Best all around bush gun (rifle or shotgun)

blasted_saber said:
I find it funny that the armchair warriors out there are disregarding posters who live and work in big bear country, and have faced large bears, and killed them.

Imagination trumps actual experience. ROFL
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Reality often trumps imagination.....
Cougars on the Island are probably the biggest threat ( though still small).....not exactly "big bear country"
 
hillbros_96 said:
I think the OP needs to clarify what animals he is going to run into. I am looking for the same thing, and was thinking 12 gauge with slugs. But the grizzly I bumped at 40 yards as me rethinking the entire topic because I do not think the 12 would be enough. If the OP is not in grizzly country then the 3030 and bigger would be fine, along with the 12 gauge with slugs.
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Unfortunately we don't usually get to decide what animals we're going to run into! :)

You're camping in Victoria with your 30-30 expecting black bear, suddenly a grizzly walks into camp, "WTF!! THEY said there weren't any grizzlies here!!"

Always bring enough gun! If you're not proficient or can't shoot it well PRACTICE until you can. If you're hunting buffalo in African but can only handle a 30-30 you have tow choices, don't hunt buffalo or learn to shoot the big guns. Taking the easy road and hoping is not a good strategy.
 
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If you can't handle yourself with a 30-30 in the bush in Canada you should probably stay home.....the idea that a very powerful gun is needed in order to camp in most of Canada is a bit humorous to me.
It's a wonder the first nations survived with their primitive tools! Maybe they new something we don't or maybe the best tool is the one you carry around in your skull.
 
I've used various bush guns over the years and I've settled on a 45 Colt Mdl94 Trapper. I load 300gr bullets fairly stoutly.

I think the most important aspect about a bush rambling defense gun is that you have it with you, and that means it should be light, handy and portable. The Trapper fits this bill even better than my second choice - 14" 870 with Brenneke slugs. I wouldn't run from any black bear or a grizzly with either of these guns. Although there are certain areas in BC with high populations of very large coastal grizzlies and I'd pack my 375 Ruger there.
 
Can-down said:
If you can't handle yourself with a 30-30 in the bush in Canada you should probably stay home.....the idea that a very powerful gun is needed in order to camp in most of Canada is a bit humorous to me.
It's a wonder the first nations survived with their primitive tools! Maybe they new something we don't or maybe the best tool is the one you carry around in your skull.
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Sure, but it's a little like carrying one of those small handy fire extinguishers in your car. Great if you catch things in time, useless when you have a real problem. There's no replacement for displacement! :)
 
Can-down said:
If you can't handle yourself with a 30-30 in the bush in Canada you should probably stay home.....the idea that a very powerful gun is needed in order to camp in most of Canada is a bit humorous to me.
It's a wonder the first nations survived with their primitive tools! Maybe they new something we don't or maybe the best tool is the one you carry around in your skull.
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They often didn't survive.
Hence why now a days they use modern firearms.

As much as I love my 30/30 I'd feel better having my 45/70 with me in big bear country. Also nothing wrong with a good 12 gauge but personally I find the ammo too bulky...it's preference thing.
 
hillbros_96 said:
I think the OP needs to clarify what animals he is going to run into. I am looking for the same thing, and was thinking 12 gauge with slugs. But the grizzly I bumped at 40 yards as me rethinking the entire topic because I do not think the 12 would be enough. If the OP is not in grizzly country then the 3030 and bigger would be fine, along with the 12 gauge with slugs.
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From the Brenneke USA website:




Hunting Reports

Some life experiences with Brenneke

To whom it may concern,

just thought I should share some life experiences with you concerning the 3 inch Brenneke.
At the age of 41 I have been using them for 22 years exclusively on almost every species that walks western Canada with no regrets.
Mostly used on black bears, 37 in total, from 6 feet up to 150 yards, with a 18 inch Remington, doublebarrell coach guns and even a Benelli Super 90 tactical (now prohibited in Canada). I formerly had a friend with a 2000 acre ranch, with a huge bear problem. 3 men armed with Brennekes over the course of about 3 seasons managed to wipe out 23 black bears and one 450 lb grizzly, who stuck his nose in the wrong fish smoker, all with 3 inch Brennekes.
I was first turned onto them by a man named Siegfried Lantenhammer, a German fellow who owned a local gun store call Northland Sports. Most people who have never used a shotgun for this purpose have a hard time believing how effective the Brenneke is.
Just for the record, me and my buddies still shoot countless Remington and Winchester slugs, but only at rocks and beer cans, because that´s all they are good for. Trust me, I speak from experience. Brennekes are my constant companion whether I´m picking blueberries in the middle of nowhere or up in the mountains prospecting for gold, they have saved my ass more than a few times & I will keep using them until they stick me in a hole and shovel dirt on my face.

