Northern Bush Rifle suggestions
- Thread starter Northmen
- Start date
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I have a 2185 Voere semi auto in 30-06 with 2.5-8 Leupold variable.
Two shot mag for deer hunting and 5 shot mag for dragging it out alone.
steamy teabag
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Inside Carneys Reich
Ruger GSS
I’m really interested in taking my SRS covert for a hike. It’s quite heavy, but the short OAL with the 16” barrel, it seems less cumbersome than some lighter longer guns I’ve packed. As a bush gun it might actually be pretty good, maybe even try it with a set of fixed irons on it.
About 6 lbs and change before you stick a scope on them.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Do a lot of this northern western grizzly country bush thing for a living between bush piloting and outfitting. Most folks here are right in my eyes but I particularly like lledwood, Hoyt, Gate, and Todd’s replies.
For me it’s some variation of weather impervious light rifle in a chambering that hits the animal over 2400fps. So that’s most of the regulars, I’ve carried a lot of 7x57s and .308s personally. A short, stainless Ruger or Kimber is gonna be hard to argue against in this role. I might try iron sighting an Adirondack personally for a expressly exploration / rambling rifle.
If you’re working in an approved profession, get your ATC. I’m always looking to shed weight and typically carry a Glock 10mm these days and nothing else.
For me it’s some variation of weather impervious light rifle in a chambering that hits the animal over 2400fps. So that’s most of the regulars, I’ve carried a lot of 7x57s and .308s personally. A short, stainless Ruger or Kimber is gonna be hard to argue against in this role. I might try iron sighting an Adirondack personally for a expressly exploration / rambling rifle.
If you’re working in an approved profession, get your ATC. I’m always looking to shed weight and typically carry a Glock 10mm these days and nothing else.
I LOVE my NEW Gun Sight Scout Rifle and i am totally happen with the Bushnell RED Dot on mine ! Total weight is 6 3/4 lbs ! RJ
They come up Nice and Point Great - Very FAST to get on Target ! Super BUSH rifle !
RJ
tactical lever
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Fox Creek, Alberta
Not sure about the new Marlins, though I hear that Remington now has a special area in the factory that is all Marlin. They also had to learn how to build Marlins. There was no blueprint if you can believe it, and the machines were wearing out, so in essence every Marlin that came out of the old location was hand fitted, and the factory relied on the experience of the workers there to put out good guns. Remington had to start over, and they kind of started by making blueprints. First one was of a 336 rifle.
To get more information, I'd pick the brains on Marlin Owners Forum.
Nothing wrong with the used ones. They seldom wear out, and you can pick up an older one fairly reasonable. I seem to recall that 70s Marlins were held in high regard?
Your question is pretty open ended. We'll all pick our favourites. I don't get stressed out over having a big rifle, as I live and hunt with grizzly and moose in the area also. Sometimes it might be a Henry in .44 Mag, or 30-06 bolt action, or Marlin 45-70. Or 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser to name a few. I have no problem with being in grizzly country with smaller guns, but if I had reasonable suspicion of running into one, I'd probably pick one of the lever actions. Levers are quicker to get into action than working a safety, and shorter with a given barrel length than a pump or semi.
Well, I will not likely have to make that choice of the OP, but it would be pretty simple for me. A Lee Enfield No.4 sporter. 10 shot mag, reliable, cheap, light, lots of poop, ammo selection okay. An extra mag, even a jobber mag, full of ammo gives a person 20 rounds in pretty short order.
Next choice would be either a .308 or 30-06 bolt action.
Next choice would be either a .308 or 30-06 bolt action.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
Lever rifles are simple enough to maintain in the field. I clean the bore & lube the action after the day is done so it be ready for the next outing. Never gone on away hunts without bringing a gun workin' kit to strip down and clean or do basic adjustments to sights & such. For my use, a good lever rifle can't be beat for working the bush. Just choose yer flavor.
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Some good advice already provided here...
Reliable...bolt action, with stainless steel and synthetic or laminate stocks being more impervious to the elements, but coated metalwork (teflon, Cerakote, parkerizing) and sealed wood will work just fine with a little more care
Handy...carbine or lever action, and detachable magazines (regardless of action type) make for quicker reloads with a spare mag loaded and ready to use
Power...short action, 308 Win to 350 Rem Mag...long action, 30-06/303 to 375 Ruger
Sighting...open sights plus low(er) power variable scope in QD rings
Bottom line is you need to find the rifle that fits you best and meets your particular priorities and desires.
