Brush Gun

[91xlt]

I have a lever action 30-30 I want to "tweak"
How would you build a brush gun?

[DrakinClaw]

I didnt realze you can do "custom" things to lever actions. I have a 30-30 as well.
Drakin

[BUCKMARK]

Many articles have been written that prove no caliber works better than others when it deflects off of brush or tree limbs. So really...any gun is a brush gun.

For hunting in thick stuff, I like a short light gun that I'm willing to scratch up and hunt with in all weather. My current beater is a Stainless Savage short action in .308 with a synthetic stock and 2-7 Leupold. Barrel is 20".

On lever guns, for close up work I like the Ashley Express "ghost ring" sights. They are super fast and work well in lower light conditions. They make them for Marlin and Winchesters.

[Holleta]

For close up work a projecting style red dot sight would be very nice and very fast aiming.

Longer range is served well by a 4x or the venerable 3x9 if you have one laying around. Get decent glass within your price range...you will be amazed at the low light ability vs. cheap glass.

Use Hornady Lever Revolution ammo, best ammo for the lever guns on the market if your shooting ever involves longer ranges. If not, the 170 "standard" bullets will likely serve you best (Core-lokt, Win Power Point and PP + etc)

If you really want to custumize consider shortening the barrel, it would involve shortening the feed tube also along with some custom work but makes a light fast weapon...well.....lighter and faster.

[luckyned7]

That's a tuff one. I consider myself a brush specialist. (lol) I've been forced to give up all my high-power scopes..I even consider a 4X..high power nowadays! A one-ounce slug is a brush specialist but since you are tweaking a 30-30..here is the question? Will you be threading the needle or punching the wet bag? I have a Marlin 336 45-70 with XS ghost ring and it will shoot ragged holes at 50 yards even with my 44 year old eyes but I've learned to love my Leupold 2.5 FXII scout scope for picking tiny opening and seeing the sticks. It sees better at dawn and dask than I can with iron sights. I'd feel naked in the swamps of Sully county without my scout scope but if you can't do that atleast do the XS sights. http://www.xssights.com/

[91xlt]

OK Lets see, where to start...
Drakin, Anything can be customized...
Buckmark, I am not refering to the cartridge, should have stated "carbine"
Holletta, Shortening the barrell...I never thought of it...Maybe?
Luckyned, I also have a Marlin 1895Guide in 45-70, and considering going the same route, can you tell me pros and cons of this set up?

As for the 30-30, I have a Winchester 94 Ranger. I am going to start with stoning and polishing trigger and sear. Possibbly thinking cosmetically, going to a black stock, and DuraCoat gray for metal work. Jeweling some parts, fiber optic open sights and a low power scope w/ see thru sights...

[DrakinClaw]

OK Lets see, where to start...
Drakin, Anything can be customized...

haha! you got me there!
Drakin

[luckyned7]

OK Lets see, where to start...
Drakin, Anything can be customized...
Buckmark, I am not refering to the cartridge, should have stated "carbine"
Holletta, Shortening the barrell...I never thought of it...Maybe?
Luckyned, I also have a Marlin 1895Guide in 45-70, and considering going the same route, can you tell me pros and cons of this set up?

As for the 30-30, I have a Winchester 94 Ranger. I am going to start with stoning and polishing trigger and sear. Possibbly thinking cosmetically, going to a black stock, and DuraCoat gray for metal work. Jeweling some parts, fiber optic open sights and a low power scope w/ see thru sights...

Ahh..I just backspaced over 3 paragraphs..I'm poor so buying a Leupold scout scope kinda sucked for a 1st 'LP'. My XP sights make the rifle a killer but I felt I needed the scope to 'see' for fast-movers and/or still shots thru the brush. I can't dream of a better combo for what I'm doing. I'm taking bears in swamps..and I almost made the news in 2005 for a mauling! Someone else did..I went without my 15min of fame..cept for my hunting buddies who watched my Marlin work. Now she works at 458lott ballistics just in-case..and yes..the Marlin kicks harder than any other rifle I've shot BUT I love her. (MmWhaisstk) Killed a 260pounder and past up a 450 pounder this past year..I don't need another...cept a 500!!! I'm hoping that cloning takes hold..I need a PA T-REX! If in you wanna try my setup..just call.

[autorim]

Are you handloading for the .45-70? If so, what bullet do you like for hunting. You are right about the recoil. My Ruger No. 1 in 45-70 with 50 grains of 4198 behind a 300 grain bullet kicks harder than my .338 Win mag - but I love it and it is my favorite
"walking around in the woods during hunting season" rifle.

[91xlt]

Luckyned
Yeah, I use the Marlin 45-70, for black bear hunting in Pa. Sound like the same type of hunting, swamps and brush. I have bought the XS lever scout mount, but so far thats it. Will be working on getting it together for this fall. My concern of the forward mounting of the scope was at dusk, low light visibility.