Thread: Bush rifles

The two I mainly use now if its thickish bush would be my howa mini in 6.5 gren or my rem 600 mohawk in 243

I don't have one but like the idea of the little light short single shot brake actions. (in a larger bore),
1 -3x min mag. i have used 1, 1.5 and currently us a 2x bottom but that becase I also want to take some longer shots 250 mtr-300 mtr shorts.
Caliber is not a big deal for the short ranges hunted in the bush anything will work but i do belive you still need something that is able to take some longer shorts when you come to clearings or bush margins on the tops.
out to 100 mtr anything 222 and up will work, 357, 44mag pistol calibers, but if you want to shoot further you need something a bit faster.
Out to 200 mtr anything in the 223, or 30-30 familys, 35 rem, 350 Legand, 360 buck hammer etc etc,
if you want to get to 300 or more mtr you probably need to pick a 308 family and don't cut the barrel too short, 6m, 6.5mm, 7mm 30 cal etc.
I carry a 20" barrel lever action in 358win but its a reloaders only proposition as you can't buy much ammo, however I can load it down for sub 100 mtr shooting but still reach out to 300 mtr.
Z

Sako A7 in 308 16" barrel, dpt can and VX3hd 2.5-8x36. Perfect combo for Nth island bush.

Originally Posted by blip

The two I mainly use now if its thickish bush would be my howa mini in 6.5 gren or my rem 600 mohawk in 243

ahhh yes the Rem 700 mohawk designed as a light bush carbine

Always liked carrying a M94 in the bush, very easy to snake through the scrub and tree-fall holding it with one hand around the lever. Not really enough legs for out in the open, but hard to beat in the scrub before carbon fibre stocks and suppressors became a thing.

Depends too on your attitude to your gear, rifles do get a bit of a hiding in the scrub unless you take very good care to carry them carefully, but that detracts from the hunting, so if you can't live happily with water and scratches on your Sako, don't buy one for bush hunting.

Another 2c I will add is that a bush rifle slung on your shoulder is about as effective as a lawnmower without its blades when you see a deer up close. So you want something that is comfortable to carry in your hands for long periods of time as you weave your way through the scrub. This means light and well balanced.

If I was setting up a bush rifle tomorrow, it would be something from the list below.

Remington Model Seven, 08 family cartridge with 1-4, 1.5-5 or 2-7, Carbon Fibre stock and suppressor bushing close to forend.
Howa Mini, 6.5 Grendel (or possibly 7.62x39). Same scopes/stock/suppressor situation as above.
Rossi lever action .357/44 with 13" barrel and suppressor. I would stick with the wooden stock version as it has less to get caught on supplejack etc.
Winchester Model 94, 30/30. Ideally the 16" barrel model with a peep sight. (Only if you don't like hearing what people are saying).

Likely nothing wrong with the likes of a Tikka or Bergara either. They just aren't on my list because I haven't used them myself to be able to comment.

Originally Posted by longshot

Always liked carrying a M94 in the bush, very easy to snake through the scrub and tree-fall holding it with one hand around the lever. Not really enough legs for out in the open, but hard to beat in the scrub before carbon fibre stocks and suppressors became a thing.

Depends too on your attitude to your gear, rifles do get a bit of a hiding in the scrub unless you take very good care to carry them carefully, but that detracts from the hunting, so if you can't live happily with water and scratches on your Sako, don't buy one for bush hunting.

Another 2c I will add is that a bush rifle slung on your shoulder is about as effective as a lawnmower without its blades when you see a deer up close. So you want something that is comfortable to carry in your hands for long periods of time as you weave your way through the scrub. This means light and well balanced.

If I was setting up a bush rifle tomorrow, it would be something from the list below.

Remington Model Seven, 08 family cartridge with 1-4, 1.5-5 or 2-7, Carbon Fibre stock and suppressor bushing close to forend.
Howa Mini, 6.5 Grendel (or possibly 7.62x39). Same scopes/stock/suppressor situation as above.
Rossi lever action .357/44 with 13" barrel and suppressor. I would stick with the wooden stock version as it has less to get caught on supplejack etc.
Winchester Model 94, 30/30. Ideally the 16" barrel model with a peep sight. (Only if you don't like hearing what people are saying).

Likely nothing wrong with the likes of a Tikka or Bergara either. They just aren't on my list because I haven't used them myself to be able to comment.

I’ve got two 94’s, one is a 20” 30-30 made in 1955, the other is a 16” trapper 30-30 made in the late eighties. The latter has a rugged peep sight mounted and it is great to carry in the thick stuff.


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I’m shooting 150gns threw a 16”708 vx3hd nice and lite shoulders well iv had short .308s in the past to they go fantastic

Howa superlite 308, 14.5" barrel, Vixen 2-8, weighs 2.45kg all up, good wee shooter and still puts the factory 150gr superformance out at 2750fps so good for 350 easy. If they made a floorplate for them I'd be happy, hate magazines in hunting rifles.

Rem M7 in a KS McMillan, 16" 7mm08 with DPT and Leupold Mk4 m3 3.5-10x40 (has done everything from 20-300m).

Best load for this is a Nosler BT 120 going about 2650fps.

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

ahhh yes the Rem 700 mohawk designed as a light bush carbine

Prolly forerunner to the model 7

Rossi R92 in 454 Casull. 10" barrel with a 2x Leupold M8 (for looks). The lever action carries nice in the bush.
Shoots 240gr at 2200fps.

I also use a 300BLk with a 1.5-5x scope. Short rifles handle easy in the thick stuff.

If I could have my time again, I'd get a .308, 16" with a 2-7x scope. It'll carry easy in the bush and have the legs to go longer if needed.

Rem model 7.

7mm08.

16"

Burris sixX 2-12x40


Dpt can

Home made carbon wrapped stock

Warne rings.

Handloaded with 160gr TMK doing around 2400fps.

Stupidly light and accurate.

Originally Posted by will.i.em

Rossi R92 in 454 Casull. 10" barrel with a 2x Leupold M8 (for looks). The lever action carries nice in the bush.
Shoots 240gr at 2200fps.

I also use a 300BLk with a 1.5-5x scope. Short rifles handle easy in the thick stuff.

If I could have my time again, I'd get a .308, 16" with a 2-7x scope. It'll carry easy in the bush and have the legs to go longer if needed.

how many does the Rossi hold with the mag cut back that short

Originally Posted by longshot

how many does the Rossi hold with the mag cut back that short

4 in the mag. If I can't get what I'm hunting with 3, then I need to reconsider my hobbies

I really like the Bergara Extreme hunter in .308

Cerakoted to protect from rusting in your hands when you're in the damp bush.
Leupold VX 3-9x40 zeroed at 100m and drives tacks with factory ammo.
18" barrel, I see the current model has fluted bolt and barrel.
3+1 mag, being able to be ready with a quick follow up shot is handy.

I find it comfortable to carry with one hand for long distances which can make a big difference labouring in the bush.