So i carry 2 rifles when i'm out hunting...

Dorian Gray

Dorian Gray

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Not everyone does this but i personally like to have something that can shoot a good distance straped to my back. For distance shots i can usualy take my time and i want a trusty little carbine in my hands for those really quick shots.

I mainly hunt moose and bear and the bush around here is thick. I walk down old logging roads and trails that have grown back in and also through a lot of fresher cuts.

I just bought a BRNO in 30-06 for my farther shots but now i'm in the market for a carbine. I've used my fathers marlin 336 in 35 remington for a long time but i want to get something of my own. I think i'd like to stick with a lever action like i've been using because they're relativly easy to handle and i can put alot of lead on target, quick. I'm not that quick with a bolt and i'll consider pumps but i don't want a semi. I've tried an SKS and it was fun to shoot but too cumbersome for me to carry for miles and miles.

My question being: If you were walking through the kind of stuff i mentioned and covering 10 or so miles a day, what kind of carbine would you get? A 30-30 is an obvious choice so i'm leaning towards that. Any thoughts? Thanks
 
I like Trapper 30-30's, but they are hard to find.

Marlin levers are also nice.

Pick 'em both up and go with what feels the best to you.
 
You do what you like. I grew up in Northern Ont, so I know your reasoning but I prefer to carry only one rifle. I use a Winchester 88 in .308 with a 2.5 - 8 -32mmscope.

The setup is for me a good multi-purpose rig. Close in I'm good with the 2.5x and fast cycling lever. If he's a ways out I just dial up. The cartridge and rifle is good out to 300+ yards and I once shot a startled and aggressive bear at 20 yards.

I HAVE been known to carry a rifle on my back and a shotty in my hands when grouse is the primary target.

I might suggest using the same caliber to eliminate any confusion in the heat of the moment, but that might not fit into your plan.
 
760 or 7600 carbine .308 or .30-06 with a fixed 2.5 power scope that way you don't have to switch guns if you're quary spots you at 300 yards. Although I do love hunting with my .32 special.
Personaly I think you should be fine with just your brno just don't throw a massive scope on it, a good quality 2-7 or 3-9 should be all you'll need.

Wait thought about what the name of this forum is and realized that of course you need another gun for this, maybe even a super small ruger 10/22 or .410 back packer for partridge too.
 
Two?

To each his own, but why carry two centre fire rifles. If you feel your quarry is out of range of your favoured arm (say a 30-30 lever) get closer.
 
I cann't find it in the reg.s but I believe it's illegal to carry more than one firearm while hunting in Ontario.

I do the same sort of hunting you describe, and I use a BAR in 308 Win.

Hugh
 
You initial thought of a 30-30 Carbine is a good idea.......however Ive never carried two rifles around while hunting and I cant see why your BRNO cant do double duty....especially around here. You could go get yourself a handy winchester 30-30 carbine to carry but I imagine you will soon realize that you dont' want to walk 10 miles carrying two rifles when one will do.
 
450 marlin comes in 18,22,24 blued or stainless.I like the 350 grain bullets zero at 100yrds 10inches low at 200.Moose,deer,or a bad old bear just aim and shoot you are covered
 
i go the OTHER way- my 308 is usually in my hands, and the 44 trapper is on the back- but my shots are loooong
 
fmb said:
To each his own, but why carry two centre fire rifles. If you feel your quarry is out of range of your favoured arm (say a 30-30 lever) get closer.
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+1, I can't imagine going anywhere carrying that much weight. Personally for me I need my rig simple and reasonably light. That means one gun that is utterly reliable, simple to use with enough power to solve any situation that may arise. For me thats a stainless synthetic bolt gun in 338WM and I leave the scope at its lowest setting. I hunt in tight bush with openings and it works perfect.
IMO two would add way too much weight and complexity to a simple problem, but hey, what ever floats your boat.
 
