Brush Gun Advice

[Bookworm007]

Here is my situation.......

Being a westside hunter, and someone who might be called adventurous I find my self off the road and down in the deep dark stuff quite often. This can be a problem because my hunter rifle is a Savage 110 7mm Rem Mag with a leupold 4x12. Bottom line it is heavy, long, and the scope does not make fast targeting easy. Don't get me wrong I have killed with it and love the gun. I'm just thinking a designated brush gun might be nice too.

So I have started trying to figure out what fits the bill........ I would rather not spend more than $500 and I don't want a show piece because it is going to get banged up. No bolts levers, pumps or semi auto. I would also like a cartridge that is good for deer or elk. I know shot placement is key but a little extra ooomph doesn't hurt either.

So far I have come up with:

Savage 99 in 308
Marlin 336 or Win 94 in 30-30 (This is the only cartridge that seem light for an elk)
Marlin 1895 in 45/70
AR-10 in 308 but probably too pricey....
Remington 760 in 30-06
OR??

Right now I am leaning toward the Savage, its a good caliber that I can reload and a cool rifle, but something about a 45/70 just seems awesome.

[h20hunter]

Marlin 1895 all the way. On my own list as well.

[Fl0und3rz]

I know you said no bolts, but it's going to be hard to beat something like this 

http://www.ruger.com/products/guideGun/models.html

in 30 '06.  There's heavier calibers if that suits your fancy.  Might be too pricey.

I have a Marlin 1895GS, and its a nice brush gun. But the trajectory of the 45-70 can be limiting if you happen out into longer clearings (I keep to 175-225 yards max.).

[deltaops]

Or you could go with one of these Rugers..

http://www.ruger.com/products/americanRifleCompact/models.html

[Woodchuck]

I have a Marlin in .35 Rem, great little brush hog. 

[Bookworm007]

Those rugers aren't bad but if I went the bolt route I would probably just pick up one of these:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/43531

I have a Marlin 1895GS, and its a nice brush gun. But the trajectory of the 45-70 can be limiting if you happen out into longer clearings (I keep to 175-225 yards max.).

I'm not too terrible worried about the range. This gun would only come out of the truck when I know my entire hunt is in heavy woods with max 100 yard shots. What is the recoil like on the 45/70?

I have a Marlin in .35 Rem, great little brush hog. 

Man if I could find one that wasn't a safe queen and had open sights it would be coming home!

[washelkhunter]

Find a marlin 336 in 35 Rem with a 20-22 inch barrel. Its light and easy to carry in hand all day. Moose, elk, bear, deer gun.

[Rich_S]

When I needed the same type of rifle I ended up with a Winchester 94 BB (Big Bore). It was available in .307 Win, .356 Win, .375 Win as "Big Bore 94's" and .444 Marlin as the "Timber carbine", using the Big Bore 94 action.

Mine is the .375 Win chambering and is a sweetheart to shoot. If only my old eyes were good enough to use open sights better. I found a Lyman peep sight at a garage sale the other day which I may try to mount on the tang. But then again, perhaps not. This old gun doesn't have a scratch on it.



You can spot a BB by the vertical line/thicker section at the rear of the sides of the receiver.

[wildmanoutdoors]

My 3 brus guns. My 45/70 (middle) is one of my favorite guns. I have a ghost ring night sight rear and a neon orange with center night sight in middle. It works well for all light or no light.

The Burris scout is on a quick disconnect. For sure its limited for distance but shooting 325 FTX's its shoots well to 300 or better! However, the FTX has mixed reviews for not holding together as well.

The gun definatly lets your schoulder know its there though. I can start flinching before I finish a box of 20.

[pd]

Bookworm, be honest with yourself.  Do you want a gun that will do the job, or are you looking for an excuse to get something really cool??

If you want a brush gun that can cope with the wet/slick/thick/nasty of the wet side, and if you can see well enough without a rifle scope, then buy a used Marlin 336 or Winchester 94 in the classifieds.  Don't be too concerned about the caliber: .30-30 Winchester and larger will do the job.  If you hunt where I hunt, a shot out to 150 yards will cover 98% of all hunting scenarios.  You should be able to get something in the $300 to $400 range.  Don't worry if the woodstock has scratches, you are going to add your own really soon.

If you want something cool, then go find something cool.  But I doubt it will be necessary.

[bobcat]

Can't beat a Winchester or Marlin in 30/30 for in the brush.

[BULLBLASTER]

No help here. I used to have a 1895 in 45/70 but sold it because i didnt like it. This year I picked up my dream brush gun tho.
Win model 70 classic stainless in 375 h&h! Mounted a 2.5-10 vortex scope.
Why no bolt guns if I may ask?

[pianoman9701]

Yep, Win 30-30 lever is my favorite brush gun. Not sure why you don't want the lever, but it's a very accurate piece up to over 100 yards and the steel sights are right for quick target acquisition.

[Fl0und3rz]

Those rugers aren't bad but if I went the bolt route I would probably just pick up one of these:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/43531

I have a Marlin 1895GS, and its a nice brush gun. But the trajectory of the 45-70 can be limiting if you happen out into longer clearings (I keep to 175-225 yards max.).

I like stainless and open sights for brush guns.  You got me on the verge of seeking one out.

I'm not too terrible worried about the range. This gun would only come out of the truck when I know my entire hunt is in heavy woods with max 100 yard shots. What is the recoil like on the 45/70?

Game does not always play by your plan, and I have come upon 400+ yard clearings in the middle of what I thought was mostly brush.

Sounds like you need/want a 45-70.  Go for it. Recoil is not stupendous for 300 grain near 2000 fps.  Even shooting from a bench to set up sights was not bad, and off hand and with a decent recoil pad is no bother.  If you go with the 1895, get the XS sights.  They are a much need improvement over the marlin factory sights. 

Here, get this.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/bigbore/1895SBL.asp

[Bookworm007]

No help here. I used to have a 1895 in 45/70 but sold it because i didnt like it. This year I picked up my dream brush gun tho.
Win model 70 classic stainless in 375 h&h! Mounted a 2.5-10 vortex scope.
Why no bolt guns if I may ask?

I don't want a bolt because I already have quite a few and while I strive for one shot kills they are not the best for follow up shots. Also if it doesn't have a box mag I have a heck of a time loading that first round while trying to get out of the truck. And most bolts don't come with open signs which once you purchase peeps for it you could have a lever gun which I prefer.

Bookworm, be honest with yourself.  Do you want a gun that will do the job, or are you looking for an excuse to get something really cool??

If you want a brush gun that can cope with the wet/slick/thick/nasty of the wet side, and if you can see well enough without a rifle scope, then buy a used Marlin 336 or Winchester 94 in the classifieds.  Don't be too concerned about the caliber: .30-30 Winchester and larger will do the job.  If you hunt where I hunt, a shot out to 150 yards will cover 98% of all hunting scenarios.  You should be able to get something in the $300 to $400 range.  Don't worry if the woodstock has scratches, you are going to add your own really soon.

If you want something cool, then go find something cool.  But I doubt it will be necessary.

Less looking for something cool and unnecessary, more I know the common options wondering what else could be had on the same budget. I not trying to lie to myself I could probably get away with my current gun but if I can have a new toy and fill a niche at the same time that it is a worth while investment.