considering switching from 12g to .44 mag for bush gun

Gad I wish we could carry handguns. Quite frankly, a long gun is a pain in the ass to carry around through the bush while trying to work.

I dont begrudge anyone for wanting to carry while cutting firewood/clearing trail etc, however Ive long given up trying as the chances of a bear encounter are so minimally low its not worth the hassle.
 
If I was going to purchase a new rifle, I'd prefer one chambered for a rifle cartridge, rather than a handgun cartridge. Something along the lines of a 5.5 to 6 pound .308 or a .30/06. Another option would be a CZ-527 in 7.62X39, which drives a 150 gr bullet at 2150 fps, is both shorter and lighter than rifles chambered for full sized rifle cartridges, and it shoots flatter than a pistol cartridge fired from a carbine. With one of those light rifles, I can engage targets beyond 300 yards, and with low velocity cast bullet loads I can take small game for the pot, thereby eclipsing the versatility of the 12 bore with a gun that is trimmer and lighter, and ammo that is both lighter and less bulky. Come hunting season, a short light carbine is perfect for deer hunting in thick stuff, but that flatter trajectory is a benefit if you come to a burn, a large bog, or spot game along a lake shore. If you were visiting those areas of Ontario with maximum caliber restrictions, your rifle could instead be chambered for a 6.5 cartridge like the 6.5X55, the newish 6.5 Creedmoor, or the .260 Remington, thereby being compliant with the regulations, and still having the punch you need for heavier game like moose and black bear.
 
blasted_saber said:
Gad I wish we could carry handguns. Quite frankly, a long gun is a pain in the ass to carry around through the bush while trying to work.

I dont begrudge anyone for wanting to carry while cutting firewood/clearing trail etc, however Ive long given up trying as the chances of a bear encounter are so minimally low its not worth the hassle.
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I agree. Even berry picking, it's just too much hassle trying to babysit a rifle at the same time. A short barreled .44 would be the cat's meow.
 
Boomer said:
If I was going to purchase a new rifle, I'd prefer one chambered for a rifle cartridge, rather than a handgun cartridge. Something along the lines of a 5.5 to 6 pound .308 or a .30/06. Another option would be a CZ-527 in 7.62X39, which drives a 150 gr bullet at 2150 fps, is both shorter and lighter than rifles chambered for full sized rifle cartridges, and it shoots flatter than a pistol cartridge fired from a carbine. With one of those light rifles, I can engage targets beyond 300 yards, and with low velocity cast bullet loads I can take small game for the pot, thereby eclipsing the versatility of the 12 bore with a gun that is trimmer and lighter, and ammo that is both lighter and less bulky. Come hunting season, a short light carbine is perfect for deer hunting in thick stuff, but that flatter trajectory is a benefit if you come to a burn, a large bog, or spot game along a lake shore. If you were visiting those areas of Ontario with maximum caliber restrictions, your rifle could instead be chambered for a 6.5 cartridge like the 6.5X55, the newish 6.5 Creedmoor, or the .260 Remington, thereby being compliant with the regulations, and still having the punch you need for heavier game like moose and black bear.
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Thing is, if you are looking at a 12 ga. or 44, you're not thinking 300-yard shots. Pretty hard to convince a CO that you shot a bear at 300 yards in self-defense. For very close range, a heavier bullet that can be fired rapidly is your best bet. That being said, I'm pushing 60, and have spent a lot of time in the bush, and I've never needed a gun for defense. I had a few close calls with (black) bears, but almost always my fault. In all cases, when I high-tailed it out, it stopped chasing. Once I had a big boar walking right at me. No amount of yelling or rock throwing got it to change direction, so when it was 10 ft. or so away, I hit it with pepper spray. Did the trick great.

To me (and I stress, to me) carrying a gun just on the what-if chance of having to defend myself is wayyyyy too much hassle.
 
blasted_saber said:
I dont begrudge anyone for wanting to carry while cutting firewood/clearing trail etc, however Ive long given up trying as the chances of a bear encounter are so minimally low its not worth the hassle.
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Papaclaude said:
To me (and I stress, to me) carrying a gun just on the what-if chance of having to defend myself is wayyyyy too much hassle.
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X3...

I carry a belt knife, if the unlikely ever happens, it will be a different kind of "stop, drop and roll..."
 
Papaclaude said:
Thing is, if you are looking at a 12 ga. or 44, you're not thinking 300-yard shots. Pretty hard to convince a CO that you shot a bear at 300 yards in self-defense. For very close range, a heavier bullet that can be fired rapidly is your best bet. That being said, I'm pushing 60, and have spent a lot of time in the bush, and I've never needed a gun for defense. I had a few close calls with (black) bears, but almost always my fault. In all cases, when I high-tailed it out, it stopped chasing. Once I had a big boar walking right at me. No amount of yelling or rock throwing got it to change direction, so when it was 10 ft. or so away, I hit it with pepper spray. Did the trick great.

