Best brush gun

[DUCKAHOLIC]

I believe Ruger still makes the Model 96 which is a lever action model of the carbine in 44 mag. May be another one to look into.

The rifle above is still being made.........

[Buckwabit]

I broke down and bought a Marlin 336 30/30. Seems like the beast option for the money

[landscaper]

I'm leaning toward a 44 mag pistol or lever action 44 mag rifle

I only scanned most of the thread, and see that you have already bought the 30/30. If you ever get a chance, though, you ought to try a revolver in .44mag. I absolutely love hunting with mine! I primarily still hunt in the hills and hollows, and it's a whole different ballgame than anything else I've done. Kind of brought the thrill back for me.

As far as the gun goes if I have a REALLY good rest I'm comfortable with a 100 yd shot. If I'm shooting off hand 50-60 yds is about the best I'm good for. No steadier than I can hold the gun shooting through brush bothers me unless it is pretty close to me and the deer is very close on the other side. A little deflection goes a long way when I'm already a little wobbly. As for knock down, it's a beast. I shot a deer a couple weeks ago standing broadside at 42 yds. This must have been the magic number. I got a good double lung shot with a ricochet off the opposite rib cage that went up through the spine. The lungs were soup and EVERY other organ that I could identify was ruptured except for the stomach. Liver and kidneys looked like you had cut stripes in them with a knife, heart was in two pieces,.......big mess.

[Buckwabit]

I've been hunting with me .357 several tea this year and haven't had the chance to shoot one with it but I'm not giving up. I want to shoot one with the revolver

[duckhunterdoc]

I want to know what is your go to brush gun! I'm looking for less than 100 yard shot with the following points


1. Knock down power
2. Maneuverability in tight quarters
3. Accuracy
4. Rifle, shotgun, pistol

I'm leaning toward a 44 mag pistol or lever action 44 mag rifle

Had the same thoughts and bought a used encore pistol in 270...after trying it out I added a regular stock in place of the pistol grip...was about to have to add a muzzle break to get it over the 16in muzzle length..then the law changed...I shoot the 270 reduced recoil..but carry regular 270 ammo in case i need a longer shot (kicks so that the scope will tag you if not careful)...very light for stalking...easy to manuver in tight spots...brush gun..but 200 yds out if needed..(16in barrel hurts the distance)...neat little gun

[Odis]

Landscaper, what bullets are you using? I just bought a S & W Classic DLX 44 magnum about three weeks ago, only shot it a couple of times, but bought to shoot pigs and deer, really looking forward to giving it a try next year

[landscaper]

I'm shooting the Winchester 240 gr Jacketed Soft Point. I can get sub 8" groups off a bag at 100 yds, and I've seen better shooters get pretty consistent 6" groups. Groups will tighten up considerably from about 60 yds on in. *Edit* (I should add that I'm shooting a stock gun. I've seen some S&W Custom Shop guns that will shoot the lights out, and having the barrel ported can also make a huge difference.) The only loads I have shot that did any better were some hand loads with hand cast bullets, but they weren't enough of an improvement to put a lot of effort into casting my own bullets in my opinion. It seems, though, that the bigger, uglier, nastier the bullet, the better it shoots (more lead in contact with the rifling). Buffalo Bore makes a really heavy round that looks like it would be great, but there are very few production handguns that they recommend shooting it out of, and they say DO NOT use it with S&W revolvers.

[Odis]

Thanks