Short Range Deer Rifle Suggestions??

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MasonG

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Where I hunt in Maryland it's all big open fields however I've hunted West Virginia in the past and may soon go up to Michigan to hunt. I want to put together a rifle for hunting those places in particular that doesn't have to shoot over 200 yards but can punch through brush if need be. I need caliber suggestions and rifle suggestions. Thanks guys!

Edit: Does anybody make a good 30-30 bolt action? That might be a good bet
 
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Originally Posted By: MasonG..........but can punch through brush if need be.

You may want to reconsider your options if "brush punching" is your goal. Think about it a minute ... if something as inert as the wind can cause a bullet to make a minor course change what do you suppose a piece of wood is going to do? There are articles out there as well as tests that show the results of hitting a 1/4" twig with a bullet. The results aren't good. The closer the wood is to your intended target the less the course change will be before impact, but even then it isn't good.

The general consensus is that you should have a good low power scope and find a clear hole to shoot through rather than try to make the bullet plow a course through the thistle. That's always going to be a bad decision.

I'd suggest you Google "bullet deflection in brush" and read the results of the tests that have been performed.

If you are looking for a gun to use in tight and thick conditions most any deer caliber in a 18" or 20" barrel on a light handling receiver that is stocked well will serve your purposes. Ruger American is available in .308 with an 18" barrel and can be had below $400.
 
No rifle can be counted on to reliably/accurately punch through brush. For a close range/thick cover deer rifle, I recommend a marlin 336 in 30-30win and put a nice 1-4x optic on it.
 
Originally Posted By: Sgtshultzy266What's your price point? Otherwise, look at a marlin 1895 in 45/70

Good choice. Also consider a ruger #1 in the same caliber. Preferably open sights or low magnification scout scope.
 
I'd like to be clear that I don't ever shoot through a lot of brush. But when a deer is standing behind a few twigs or a bush, I want to be able to take that shot. I definitely want a bolt action and budget wise I'd like to keep the rifle (not including the scope) under $1000.
 
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Originally Posted By: MasonGI'd like to be clear that I don't ever shoot through a lot of brush. But when a deer is standing behind a few twigs or a bush, I want to be able to take that shot. I definitely want a bolt action and budget wise I'd like to keep the rifle (not including the scope) under $1000.

And we are telling you that this very scenario is at best a low percentage shot. Again, you need to learn about bullet deflection, you don't know what you don't know. I can't be any more clear than this...there is no such thing as brush punching or brush punching calibers.


Chupa
 
338 fed or 358 win buy a savage axis and do a barrel swap still have money for a good scope.

Shot my deer yesterday at 60yrds had to turn my scope up to 6X to find a spot to shoot through.
 
What rifles/chamberings do you already own?

A bolt action 30-30 is pretty unappealing and makes zero sense to me in every way....
 
No brush punching and no 30/30's..! Get yourself a nice short action 22" barreled rifle in something between .243 and .308. You'll be happy... Just my opinion of course. They will all work....!
 
Where I hunt(North East) it is mostly think brush not many long shot opportunities. For me a "brush Gun" is more about handling. The deer really seem to appear and disappear fast. That is were a short barreled fast handling accurate rifle has the advantage. I have used a Win 94 (30-30) to take many deer without issue.

Since you stated that you would like a bolt action. In my opinion you can't go wrong with a short barreled 308/243/7-08 with a low power scope. They will all get it done.

Nick
 
Originally Posted By: Nickb1075Where I hunt(North East) it is mostly think brush not many long shot opportunities. For me a "brush Gun" is more about handling. The deer really seem to appear and disappear fast. That is were a short barreled fast handling accurate rifle has the advantage. I have used a Win 94 (30-30) to take many deer without issue.

Since you stated that you would like a bolt action. In my opinion you can't go wrong with a short barreled 308/243/7-08 with a low power scope. They will all get it done.

Nick

Hot damm, somebody who actually gets it...........
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My brush gun has a short barrel, so it doesn't snag as much when I'm hiking
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Nothing that a human can carry will punch through brush and not get deflected.
 
I would also skip the .30-.30. I am a .30 caliber fan and would look at the .308 or .338 fed..
The .308 will be more readily available and cheaper. Rifles may be available in more models in stock.
The lure of that .338 fed is strong though.
 
I use a Marlin 336 in 30-30 or my AR in 6.8 SPC both with 1-4x scopes. If you are set on a bolt-action, get a short .308 (18" Ruger American is a good example). Cheap surplus ammo, plenty of power, and mild recoil.
 
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the good ole winchester 94 is awfuly quick in the brush. 30-30 is a dead deer out to most real michigan whitetail yardages.
 
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