Favorite "BUSH" carbine and caliber - The Firearms Forum

hunter29180 · 08-23-2011, 03:02 PM

wife and i were talking..(yes..more than 5 seconds..no I DID NOT get a KLONDIKE bar...) we we discussing what rifle she wanted to deer hunt with. since i will have to buy 2 rifles next year anyways. one for her and one for me.

we both are partial to lever actions, but dont let that limit your choice.
she likes the 30-30 or the 30-06. not bad choices in a lever action for her, and short enough to be easily used in "brushy" areas. she says the 30-06 will take down any north american game she will hunt. Personally i think the 30-06 recoil may be a bit much for her..she has carpel tunnel in both wrists and a pinched nerve in her shooting shoulder.

my choices..454 casuel in a lever action, i like this because its a true Brush popper, the heaver round wont be deflected easily, and it shoots the 45lc for practice. or and i found this at Classic Arms..(hope they still can get these when its my turn to buy!!) ROMANIAN 7.62X54R SEMI-AUTO PSL SNIPER RIFLES

love the wood on this one, and while its a bit long for "Bush" hunting..with a 1000 yd range I hope to be on a hill out of the "bush!

Anyways post your FAVORITE rifle for "Bush" hunting or other deer rifle. list caliber also..and if you can why its your favorite!

flintlock · 08-23-2011, 04:16 PM

Ruger .44 carbine-it's short, light, and points really well for me.
Marlin model 30- .30-30, it's a great lever gun and accurate as can be.
Ruger #3-.375 WInchester, no deer I have hit with this has taken another step.
A .62 caliber flintlock rifle made by Kit Ravenshear, because it was built by a good friend, who loved history as much as I do.

Airdale · 08-23-2011, 04:27 PM

Years ago I bought a Marlin .44 mag. carbine in a pawn shop in almost new condition. The 44 Mag is really tame in the carbine. I have never even considered selling this gun, it's become one of my favorites.

permafrost · 08-23-2011, 04:35 PM

I had the Romy PSL for several years. It is defiintely not for the woods. Fun to play with but not always reliable and waaay to long for woods. Point of aim shifts pretty rapidly with that thin, long barrel when warm. Look cool, fun gun, but can't recommend it for serious hunting. Takes a lot of tinkering to get it to shoot(crappy trigger, chamber is sometimes rough,etc.) Don't waste your money. Lots better out there. The Saiga in 308 is much more reliable , if that's the way you want to go. Shorter barrel, reliable, good round,customizable. Put some PSL type wood on it and go to town! IMHO

1 Eyed Jack · 08-23-2011, 04:55 PM

30-30 Marlin or Win, time tested and proven,

Follow up questions, not a thread jack,

Do you think the more "pointed" Lever Revolution type ammo would make a "brush busting" round more apt to deflect off of a twig or small branch?

And what gives these calibers their brush busting ability? is it the slower speed or the heavier projectile?, or a combination?

The Duke · 08-23-2011, 05:02 PM

I dont have one, but if I did it would be a Marlin Guide Gun .45-70.

JLA · 08-23-2011, 05:15 PM

right now at this very moment, my only bush gun is a mini 14. Unless you count pistols and revolvers. then ive got 3 good candidates.

hunter29180 · 08-23-2011, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1 Eyed Jack

30-30 Marlin or Win, time tested and proven,

Follow up questions, not a thread jack,

Do you think the more "pointed" Lever Revolution type ammo would make a "brush busting" round more apt to deflect off of a twig or small branch?

And what gives these calibers their brush busting ability? is it the slower speed or the heavier projectile?, or a combination?

I prefer a RNF for bush hunting. the more pointy a bullet is the easier to deflect off a small twig. and both the mass and the speed contrubite to its ability to "power" through the small twigs in the brush.

please do not think any projectile will not deflect off a small branch. a twig in my book is no larger than the tine of a regular fork. any larget it has the potential to deflect the bullet.

jim brady · 08-23-2011, 05:27 PM

If you like lever actions, that .44 magnum in a lever gun is SWEET. I'd go along with flintlock and Airdale, either a lever Winchester or Marlin, or that Ruger .44 carbine.

