NO rifle for a brush gun is better than a hot loaded 44 mag, this is the king of the thick wood and it does anchor them with autority with a loud thump, in a 5 pounds rifle and minimal recoil less than a 30-30 when i am pushing the deer toward my sons the 44 mag often stopped them before you can ear the 270 or the 308 of my boys... 16 fells to the 44 mag and it aint over yet, my closes ones call me Monsieur Quarante-quatre... JP.
"Brush" Gun
- Thread starter TPB12335
- Start date
Bassmaster
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- WMU 48 - Whitetail country
My vote is for a Marlin 336 @ 30-30....but NOT one of the new POS
It was a given that the 30-30, and in particular the Model 94 30-30, would be the most popular choice on this topic.
However, the older Marlins are, in my opinion, the hands down winner in handling, as compared to the 94. And the nicest handling, including cycling, of them all, is the older 1894 Marlin in 44 mag.
Snap that to your shoulder and you are looking right through the Williams aperature.
However, the older Marlins are, in my opinion, the hands down winner in handling, as compared to the 94. And the nicest handling, including cycling, of them all, is the older 1894 Marlin in 44 mag.
Snap that to your shoulder and you are looking right through the Williams aperature.
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
I wouldnt say that. I find the Ruger semi .44 mag with factory loads thumps the shoulder significantly more then a 3030.
Marlin 45/70, then the Marlin .44 Mag. or .45 Colt's, then the 30/30, this is the order of "knockdown" when using heavy handloads, IMHO...just about any weight for the 45/70 fodder, 300-350grs. in the .44 or .45, the other choices just don't have the jam.
I have a Wnchester 94 in 30-30 which I think is a 1894 model and I think it is from 1947 or so based on the seriel#. I sure like the gun. It is so light and easy to handle, a pleasure to use. It shoots good as well. For bush work I'd take this gun every time. Lots of moose have been taken down with 30-30s. Big heavy slow bullets are OK!
JimmieA.
JimmieA.
RememberTheSomme
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Out of this slim pickings list. Go with the "Rifle"
round. I call it the 3..0..3..Oh Winchester.
Nice little Marlin 336T or 336TS(mid 80s production) with 18.5 inch barrel, straight lever and 2.5X WA fixed will be your best buddy.
The little Carbine is as accurate as they come @ 100yds, and with todays PREMIUM factory ammo choices, it has a new lease on life.
The old 170s of bygone days killed tens of thousands of Deer a year throughout North America, and hunters had to look a little to find some after solid hits, causing lost deer by inexperienced hunters.
Now if you want a fast handling, put them down like the Hammer of Thor through that Thick Fir or small hardwood, a BLR81 or Winchester 88 Carbine in .308 is supreme, if it must be a lever.
And for when the Big brusier happens to cross the road 250 yds away while you're loading up to push a stand ,this pair won't get their barrels all streched out of shape, trying to make this shot as well.
round. I call it the 3..0..3..Oh Winchester.Nice little Marlin 336T or 336TS(mid 80s production) with 18.5 inch barrel, straight lever and 2.5X WA fixed will be your best buddy.
The little Carbine is as accurate as they come @ 100yds, and with todays PREMIUM factory ammo choices, it has a new lease on life.
The old 170s of bygone days killed tens of thousands of Deer a year throughout North America, and hunters had to look a little to find some after solid hits, causing lost deer by inexperienced hunters.
Now if you want a fast handling, put them down like the Hammer of Thor through that Thick Fir or small hardwood, a BLR81 or Winchester 88 Carbine in .308 is supreme, if it must be a lever.
And for when the Big brusier happens to cross the road 250 yds away while you're loading up to push a stand ,this pair won't get their barrels all streched out of shape, trying to make this shot as well.
gunrunner8
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Kamloops, B.C.
Ultimate brush gun? I can't belive nobody mentioned 336Marlin in 35 Rem jet! that combo will allow cheap training with pistol bullets but loaded with 220gr Speer FP will put to shame 30-30 and other revolver cartridges in one shot game stoping category....
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
I agree when it comes to lever actions. I just find the Ruger particularly viscous.
fat tony
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I think of the 35 Remington as the Atlantic Canadian version of the .45/70.
Being able to use .38 special bullets for practice / small game (if your juristiction allows) is a huge plus.
Last edited:
Looking like the 30-30 is the winner. I found some brass from a few years ago(15ish I would say), from when I first started hunting at 12 and that was the gun I used, which is kind of what got me going on this in the first place. Guess I'll have to pick myself up one. Thanks guys.
I recently picked up a 16" puma in .44mag for plinking/bush hunting. I wanted something that was cheap/easy to reload for plinking, but would be easy to carry with enough knock down for close range hunting in the thick stuff. So far i'm very happy with it.
