Bush Specialty Firearm

Cva scout compact if you don’t take running shots, maybe a leupold x2.5, or red dot. Rossi 92 16-18” barrel if you take running shots. Another option I don’t think mentioned, Win 100 was pretty compact, maybe chop barrel down 22”?
 
This summer I purchased a specialty rifle for moose and black bears. I did kill my bull moose, in hindsight, I could of killed by whitetail buck as well, only 75 yards. This rifle could be used for still hunting in thick forest and close range shots. Merkel 141 Petite Frame SXS double rifle, 9.3x74R, 22" barrels, scope or open sights.
https://imgur.com/a/Yxy7din
 
Howdy Folks.


I hunt some pretty thick woods where most shots from the stand are about 40-80 yards. I currently am using a full sized bolt rifle (300 win mag) for bears and deer in my area but am looking to get into something more compact.

Any recommendations on a rifle and calibre combo?. I am leaning towards a 45-70 (impossible to find) or a 358 Winchester.


Thanks in advance!

If you are hunting only from a stand I would say anything goes, but at 40-80 yds while I love the 300wm, I would consider a 308, or similar. In honesty if 80yds is pushing your max, I would consider a 12ga with good slugs.

I used to use this in thick woods in NE BC, 7X57, short, nimble, and cleared of high-speed-high-drag guff, less snags etc when I was pushing through 1yd visibility stuff, the red dot made for easy hits out to 100yds.

 
Honestly, in thick woods a 30-06 760 with a 20" barrel would be my first choice with a 1-4x or 1.5-5x optic from Leupold..

Fixed it for you ....... I've pretty much gone with the 1.5-5 on mine over the receiver sight.

8o7Q6VGl.jpg
 
If you are hunting only from a stand I would say anything goes, but at 40-80 yds while I love the 300wm, I would consider a 308, or similar. In honesty if 80yds is pushing your max, I would consider a 12ga with good slugs.

I used to use this in thick woods in NE BC, 7X57, short, nimble, and cleared of high-speed-high-drag guff, less snags etc when I was pushing through 1yd visibility stuff, the red dot made for easy hits out to 100yds.


What stock is that on the Howa?
 
You think that 358 will be easier to find that 45-70? I'd like to visit your LGS!

Honestly, in thick woods a 30-06 with a 20" barrel would be my first choice with a 1-4x or 1.5-5x optic from Leupold..

Fixed it for you ....... I've pretty much gone with the 1.5-5 on mine over the receiver sight.

8o7Q6VGl.jpg

I have a very similiar set up . Mine is in 308 , but I also went with a 1.5 to 5 variable , great little rifle .
 
I have multiple options.

The latest ponys to enter the stable were a MVP patrol in 308 and a Ruger American Ranch in 7.62x39.

Then there are the old standbys

1894 in .30-30
&
1895 in 45/70
 
358 Win browning BLR SS T/D is my go-to rifle. Much less recoil than a 45/70. That being said, there's only one commercial loading for it and it's been hard to find since the pandemic: hornady 200 gr SP. There was briefly some HSM 225 gr gameking available but it seems to have dried up. Not that there's anything wrong with the hornady, just something to consider if you don't reload.

although the 45/70 will give you more commercial ammo options, I'd still go for the 358. Despite having a 45/70 I always reach for the 358 for deer, bear and this year moose.

Sent the BLR out for black box customs' fall cerakote promo. Very impressed with the result.

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Wild west guns co-pilot (marlin 1895 stainless) with same treatment.
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I couldn’t even fathom how many 760’s or 740’s are in Deer/Moose or Bear camps yearly across this country…

There are more 760s in Ontario and Sask. compared to the rest of the country. I see more 740s here in NB then 760s, but that has changed towards bolt actions in the last 30yrs.
 
Here's my 45-70, a Pedersoli Boar Buster Shadow with a Romeo5 Red Dot and SpearHead Machine muzzle brake. IIRC it has a 19" barrel, so not as compact as some other versions like the Chiappa with a 12.5" barrel...

IMG_7476.jpg

You did say 45-70 OR 358, so I assume you want more horsepower but I thought I would post up my Taylors & Co stainless lever takedown in 44Mag, also with a Romeo5 dot. It has a 16" barrel. I set it up as a "camp gun" where you might need a flashlight in a hurry if a bear was to wander in... And some have asked, does the flashlight wash out the red dot. No it doesn't.

