Thread: Bush rifles

Originally Posted by Bobba

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

Identical set-up here, except 2.5-10x42 scope. Perfect combo for Sth island bush & modest tops work. Shoots Superformance 150g SST at about 2770 fps.

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!

Originally Posted by ojc2

With it off, it's very (but still well within legal) short, sitting next to the 24" barrel waypoint looks almost comical.

24" barrels look comical to me

Originally Posted by MB

24" barrels look comical to me

That all comes down to packaging too though, even with a longer length of pull my 24" single shot is shorter than my 20" r700

I've recently gone from a 16" Howa 7mm08 with gunworks maximus suppressor and VX1 to a bit more of an all rounder that I've spent some more dollars on. Tikka 7mm08 with 18" barrel in a GRC classic stock with 3-15x44 VX5. It's been fluted, bedded and an aftermarket trigger spring installed. Greystone did the gunsmithing and the suppressor. Really nice rifle to shoot, nice to carry and will be a great all rounder for 90% of my hunting. I've "developed" a mild bush load for it but am working on something for longer hunting ranges now too.

Originally Posted by yeah_na_missed

One thing I do rate on my Howa over my Remington is the three stage safety. Being able to lock the bolt closed on the Howa is one less thing to worry about when charging thru supplejack. Have had the Rem bolt flick open and eject or semi-eject a round on a few occasions.

Deliberately swapped to a Timney on one of my Howa's to eliminate the three stage 'saftey'. The middle position is useless as it simply delays the slide to fire and does make a decent amount of noise. The factory three position is OK as a trigger in itself (a corrupted copy of the Sako L-series trigger) but I suspect the 'three position' saftey was just another 'feature' that the Yank importers (Legacy Sports) wanted added on.

A saftey should be like a light switch. There is no point in an intermediary position... 'What state/condition is the rifle in?' 'Ah- it's medium safe as I've fucked about with the saftey (half-bolt is a simillar, stupid malarkey of NZ fudds.)

A loaded rifle is never 'safe'. The trigger or firing pin can break/malfunction and go off at any time once the rifle is cocked with a round in the chamber.

Also, if your Rem 700/M7 bolt is getting flicked open by accident, you can use a bit of electrical tape to hold it in position. If you need to fire and reload it won't keep the bolt from coming up and back but will prevent un-intentional lift up. USMC and US Army used Rem 700's for decades with no dramas.

You are, going to get lots of different options, Depending on what a guys finances allow, and the type of country they hunt. most of my life, i just carried a std 22" barrel rifle, 7x57, 270, .222
My bush rifles now are a Sako 7-08 chopped to 18", Copper 6x45, 20", and a Winchester M94 30-30, the good old lever, has to be one of the best carrying rifles, ever made, slim, balanced, compact, light weight, cups nicely in the hand.
As single shot owner, (k95 Blaser), the lack of action, in a break action makes for a compact rifle,

Originally Posted by MB

24" barrels look comical to me

They do look a bit retro don’t they…
But there will never be as many deer shot in the trees with so called “bush pigs” as there all ready have been with 25” SMLE’s. Dunno how they did it.
The majority of ‘bush pigs’ and their owners spend most of their lives in open country and scattered/open bush. Not many bush pigs go real bush hunting.

Fuk that dreaded name popped up. Bush pig is such a stupid name for a rifle. Back in the day it was just called a carbine

Yeah. Ive got a 24 inch barrelled BRNO, a short mini action howa with carbon stock, and a 24 inch barrelled carbon stocked Barrett.

The barrel length makes no real difference. Its more about the perception of the weight and having to carry your rifle in the hand all day while bush hunting.
Once I got the Barrett, I stopped using the Howa pretty much as the new rifle was similar weight and more versatile.

Makes me wonder how noticable 1 or 2 inches off the barrel really is only really noticable to me if I get the tape measure out...

Originally Posted by Tahr

Not many bush pigs go real bush hunting.

there used to be alot of bush pigs hunting the RSL club when i was living on central coast NSW........ dangerous times for a young kiwi

Originally Posted by blip

Fuk that dreaded name popped up. Bush pig is such a stupid name for a rifle. Back in the day it was just called a carbine

And carbine is a much better name as you say. Makes one wonder a bit.

Originally Posted by blip

Makes me wonder how noticable 1 or 2 inches off the barrel really is only really noticable to me if I get the tape measure out...

I find it very noticeable I have 22 20 and 16 the shorter points better im not worried about it snagging on bush as my 20 is fine in the bush but given I’m shooting free hand in the bush how it points is crucial I wouldn’t dream of trying to shoot my 22+can of hand it bounces around something stupid

Originally Posted by blip

Fuk that dreaded name popped up. Bush pig is such a stupid name for a rifle. Back in the day it was just called a carbine

Yeah stupid bloody name ay?!

My rifle is a "Super Pig"