Guns and Gear for an Alaska Caribou Hunt

Editor's Note: Contributor Brad Fitzpatrick put the following gear to use on a recent Alaska caribou hunt. You can catch up on that story here. Savage 110 Ultralite Savage’s new 110 Ultralite weighs just 6 pounds thanks to its polymer stock and carbon fiber barrel. Chambered in .280 Ackley Improved, the rifle is reliable and accurate and suitable for just about any North American game. Its stock allows for comb height and length-of-pull adjustments, and the adjustable Savage AccuTrigger came set at a crisp 2.5 pounds. MSRP: $1,595; savagearms.com. Hornady GMX Handloads I used handloads topped with Hornady’s 150-grain GMX. The GMX is a monolithic bullet and is versatile for big game, particularly at extended ranges because it performs reliably at relatively low velocities. The GMX has also proven to be very accurate out of several rifles I’ve tested, including the Savage. (The GMX bullet has now been replaced by Hornady’s new CX bullet). Leupold VX-5HD CDS-ZL2 Riflescope A Leupold VX-5HD 3X-15X-44mm CDS-ZL2 riflescope was the perfect complement to the Savage. The magnification range offers great versatility and the Twilight Max HD light management system is excellent. These scopes offer custom CDS dials, the easiest and fastest way to adjust for elevation in the field, and the ZeroLock feature prevents over-dialing. Adjustments are precise and accurate and this scope can take a real beating, making it a great option for any hunting rifle. MSRP: $999.99-$1,299.99; leupold.com.