Bought my wife a used Winchester .44 magnum Model 94, and she loves it. The accuracy amazed me. Shooting my own cast bullets that I'd loaded down for her (used to be MINE...) .44 revolver, shot a ragged hole in the paper at 50 yards, and about a 3 inch group at 100 with open sights. Got it for about $400 at a Gun Show.

The .30/30 is great in a lever gun, but full power loads have a sharp recoil in a light rifle. Just a matter of personal taste.

twobit · 08-24-2011, 11:41 AM

For a pump brush gun my vote would be a Remington 760 in 30-06.

jim brady · 08-24-2011, 12:17 PM

twobit - that 760 is an outstanding rifle, and the .30-06 is a caliber equaled or surpassed by few. Just curious, are you talking about a 760 with a VERY short carbine length barrel on it?. I guess I don't know the exact definition of the AOL a rifle should be to be considered a 'bush carbine'.

My favorite deer/elk hunting rifle is a post-64 Winchester standard Model 70 in .30-06 with a 3X9 duplex scope. Would'nt work well in heavy brush, but has always worked great in the Rockies. I prefer 150/165 gr SPBT for Mule Deer and 180s for Elk.

quigleysharps4570 · 08-24-2011, 03:18 PM

I've an 1876 Winchester repro chambered in the 45-60 cartridge that I'm rather fond of. Smokeless load is a 300 gr. Sierra hp with IMR 3031 powder...blackpowder load is a home cast 300 gr. flatpoint with 60 grs. of Goex Cartridge Grade. Good enough for anything in my neck of the woods.

carver · 08-24-2011, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1 Eyed Jack

30-30 Marlin or Win, time tested and proven,

Follow up questions, not a thread jack,

Do you think the more "pointed" Lever Revolution type ammo would make a "brush busting" round more apt to deflect off of a twig or small branch?

And what gives these calibers their brush busting ability? is it the slower speed or the heavier projectile?, or a combination?

Rember that the Lever Revolution type bullets are not full weight bullets, they are lighter, and develop more speed in which ever caliber they are used in. 160 & 165 gr bullets only for the 30-30.

I perfer the .44 Mag with 240gr Hornady XTP's as a brush gun, and the old tried & true 30-30 ain't no sloutch either.

Boris · 08-27-2011, 07:42 AM

YL12-1J4, 73 caliber

savage170 · 08-27-2011, 11:30 AM

The top one in the picture savage 99 .300 savage

hunter29180 · 08-27-2011, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savage170

The top one in the picture savage 99 .300 savage

personally its the bottom one that catches my eye!

Bobitis · 08-27-2011, 06:53 PM

The favorite 'Bush' carbine is a liberal.

Sorry... I couldn't resist.

hunter29180 · 08-27-2011, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobitis

The favorite 'Bush' carbine is a liberal.

Sorry... I couldn't resist.

ok i can accept that one!!

Inthewind1976 · 08-28-2011, 04:44 AM

My personal favorite was a Winchester 94 XTR Big Bore in .375 Winchester, with a 1-4 Redfield on it. Unfortunately, during post divorce 'tight times' I let it go, and at todays prices for that particular rifle, its become an extremely costly option.

Old Grump · 08-28-2011, 10:03 AM

I like my old Win 94 32 Win Spcl but if I didn't have it I would seriously consider the BLR in 7MM-08 or .308. Best brush buster I have would be the .348 but that is not a gun you want to shoot a lot unless you need help clearing your sinuses.

Add a forward mounted scout style base for a long eye relief 4X scope and you have a fast handling gun that gives you a nice gun for those 50 to 300 yard shots.

Fast Forward · 08-28-2011, 11:21 AM

My Favorite was My Ruger 44 Mag autoloader,,,great Brush Gun

cpttango30 · 08-29-2011, 07:34 PM

Thats easy unless you are a closed minded person who thinks anything black is EVIL and Label it a killer Weapon that is no good for hunting.

I would go for a RRA CAR A-4 16"in 458 SOCOM. I would top it with an Aimpoint Micro T-1 red Dot.

http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.c...06090a227e6926

http://swfa.com/Aimpoint-Micro-T-1-R...it-P48120.aspx

That set up would be good out to 100 yards.

