7mmmountaineer
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Time to face it I am a workaholic............
Posts: 521 
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Post by 7mmmountaineer on Sept 20, 2014 8:56:18 GMT -5
I have been thinking on this topic for a while know and since I have no true rifle for this niche and I am looking to get one next year. I do not really want a big bore 45-70 but more a medium bore thinking 30-35 caliber. I have been eyeing a Browning BLR in 358 Winchester but want to keep my options open here. This will be strictly a heavy cover/brush gun under 100 yards. I have considered the 30/30 and the 35 Rem also but want some suggestions on this from folks that may have used these rifles in the past. Looking for a fast handling, quick pointing, fairly compact, either lever, pump or semi-auto. |
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SnapShot
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Jeep & Mocha "Remembering Patches, always"
Posts: 699
Location: Finally free from the Republic of Kalifornia!
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Post by SnapShot on Sept 20, 2014 9:42:21 GMT -5
Back in my hunting days I built up a 35 Whelen from a 03-A3 Action with an Apex Barrel and custom stock. From your description and what you've said, this would be a good caliber for you to consider. When I built mine it was strictly a wildcat and no commercial ammo was available. However, necking out 30-06 brass to .358" was all it took to make the brass and there was plenty of '06 brass out there. Nowadays there are a number of commercial manufactures offering ammo and rifles in this caliber. Good luck with your project. Let us know what choice you make.
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gws
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Posts: 969
Location: NW New Mexico
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Post by gws on Sept 20, 2014 19:38:54 GMT -5
Hard to beat a short Winchester or Marlin lever-action for that. I vote for the 30-30, or a .44mag or bigger pistol round in a lever-action.  Lots more people than I thought harvest deer with that new model 94 in .44 mag. I shouldn't be surprised......I just live in wide open country where I prefer a tad more range. I shot a new Model 94 in 44mag last year. My Texas brother-in-law bought it...have to admit...it was a fun, sweet shooter. Had a ball. But of course we were hunting cans, not deer.  |
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Post by hacker54 on Sept 20, 2014 23:13:34 GMT -5
Chuck,
For this type of hunting I like the lever gun. My wife's father and two brothers had used Marlin lever guns chambered in 35 Rem. and bag a lot of deer with them. This caliber won't set velocity records but the bullets for it get the job done on deer and black bear. Now my rifle for the thick and heavy cover was a Marlin lever in 444 Marlin (no longer have) . I used the 265 grain loads for both deer and black bear. My late father-in-law also had a Savage lever in 308 Win. that he used a lot and bagged quite a few deer with. I even bagged a deer with it. The Browning BLR in 358 Win. would be great in the thick stuff.
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7th
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Posts: 19
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Post by 7th on Sept 21, 2014 13:15:49 GMT -5
I would oppted for the .35 Rem. Killed my first deer with it back in 74 an old Marlin 336C, wish I still had it.
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bob
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I'm too old to be nice but never too old to learn!
Posts: 1,457
Location: Northern California
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Post by bob on Sept 25, 2014 0:06:27 GMT -5
Chuck: I read an article sometime ago that sort of dispelled the "brush gun" theory. The author had rigged sticks to simulate twigs and branches and he fired several different calibers through his test section. His findings indicated very little difference between the various caliber/bullet combinations with regard to upset. In the past my brush gun of choice has been a Winchester 94 in .30-30 or .25-35 because of their quick handling with plenty of power for close range shots. If you can find one, a Win. mod 100 in .308 would also be good.
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7mmmountaineer
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Time to face it I am a workaholic............
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Post by 7mmmountaineer on Sept 25, 2014 8:40:57 GMT -5
True Bob you do still need a clear path for you bullet. Perhaps I should have called it a short range rifle. I just want something light and quick handling for a new piece of property I have secured permission to hunt starting next year. Its an extremely over grown farm that hasn't been occupied in over 20 years. Lots of saplings, scrub oak, briar patches and over grown fields. I have tried twice to buy it but the family won't sell it at a fair price they think they have a goldmine tired up in that 289 acres. Win mod 100 308 HMMMMMM turned on down about 6 months back and never thought about it again. |
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gws
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Posts: 969
Location: NW New Mexico
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Post by gws on Sept 25, 2014 10:02:01 GMT -5
I have two "brush" guns that fit your definition: My Grandfathers's old, old 30/30:  And my first hunting rifle, Remington Mohawk 600 in .243.....and still a favorite muley shooter.  |
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7mmmountaineer
Member
Time to face it I am a workaholic............
Posts: 521
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Post by 7mmmountaineer on Sept 30, 2014 19:52:26 GMT -5
Well I went to see my buddy at the gun shop I go to today to pick his brain and check his component stock out. He showed me a rifle he ordered in for another customer that never picked it up a BAR in 325WSM. It's the plain jane short track stalker. Being as I wanted to be a smart ass I asked him if I could shoot it. He tossed me a box of Federals and told me I knew were his range was. The long and the short is I had a blast and think maybe I can kill 2 birds with one pebble. I have a scope he wants and he cannot find from any of his suppliers a Vortex Diamondback 4x12x40 with their BDC reticle so I am thinking trade in less the cost of this guys deposit and poof I just solved my problem.
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bob
Member
I'm too old to be nice but never too old to learn!
Posts: 1,457
Location: Northern California
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Post by bob on Sept 30, 2014 19:57:35 GMT -5
Sounds good, let me know about the .325 WSM as I'm still somewhat interested.
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7mmmountaineer
Member
Time to face it I am a workaholic............
Posts: 521
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Post by 7mmmountaineer on Sept 30, 2014 20:10:58 GMT -5
Bob I shot and used one a few years ago they are a blast. It was a Browning X-Bolt with a composite stock. The recoil will get you attention if you do not keep it tight and keep a firm cheek weld. It was manageable though but this BAR was just flat out a sweet rig and now I want it  .... Have an extra scope already to go on it a Nikon Buckmaster 3x9x40 with a standard Niko Plex reticle. |
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Lots more people than I thought harvest deer with that new model 94 in .44 mag. I shouldn't be surprised......I just live in wide open country where I prefer a tad more range. I shot a new Model 94 in 44mag last year. My Texas brother-in-law bought it...have to admit...it was a fun, sweet shooter. Had a ball. But of course we were hunting cans, not deer. 
My daughter came from Missouri, my son and grand son, my wife and I had a nice dinner of grilled "porter house" pork chops, corn on the cobb, my son, G'son and I share 10/5. G'son is 4 minutes early though @ 10/4.
Pooh I hope you find to right house . 
