| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
pdxhunt36
Joined: 14 Oct 2009
Posts: 1
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:52 pm Post subject: Brush gun advice |
|
|
| I'm going to purchase a brush gun to augment my existing hunting rifle (30-06). Open sights, lever action style. Probably a Marlin. I've hunted with a 30-30 in the past, and it was the good old standby. But, I'll be using the gun for elk as well (maybe bear). I think I'd like a little more thump. But, would also like it to be serviceable for deer as well by going with a smaller grain bullet. I'm giving serious consideration to the .444, 45-70, and maybe the 308/338 Marlin Express (although those I'm concerned about ammo, as only Hornady seems to make them). Does anybody have any experience and advice with the larger caliber lever actions? |
|
| Back to top |
|
Don Fischer
Joined: 24 Mar 2005
Posts: 2503
Location: Antelope, Ore
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:30 am Post subject: |
|
|
Welcome to BGH!
I'm not so sure a brush gun is so much about caliber as it is about handling. The shorter lever actions will certainly handle great. Of the cartridge's you choose, do you handload? I don't buy factory ammo but I hear it's also hard to come by now. Seems like the only ones without ammo problems are handloaders and they have component problems. The .444, 45-70 and 308/338Marlin Express might be hard to come by. But if I were to choose one I think I'd get the 338 Marlin. Or if you coul;d find one the 358 Win. I think that both are made on the 308 Win case and if you decided to handload,assuming you don't now, cases are easy to come by. Both those cartridges use very good bullets also. |
|
| Back to top |
|
TKleather
Joined: 02 Mar 2009
Posts: 40
Location: eastern Washington
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I have a marlin in the 444p it is obviously a 444. This rifle is very short and is perfect as a saddle gun. |
|
| Back to top |
|
CAMPMEAT
Joined: 17 Oct 2009
Posts: 17
Location: Curlew Washington
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 6:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| 450 Marlin. |
|
| Back to top |
|
Stoneke
Joined: 04 Feb 2009
Posts: 9
Location: Klamath Falls, OR
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 9:25 am Post subject: |
|
|
| My vote is the 450 Marlin or 45-70 with 350 or 405 bullets loaded to 1800 to 2000 fps. |
|
| Back to top |
|
gotago
Joined: 24 Oct 2009
Posts: 2
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 11:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
| From what i read that 338 & 308 marlin sound pretty good, just a little long for the brush. On the other hand the the 45-70 & 450 marlins are perfic until you get to a clear cut. |
|
| Back to top |
|
CAMPMEAT
Joined: 17 Oct 2009
Posts: 17
Location: Curlew Washington
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 9:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
| We were shooting a friends 450 last Sunday out to 260 yards at a medium sized rock. About the size of a tire. We had no problem hitting it after a few shots. All shots were within a few inches of the rock. |
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