Bindernut · 08-29-2011, 08:36 PM

I don't have any big-bores at the moment, but my brush-hunting rifle is a sporterized M96/38 Swede (6.5x55 naturally) with a Williams Receiver sight using no insert to basically turn it into a ghost ring sight. With a 24" barrel it's not exactly a carbine but it's still lightweight and handy as heck.
I've been meaning to forward mount an IER scope on the barrel for years to complete the "scout rifle" concept but I never get around to it.
I bought it half-sporterized and then I did a bit more work to it instead of restoring it. But this was when Swedes were plentiful and I was young & dumb. Why dumb? Because it was numbers matching except for the mag floorplate! Oops!!!

A friend of mine has an M94 Swede carbine (18") and that is absolutely the best little brush rifle...even in full military dress it's a lightweight little stinker. I haven't been able to talk him out of it though.

Otherwise, I like a good 94 Winchester or I'd even be happy with a 336 marlin too.

GoodOl'12gauge · 08-29-2011, 09:20 PM

After handling the ruger scout rifle Id choose that 10 rounds of 808 in a small real fast real handy package,

whirley · 08-30-2011, 11:20 AM

Best lever action, (my opinion) is the Savage 99. Pick your caliber. Then Marlin 336. Both easy to mount a scope. I have a Rem. 141 pump in .35 Rem cal. Compared to my Marlin 336, same caliber, recoil is surprisingly moderate. Must be the stock shape or position. All good to 150 yards. I don't believe there is such a thing as a "brush gun". Hit a twig and they'll all be deflected to some extent. Most high velocity bullets go through a deer, and they can run 100 yards. With .35 Rem it's one shot, meat in the pot. Used everything from .375 H&H to .223. Prefer .243, .300 Sav. or .308. 30/30 is good, .35 Rem better. Lots of good used rifles, reasonably priced, take your pick, zero at 150-200 yards in Pa.

08-23-2011, 03:02 PM	#1
hunter29180 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: in a motorhome where ever we park! Contributor Posts: 1,625	Favorite "BUSH" carbine and caliber wife and i were talking..(yes..more than 5 seconds..no I DID NOT get a KLONDIKE bar...) we we discussing what rifle she wanted to deer hunt with. since i will have to buy 2 rifles next year anyways. one for her and one for me. we both are partial to lever actions, but dont let that limit your choice. she likes the 30-30 or the 30-06. not bad choices in a lever action for her, and short enough to be easily used in "brushy" areas. she says the 30-06 will take down any north american game she will hunt. Personally i think the 30-06 recoil may be a bit much for her..she has carpel tunnel in both wrists and a pinched nerve in her shooting shoulder. my choices..454 casuel in a lever action, i like this because its a true Brush popper, the heaver round wont be deflected easily, and it shoots the 45lc for practice. or and i found this at Classic Arms..(hope they still can get these when its my turn to buy!!) ROMANIAN 7.62X54R SEMI-AUTO PSL SNIPER RIFLES love the wood on this one, and while its a bit long for "Bush" hunting..with a 1000 yd range I hope to be on a hill out of the "bush! Anyways post your FAVORITE rifle for "Bush" hunting or other deer rifle. list caliber also..and if you can why its your favorite! --> Last edited by hunter29180; 08-23-2011 at 03:05 PM..

08-23-2011, 04:16 PM	#2
flintlock Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Upstate NY Contributor Posts: 896	Re: Favorite "BUSH" carbine and caliber Ruger .44 carbine-it's short, light, and points really well for me. Marlin model 30- .30-30, it's a great lever gun and accurate as can be. Ruger #3-.375 WInchester, no deer I have hit with this has taken another step. A .62 caliber flintlock rifle made by Kit Ravenshear, because it was built by a good friend, who loved history as much as I do.

08-23-2011, 04:35 PM	#4
permafrost Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oklahoma, USA Contributor Posts: 1,771	Re: Favorite "BUSH" carbine and caliber I had the Romy PSL for several years. It is defiintely not for the woods. Fun to play with but not always reliable and waaay to long for woods. Point of aim shifts pretty rapidly with that thin, long barrel when warm. Look cool, fun gun, but can't recommend it for serious hunting. Takes a lot of tinkering to get it to shoot(crappy trigger, chamber is sometimes rough,etc.) Don't waste your money. Lots better out there. The Saiga in 308 is much more reliable , if that's the way you want to go. Shorter barrel, reliable, good round,customizable. Put some PSL type wood on it and go to town! IMHO __________________ Stand and Fight Last edited by permafrost; 08-23-2011 at 04:38 PM..