Taylors&CoTakedown1982in44Mag.jpg
 

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I was going to say a 358 Win on a 16-20" barrel sounds like a good idea. Heavish bullet, you'll get everything out of the case in a very handy package.

9.3x62 also a very good option. Very little on the planet will feel better after being hit by a 285gr Partition. I'd want a 22" barrel though just to make use of the case.

Scrummy
 
Here's my 45-70, a Pedersoli Boar Buster Shadow with a Romeo5 Red Dot and SpearHead Machine muzzle brake. IIRC it has a 19" barrel, so not as compact as some other versions like the Chiappa with a 12.5" barrel...

View attachment 727816

You did say 45-70 OR 358, so I assume you want more horsepower but I thought I would post up my Taylors & Co stainless lever takedown in 44Mag, also with a Romeo5 dot. It has a 16" barrel. I set it up as a "camp gun" where you might need a flashlight in a hurry if a bear was to wander in... And some have asked, does the flashlight wash out the red dot. No it doesn't.

View attachment 727817

Jay, you are a man after my own heart when it comes to the Lever Guns!

I have a 20" 44 Alaskan myself and just gone back to a red dot. (Burris Fastfire). Used to have a Leupold 2.5x28 Scout Scope on it but I'm really enjoying red dots at the moment.

That Pedersoli Boar Buster is a thing of beauty! Peep sight as a back up where is needs to be, close to your eye, handy to pop the red dot off and drop the comb if you want to shoot the peep.

I made a change to my Alaskan where I put the XS peep sight across the back of the action as I could not get on with the peep in front of the ejection port on the rail

TLhDBc3l.jpg


HCWoRDFl.jpg


AtnVNtPl.jpg


Scrummy
 
Ruger american predator in 308 or 270 are good, synthetic stock so it can be scratched, 18" barrel, 4rd mag if you see multiple. Weighs 6.2lbs. About 800$, or 5-600 used.

Otherwise, a '94 just because the action is that much shorter and narrower.
 
Jay, you are a man after my own heart when it comes to the Lever Guns!

I have a 20" 44 Alaskan myself and just gone back to a red dot. (Burris Fastfire). Used to have a Leupold 2.5x28 Scout Scope on it but I'm really enjoying red dots at the moment.

That Pedersoli Boar Buster is a thing of beauty! Peep sight as a back up where is needs to be, close to your eye, handy to pop the red dot off and drop the comb if you want to shoot the peep.

I made a change to my Alaskan where I put the XS peep sight across the back of the action as I could not get on with the peep in front of the ejection port on the rail

Scrummy

Thanks! If I had not found the 16", I might have ended up with the 20" Alaskan as well...

I do enjoy the lever guns, there is just something about them...
 
There are more 760s in Ontario and Sask. compared to the rest of the country. I see more 740s here in NB then 760s, but that has changed towards bolt actions in the last 30yrs.

In our group of eight, there’s 2 740’s and one 760. The 740’s are backups and the 760 has seen daily use for over 30 hunting seasons.

If I wasn’t spoiled by LW’ish Bolt rigs over the yrs, I’d source one to make it an even four in camp.. probably in ‘08 or 35 Whelan.

I’ll agree SC that a lot of those have probably been relegated to backup status over the few decades in favour of Bolts just like those in our group.
 
358 Win browning BLR SS T/D is my go-to rifle. Much less recoil than a 45/70. That being said, there's only one commercial loading for it and it's been hard to find since the pandemic: hornady 200 gr SP. There was briefly some HSM 225 gr gameking available but it seems to have dried up. Not that there's anything wrong with the hornady, just something to consider if you don't reload.

although the 45/70 will give you more commercial ammo options, I'd still go for the 358. Despite having a 45/70 I always reach for the 358 for deer, bear and this year moose.

Sent the BLR out for black box customs' fall cerakote promo. Very impressed with the result.

View attachment 727712

Wild west guns co-pilot (marlin 1895 stainless) with same treatment.
View attachment 727713
View attachment 727716

That "murdered out" BLR looks sensational!
 
Get a Remington 760 pump in .308 and put an eotech holographic sight on it, mounted as far forward as possible. EGW makes a multi- slot rail for the 760.
Way faster and easier to see in low light than any iron sights. When the sun starts setting it gets dark in the bush real fast.
 
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