Austin Manelick was born and raised in Alaska. As a youth, he was fascinated with the Alaskan wilderness. He did everything in his power to get into the woods as often as possible, and as he grew, he wanted badly to turn his lifestyle into a career.

Gritty and full of piss and vinegar, Manelick cracked into the outdoor industry filming hunts — most of them in the lower 48. His time in the wilds of Alaska hardened his mind and body, and Manelick had no trouble handling the demands of hauling camera gear and tailing behind a hunter. 

In 2010, Manelick founded Mission Alaska. The blog site grew quickly and became ultra-popular as Manelick and crew wrote about and filmed their adventures across the Alaskan wilderness and the lower 48. 

Today, Manelick operates his big-game guide service. After working as an assistant guide and earning the many credentials required to be an Alaskan Guide/Outfitter, his experience and track record speak for themselves, and if you’re looking to book a remarkable Alaskan hunting adventure, Manelick does it all. 

Recently, Team Winchester got the opportunity to chew the fat with Manelick. We developed a series of questions and gave him a ring. The first thing we heard when Manelick picked up the phone was, “Ya, but who is going to carry out the moose?” 

His voice was clear and held an element of excitement. We later learned he was talking to his five-year-old, and the topic was moose hunting in Alaska.

WRA (Winchester Repeating Arms): Why Winchester? 

Manelick: The history was the main draw. Growing up in Alaska, you get numb to the conditions and the dangers. I took my first deer with my grandpa’s 30-30 lever-action 1894. I loved that rifle. The open sights were perfect for whitetail hunting in the hardwoods, as a respectable 8-point buck found out. My grandpa bequeathed that rifle to me, and I’m forever grateful. 

Winchester Repeating Arms and Alaska went hand-in-hand. Winchester rifles are rugged and tough, just like the Alaskan wilderness. I love the logo. I loved the look and envisioned myself as an Alaskan mountain man rocking a Winchester. Today, I’m living that dream.

WRA: What is your rifle of choice and number one caliber when hunting in Alaska?

Manelick: My favorite all-time setup for Alaska is Winchester Repeating Arms' XPR chambered in 300 WSM with Winchester Expedition Big Game Long Range 190-Grain AccuBond ammunition. With this setup, I can go to Kodiak for blacktail deer, which I have many times, and have a rifle/ammo combo that shoots accurately at long ranges and hits like a ton of bricks. I also feel confident in the caliber and bullet build should I find myself in a dangerous situation with a grizzly. 

I like the caliber/ammo for moose, black bears, and virtually every critter Alaska offers. The XPR platform is simple, which I love. It’s an Alaskan gun. It’s excellent for boat hunting, toting through the alders and brush, and carrying in a scabbard while on horseback. The rifle will handle rain, sleet, snow, and hail. You can drop it on a sandy beach, bang it against the cliffs, dowse it in a river, etc., and when the moment of truth arrives, the bolt-action rifle will put the round where you want it to go. 

I applaud the 24-inch barrel, 6-pound 12-ounce weight, and the composite stock. The M.O.A. Trigger System is dynamite, and the Perma-Cote FDE finish on the barrel adds protection from the elements. 

WRA: Besides the XPR in 300 WSM, what caliber do you like to use when guiding clients?

Manelick: Ouch! That's a tough one. It depends on the situation. For some species, like mountain goats and sheep, I carry an XPR chambered in 6.8 Western. This is a fast, flat-shooting caliber. My rifle is a tack driver, and one thing I appreciate when I have this rifle with me is that my clients can shoot it. After days of hunting and with terrible weather forecasted, I have had archery clients take my XPR 6.8 Western with 165-grain Expedition Big Game Long Range and harvest the animal of a lifetime at extended ranges. That’s always a nice bonus. 

Then, there are times when the client feels uncomfortable in the range with their rifle, so they opt to use my XPR. The platform is friendly and easy to shoot, and its accuracy is exceptional for a gun in its price range.

I will also tote my 300 WSM when guiding bears and moose. I like the knockdown power, but also, the XPR chambered in 300 WSM doesn't beat you up like a 300 Win. Mag. It gives you absolute killing power without beating up the shoulder.

WRA: Are there other rifles you favor when hunting/guiding in Alaska?

Manelick: Yes! I often take my Winchester Model 70 Alaskan chambered in 338 Win. Mag. I chose this rifle because carrying it is a bit nostalgic, and I enjoy it. The Model 70 Alaskan is the state’s rifle, which is a bonus. Like the XPR it’s a bolt-action killer that holds up to the toughest hunts, and using 338 Expedition Big Game 225-grain ammo, it hits with extreme force and energy. 

I like to tote this rifle when guiding for grizzly. I have confidence that if I need to back up a hunter with a follow-up shot or end up in a defensive situation against a big, bad Grizz, the Model 70 Alaskan will do its job.

WRA: What advice would you give a hunter coming to chase animals in Alaska for the first time?

Manelick: I highly recommend a 300-caliber rifle that accurately shoots ammo weighing no less than 180 grains. You need to be able to shoot well up to 200 yards. Further is better, but many shots are 200 yards and in. I like a bolt-action when hunting Alaska because of its durability. Jamming issues are virtually eliminated, and it seems no matter how badly a top-end bolt action gets punished, it keeps spitting out candy. 

Practice with your rifle/ammo combo and get highly familiar with it. When you’re on a once-in-a-lifetime hunt, confidence is critical. When you settle those crosshairs on your dream animal, you want to know, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that a dead animal will be the result. Make that first shot count.

This is sound advice from an Alaskan native with plenty of outdoor accolades.