08-23-2011, 04:55 PM	#5
1 Eyed Jack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 673	Re: Favorite "BUSH" carbine and caliber 30-30 Marlin or Win, time tested and proven, Follow up questions, not a thread jack, Do you think the more "pointed" Lever Revolution type ammo would make a "brush busting" round more apt to deflect off of a twig or small branch? And what gives these calibers their brush busting ability? is it the slower speed or the heavier projectile?, or a combination?

08-23-2011, 05:02 PM	#6
The Duke Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NW Louisiana Posts: 813	Re: Favorite "BUSH" carbine and caliber I dont have one, but if I did it would be a Marlin Guide Gun .45-70.

08-23-2011, 04:27 PM	#3
Airdale Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: N.W. Arkansas Contributor Posts: 750	Re: Favorite "BUSH" carbine and caliber Years ago I bought a Marlin .44 mag. carbine in a pawn shop in almost new condition. The 44 Mag is really tame in the carbine. I have never even considered selling this gun, it's become one of my favorites. __________________ "The Utopian schemes of leveling [redistribution of the wealth] and a community of goods [central ownership of the means of production and distribution], are as visionary and impractical as those which vest all property in the crown.[These ideas] are arbitrary, despotic, and, in our government, unconstitutional." Samuel Adams

08-23-2011, 05:15 PM	#7
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,305	Re: Favorite "BUSH" carbine and caliber right now at this very moment, my only bush gun is a mini 14. Unless you count pistols and revolvers. then ive got 3 good candidates. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

08-23-2011, 05:27 PM	#9
jim brady Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,072	Re: Favorite "BUSH" carbine and caliber If you like lever actions, that .44 magnum in a lever gun is SWEET. I'd go along with flintlock and Airdale, either a lever Winchester or Marlin, or that Ruger .44 carbine. Bought my wife a used Winchester .44 magnum Model 94, and she loves it. The accuracy amazed me. Shooting my own cast bullets that I'd loaded down for her (used to be MINE...) .44 revolver, shot a ragged hole in the paper at 50 yards, and about a 3 inch group at 100 with open sights. Got it for about $400 at a Gun Show. The .30/30 is great in a lever gun, but full power loads have a sharp recoil in a light rifle. Just a matter of personal taste.

08-24-2011, 11:41 AM	#10
twobit V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: TEXAS! Posts: 355	Re: Favorite "BUSH" carbine and caliber For a pump brush gun my vote would be a Remington 760 in 30-06.

08-24-2011, 12:17 PM	#11
jim brady Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,072	Re: Favorite "BUSH" carbine and caliber twobit - that 760 is an outstanding rifle, and the .30-06 is a caliber equaled or surpassed by few. Just curious, are you talking about a 760 with a VERY short carbine length barrel on it?. I guess I don't know the exact definition of the AOL a rifle should be to be considered a 'bush carbine'. My favorite deer/elk hunting rifle is a post-64 Winchester standard Model 70 in .30-06 with a 3X9 duplex scope. Would'nt work well in heavy brush, but has always worked great in the Rockies. I prefer 150/165 gr SPBT for Mule Deer and 180s for Elk.

08-24-2011, 03:18 PM	#12
quigleysharps4570 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 161	Re: Favorite "BUSH" carbine and caliber I've an 1876 Winchester repro chambered in the 45-60 cartridge that I'm rather fond of. Smokeless load is a 300 gr. Sierra hp with IMR 3031 powder...blackpowder load is a home cast 300 gr. flatpoint with 60 grs. of Goex Cartridge Grade. Good enough for anything in my neck of the woods.

08-27-2011, 07:42 AM	#14
Boris Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 607	Re: Favorite "BUSH" carbine and caliber YL12-1J4, 73 caliber

08-27-2011, 11:30 AM	#15
savage170 V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: FL Posts: 385	Re: Favorite "BUSH" carbine and caliber The top one in the picture savage 99 .300 savage

08-27-2011, 06:53 PM	#17
Bobitis Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 6,612	Re: Favorite "BUSH" carbine and caliber The favorite 'Bush' carbine is a liberal. Sorry... I couldn't resist. __________________ ^.^ A point in every direction is the same as having no point at all

08-28-2011, 04:44 AM	#19
Inthewind1976 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Central Pennsylvania Posts: 533	Re: Favorite "BUSH" carbine and caliber My personal favorite was a Winchester 94 XTR Big Bore in .375 Winchester, with a 1-4 Redfield on it. Unfortunately, during post divorce 'tight times' I let it go, and at todays prices for that particular rifle, its become an extremely costly option.

