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Looking at buying a gun specifically for using in the bush as have got a cfouple of blocks where there is no shot more than 100m. Whilst I love my Savage weather Warrior .270, do not want to bugger it up scrambling through the bush. Am leaning towards the Marlin 30-30 with open sights, but wondered what others would suggest.
I use a Baikal 7.62x39 with Skinner sights. Shortened to 18 inches. Breaks down and packs away into a day bag. More than enough for out to 200 yds with the correct projectiles, and nice for subsonic loads as well.
Winchester .375 Big Bore 94 with either Aim point or Pro point scope has been my ol' favourite for many years...got about 50 metres more on .30 30
to me a 30.30 is a pig gun good for 20meters with big slugs.
I have used one before and lost so many animals as I watched the explosion of dirt at the deer's feet. frustrating!. The only animal I ever shot with it was at 5 meters.
Any rifle in 308 cheap to run and put a VX.HOG 1x4x20
A bit of time spent at the range checking trajectory before going bush might have earnt you the name Ol'Oneshot :PQuote:
Originally Posted by Twoshotkill
As good as 308 is I would like to get a 338 fed one day for a play.(308 case necked up)
Was not my gun... I just borrowed it when I was a young fella cause my first gun got pinched in a berg at home. I could shoot nice at 50 meters but anything outside that was a waste of time and I was trying to shoot 100 to 150m with it up slipsQuote:
Originally Posted by Spook
I basically found the drop was too hard to predict and im not good at estimating distances.
Any ways I earned that name with my trusty 308 at 10 meters!!!.....Shame!!!!
I use my .303 or 6.5
case and point!.....i use my 260AI its not a 308 but it still smashes them over close and when im in the bush i wind my power down on the VX3 no hassles.get a mini 14 iron sights and some cam paint:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Toby
308 ruger American near new for $500 in BST.
Opening a can of worms here !! Any thing your comfortable with, Ive settled for a Sako 243, Knocks em all down especially under 100m. Most of the bush I hunt in viso is down to 50m max.
30-30, open sights. Good luck.
At least go an aperture sight, minimum.
For a bush gun I use the 260 kimber with red dot sight. I would never ever put a proper scope on a bush gun. When it rains and a long time after it does they are useless. I do however have quick detach mounts, turns bush whore into nice wee tussock gun.
What's wrong with the Savage 270 for bush :P?
Sounds like a poachers gun.Quote:
Originally Posted by ebf
The new Leverlution amo in 30 30 changes the game TSK.
MattyP, my Savage is in mint condition with a Burris Fullfield on it, just want to look after it.
Will put skinner sights to make life easier.
Was hoping everyone would say 30-30 was the way to go lol. Best I check out .308 as well and make a decision from there. If I remember the Ruger American comes in a compact option. Anyone used one?
Marlin 30-30 with 6 power fixed scope is my bush gun ,dropped a few deer now with it .Red at Central Waiau was about 90-100mtres .Pengy is right about the new Leverolution ammo being the bees Knees .I have a bung eye and even I can put 3 shots into a 2 inch circle at 100 mtres with it .A mate who reckons a 30-30 is only good for knocking in fence posts and checking the depth of the long drop can shoot 1 inch at 100mtres .I sight it in at 1 inch high at 100 and havent had any problems .In my opinion there are a great bush gun short sturdy ,can be used for a walking stick climbing steep sections ,push it if front of you in the thick stuff with no fears of catching leaves and shit in any mechanisms .I personally find the Winchester and marlin both carry well balanced in the hand and come up to my eye really easy . The safety on the marlin is really positive so you can crank one into the chamber ,engage the safety and let the hammer slowly down onto it ,so it is really quiet and easy to take a shot ,youu just pull hammer back and disengage the safety ,both of which are ideally positioned for your thumb .I also like my Browning A bolt 243 and if Im going to an area of bush with river flats or possibility of longer shot I will take that instead
I shoot a 270 for the open country, but.................if I'm heading somewhere strictly bush I take my Rossi .44mag - single shot, open sights, 22" barrel, Highland 240g pills hitting the A4 paper the target was printed on @ 120m and clover leaf @ 60m and when you hit an animal at bush shooting range they go down for good!!
Im putting my 44mag on the market ( reluctant sale ) will post up pics in B&S tomorrow, would fit the bill. Ruger 77/44 12" barrel with gunworks can & Bushy Elite 2-7 x 32 scope
Mint bush stumpy
Philipo, got a funny feeling that going to be well out of my price range lol
@Philipo...keen to see what you have
Any .308 but definately go for a red dot. Aimpoint are the nuts (evidently) but I use a Bushnell. Nutnfancy on YouTube rates them highly and seems to put optics through their paces. Best thing on red dots in the bush is 'both eyes open' and with 3000 hours I just leave it on when hunting. I reckon main thing in bush gun is a safety you are completely comfortable with. Consider a rifle that uses a safety that is the same as something you already use. Keep safe in the hills.
Na. That would be a .22 with subs....Quote:
Originally Posted by Shearer
Another really bad point about a lever action. Carry that mother when it's real cold and tell me what you think. ;)
Carry mine in June /July in frosts ec ,no problems at all .I wear thin camo gloves though as I have really white hands