Post by: Rob on March 14, 2019, 02:12:54 PM
I normally shoot a 7mm Rem Mag and I am comfortable to 200-300 yards with that gun (the gun can shoot much better than I do...)
I would really like to use my Marlin 1895 45/70 Gvt. Lever gun - for me that is a 100 yard gun.
I don't know too much about the unit, but will being limited to 100 yards be a severe handicap? I feel like that should be plenty based on the research I have done so far.
Post by: Ghost Hunter on March 14, 2019, 02:16:42 PM
Post by: MtnMuley on March 14, 2019, 02:17:55 PM
Post by: Southpole on March 14, 2019, 02:27:09 PM
I'd bring them both.:yeah:
There's a variety of terrain and brush/trees. I've been where I can see hundreds of yards to 20 feet in front of me.
Post by: buckfvr on March 14, 2019, 03:21:16 PM
Post by: mallardaddict on March 14, 2019, 03:48:04 PM
Post by: Rob on March 14, 2019, 03:58:15 PM
I would bone up on my shooting skills and get comfortable with that 7 out to twice what youre thinking........that way 4-500 would be good. If you glass a bunch, you can see them at a mile or more, so best be prepared for everything and then some. Not suggesting youll need anymore than 4-500, or even that much, but it could work out that way.
I spend quite a bit of time on the trigger with my 7mm. I pretty much half my range/bench distances when hunting so I can assure an ethical shot. Just a personal thing! But yes, more trigger time and comfort will increase that range considerably! To get to 500 I'd need to feel good at 1,000. I am pretty confident at 500 to 600 on a bench right now. I'm at about 12 inches once I hit 700 yards. I'm at best a mediocre shooter.
Post by: Rob on March 14, 2019, 04:01:57 PM
Good to know about the terrain and it will make sense to me once I get more time in the field come mid to late April when I start scouting.
In the mean time I will need to spend more time at the range (oh dang!)
Has anyone mounted a scout scope on a Marlin 1895? I am thinking that would be a pretty cool set up.
Post by: Mudman on March 14, 2019, 04:26:27 PM
Post by: Gutpile on March 14, 2019, 04:31:43 PM
Post by: Tracker0721 on March 14, 2019, 04:54:33 PM
Post by: Rob on March 15, 2019, 06:10:18 AM
Post by: polishstunner on March 15, 2019, 05:36:14 PM
Post by: snake on March 15, 2019, 07:47:52 PM
Post by: mallardaddict on March 15, 2019, 08:09:28 PM
Last year, every bear we saw was at 600 yds plus. We were hunting big canyons, and they were always moving.
My experience as well hence my preference to my .338 Edge and a 300gr Berger at 3025fps for that area and spring bears.
Post by: Rob on March 15, 2019, 08:13:23 PM
Post by: bobcat on March 15, 2019, 08:44:47 PM
Post by: Bob33 on March 15, 2019, 08:51:14 PM
Personally I'd want the rifle that give me the best odds. Those tags don't come along very often. :twocents:
Post by: Okanagan on March 16, 2019, 06:48:09 AM
Limiting yourself to the shorter range rifle will reduce the odds of getting a bear. Bow hunters, re-curve hunters and muzzle folks make that kind of choice all the time. So do fly fishermen, etc. At times, for some of us, using the tool is more important than the harvest.
IMO using the Marlin does not have to reduce your odds by much. Distance of shot is more a factor of personal hunting style than of terrain and vegetation. Bow hunters kill the same kinds of game in the same terrain as long rangers. Do you learn and do what it takes to get close or are you content with or maybe even prefer long shots? You gotta know you, and if you do, you won't have regrets after the hunt no matter how it turns out.
If you have never killed a bear, I'd probably recommend taking the 7, and make getting that first one a priority over the tool, but if your mind is clear on the Marlin, you can be easy with your choice.
Post by: bearpaw on March 16, 2019, 09:18:39 AM
I'd bring them both.
Best advice I've seen here. There are places that you can't see 100 yards and a 1000 yard gun would be a handicap, at the same time there are places where you may see bear further than 1000 yards. I would definitely bring both guns and carry the gun that fits each area you hunt.
Post by: buckfvr on March 16, 2019, 11:26:47 AM
I'd bring them both.
Best advice I've seen here. There are places that you can't see 100 yards and a 1000 yard gun would be a handicap, at the same time there are places where you may see bear further than 1000 yards. I would definitely bring both guns and carry the gun that fits each area you hunt.
