whydee:
I can't offer much advice of value on Alaskan hunting from this part of the world, but I do remember a couple of articles by those that can. You should dig up a copy of 'Rifle' from Sept/Oct 1985, and check out the article written by Phil Shoemaker, "Alaska Guide Builds a Modern Backup Rifle". He eventually settled on a Mark X Mauser .458 with synthetic stock, tricked-up by Wayne Young of WE's Gun & Machine Shop in Wasilla, Alaska. Interesting reading.

Finn Aagaard's article "The Alaskan Rifle" in American Rifleman Jan 1988 is a good read too, if you're into that stuff. Finn really liked the .458 for both Alaska and Africa. Sorry I can't give any recent references, the current American gun-press does not attract much of my spending.

BTW, the 'standard' guide rifle in Australia's Northern Territory is a short-barrelled, 8 to 9 lb stainless .458 in a synthetic stock, with a battered low-power Leupold on top. They walk the walk in buffalo camp, but they're a pig to sight-in at the bench!