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Radioactivebuny

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Hello all,

I actually ended up here in my search for information for a good bear stopping rifle that I'm liable to need one day throughout my career as a bush pilot in Alaska (only took one year of working an IT desk job for me to have had enough. Don't go to college, kids.)

Since my initial decision, the Marlin 1895 SBL has become impossible to find in the wake of Jurassic World's release, and a single poll I saw on some forum where Alaskan guides answered with their most commonly used caliber, I've settled on the left handed CZ 550 in .375 H&H.

I do shoot a lot, though (and reload). Except other than old military surplus rifles most of my shooting is done with an AR-15 or an AK-74 (the AK having a mere 2.5ft-lbs of free recoil energy). Pretty mean with a handgun, but where I'm going a 9mm ain't gonna cut it. Thankfully my old man's .44 Magnum can come with, but I imagine my split times aren't going to be the same.

Bush flying can take you a lot of places -- potentially even Africa. The more I read the more I would actually like to go on a hunt in Africa, but for now I'm likely to be found discussing weapons-related matters on this forum and things related to large bears.

I've already been helped thoroughly by several members on this forum, and hope to one day be able to return the favor. Let's just hope I have an internet connection where I'm going...
 
Welcome! In my neck of the woods the LH CZ 550 is as rare as hens teeth- I heard they don't make them anymore?
 
Welcome to our place. An interesting first post.
 
Hello all,

I actually ended up here in my search for information for a good bear stopping rifle that I'm liable to need one day throughout my career as a bush pilot in Alaska (only took one year of working an IT desk job for me to have had enough. Don't go to college, kids.)

Since my initial decision, the Marlin 1895 SBL has become impossible to find in the wake of Jurassic World's release, and a single poll I saw on some forum where Alaskan guides answered with their most commonly used caliber, I've settled on the left handed CZ 550 in .375 H&H.

I do shoot a lot, though (and reload). Except other than old military surplus rifles most of my shooting is done with an AR-15 or an AK-74 (the AK having a mere 2.5ft-lbs of free recoil energy). Pretty mean with a handgun, but where I'm going a 9mm ain't gonna cut it. Thankfully my old man's .44 Magnum can come with, but I imagine my split times aren't going to be the same.

Bush flying can take you a lot of places -- potentially even Africa. The more I read the more I would actually like to go on a hunt in Africa, but for now I'm likely to be found discussing weapons-related matters on this forum and things related to large bears.

I've already been helped thoroughly by several members on this forum, and hope to one day be able to return the favor. Let's just hope I have an internet connection where I'm going...
Welcome! We will gladly assist in making your African dream a reality. Enjoy wherever bush flying takes you
 

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Welcome to AH.
Share the tales of daring do when you get some.
Stay safe.
 
Welcome, let us know how your search for the bear stopper goes.
 
Welcome to AH Radioactivebuny! Looking forward to your contribution.
 
Radioactivebuny, welcome to the forum! Sounds like you may have an exciting future ahead! Don’t forget to share!
 
Welcome aboard. Try Wild West gun’s up in Alaska for a top notch lever gun geared toward Bush plane convenience. He ain’t cheap but he builds some thumpers!
Cheers,
Cody
 
Welcome to AH !
 
Welcome aboard!
 
Welcome! In my neck of the woods the LH CZ 550 is as rare as hens teeth- I heard they don't make them anymore?

That’s right. Found a couple still not sold at online retailers. Scraping together the cash for one. The Montana Rifle V2 in .458 is likely a better choice for me given the premium of a LH 550 but the capacity is awesome and I just like the rifle a lot. Always able to buy a MRC rifle but not so much with a LH 550.
 
Welcome aboard. Try Wild West gun’s up in Alaska for a top notch lever gun geared toward Bush plane convenience. He ain’t cheap but he builds some thumpers!
Cheers,
Cody

That’s what started me on the search to begin with. The 1895sbl which I had settled on is impossible to find because Jurassic World made it extremely popular, and more people seem to rely on .375+ so I decided on the 550. In the future if I get a .45-70 it’ll be a WWG Co-pilot.
 
Welcome to AH!
 
Welcome to AH
 

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