Im all for that too, except for the part of me not comfortable leaving anything of value in the rig in these parts.....
Post by: MtnMuley on March 16, 2019, 10:22:12 PM
I'd bring them both.
Best advice I've seen here. There are places that you can't see 100 yards and a 1000 yard gun would be a handicap, at the same time there are places where you may see bear further than 1000 yards. I would definitely bring both guns and carry the gun that fits each area you hunt.
Im all for that too, except for the part of me not comfortable leaving anything of value in the rig in these parts.....
It's been mentioned by the author and now again about leaving something of value in a rig in Ferry County. I've done so literally a hundred times with zero worries and issues. I can't imagine it's changed that much over the last couple of years? Okanogan County had a *censored*tard trailhead vandal that was caught and apprehended immediately. :dunno:
Post by: Tracker0721 on March 17, 2019, 07:38:24 AM
Post by: Rob on March 18, 2019, 06:34:30 AM
I'd bring them both.
Best advice I've seen here. There are places that you can't see 100 yards and a 1000 yard gun would be a handicap, at the same time there are places where you may see bear further than 1000 yards. I would definitely bring both guns and carry the gun that fits each area you hunt.
Im all for that too, except for the part of me not comfortable leaving anything of value in the rig in these parts.....
It's been mentioned by the author and now again about leaving something of value in a rig in Ferry County. I've done so literally a hundred times with zero worries and issues. I can't imagine it's changed that much over the last couple of years? Okanogan County had a *censored*tard trailhead vandal that was caught and apprehended immediately. :dunno:
No offence intended to Ferry county on my part. It has been drilled into my operating procedures since I was a kid that you never leave a firearm unattended in a vehicle if at all possible. Location is irrelevant. With the exception of areas that house meth heads, I would trust things of value out in the country 10x more than Bellevue or Redmond!
Post by: Rob on March 18, 2019, 06:41:47 AM
Rob, the biggest factor in the decision is yours: Do you want a bear as your primary “want” or do you want a bear with your Marlin?
Limiting yourself to the shorter range rifle will reduce the odds of getting a bear. Bow hunters, re-curve hunters and muzzle folks make that kind of choice all the time. So do fly fishermen, etc. At times, for some of us, using the tool is more important than the harvest.
IMO using the Marlin does not have to reduce your odds by much. Distance of shot is more a factor of personal hunting style than of terrain and vegetation. Bow hunters kill the same kinds of game in the same terrain as long rangers. Do you learn and do what it takes to get close or are you content with or maybe even prefer long shots? You gotta know you, and if you do, you won't have regrets after the hunt no matter how it turns out.
If you have never killed a bear, I'd probably recommend taking the 7, and make getting that first one a priority over the tool, but if your mind is clear on the Marlin, you can be easy with your choice.
Thanks for this and all the other similar thoughtful replies. I fully understand and agree that bringing the Marlin will limit some potential shots. The main question was more along the lines of, are there significant shot opportunities in this area for a shorter range firearm. As an example, I have hunted the Selkirk's and the Blues - I would consider a short range firearm for the Selkirk's, but not the Blues!
I think I will bring both and figure out a way to lock up one of them while in the field - I have some ideas.
This has been a very helpful set of replies, thanks!
Post by: Jimmy33 on March 18, 2019, 09:48:48 PM
I drew a spring Sherman tag and I am thinking about what rifle to bring.Really?
I normally shoot a 7mm Rem Mag and I am comfortable to 200-300 yards with that gun (the gun can shoot much better than I do...)
I would really like to use my Marlin 1895 45/70 Gvt. Lever gun - for me that is a 100 yard gun.
I don't know too much about the unit, but will being limited to 100 yards be a severe handicap? I feel like that should be plenty based on the research I have done so far.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Rob on March 19, 2019, 04:51:32 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on March 19, 2019, 04:57:13 AM
Post by: boneaddict on March 19, 2019, 06:24:10 AM
Sidenote, Ive spent A LOT of time in Ferry, and my rig has never been tampered with. Different kind of people. That and I suppose those that tamper with rigs and get caught dont show up for work the next day.
Post by: Rob on March 19, 2019, 06:27:23 AM
That and I suppose those that tamper with rigs and get caught dont show up for work the next day.
Ha! I like that!
Post by: CAMPMEAT on March 19, 2019, 07:47:46 AM