountain toward me like a freight train. When I shot it, it rolled so close I could have poked it with my rifle barrel! My Dad was at the bottom of the mountain watching the Black Bear we were stalking when he heard the shots. I got 2 off and my Brother-in-law got off 1. When he heard the shots he said it sounded like an automatic....bam bam bam!


So I said all that to say this. Bring what you shoot good! Bears are not envincible, but they are tuff! Make your first shot count and follow up with more well placed shots until the bear stops moving...... Oh, and good luck!

- Clint

Gizzlies are big and tough. No question. But they are thin skinned game. Many have been taken with a .30-06. Many have been taken with a .375 H&H.

Be responsible and use what you like.