08-28-2011, 10:03 AM	#20
Old Grump Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Little hut in the woods near Blue River Wisconsin Posts: 2,285	Re: Favorite "BUSH" carbine and caliber I like my old Win 94 32 Win Spcl but if I didn't have it I would seriously consider the BLR in 7MM-08 or .308. Best brush buster I have would be the .348 but that is not a gun you want to shoot a lot unless you need help clearing your sinuses. Add a forward mounted scout style base for a long eye relief 4X scope and you have a fast handling gun that gives you a nice gun for those 50 to 300 yard shots. __________________ "When once a republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil."~~- Thomas Jefferson Roman Catholic, Life Member of American Legion, VFW, Wisconsin Libertarian party, Wi-FORCE, WGO, NRA, JPFO, GOA, SAFand CCRKBA

08-28-2011, 11:21 AM	#21
Fast Forward Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Chaska Minn Posts: 529	Re: Favorite "BUSH" carbine and caliber My Favorite was My Ruger 44 Mag autoloader,,,great Brush Gun

08-29-2011, 07:34 PM	#22
cpttango30 Former Guest Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stafford, VA Contributor Posts: 3,071	Re: Favorite "BUSH" carbine and caliber Thats easy unless you are a closed minded person who thinks anything black is EVIL and Label it a killer Weapon that is no good for hunting. I would go for a RRA CAR A-4 16"in 458 SOCOM. I would top it with an Aimpoint Micro T-1 red Dot. http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.c...06090a227e6926 http://swfa.com/Aimpoint-Micro-T-1-R...it-P48120.aspx That set up would be good out to 100 yards.

08-29-2011, 08:36 PM	#23
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,433	Re: Favorite "BUSH" carbine and caliber I don't have any big-bores at the moment, but my brush-hunting rifle is a sporterized M96/38 Swede (6.5x55 naturally) with a Williams Receiver sight using no insert to basically turn it into a ghost ring sight. With a 24" barrel it's not exactly a carbine but it's still lightweight and handy as heck. I've been meaning to forward mount an IER scope on the barrel for years to complete the "scout rifle" concept but I never get around to it. I bought it half-sporterized and then I did a bit more work to it instead of restoring it. But this was when Swedes were plentiful and I was young & dumb. Why dumb? Because it was numbers matching except for the mag floorplate! Oops!!! A friend of mine has an M94 Swede carbine (18") and that is absolutely the best little brush rifle...even in full military dress it's a lightweight little stinker. I haven't been able to talk him out of it though. Otherwise, I like a good 94 Winchester or I'd even be happy with a 336 marlin too. Last edited by Bindernut; 08-29-2011 at 08:41 PM..

08-29-2011, 09:20 PM	#24
GoodOl'12gauge V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 258	Re: Favorite "BUSH" carbine and caliber After handling the ruger scout rifle Id choose that 10 rounds of 808 in a small real fast real handy package,

08-30-2011, 11:20 AM	#25
whirley V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Contributor Posts: 457	Re: Favorite "BUSH" carbine and caliber Best lever action, (my opinion) is the Savage 99. Pick your caliber. Then Marlin 336. Both easy to mount a scope. I have a Rem. 141 pump in .35 Rem cal. Compared to my Marlin 336, same caliber, recoil is surprisingly moderate. Must be the stock shape or position. All good to 150 yards. I don't believe there is such a thing as a "brush gun". Hit a twig and they'll all be deflected to some extent. Most high velocity bullets go through a deer, and they can run 100 yards. With .35 Rem it's one shot, meat in the pot. Used everything from .375 H&H to .223. Prefer .243, .300 Sav. or .308. 30/30 is good, .35 Rem better. Lots of good used rifles, reasonably priced, take your pick, zero at 150-200 yards in Pa.