Rifles for the brutal hunt.

a little background for the lead post.
I have hunted as 'the dogger' pushing deer in rough terrain for years. pushing through tag alder swaps, black spruce that grow inches apart and beaver ponds. Hills steep enough to require both hands to climb, or slide down. I've even been in a beaver pond a few times, sometimes full length with my rifle.
i used to tape the end of my bore in the rain, but then I found a stick in the end of the bore held there by the remaining tape. Yeah, that was thick bush.
I've cracked three stocks, and replaced a few more when my "repairs" got a bit more ugly than even I could stand.
I even dinged the end of a shotgun barrel so I had to cut it off when I slid down a rock face and it wedged in a crack in the rock.
I've dinged scope bells, and smashed turret caps off, I gave up on scope covers years ago. they just can't hack it, not tough enough for the thick stuff. The claims they make for 'fog proof' have never born fruit on foggy frosty mornings anyway.
 
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To start off, I've ever only had one issue with a lever gun for this, and that was my fault.
I use a 92, a 94 an 86, or an 88 Winchester on occasion, and the last one is the one that almost let me down. On a typical second week deer hunt, where one day it rained, and the next was bitterly cold, i didn't dry out the rifle. So when the chance came, the only deer for the camp at the end of the season, it went click. The firing pin frozen. I waited, ejected the round, and tried again, this time with success. The deer was on the next ridge.

I've also carried a shotgun a very few times, and had success, but I've always figured it was too limiting, as the deer above would have walked.

The SMLE it of course a tough old bugger, but it's a heavy slug of steel when you are walking all day. (so is my 88 btw)

The SKS, a tad light IMO, but I have carried it, as i know I can use it within proper limits. Cracked the stock last year, so it now wears a synthetic.

The old 94 Winchester, what's to say? It's taken more deer for me, than all the other guys rifles in the old deer camp combined.
It's been both lucky, and durable, but even it is on it's second set of stocks.

The Remington semis, I've tried two, and both were jammers for me. Often they'd be flawless on the range, but jam in the bush. Too frustrating for me to own again.

Some day I want to have a go with another pump gun, I liked the old Remington one of our senior members (now passed) carried
 
I agree neighbour, the Ontario bush is pretty thick! Lol. First off, let me say that I am not the most patient hunter and in fact I will be the first to admit that I am not even a good hunter but I do live in the bush and spend a lot of time there. That being said, I am getting more into hunting this year and wanted a new rig. I did my research and the local shop help set me up with the following... Savage Axis .308 in stainless with a synthetic stock, mounts and rings for $250. Topped with a Bushnell trophy 3-9x40 for an extra $100.

The shop had these Axis/scope packages for just under $400 but the math did not add up because it came with the blued barrel and a cheaper scope... and yes there are scopes cheaper than a Bushnell, so don't be hating people! Lol. So they help me put a (IMO) a better package together that cost less than the stuff they had for sale. As for my set up, all I have done was added a sling and some duck tape on the end of the barrel. I think there is zero chance of me scratching the bluing or damaging the stock and if I did, the rifle is very good for what it is, at kind of a throw away price point. Seems ok crawling through the thickets but this season will be its true test.
 
Call us wussies, but we don't hunt in the rain or snow. From what I've seen over the years and in our area, when it's raining or snowing, the deer just lie up under the pines and cedars. Unless you have dogs, or know where they're bedding, you just get you and your gear wet for no good reason. There's only the 2 of us so we tend to find good ground and just sit patiently on an over watch. We've managed to get game every year. I have a sporterized No.4 that's easy to lug around in the bush, and I don't worry about dings and scratches. When there's a risk of moisture, dirt, or twigs getting in the barrel, I use the little finger condoms that you can buy from medical supply places. When I'm dogging, I like to carry my 20ga. Remington 870 with the 20" rifled barrel since it's short and handy in thick bush. When I'm sitting on my watch, I use the .303 as I have longer sight lines. If I get my Swedish mauser tuned to my satisfaction, it'll be my go-to rifle for this years hunt.
 
I'm also one of the camp doggers, as the rest of the camp is getting too old. Despite having a number of expensive bolt action sporting rifles, over the years, I've settled on:

1) Rem 760 pump in 300 Sav. (c/w low power scope)
2) Sporterized LE 303 (peep sights - rain gun)

All have seen their fair share of abuse. The LE required a barrel straightening after a misadventure on a rock face. The 300 Savage managed to fall in a swamp. I do make the effort to ensure they are functional and on target at season start.
When I'm in a particularly expansive mood, I'll take my cut down Ross with an 18 inch barrel. This usually causes angst among the camp, particularly in the second week.
 
When I go in the thick bush I carry my sxs 45/70 double rifle baikal. Absolutely easy to check the barrels. Open her up take the round out look down. When I do get crap in the muzzles a 45 is easier to find a stick that fits all the way down. I have a stretchy black cartridge sleeve on the stock that stops a lot of stretches on the wood. The bluing is worn but the gun always functions. It's like 2 guns in one. The 45/70 is a wonderful round and easy to hand load for. Mine wears a 2.5/20 Bsa scope and has factory irons. It's been dropped and beat on and has held up well. Even with 23" barrels its still short and points like a shotgun.
I'd have no concerns carrying a hnr single or my Stevens 200. They're already ugly and the price point won't have you in tears when you break the stocks
 
Brutal, would seem to be the correct word...........those sound like the most expensive deer in the world......broken stocks, bent muzzles, destroyed scopes, and you say you're having fun? I have been on some tough hunts, cold hunts, wet hunts, high hunts and have been quite successful, but I have never broken a firearm or scope. I have fallen, I have slipped and rolled, and I have had a horse go out from under me and rolled a couple snow machines, never have I broken my rifle. I have seen rifles broken and I do know it happens from time to time, but certainly not with the frequency that you portray............could it be you are doing something wrong?
 
My brutal condition rifle is a stainless Montana 1999 with an MPI stock. It's got a benchmark barrel in300 Win now. Its not my favorite rifle, but after useing it for a walking stick and hanging it in a tree in the rain for a couple weeks Ive concluded that favorite isn't what you want to do that sort of thing to. Since its basically a stainless M70, a Tupperware stainless M70 would likely work as well.
 
It should be a bolt action but for some reason my BLR with a fixed 6 Leupold is the tool I always grab for such a task.It is like a faithful old mutt.

I am neither a Browning or Leupold fan. :confused:
 
How about a duracoated/ armacoated lever with an acog? I know it's pricey glass but acogs are supossed to be battle tested tough. Never owned one but would like to one day.
 
My trusty old Ruger 77 in .308win.
Lately my Marlin 336 in 35rem has been coming along.
Trying to see if she has any karrizmah..............................:cool:
 
Sounds like typical Blacktail Hunting....

Zero complaints with the Ruger scout, kinda feels like that's what it what made for. It's been taking the abuse very well thus far.

 
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You weren't kidding when you said brutal.

For rough and tumble hunting I use sporterized milsurp rifles.

Very hard to beat a sporterized Mosin or Lee Enfield with 6-8 light coats of Krylon for a close to medium range, rough use rifle.

Mine aren't tack drivers, but can hold 6" out to 300 yards reliably, and that's plenty far for 95% of my hunting.
 
I have hunted mountains, timber, in pouring rain, and at -30, and I have never beat up a rifle to the extent that you describe. But if I had to take a rifle that I knew was going to get beat up, it would be the Vanguard that I just purchased for $399.
 
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