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December 17, 2014, 09:16 AM | #1 |
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Seriously wanting a brush gun!
I did a recent hunt in the woods of NC this week with my kids. As I had my kids along we decided to use a blind and set up on small hills. Obviously my scoped .270 felt a little cramped in there. As I was looking around I also realized it would be tough to get a 100 let alone 200 yard shot due to the undergrowth. I think this calls for a fast handling open sighted .30-30! Crap I need a bigger safe! Aggggggh!
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December 17, 2014, 09:24 AM | #2 |
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A 308 MSR AR15 carbine would be great.
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December 17, 2014, 09:30 AM | #3 |
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I think a M24/47 Mauser would suit your needs, or if you were a little more strapped, an M44, both work great for hunting. M24/47 will be more accurate and have more precise sights, but the M44 offers good accuracy with a fast and easy to acquire sight picture, plus it has a Foldout Bayonet. Both would serve your purposes very well.
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December 17, 2014, 09:33 AM | #4 |
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A fast handling lever, 30-30 or another adequate chamber would be good, I certainly like both mine. Take a look at the Ruger Mini 30, It's a great close range gun, carries like a lever and hits sufficiently hard out to about 150 yards although it cost you substantially more than a lever.
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December 17, 2014, 09:49 AM | #5 |
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A Marlin 30-30 carbine with factory sights took down my first deer, and was the best "brush gun" I've ever owned.
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December 17, 2014, 10:04 AM | #6 |
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The problem is that when you have your 30-30 (which typically is a 3moa rifle) and a deer happens to step out at 200+ yds, you're kind of screwed. Been there, done that - dumped the 30-30 for a Rem Model 7 .260 with an 18.5" bbl. It is actually the same length and weight as the Win 94 it replaced but it has more than double the range.
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December 17, 2014, 10:09 AM | #7 |
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THE brush gun is the 30-30. Every one need s a classic pre64 Wnchester M94 in their collection. Great investment as well.
This is my brush gun of choice.
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December 17, 2014, 10:22 AM | #8 |
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While I'm a big fan of the 30-30 leverguns, just for an odd duck suggestion from left field dare I suggest finding a Ruger .44 Carbine? An autoloading .44 magnum about the size of a 10/22 Carbine seems kinda nice for a brush gun!
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December 17, 2014, 10:25 AM | #9 |
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Almost any "deer cartridge" rifle with a barrel of 18" to 20" would work. A low-power scope would help for shots at first light in the morning or the last hour before dark.
As an example, I have an old Sako carbine, 19" barrel in .243. Seven pounds, fully dressed. Easy to carry when sneaky-snaking in the woods or to manipulate if in a box blind. |
December 17, 2014, 11:38 AM | #10 |
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My brush gun is a Savage 99E, in .308WIN.
""Stolen image, thanks to the owner!" |
December 17, 2014, 11:49 AM | #11 |
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If I hunted, it would be with my CZ carbine.
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December 17, 2014, 12:17 PM | #12 |
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I am actually putting ethier a 1-4 or 1.5-5 on my 30-30 for a brush gun. It gives quick handling coupled with fast target acquisition. I also always wondered how a red dot sight would work on it. I just bought a .303 British off gunbroker with a scout scope so I am anxious to see how that is going to work as well. Just a thought on another option, I'll let you know how it goes. In all honesty, I love my 30-30 for an all around brush/timber deer rifle. I know it's not as capable as my 06 with range, but when in western Pennsylvania am I shooting over 200 yards.
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December 17, 2014, 12:46 PM | #13 |
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I picked up a Remington 750 carbine in 35 whelen earlier this year. It has to be MY ultimate brush gun. 18.5" barrel and a 1.5-5 scope. Carried it a lot this deer season. When I had it strapped to my back, barrel barely stuck up over my shoulder. Oh, and that 35 whelen is a deer getter! Furthest deer I shot was 120 yards, but I'm sure it would be deadly WAY past that!
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December 17, 2014, 12:54 PM | #14 |
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The 30-30 lever gun has been the perfect woods gun for well over a century for good reason!
Short, light, easy handling, and the 30-30 is completely competent for deer, and a readily available cartridge.
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December 17, 2014, 12:58 PM | #15 |
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If you can find one, a Rem 600 or 660 is short, fast, rugged, accurate & is the perfect definition of "brush-gun". Depending on caliber, a longer range shot is not a problem.
JIMHO... ...bug |
December 17, 2014, 01:11 PM | #16 | |||
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Quote:
Exactly how would a Mauser military rifle be any less cramped in a deer blind? Quote:
I think the OP has a very good idea of what he wants. Quote:
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December 17, 2014, 01:41 PM | #17 |
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I'd look for a .35 Remington.
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December 17, 2014, 01:47 PM | #18 | |
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Quote:
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December 17, 2014, 01:54 PM | #19 |
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M24 mauser is 43" long
336 Marlin is 42" long. I'm gonna side with the Marauder on this one. 8mm is a better round than 30-30 and the M24 is a good rifle.
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December 17, 2014, 02:42 PM | #20 |
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I'm with Mystro on this one; by the way, thanks for the pix. I see yours has the short forearm, must be post-49? The comment about the 8mm mauser being light-years ahead of a 30-30 is a mega-exageration. Baddarryl aleady has a 270. Now maybe it's time for a 30-30. Pre-64 Winchester, peferably 1937 to 1949 carbine.
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December 17, 2014, 02:46 PM | #21 |
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I have a feeling the posters mind is already made up which is fine. I like my 30-30 Winchester 94 pre 64, 30-30 winchster 94 Canadian Commemorative and 30-30 Winchester 94 made in the mid 70's.
I use them as a brush gun. One is scoped two are not and they do fine. Not sure how much the current winchester goes for but I know there is a Marlin 336w that goes for about $300 |
December 17, 2014, 02:54 PM | #22 |
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Sako Finnlite 6.5X55 Sweede!
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December 17, 2014, 03:15 PM | #23 | |
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Quote:
None of the Mausers, or Mosins, full size SMLE rifles, or other full sized battle rifles are what I would consider convenient in a deer blind. My open country choice is my custom built Remington 700 in 7MM Remington Magnum. My woods stand choice is either my Winchester Model 94 Ranger in 30-30. One that by the way I violated my #1 rule, and traded a Yugo Mauser for! Not the fanciest, or most collectable 94, but in excellent condition, and a good shooter. My other choice in tight space, and heavy cover, short range situations is a T/C Contender With a 35 Remington Super 14 barrel. So, experience with Mausers, Mosins, and other milsurps, absolutely!
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December 17, 2014, 03:25 PM | #24 |
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I use a Marlin 336 with a 20 inch barrel (30-30), with a lightweight 2.5x scope. It works well as a brush gun: it is handy and short.
My buddy bought a Ruger American compact in 308. It has a shorter LOP and an 18 inch barrel. It also works really well as a brush gun. |
December 17, 2014, 03:47 PM | #25 | |
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Quote:
Later it will hold multiple marshmallows so you can make Smores to enjoy while you relive the thrills of the hunt
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