Keep up the good work.

James Barclay
Prince George, British Columbia

Unquote

Feed that gauge the right ammo and you'll be just fine IMO.
Trivia: The State of Alaska issues this ammo to their state troopers for moose and bear control.
Personally I call that a great endorsement. :cool:
 
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My general bushgun is a mossberg 500. There really isnt a lot oudoors that wont be stopped by a 3" 12 ga slug or 00 buckshot.
The receiver is aluminum so its much lighter than most other guns of its size and is very low cost.
It holds 5 in the mag and is available as a turkey gun with shorter barrel with chokes or combo options so it can be a very versitile tool. I also like the
placement of the action release which is behind the trigger which IMO is a more natural palce for it to be.
I have the 28 inch camo model with a 19 inch barrel i cut down for heavy bush and for fun.
Five years ago i would never have suggested a mossy as i was an 870 fan and i had a 30/30 as well.
I sold them and got the 500 in a deal last year and am very impressed with the functionality and ease of carry in the field.
IMO there is a lot more recoil than an 870 but since i only use it in the field i dont mind much as i carry it more than actualy shoot.
 
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Calum said:
They often didn't survive.
Hence why now a days they use modern firearms.

As much as I love my 30/30 I'd feel better having my 45/70 with me in big bear country. Also nothing wrong with a good 12 gauge but personally I find the ammo too bulky...it's preference thing.
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;)Me to. I'm not a fan of stainless but this would/is my choice.
In a modern day firearm it shows it's versility by being to 'handle' a wide range of handloads from low powered cast bullet loads to those approaching the power of the 458WM.

 
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Term bush gun hmmm
hunting or walking
deep timber or rd

here's what I did
Sks modified synsedic stock 5 rd mags
soft point 123 / small 308
max range 75 yards
3x9 lazer for dark timber
semi auto

grizzly country deep timber 20 yard lazer on
 
IanC said:
My general bushgun is a mossberg 500. There really isnt a lot oudoors that will stop a 3" 12 ga slug or 00 buckshot.
The receiver is aluminum so its much lighter than most other guns of its size and is very low cost.
It holds 5 in the mag and is available as a turkey gun with shorter barrel with chokes or combo options so it can be a very versitile tool.
I have the 28 inch camo model with a 19 inch barrel for heavy bush.
Five years ago i would never have suggested a mossy as i was an 870 fan and i had a 30/30. I sold them and got the 500 in a deal last year and am very impressed with the functionality and ease of carry in the field.
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Consider myself an Ithaca fan here. The lightest production shotgun with a steel receiver.
 
I figured i would get some flack over the aluminum receiver but ive seen a lot of old beat up mossbergs that still go bang every time.
Like i have changed over. Im a convert, I dont think i would want to make it my duck gun though due to the recoil, i added a limbsaver which helps.
 
quarterman said:
I know a defender full of slugs would be better, but lately Ive been packing a winchester model 92 trapper carbine in 45 colt.
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I got one too, awesome little gun. Came across some bear spoor once while hunting with it, it retrospect I was likely the one being tracked ;), that .45 Colt started feeling very small......
 
Cleftwynd said:
Ok Mr Peterson, enough of the teaser pics....lol. I still want that 7x61SH!!!
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The closest thing I have that could be defined as a collection, is my small family of Schultz & Larsens. When I saw the three cartridges pictured on the cover of an old Norma reloading manual,;) I set that as a quest for my Schultz & Larsen 'family'.



That quest was recently successfully completed when I finaly picked up a difficult to find model 68DL in 358 Norma Magnum:D:D.
From the top down;
  • - 7x61 S&H - model 68DL
  • - 308 Norma Magnum - model 65DL
  • - 358 Norma Magnum - model 68DL


So, ;):eek:, I couldn't possibly put the 7x61 S&H up for 'adoption' and break up the 'family'.



In addition, the 7x61 S&H gets the call for my next Mule Deer or Antelope draw hunt in Alberta:).
 
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