Ruger Gunsite Scout or Marlin SBL for a bush gun.

GunGuy34

GunGuy34

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For ####s and giggles, how would you compare these two as a bush gun? As well if your worried about grizzleys or Moose, how would you compare the ammo, 45/70 vs .308?
 
Scout hands down IMOP...... my gun cabinet was a hodge podge until I bought the scout......

The reliability of the m77 action coupled with a solid fit and finish and the ease of carry sold me the rifle..... the fact that it did moa or better with cheap 180 gr core lokts sold me on the platform...... I now own 10 m77 based rifles based on the scout experience and enjoy them all...... of you feel I am exaggerating or got a one off rifle, check the ruger scout sticky...... it's just that damn good....

I had a scope on mine on an XS rail, but got appointed huntsman at camp, so needed quick site acquisition and went with a holosun red dot..... 3 years, 3 deers..... I am certainly a believer.....

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I have both. I lean towards the Ruger with 180 grain bullets. Longer reach and more versatile. Ammo is way easier to find in any store that sells ammo. Cheaper to shoot and if you reload the components are easy to find. This of course is only my humble opinion. Good luck in your search.
 
Can only speak to the SBL.

I use mine for bushwhacking during deer season, 405gr remington soft points, and a sparc 2 reddot.

I love it for a quick and easy to point rifle that can really punch through the bush.

It may be a bit heavy for some to carry all day (mine is over 8lbs with all kit and fully loaded), but I don't have any issue with it (walking around from 630am to 4pmish). I did add a sling over the last year which was more comfortable than just holding it when not actively hunting.

The scout though looks like it would be a very nice rig to use as well.
 
It's hard to compare a 45/70 with a 308 as they're usually intended for different purposes, but I have an SBL with a Leupold FX-II and absolutely love it to carry in the bush, at camp or at the range. It goes with me everywhere and I usually pack deep, including 308's. Definitely the 45/70 for grizzly territory or anything under 150~ yards. I've never hunted Moose, but I would probably bring out a 308 for longer range accuracy.

The RGS has been on my list for a while. Why do i have a feeling this thread is going to make me want one sooner!
 
I would get a Scout, stick a 130 or 150gr TTSX bullet in it and go kill anything I wanted to, and not be undergunned in the rare event of a grizz trying to eat me. :)
 
I have both. Well my marlin is a cut down 444xlr so a bit different but all the same. Id likely take the scout with me on most any occasion. If it was down to one rifle id keep the scout for simplicity of ammo/reloading. I did take the 444 on a sheep hunt as back up but my hunting partner had the 257 weatherby.

All in all id go scout
 
I can't comment on the SBL but I had a RGS for several years.. It is an awesome rifle, super handy and quick pointing - I loved shooting it. Agree with others that the price has significantly jumped in the past year, mine was originally around $900. If you are dead set on a 308 caliber bush gun then I would highly recommend it.

Because I hunt in BC, sometimes in the east Kootenays, I ended up wanting something with more punch than a 308. I ended up purchasing a Ruger guide gun in 338 WM and added a custom scout rail to it plus glass bedding, trigger job, ghost ring iron sights and cerakoting. Now it is a 20 inch 338 WM scout rifle which is perfect for me. I might look into a detachable box mag setup for it at some point in the future.

Been fortunate enough to never run into a grizzly, but if you are thinking something for bear defense the 308 is a no go.
 
I'm comfortable with 308 in big bear country. I pack my Ruger GSR on all my forays in the bush, camping fishing hiking etc - I load it with 200gr Lapua Mega bullets at a bit over 2400 fps. If that won't work on a bear I would be dead with a 45/70 too. I like the GSR, its robust, reliable, simple, accurate, effective.

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Canadian Sig said:
How about for Black Bear and Cougars?
Click to expand...

Well my comment was for grizzlies specifically. I've never seen or heard anyone advocate using a 308 for grizz defense...

Another option for the OP if you go for the scout you could eventually rebarrel it in 358 win for a better big bear gun..
 
I have the Ruger scout. I love it. I am however more of a lever action guy. With that I would ask if you have thought about quick follow up shots? You can't get much faster than a lever unless you go semi.
My Ruger is more accurate than my Marlin 45/70.
It a toss up. I wouldn't pick the Ruger to punch through heavy brush tho.
 
Sorry to de-rail but Any thoughts on a tikka battue in .308? Looks like a great set of true glow sights for fast ,low light situations. As well as Tikka smooth action. Appears to be a couple hundred less than a Ruger scout also. Maybe not forward optic ready like the scout?
 
So what are the hunting rules? A 45/70 has a tube mag, so it would be loaded while carrying in the bush. Not point if its not i figure. The Scout has a detachable mag, so you can load it and pop it in when you need it.

I ask cause I heard some hunting regs say you cant be driving along on quad or anything like that with a loaded gun.
 
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