Compact brush/forrest rifle options? (White tail)

I would say, Remington model 7, or a marlin, Mossberg, savage/stevens 308 with the barrel cut down to 20 inches. Ang good gunsmith can cut these barrels down cheaply and well. What would really be nice would be an ULA with a 20 inch barrel, but that's beyond your budget.
Ivor
 
My answer to "why an optic?" is preference. I do agree that all you can see are leaves in the wrong areas with a scope, that is why I am getting a 1-4. At 1x, I can find what I need very fast - quite clearly - all the way to about 75 yards, then I can increase magnification if I feel like it. Also I am not getting a garbage optic, I will get something worth it - most likely the vortex PST 1-4.
 
Thanks a lot for your input guys, at this point I am torn between the Ruger American Compact (M77 compact as an upgrade option), or the Marlin 336C (BLR 308 as an upgrade option).

I went to a gun store yesterday and handled all the rifles that I was interested in. I noticed that I always gravitated towards real wood stocks vs synthetic which for some reason are unapealing to me.. which surprised me - being the AR type guy. But I think my tastes are changing lol..

Anyways, when I shouldered the Marlin 336C, its like the heavens opened up and created it for me. The LOP and everything about its handling is perfect. Nothing else was quite as nice except for some of the more expensive bolts. The M77 Hawk was a close second in terms of handling and shouldering, then the Ruger American was in the same veins but its synthetic and a bit cheaper feeling than the Marlin 336. They did not have any comapct versions in stock of the Rugers, but I liked their feel enough to know what the shorter versions were like. Definitely don't want a full length rifle for sure.

Anyways, the Ruger American is light and comes in the 308. Very portable and wouldn't look bad with a nice 1-4 on it. On the other hand, the 336 is a dream to handle, but the 30 30 round seems to be a bit limited compared to the 308.

In the end I think the 30 30 is sufficient up to far enough for my uses.. if I ever really need additional power maybe I can examine that when I get to that road..
 
You have made a good choice... .30/30 is perfect for your use... Load up some Hornady FTX 160's with LVR or CFE-223 and it comes a lot closer to .308 than many would think... In my singles I load Nosler 150 BT's at 2600 fps... That is plenty of power.
 
This topic has been well covered, but here goes anyway.

Open sights, first shot counts in the brush, so action isn't paramount, try a win 94, Ruger carbine, Ruger frontier, as I am partial to bolt action, or anything that handles well for you. Something that points naturally, quick to shoulder, and you shoot well, it could even be a shotgun with buckshot. Just be sure to use a firearm that you like, fits well, points naturally, and you are comfortable and confident with.

For the thick stuff and whitetails, I use either a model seven is 7mm-08, or a #1 in 7x57, or a Ruger carbine in 44 Rem Mag, as all three work very well for me when fast, close, and accurate within 50 yards matters. I just pick one I feel like using that day and go.
 
Slaymoar said:
...but the 30 30 round seems to be a bit limited compared to the 308.
Click to expand...

Superbrad said:
I just don't understand why you would want to come closer to a .308 as possible by reloading and black magic... Why not just buy a .308?
Click to expand...

My comment on maximizing the performance of the .30/30 was in relation to the above quote... many people only have experience with then 170 FN ammo out of lever actions... they have never experienced performance powders and bullets for the .30/30... when you do, you begin to realize the full potential of this classic case... I do own many .308's and other "mightier" calibers... but just because I grab the turdy-turdy for the day, doesn't mean that I have given up on performance.

For the record my Handi "woods rifles" are seen below;

.30/30 & 7.62X39 Swap Barrel Combo;





.357 Maximum Walnut/Cocobolo Mannlicher;




.44 Rem Mag Mannlicher (NoDak NDS-38 Peeps);


 
I give you cred hoyt... But at the same time, in the context of the thread, is op best to buy a rifle that needs special loads to "almost" equal one he can buy off the shelf?
 
Superbrad said:
I give you cred hoyt... But at the same time, in the context of the thread, is op best to buy a rifle that needs special loads to "almost" equal one he can buy off the shelf?
Click to expand...

The point was, he chose the .30/30... I was suggesting a way to get the most out of his choice... And when is "enough" ever enough? There is always a "better" or "bigger" or "faster" cartridge... Sufficient for the task at hand is where its at...
 
hoytcanon said:
The point was, he chose the .30/30... I was suggesting a way to get the most out of his choice... And when is "enough" ever enough? There is always a "better" or "bigger" or "faster" cartridge... Sufficient for the task at hand is where its at...
Click to expand...

THanks, I have been on youtube looking at reloading videos.. its not as magic as it seems, pretty straightforward machinery. After looking at ballistic charts and distances etc.. WIth the right round I can get 250 yards which is way more than I need lol. I'm guessing my average shot would be within 150.
 
Slaymoar said:
THanks, I have been on youtube looking at reloading videos.. its not as magic as it seems, pretty straightforward machinery. After looking at ballistic charts and distances etc.. WIth the right round I can get 250 yards which is way more than I need lol. I'm guessing my average shot would be within 150.
Click to expand...

I think you'll like the Marlin 336. It's a nice gun to handle, feels natural to shoot, comes with decent sights yet it's easy to scope, and it's a lever action that looks good. I have a 336SS and it works nicely with Hornady interlock 170gr in front of 30gr of IMR 3031 which yields 2000 fps and hits clays at 150m with a mediocre shooter behind the trigger. I'm thinking of trying the Hornady 160gr FTX with flexible ballistic tips in front of the Hodgdon LeverRevolution just for curiosity sake.
 
AWMozart said:
I'm thinking of trying the Hornady 160gr FTX with flexible ballistic tips in front of the Hodgdon LeverRevolution just for curiosity sake.
Click to expand...


This is the load I have been shooting in my levers for a couple years now... I recently switched from LVR to CFE-223... It is a touch slower, but more consistently accurate.
 
I agree that optics are the way to go in almost any bush situation. I recall a few times sitting on a tree stand in the bush where shots to 80 yards or so were possible. In the last few minutes of legal shooting light the only way to possibly see anything (let alone shoot it) was by looking through binoculars or my scope.
The ultimate scope perhaps would be the leupold VX-R 1.25-4 with firedot reticle.
During the day the quickest and deadliest would be an eotech holographic sight.
These would outperform irons any day in my opinion.
 
My eyes are getting old I can't even use iron sights any more really sucks I switched to ghost ring rear sights but now I am using scopes.

I opted for a 1X Leupold Prismatic lighted reticle scope but also use 1-4X to 2-7X scopes .
 
Check out a Marlin 336Y in 30-30. And if you do go with a 336 and need the scope rail, the weaver rail number is 63B. For the stainless one it is 63BS.

Great little rifles.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom