Thread: Craft me a bush hunting rifle

Single shot Henry in 45-70 maybe....?

Sent from my SM-T225 using Tapatalk

.375 Winchester Big Bore 94 lever gun with no magnification dot scope, good for 150 yards which is 50 yards better than a 30-30, makes a mess of the forequarters so gives a good excuse why you only carried the back wheels out.

Given me lots to think about, thanks all.

Definitely make it a .308. Reasons being:
1. .30 cal is the most popular caliber in the US and as such there will always be plentiful supplies of freedom seeds to load up.
2. The .308 is efficient, and relatively kind on barrels. Look after it and you’ll never shoot it out.
3. With soft heavyweight projectiles (168 ELD-M) you can take any animal that walks the country. Wild cattle might be a push though..
4. The bore is big enough that you can clean the barrel without a bore guide. Sounds ridiculous, but it’s actually handy that you can clean in the field without fear of a multi piece cleaning rod ruining the throat of the barrel.

I’ve got a Model 7 .308, and it’s the best rifle I’ve ever owned (been a few of them). I’d happily hunt and animal in any environment in this country with it. To be fair, I think it would serve me well hunting anything apart from dangerous game in Africa and the big bears of North America.

Spanish Mauser FR8's are a handy size but dated
Ruger scout 16"308 with a Burris FF 3-9 is the new replacement. Un-supressed coz who wants the extra length and years of loud music,construction and other shit means the odd loud bang ain't gonna make things worse.

After using a single shot for many years I would say a Thompson 308 or similar. Very fast to cock as bringing up to your shoulder. Probably with a small illuminated ref dot variable power scope

Greetings,
Several have suggested single shots and for a short rifle they have a lot to recommend them. They either are shorter with the same length barrel or can have a longer barrel for the same length as a bolt action. A break open single shot like the Henry, Thompson or even Bergara can easily be stowed inside your pack. They also come in a range of cartridges including the .308 which is never a mistake for a bush rifle.
Happy choosing.
Regards Grandpamac.

Originally Posted by Hunter_Nick

Definitely make it a .308. Reasons being:
1. .30 cal is the most popular caliber in the US and as such there will always be plentiful supplies of freedom seeds to load up.
2. The .308 is efficient, and relatively kind on barrels. Look after it and you’ll never shoot it out.
3. With soft heavyweight projectiles (168 ELD-M) you can take any animal that walks the country. Wild cattle might be a push though..
4. The bore is big enough that you can clean the barrel without a bore guide. Sounds ridiculous, but it’s actually handy that you can clean in the field without fear of a multi piece cleaning rod ruining the throat of the barrel.

I’ve got a Model 7 .308, and it’s the best rifle I’ve ever owned (been a few of them). I’d happily hunt and animal in any environment in this country with it. To be fair, I think it would serve me well hunting anything apart from dangerous game in Africa and the big bears of North America.

Hunter Nick has nailed it - great advice- yes Rem Model 7 - Bergara with a short 3-9 scope - Winchester pre 64 action all weather - early sako cut down - for over 20 years during my years as a Ranger in Te Urewera and Waioeka I carried a Rem 788 in 308 with a 18.5 carbine barrel with a 2.5 leupold scope Damn good bush rifle -

.308 Stainless Howa 1500 (although I personally prefer blued as I haven't had great results with SS Howa). Barrel 16"or 17" + suppressor and either 2-8 or 3-9 scope, doesn't need to be fancy just reasonable quality.

You will have change from 2k (if buying new) and be sorted for any bush hunting in the country.

(Strange as I type this I realized I don't currently have a .308.
Although I have plans to rebarrel a .223 to .300blk so similar enough for CNI bush)

Well I know I really regret selling my Ruger Hawkeye Compact 308 with walnut stock.
5.7 lb bare 16.5 inch barrel and the trigger was unusually good too. shot to MOA with federal powershok.
Bit LOUD though
Sure was a honey to carry in the bush though.

Originally Posted by Preacher

.308 Stainless Howa 1500 (although I personally prefer blued as I haven't had great results with SS Howa). Barrel 16"or 17" + suppressor and either 2-8 or 3-9 scope, doesn't need to be fancy just reasonable quality.

You will have change from 2k (if buying new) and be sorted for any bush hunting in the country.

(Strange as I type this I realized I don't currently have a .308.
Although I have plans to rebarrel a .223 to .300blk so similar enough for CNI bush)

Buy my howa you have o sights for bush and swap stocks and put on scope for tops with m brake or suppressor

Originally Posted by mikee

Operating Handle is on the wrong side, does that make it a little awkward?

I use it up side down

Short barrelled bush rifle? Easy peasy.... 16.5" barrel; I've had it for over 40 years.... It's sporting a 3-9x now; but it used to have a Weaver 2.5x (still have it), and used Hornady 174gr RN projectiles

Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings,
Several have suggested single shots and for a short rifle they have a lot to recommend them. They either are shorter with the same length barrel or can have a longer barrel for the same length as a bolt action. A break open single shot like the Henry, Thompson or even Bergara can easily be stowed inside your pack. They also come in a range of cartridges including the .308 which is never a mistake for a bush rifle.
Happy choosing.
Regards Grandpamac.

All valid points. But be careful to find out what your chosen single shot weighs. Some are more than repeaters.

too easy BLR 308 with short suppressor right hard up against stock..topped with a leupold of no more than 5x the 1-4 and 1-5 pig plex type work well and my M8 fixed 4 power was sublime.