Best all around bush gun (rifle or shotgun)

870 with a 12 1/2 barrel, and a side saddle. Nothing stops living things like a 12 gauge slug, put a rubber slug or rubber buckshot round in first if you want to play nice, follow it with a one ounce slug. Inside 60 yards, a 12 gauge shotgun is the single most destructive device we're allowed to own.
 
12ga pump all the way. reliable, heavy hitting and cheap to shoot, this allows you to practice practice practice, as well as teach the family (or maybe just the wife) how to use it in case you arent around.

*Disclaimer. Teaching ones wife to shoot can be hazardous to ones health
 
Another vote for a 12 gauge. Get a marine version (mossberg, winchester, remington to name a few) to simplfy the care you need to give it. They are point and shoot with buck shot and very accurate to a hundred yards with good slugs.
 
Mini 14 or an 870 along with my M1873 pistol is what I take into the bush. A .30-30 or .44 mag lever is good. Marlin guide gun. .357 pump, .308 scout, DA grizz, anything like that is a good option.

If you're wanting good protection and a hunting gun I'd go .30-30 lever personally. Lots of good options from good nutz.
 
Lots to consider.
Open country or bush?
The biggest thing is how fast can you load what you decide to use.
I sure like the idea of a 35 caliber.
Hence my BLR81 in 358win. Two mags full.
 
When I hear 'bush' gun I assume thickly wooded area where shots are nearly always close range - and for that a shotgun is awfully hard to beat. With proper ammo selection a 12ga can handle absolutely any scenario from two or four legged predator defense to big and small game hunting. There are even sub-calibre adapters enabling one to shoot centrefire or rimfire rounds. 12ga is more versatile and much easier to find ammo for than any other load. A break-action single barrel is unmatched for compactness and simplicity, with the side benefit of being very inexpensive - meaning you'll actually put the thing to hard use instead of unconsciously babying it. That being said, a pump-action probably offers the best blend of characterizes for a bush gun. Buy an Rem 870 or Mossberg 500 and you'll also have an unlimited number of options for customizing it to your exact specifications.
 
BCpopgun said:
I'm looking for the best all around gun for bush/camp protection. I don't hunt but I spend a lot of time in bear and cougar country and I have a young family. It should be reasonably packable and able to work in all weather conditions.

I have been considering a 12G pump with an 18" barrel or a large caliber lever action (Marlin Guide etc.). I don't want a scope.

Any advice would be welcome,




Thanks
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Well you are on the right track with what you are considering.
1. you don't want a scope on it

2 you don't want a bolt action, a lever or a pump will work better.

3. A short handy 12 ga shotgun with SLUGS is a good choice.

4. I think a 30/30 is on the light side and a 45/70 is on the heavy side for shooting comfortably (you are going to want to do some serious practicing with your gun)

5. A lever action with a removable clip could be hany as you can keep the clip loaded and just snap it in place when you may need it.


So I would recommend a Rem. 870 with the shorted slug barrel or a lever action in .308 or similar with a clip.
 
Based on what everyone has suggested I'm going with the following:

For value: the short barrel 870 with extended mag. Affordable setup and affordable ammo, can't go wrong.
For weight and cowboy coolness: Ranch Hand 44 mag. Easy to pack and I can't really pack a pistol legally. 4 lbs is better than 7 lbs when packing a gun I will probably only need as a security blanket in my tent.
 
BCpopgun said:
Based on what everyone has suggested I'm going with the following:

For value: the short barrel 870 with extended mag. Affordable setup and affordable ammo, can't go wrong.
For weight and cowboy coolness: Ranch Hand 44 mag. Easy to pack and I can't really pack a pistol legally. 4 lbs is better than 7 lbs when packing a gun I will probably only need as a security blanket in my tent.
Click to expand...


You can pack certain kinds of pistols legally. Like an M1873 bored from 11mm french ordinance to .455 mk 2 which has in stock ammo at budget shooter supply.

Good choices though OP. Happy bush carrying.
 
I was going to say any lever action but that's not true.

My marlin 444 is just so heavy it's been relegated to camp gun status.

I have a rossi 92 357 that I bought to carry when I'm out walking but it's so nice I don't want to wreck it.

My old winchester 94, on the other hand, is banged up enough I don't mind taking it anywhere. It's a 30-30 and I've devolped some skookum loads for it. It's the one I carry the most so that's my choice.

Nothing wrong with a 12 gauge either though.
 
BEST ALL AROUND BUSH GUN

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