Prairie Boy

for the last month or 2 i've been itching to get a new rifle. i've read all the info on EVERY caliber chuck hawk has on his website and i've read tons of articles in mags and on the internet but i can't make up my mind what caliber to get! it's driving me seriously insane. i want a short compact rifle for close stuff. my 7mm mag will handle long range stuff. i want something for bear elk and moose and i've been looking at the 376 steyr and the 450 marlin. thing is they are both relativly new and who knows how long they will be around. i am also considering a 338 mag but then i would need a long action. then there is the 350 rem mag but i'd have to reload for that one. soooo many choices i'm getting dizzy! anyway if any of you guys are going thru or have gone thru what i am now and wanted a compact rifle like i do for the things i do let me hear what u picked and why. Quilly i really wanna hear how your 450 does this fall. the guide gun in 450 would seriously rock but if nobody other then hornady loads for it (same with the steyr) who knows how long it will be around for? this rifle should last me a life time but if i cant get brass 5 years from now it just won't.


cheers

stubblejumper

I went through exactly what you are going through and tried a couple of model sevens.The truth is that I don't find my longer barreled rifles any problem even in close quarters and sure miss their flat trajectory when a longer range shot opportunity arises.I have carried them on backpack hunts for sheep and the extra couple of pounds was not a problem either.In time I decided that I was most comfortable with my longer heavier magnums due to their flat trajectory and accuracy and sold the brush guns.I now am content to do all of my hunting with my 7mmstw's and 300 ultra's and don't feel handicapped in any way.As for just wanting a new gun it is very common and takes a long time and many guns to get it out of your system.(if that is possible)

Edited by - stubblejumper on 09/03/2002 23:49:58

Duffy

Some years back I missed a big whitetail and didn't get a second shot even though I worked my bolt gun fairly fast. Then a little later I followed a wounded black bear into a thick spruce forest with a bolt gun in hand. I got the want for a quick second shot with a good heavy bullet. About that time Remington brought out the .35 whelen. I was filled with desire for a pump powered .35 whelen. My wife bought me one for Christmas. I shot a B&C whitetail with it. I often carry it when moose, elk or bear are on the menu.

Then I saw the T/C Encore 209 X 50 muzzleloader and all the wonderfull replacement barrels avalible for it. I have the smoke pole tube and hunted almost exclusivly with it last year.

If Marlin ever made a "George Forman" Comemerative gun, it would be chambered in 450 marlin.
Robin.

rembo

I'm with stubblejumper on this one. A couple friends and I have tried the "short,light,powerful bush gun" thing thru the years.We've tried a custom built 350 Mag on a short 700 action,a couple Win 88's in 308,a Marlin in 444,a Model 7 in 308,a 660 in 308 among others.All are gone now.We now shoot only the 300 Win Mag in 2 Rem 700's,a Tikka and an ABolt when we are after elk/moose.Like stub says,what happens when you are done "brush busting" and you step out on the cutline and there's mister 6 point looking back at you from 350 yards,ready to bolt into the brush.Is your 350 Mag,45-70 or 376 gonna cut it? I'd rather carry a long action 24" bolt gun in the bush and know that I can take that shot if it presents itself.Once you try a "bush gun" you'll go back to your 7 Mag sooner or later.

Deleted User

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diyj98

The .308 would give you a short action and is available in some short compact weapons. It's not a powerhouse, but with the right bullet it's plenty for anything in North America. Plus you know it's going to be around for a long, long time and ammo both factory and cheap surplus practice rounds are available everywhere.

jed

diyj98 is right on with the 308, plenty of snort for what you want, been around for ever and easy on the pocket book. Try it in a BLR or the rem 7600 or 7400.

Pluto

PB, I really like my GG in 45/70. I put a weaver k2.5 on it. First day at the range it did 1 inch at 100 yds. Needless to say I was shocked. I am going to try to shoot it enough to make it my main gun this year. Were I hunt I have one shot that is 180 yds everything else is less than 50. The 45/70 has been around for better than 100 yrs. I bet it will be here when we are both gone. Buffalo Bore sells a load for it that gets the most from the round/gun combo.

Goodguy

Prairie Boy

Sako 75 Finnlight 300 Win mag! gg.

"Good judgement comes from experience,
and experience comes from bad judgement."

skeeter 7MM

PB, I know when you get the itch it tough not to scratch it. I have owned many rifles and their is always one more needed, right!

BBBBBBBUUUUUTTTT, the 7mm should be all the gun you need for deer, bear, elk or moose. Like said if you plan short it will bite you long. Bears are not that hard to kill, I have taken several with sticks and strings and never had one go more than 100 yards at most. Most die within sight of my stand to be honest. Moose well the same can be said, their hide is thick but once in the bread basket, she's all over. IMO Elk are the ones that can go & go, even with a well placed shot at times. But in all cases your 7 will do the job and well!

If you want a true bush gun good to 200 why not a 30/30 or like said a 308 in a lever for quick reloads. But remember quick shots don't mean accurate shots...IMO a bolt shooter knows this and only plans for one shot!!! Also I think I read a post you made about some pretty impressive groups with your 7mm, so one would think 1 shot is all you'll need to put the hurt on the quarry.

Good luck!

By the way what make 7mm do you have? I'm in the market too add<img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>