I do similar walkabout hunting in brush here on Vancouver Island (a lot of hills).
My 30/30 win is what I carry. This season it will be my sportered swede.
 
Dorian Gray said:
I've used my fathers marlin 336 in 35 remington for a long time .... but i don't want a semi. I've tried an SKS and it was fun to shoot but too cumbersome for me to carry for miles and miles.

My question being: If you were walking through the kind of stuff i mentioned and covering 10 or so miles a day, what kind of carbine would you get?
Click to expand...

IMO that 35 Rem is just fine for as far as you can accurately shoot it, does it have scope? As mentioned by an earlier poster, if you can find a Win '88 in 308, that is a great SINGLE rifle for what you are talking about. As for the semi comment, an SKS is a military firearm, not a hunting rifle. That big magazine and crap hanging off it does not make for a nice bush gun. A Browning short-trac in 308 would make a great bush gun.

I find it funny that you think an SKS is "too cumbersome" but you want to carry two rifles around.
 
Dorian Gray said:
Not everyone does this but i personally like to have something that can shoot a good distance straped to my back. For distance shots i can usualy take my time and i want a trusty little carbine in my hands for those really quick shots.
Click to expand...


I like where you are headed with that thought. HOWEVER, I don't think you've taken it far enough.

Maybe a 338RUM with a NF or S&B for loooong shots, the 35rem for intermediate stuff....Of course the 30-30 in your hands for quick pokes....But what about maybe a Defender or Grizzly for bear protection, maybe in a leg holster? And a little 410 or 22 rifle for chickens? Or, perhaps a quiet air rifle?

I know, I know, sounds cumbersome, but you could always put the others all in a bag of some sort. Maybe something with a shoulder strap...OR WHEELS!?! If only there were something like that out there.....If only there were another sport out there that tailored individual tools for each circumstance.....Or shot....
 
KodiakHntr said:
I like where you are headed with that thought. HOWEVER, I don't think you've taken it far enough.

Maybe a 338RUM with a NF or S&B for loooong shots, the 35rem for intermediate stuff....Of course the 30-30 in your hands for quick pokes....But what about maybe a Defender or Grizzly for bear protection, maybe in a leg holster? And a little 410 or 22 rifle for chickens? Or, perhaps a quiet air rifle?

I know, I know, sounds cumbersome, but you could always put the others all in a bag of some sort. Maybe something with a shoulder strap...OR WHEELS!?! If only there were something like that out there.....If only there were another sport out there that tailored individual tools for each circumstance.....Or shot....
Click to expand...

Nice. :D
I love sarcasm (and golf mind you).
 
i use a ruger frontier (now ruger hawkeye compact) in 358WIN, serves me well, only has a 16.5 inch barrel, is bolt, and nice and light
 
Got my Father's 30-30. He used it 50 years or so, now mine. That's the great Canadian bush gun!! "More big game has fallen to the venerable turdy-turdy than to any other firearm in North America" - Frank Barnes, Cartridges of the World.
All my father used in the tight brush back in NS. And made some long shots as well in the open fields. Refused a scope until it just got too hard for him to see. It is still a good shooter.

That's what I will stay with. Got many rifles and guns. All set up for different shooting. Wife likes to shoot the SKS, but didn't like dragging it around this year. Now she has a Savage 110 in .243 Win. Doesn't matter to me I dragged the FN, then the C6. WO always confused fat with strong. Now my Mossberg .308 feels like nothing at all.
 
"...you will soon realize that you dont' want..." Yep. You'll get over the idea of lugging two rifles in the first 500 meters.
"...too cumbersome for me to carry for miles and miles..." So will anything else. An SKS weighs about 8.5 pounds. A Win M94 weighs about 6.8 pounds. The 2 pounds won't be noticeable after 500 meters.
"...i(SIC) can put alot of lead on target, quick..." Multiple shots aren't required if you practice.
How are you planning on getting a moose or bear out of miles and miles of thick bush? Just curious.
 
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