Have used a variety of rifles over the past 35 years here in northeastern BC for hunting the open country and alpine to the deep, dark bush.
Have had great success with bolt action rifles chambered in cartridges from 6.5x55 to 376 Steyr, and lever actions chambered in 30-30 to 375 Win, on animals from antelope to bison. And yes, I have had to stop a charging black bear at 5 yards, and took my grizzly at 8 yards on a mountain goat hunt.
I am a big guy and packing an 8 lb rifle all day in the thick bush or on the mountain has not bothered me. I also like how the extra weight helps steady the rifle, especially when your heart rate is elevated from exertion or excitement.
My main back up rifle over the past 15 years for guiding, archery hunting, atv or horseback has been a BLR in 358 Win wit a Leupold VX-III 1.5-5 in QD rings. Will take care of everything from bunnies to big bears out to 250 yards with scope or open sights (have never had to take scope off and use irons to date). Prior to that I carried my Marlin in 375 Win for back up and brush work. For a little more power than the 375 Win, the 356 Win in a Winchester 94 Big Bore or Marlin 336ER would also be a good choice. Great to carry and fun to shoot and hunt with. Am also growing fond of the 338 Federal (now have 3; a custom Winchester Model 88 lever action with detachable mag, and a Tikka and a Ruger in bolt actions). All have enough power for problem situations, but are easy on the shoulder, with a capacity of at least 4 rounds.
Definitely would not feel bad about a BLR in 300 WSM for all around use either, if I was restricted to just one rifle for everything. If wanting something more weather resistant, the BLR is also available in a stainless and laminate version.
A Ruger RSI in 308 or 30-06 would also be a great little carbine capable of handling your chores. Or a Sako or Steyr full stocked carbine, if you can find one. Either of which would also add a touch of class to the equation.
Reliable...bolt action, with stainless steel and synthetic or laminate stocks being more impervious to the elements, but coated metalwork (teflon, Cerakote, parkerizing) and sealed wood will work just fine with a little more care
Handy...carbine or lever action, and detachable magazines (regardless of action type) make for quicker reloads with a spare mag loaded and ready to use
Power...short action, 308 Win to 350 Rem Mag...long action, 30-06/303 to 375 Ruger
Sighting...open sights plus low(er) power variable scope in QD rings
Bottom line is you need to find the rifle that fits you best and meets your particular priorities and desires.
Have used a variety of rifles over the past 35 years here in northeastern BC for hunting the open country and alpine to the deep, dark bush.
Have had great success with bolt action rifles chambered in cartridges from 6.5x55 to 376 Steyr, and lever actions chambered in 30-30 to 375 Win, on animals from antelope to bison. And yes, I have had to stop a charging black bear at 5 yards, and took my grizzly at 8 yards on a mountain goat hunt.
I am a big guy and packing an 8 lb rifle all day in the thick bush or on the mountain has not bothered me. I also like how the extra weight helps steady the rifle, especially when your heart rate is elevated from exertion or excitement.
My main back up rifle over the past 15 years for guiding, archery hunting, atv or horseback has been a BLR in 358 Win wit a Leupold VX-III 1.5-5 in QD rings. Will take care of everything from bunnies to big bears out to 250 yards with scope or open sights (have never had to take scope off and use irons to date). Prior to that I carried my Marlin in 375 Win for back up and brush work. For a little more power than the 375 Win, the 356 Win in a Winchester 94 Big Bore or Marlin 336ER would also be a good choice. Great to carry and fun to shoot and hunt with. Am also growing fond of the 338 Federal (now have 3; a custom Winchester Model 88 lever action with detachable mag, and a Tikka and a Ruger in bolt actions). All have enough power for problem situations, but are easy on the shoulder, with a capacity of at least 4 rounds.
Definitely would not feel bad about a BLR in 300 WSM for all around use either, if I was restricted to just one rifle for everything. If wanting something more weather resistant, the BLR is also available in a stainless and laminate version.
A Ruger RSI in 308 or 30-06 would also be a great little carbine capable of handling your chores. Or a Sako or Steyr full stocked carbine, if you can find one. Either of which would also add a touch of class to the equation.
The plastic stock Ruger is much lighter than the McMillan stocks, but I'll happily carry the little extra weight. Mine is just under 8lbs with the 2.5x Leupold
ONLY 6.4 lbs with the plastic stock ! RJ
RJ
