Thread: Bush rifles

Short, light, low power scope with see-thru covers, suppressor and a half cock modification so you can lock the action open but close the bolt silently when you need to is what I prefer

So for me that is a Kimber Montana 708, cut down to 16" (with a load to suit). a Hardy Can, Swaro 1.7-10 x 42.

Originally Posted by Low box

Short, light, low power scope with see-thru covers, suppressor and a half cock modification so you can lock the action open but close the bolt silently when you need to is what I prefer

So for me that is a Kimber Montana 708, cut down to 16" (with a load to suit). a Hardy Can, Swaro 1.7-10 x 42.

To the OP, apologies, as this will almost certainly hijack your thread, but here's about 7 pages explaining (more or less) the "half-cock": https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....-safety-96468/

I'd encourage you to have a read, then you can run your own risk assessment, and make an informed decision.

I personally don't do it, as I haven't yet encountered a situation where it would have made the difference. I also have a couple of experiences that support this decision:
- hunting with a mate who swore black and blue running half-cock (bolt half-open) was the safest way to hunt as he heard from a mate you shouldn't trust safety's. We stopped briefly for a map check, with him swinging his rifle hither and thither, muzzle-flashing me 3-4 times in the process. I pointed out his bolt was closed and asked if he'd unloaded. Upon checking, he ejected a live round and went rather white. He had knocked his "half-cocked" bolt closed, and had muzzle-flashed me with a loaded rifle without knowing. Rather than accept wrongdoing, his response was to try and catch me out for safety for the rest of the trip. We don't hunt together any longer.
- another mate ND'd while hunting solo, not realising his "half-cocked" (bolt half-open) rifle was no longer half cocked, and something knocked the trigger. He was honest enough to admit it, and learn from it.

I hope by now you have bought a suppressed Howa .308, and are planning on getting out into the shrubbery!

Originally Posted by yeah_na_missed

To the OP, apologies, as this will almost certainly hijack your thread, but here's about 7 pages explaining (more or less) the "half-cock": https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....-safety-96468/

I'd encourage you to have a read, then you can run your own risk assessment, and make an informed decision.

I personally don't do it, as I haven't yet encountered a situation where it would have made the difference. I also have a couple of experiences that support this decision:
- hunting with a mate who swore black and blue running half-cock (bolt half-open) was the safest way to hunt as he heard from a mate you shouldn't trust safety's. We stopped briefly for a map check, with him swinging his rifle hither and thither, muzzle-flashing me 3-4 times in the process. I pointed out his bolt was closed and asked if he'd unloaded. Upon checking, he ejected a live round and went rather white. He had knocked his "half-cocked" bolt closed, and had muzzle-flashed me with a loaded rifle without knowing. Rather than accept wrongdoing, his response was to try and catch me out for safety for the rest of the trip. We don't hunt together any longer.
- another mate ND'd while hunting solo, not realising his "half-cocked" (bolt half-open) rifle was no longer half cocked, and something knocked the trigger. He was honest enough to admit it, and learn from it.

I hope by now you have bought a suppressed Howa .308, and are planning on getting out into the shrubbery!

I meant the modification where the safety is engaged to lock the bolt in the up position. So releasing the safety AND lowering the bolt is required to fire. I appreciate this is not as safe as having to work the bolt to chamber a round however when I am hunting in tight bush it is a balanced approach to risk that I have somewhat grudgingly accepted. I unchamber the round if the country is tricky or the stalk has turned to a walk. Its a balancing act.

Originally Posted by Low box

I meant the modification where the safety is engaged to lock the bolt in the up position. So releasing the safety AND lowering the bolt is required to fire. I appreciate this is not as safe as having to work the bolt to chamber a round however when I am hunting in tight bush it is a balanced approach to risk that I have somewhat grudgingly accepted. I unchamber the round if the country is tricky or the stalk has turned to a walk. Its a balancing act.

Na, all good, not a dig at you - was just making sure the OP didn't mistake it for bolt half-open like many do. The thread covers your mod, agree it's a balancing act, and that's what I meant by making an informed decision. We're all adults, and can do what works best for our own situation and experience - acknowledging and responding to risk is good! Arguably a dying art. The main thing is actually just getting out there (and getting home again).

Now back to the sweet bush set-ups!