To me (and I stress, to me) carrying a gun just on the what-if chance of having to defend myself is wayyyyy too much hassle.
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I agree with the bear spray. It is easy to carry and very effect.
 
Papaclaude said:
Thing is, if you are looking at a 12 ga. or 44, you're not thinking 300-yard shots. Pretty hard to convince a CO that you shot a bear at 300 yards in self-defense. For very close range, a heavier bullet that can be fired rapidly is your best bet. That being said, I'm pushing 60, and have spent a lot of time in the bush, and I've never needed a gun for defense. I had a few close calls with (black) bears, but almost always my fault. In all cases, when I high-tailed it out, it stopped chasing. Once I had a big boar walking right at me. No amount of yelling or rock throwing got it to change direction, so when it was 10 ft. or so away, I hit it with pepper spray. Did the trick great.

To me (and I stress, to me) carrying a gun just on the what-if chance of having to defend myself is wayyyyy too much hassle.
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The point is if you carry and shoot the same rifle in the off season that you hunt with, the better you should be with it. The more you like a certain gun and the more versatile that gun is, the more frequently you will carry it. Now I get there aren't many polar bears or grizzlies in Ottawa, which might account for our different perspectives, but the bottom line is, if a guy likes guns, and can legally carry where he vacations, works, or lives, he might as well carry what gives him the most mileage. If he uses that gun to put a rabbit in the pot, a deer in the freezer, or uses it to protect himself from a predatory black bear or a nasty dog, its all good.
 
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I carry my .44 mag mares leg in a shoulder holster. Can carry it days on end hands free. Hip holsters are a PIA always slapping your knee and get in the way crouching down. I gold pan frequently and its always handy.
C.
 
C-7.62x51 said:
I carry my .44 mag mares leg in a shoulder holster. Can carry it days on end hands free. Hip holsters are a PIA always slapping your knee and get in the way crouching down. I gold pan frequently and its always handy.
C.
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Did you modify something or make it your self?
Pictures would be nice if you have any...
 
Funny thread. Since when do folks need armed support for gathering firewood?

I'm going for a log myself after breakfast. Might take the peep sighted 760 for this one. :)
 
Pictures you say? The guns in question with representative central Ontario bush for example (taken during the deer hunt last fall)

.44mag (Ruger 77/44) - This is my desktop wallpaper at the office, I love it.

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12g (870 Wingmaster, 20" smooth bore/riflesights)

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WARNING : Marlins can be bad for your wallet, but are a s**h ton of fun :d.

After I seen a coyote eyeing up the beagle pup last summer I started carrying a gun while out for walks. Depends on which county I'm taking the dog for a walk in, I'll take the 22Mag/410 or the 1894 25-20(<my preferred) when out locally. The county north of me has no caliber restrictions, so I usually take the 1894 44 Mag. I find the 1894 44 Mag is an easy to carry, fun shooter :d, get your self a gong and have at it.

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Marlin Model 1894 44 Mag/ 44 Spl c/w Vortex Diamondback 2-7*35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marlin Safety 1894 25-20 Win Takedown (Made in 1900)


Now you if are really worried about bears, and recoil is not an issue, a Marlin 1895GBL 45-70 Gov c/w Sierra 400 gr JSP handloads @ ~1950 fps will stop them and anything else you might run into.
For you long range shooters, the 45-70 is not just a close in rifle, check out this 1000 yard match.
Just think if you have 1 of these 500 gr Hornady bullets in the chamber and 6 in the magazine, you'll have a 1/2 pound of lead to put down range!

Marlin Model 1895GBL 45-70 Government c/w Vortex Diamondback 1.75-5*32
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Marlin Model 336BL 30-30 Win c/w Vortex Diamondback 2-7*35

Some may argue, but I think the Marlin 336 BL 30-30 Win would be a better option for deer hunting over a 44 Mag. I consider the 30-30 to be on the light side for actual bear hunting, would be OK in an emergency close encounter.


Scopes: My bifocals and iron sights don't agree. These scope options have a wide field of view +60 ft. Most other scopes in this market where in and around 40ft. They are good for close in shooting with my old eyes. Hard to find a Vortex Diamondback 2-7*35 Rifle scope(on my 44 Mag & 30-30). There are Vortex Diamondback 2-7*35 Rimfire's out there. Reading through the product description Vortex says scope is rated for shotgun and muzzle loader use. Vortex only calls it a 'Rimfire' because the Parallax is set @ 50 yds. I have one in the gun cabinet waiting for a 1894 357 Mag / 38 Spl., Remington says the 357's are suppose to be hitting the market later this summer. ;)

Important Note: With Remington Marlins and late JM Production Marlin's, they need to be checked out thoroughly in person before you buy. There is all sorts of QC issues with some of the rifles made during the last years of JM Marlin and early years of Remlin. Remington's recent production QC is getting better but you still need to thoroughly check them over.
 
Many consider the Ruger 44 Carbine to be the best bush gun. Ruger stopped producing the old tubular magazine style carbine decades ago (too expensive to make profitable, apparently), but you can find ones in good/great shape on auction.
 
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