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Author Topic: Less Expensive Brush Gun  (Read 1473 times)

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Offline goodconcretecolor

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Less Expensive Brush Gun
« on: November 27, 2006, 10:39:53 AM »
I have admired the Remington model 7 and Ruger M77 compact for a long time but they seem pricey. Do you guys think a Stevens 200 short action with the barrel shortened would be a viable alternative?
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Offline dawei

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Re: Less Expensive Brush Gun
« Reply #1 on: November 27, 2006, 01:29:07 PM »
Quote from: goodconcretecolor on November 27, 2006, 10:39:53 AM
I have admired the Remington model 7 and Ruger M77 compact for a long time but they seem pricey. Do you guys think a Stevens 200 short action with the barrel shortened would be a viable alternative?
What are you hunting? Just Deer or are Bear & Elk possibilities too? Does it have to be a Bolt Gun; or will a Lever Action in 444, 45/70, or 450 give you what you need?
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Offline Dune

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Re: Less Expensive Brush Gun
« Reply #2 on: November 27, 2006, 03:54:37 PM »
A stevens 200 in 308 would make an excellent hunting rifle, fit it with a variable scope or a 2.5 fixed and you are set. the stevens 200 is a very accurate firearm.   Dune   ps I am also a lever gun fan and you defintely can not go wrong with .30-30
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Offline Coyote Hunter

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Re: Less Expensive Brush Gun
« Reply #3 on: November 27, 2006, 05:51:31 PM »
Its hard to beat a lever gun for brush country.  .30-30, .35 Rem, .444 or .45-70, take your pick.

My .30-30 was used and cost me $225.  It pushes WW Power Point 170g bullets out the muzzle at 2160fps.  Zeroed for Maximum point Blank Range for a target 6" in diameter (the bullet is never more than 3" above or below line of sight), the bullet is +3" at 100 yards and down 3" a bit past 200.  Energy at 200 is still around the 1000fpe mark.  The .45-70, a $250 rifle used, has a similar trajectory with a 350g bullet at 2183fps but recoil is significantly greater.  My last bull fell to the .45-70 at 213 yards, dropped in its tracks.  In a pinch the .45-70 will do out to 300 yards if properly sighted - drop is about 22" but energy is still 1550fpe...

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Offline Slamfire

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Re: Less Expensive Brush Gun
« Reply #4 on: November 27, 2006, 06:58:27 PM »
If you can find one the Savage 170 pump came in .30-30 or .35 Remington.
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Offline Thebear_78

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Re: Less Expensive Brush Gun
« Reply #5 on: November 27, 2006, 07:56:32 PM »
One of the marlin 1984 in 44 Mag make a great little brush gun for whitetail to blackbears.  With a little bit of custom work you can get them to shoot the 300gr cast bullets and really up thier performance on bigger game.  I'd keep my eyes out for a used lever gun or even one of the rossi lever guns in up to 454.
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Offline the jigger

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Re: Less Expensive Brush Gun
« Reply #6 on: November 28, 2006, 04:25:53 AM »
YES!! the stevens 200 is an excellent alternative to the REM or RUGER. i have one in 308 with a 20" barrel that shoots MOA. because i have been shooting savage rifles for many years i didn't try the trigger. i went directly to sharpshooter supply and got one of their pre-accutrigger models. the rifle is scoped with a 2.5 leupold scout scope that i had traded some work forearlier.
rifle- $268(at wally world)
trigger-$75
base and rings $40
total-$383
i would say this is a less expensive way to go.
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Offline ScoutMan

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Re: Less Expensive Brush Gun
« Reply #7 on: November 28, 2006, 07:19:09 AM »
Jigger,

Got any pics. How is the steven "scout scoped"?
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Offline dpastordan

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Re: Less Expensive Brush Gun
« Reply #8 on: November 30, 2006, 03:09:48 AM »
I spend my deer season in Wisconsin up a tree.  With my heavy hunting clothes, I could have used my shorty .30-30 but with the airlines being so fussy, I borrowed my uncle's BAR in .30-06.  Way too long!  I had to open my coat to put the stock against my shoulder so I could see through the scope.  I have a Stevens 200 in .270...I might consider getting a youth stock for it from Ram-line and then leave the rifle at my uncle's next time I drive to Wisconsin. 

Other alternatives for a shorty bolt are:  Savage has a youth model (10Y?); Weatherby Vanguard Compact (comes with a second adult sized stock and cheaper than Remington or Ruger) has a 20" barrel and comes in calibers from .223 to .308; the used gun racks might produce a Remington 700 ADL in youth models (normally in .243).  Go to Gunbroker.com and check out what they have listed.

Otherwise you might consider going the NEF/Handi-Rifle route.  Generally, your first shot will usually be your only shot.
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Offline Questor

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Re: Less Expensive Brush Gun
« Reply #9 on: November 30, 2006, 03:26:25 AM »
If it's really for use in the brush, a 20 gauge Mossberg youth pump shotgun is a good option. Put a 1.5-5x Bushnell Dawn to Dusk scope on it and use Rottweil slugs. Excellent gun for the money. Already tapped for scope mount, and Weaver base is readily available at low cost. 3 choke tubes come with it. Ours is more accurate at 50 yards than a lot of rifles I've seen.
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Offline 264 WIN MAG

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Re: Less Expensive Brush Gun
« Reply #10 on: December 02, 2006, 04:03:19 AM »
I agree with the others who talked about the 45/70...it's a big caliber, easy to find ammo., and it's reliable in thick brush.

It's not the best long range round, but when I think about brush hunting, I think of a shot no more than 100 yards even in the wide open areas of the woods...

I picked up one of these New England Firearms single shots for right around $200...
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Offline jimmyp50

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Re: Less Expensive Brush Gun
« Reply #11 on: December 02, 2006, 09:09:43 AM »
I very much like my Marlin 1894 with 20 inch barrel. It is light, reasonably accurate, short, and has killed every deer that I have shot with WW 240 grain softpoint bullets at up to 50 yards.  There is nothing not to like about a lever gun for short range hunting.
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Offline TNrifleman

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Re: Less Expensive Brush Gun
« Reply #12 on: December 02, 2006, 12:41:52 PM »
The well proven Marlin 336 in 30-30 or 35 Remington makes a fine rifle for the task you describe. The price is good too...
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Offline Buckeye

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Re: Less Expensive Brush Gun
« Reply #13 on: December 22, 2006, 06:40:28 AM »
A Stevens 325 in 30-30 could be your answer:



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