Lever or Semi-auto

Pick whichever one you like best. There is little difference in the speed of "aimed" fire in the hands of an experienced operator between lever,semi or pump. To me too much emphasis is placed on rapid fire for woods rifles, I think it leads to a lot of wounded game.
 
Pick the gun that fits you the best.
I like guns that are short, Lightwieght, and fit me well. How about a
Sako 75 or 85 Finnlight in .308 as it is all weather, Light and short. Fits me well.
If you are thinking of buying a semi auto, the Browning Bar in .308 will work great!
The BLR in .308 would probably be my next choice along with the Rem 760 Carbine.
Lots of great guns out there. I also like to hunt Deer and Moose with my 45-70 Guide Gun. Find what gun fits you the best or be like me and just buy one of everything....!
LOL....!

Tikka
 
I wouldn't rule out a bolt action, either. There is also a fairly good selection of short-barreled, lightweight bolt actions on the market from Winchester, Remington, Ruger, CZ, etc.

I'll admit that I have a soft spot for the older Savage 99s made before they started using pressed checkering.
 
The number one rule when buying guns for hunting purposes is to buy what you prefer. If you like leverguns, buy one. If you prefer semi-autos, buy one. A major part of the enjoyment I experience in hunting, is hunting with the kind of rifles I really enjoy which, in my case, happen to be century-old leverguns. If someone told me a modern 338 bolt gun was better, it would not make an iota of difference to me. I don't care what is 'better'; it is what I enjoy that counts. Now if we were talking combat, which I know nothing about, then what I enjoy would have to be set aside and I'd go with what is thought to be best by those heavily experienced in combat. But when it comes to hunting, it is what you enjoy most that I would recommend you get.
 
Leif Cott said:
I am looking to purchase a bush gun... It will be in .308 as that is what I am set up for, as far as reloading goes.

But, not sure if it will be a lever (BLR) or a semi-auto....

What do you guys think? and why?
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Semi is faster but faster isn't everything. It's more important you find something you are comfortable with and feel confident about.

What we think isn't important. Just because I like beef better than chicken doesn't mean you will, and this question you are asking is the same thing.

Try both and see what suits you best, or buy the one that appeals the most to you. If it turns out you change your mind you can sell and buy a different one later. Guns are like ice cream, you can try a new flavour if you're tired of the old one, just don't try it with your wife. ;)
 
Win 38-55 said:
The number one rule when buying guns for hunting purposes is to buy what you prefer. If you like leverguns, buy one. If you prefer semi-autos, buy one. A major part of the enjoyment I experience in hunting, is hunting with the kind of rifles I really enjoy which, in my case, happen to be century-old leverguns. If someone told me a modern 338 bolt gun was better, it would not make an iota of difference to me. I don't care what is 'better'; it is what I enjoy that counts. Now if we were talking combat, which I know nothing about, then what I enjoy would have to be set aside and I'd go with what is thought to be best by those heavily experienced in combat. But when it comes to hunting, it is what you enjoy most that I would recommend you get.
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This is very good advice. Another thought along this line is, what do you enjoy carrying, or looking at, because you're going to be carrying it or holding it in your hands a lot more than you will be shooting it. I like my BLR in 308 a lot, especially because it is so easy to carry.
 
I was taught that bolts are for in the open where you have long sight lines and need more accuracy and semi's in the bush where short opportunity windows and tight sight lines prevail.

Having a semi helps to maintain a consistant sight window for those that aren't shooting 3 times a week practicing with a lever. All attention is on the target and not fumbling trying to get the next round chambered on uneven terrain. It makes for a safer shooting experience for yourself, others around you and a more humane experience for the animal as you can focus directly on your sight picture uninterupted.

I run a Win M-100 in .308 in the bush and its been flawless.

Ultimately I agree it's about the experience though. Go with what you feel. My next rifle for instance is going to be a lever just so I can find out what all this brand loyalty is all about. I've always appreciated the rustic cowboy appeal of a lever action carbine. The kind of rifle you picture your grand father would have used, and he used to always bring the moose home.
 
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incorrigible said:
... I've always appreciated the rustic cowboy appeal of a lever action carbine. The kind of rifle you picture your grand father would have used, and he used to always bring the moose home.
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That is a big part of it for me, feeling like I'm back there with the old timers using the same type of rifle (and in most cases, using the same actual rifle) that was used back in the 30's, the 20's, the 10's, etc. The old cartridges also really appeal to me as well, like the 38-55, the 30-30, the 44-40, the 45-60, the 38-40, etc. The 38-55 was once a very popular deer and Black bear cartridge in the late 1800's and even well into the 1900's. I still hunt with all of them because I like to.
 
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