Best all around bush gun (rifle or shotgun)

BeaverMeat said:
Since we be laying out the rifles on the carpet... A visual of my choice.

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Yes, it is "only" a .308... But it will get the job done with proper shot placement. My choice for a lower-to-mid Sask bush gun. Light weight, balanced, easy to handle and comfortable to shoot.

...and damn good looking

Now, someone talk me into a 9.3x62
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Nice and X2 with Calums comments. I picked up one that was from:( the estate of a friend and former workmate. It's a Sako A III in .270 Win. Ideally I was looking for or 'hoping' to get something along this line but in a more traditional European caliber like a 7x57 but for sentimental reasons, this will fill the void in my 'herd' for a rifle that style.

 
Gunslinger said:
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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There has been 1 (one) Grizzly killed on Vancouver Island in the last 300 years, the theory being it either swam island to island or caught a ride on an empty barge. They're not a native species here.
 
A 'sportered - butchered - Lee is only $150.00 in damned near pristine condition. They are certainly good enough for the arctic rangers, capable of working in freezing arctic conditions - let alone through two World Wars! And, the most fire power one can attain in most cases legally. Furthermore, A #4Mk1, has excellent peep sights and the ability to easily out-range any shotgun or 45-70.

From light bullets all the way up to 180 and 215 grain bullets, is one hell of a poisioned pill. But... that's if you want to be eminently practicable. And affordable.

Because factory sawed-off's and short barreled pumps are so very fun!
 
Stevebot-7 said:
Well, for shotguns I've recently been falling in love with the Winchester model 12. Unfortunately they haven't been in mass production for quite a while, and are getting slightly rare. I just love takedown guns.

As for rifles, have you considered a Browning BLR Takedown? It uses a magazine, which increases the number of calibers you can use versus a tube magazine.
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Great idea and the Model 12 can be had for two or three hundred. Quality gun in all respects. Takedown feature is very useful when passing through areas where nervous nellies congregate.

For a rifle, a .303 with 18" bbl (like a No.5 Lee Enfield) and some 215gr. loads would be a good and cheap option, as in the post above this one.
 
The best bush gun in my safe is my Marlin 1895GS in 45/70 with a Leupold 1-4x20. I can use the scope set on 1x better and faster than I can use irons, especially if the light is fading.
I carry a backup iron sight in my pack that fits the weaver base. (peep)
I added a new front sight that is a post with protective wings.
It's short and handy for close up work.
Reliable and weather resistant.
Long proven design.
Lever action is fast.
Easy to top up the magazine. I use a cartridge holder on the buttstock.
If you actually want to use it for something other than close up blasting it's accurate enough to take a rabbit at 100 yards or take the head off a grouse a little closer.
Heavy enough to make sense in bear country (with proper handloads or certain factory stuff - if you don't handload maybe get a 450 Marlin instead).
Very effective on moose and deer out to 250 yards or more.

I don't know what else I'd want in a bush gun.

My Lee Enfield Mk5 Jungle Carbine would be another nice choice but I prefer my Marlin.
 
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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The first nations didn't wander around alone in family units. They moved in tribes. I think if I was moving through thick bush with a group of 20 or more, I wouldn't be so concerned about carrying a gun.
 
superlative said:
The first nations didn't wander around alone in family units. They moved in tribes. I think if I was moving through thick bush with a group of 20 or more, I wouldn't be so concerned about carrying a gun.
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Depends on what group one is talking about.
Some groups appear to have been more static then others.
 
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