Woods carry rifle choice for hog, deer, black bear and elk

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 9:51 pm

Woods carry indicates no long range shooting

Carry, means light, portable, carry all day,

Medium game

Other considerations include no semi auto, availability of ammo, smooth reliability.

There is the venerable 30-30 or 32 special in trapper or carbine configuration. May be light for elk?
Marlin or Winchester have these covered. I have a trapper in 30-30 and a carbine in the 32spl.

Then there are the bigger bores in 35, 356, 358, 375, 444, 45-70. Again marlin and Winchester have it covered. The BLR also contributes here.

Changing action type, there is the pump, well represented by the Remington game master in 35 rem that has my attention.

Bolt actions have a wide variety of calibers. The BLR also handles many of those calibers

So what is your choice and why?

I handled a bunch of Gamemasters today and I was surprised at the smoothness, pleased with the takedown feature and lightness, happy with the 35 rem. May have to try one on for size.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 10:27 pm

45/70 for anywhere there are man-eaters

.308 for a lighter, longer range, very effective small bore.

the .308 Savage 99 seems about perfect to me

a 12ga with appropriate loads is a super easy carry also.
there are videos of guys hitting 200 yard gongs with slugs
from an 18-1/2" cyl bore, so it's not as handicapped as some
imagine

but I plan to go in the woods with a semi-auto in Alaska so
I can be ready for bears.

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 10:37 pm

358 BLR Straight stock takedown.
I like 35s
I like the packability.
I like the small-ish cartridge.
I like being able to load for bunny or bruin.

The 35 Rem is no slouch. It is one of those calibers that outgun its paper numbers in the field.

QCI Winchesters · Post by **QCI Winchesters** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 10:58 pm

A .30-30 with 170gr. Nosler Partitions should do all you need, a bit light for elk but I know lots of guys that have taken elk cleanly with .30-30's. I know lots more who wounded and maimed elk with various magnums. Personally, I carry my 1886 in .45-70, but it can be a burden by the end of the day. For casual woods walking, my 1892 in .38WCF is my favourite.

earlmck · Post by **earlmck** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 10:59 pm

rjohns94 wrote:I handled a bunch of Gamemasters today and I was surprised at the smoothness, pleased with the takedown feature and lightness, happy with the 35 rem.

You noticed that, did you? The Remington pump or the Marlin lever in 35 Rem fit my needs for that "woods gun".

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 11:10 pm

My only 45-70 these days is a 12lb Sharps, so.......

I'd have to say my older .444 Marlin for the bear/elk portion of your post. I wouldn't be scared to carry the 30wcf, just the .444 is mo betta. If we are opening this up to non-levers, my Ruger Scout Rifle in .308 would be a good choice. Now that I think of it, the 1894 in .44mag would be good with my 300 grain handloads....

BigSky56 · Post by **BigSky56** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 11:22 pm

all day carry in the woods cant beat a 20" 30-30 94 with peep sights was raised with one in my hand upgraded to a 71 but carrying all day gets heavy Iam back to a 94, a savage 99 carbine in 30-30 303 or 300 would work fine too. a good load is a 173 gr beartooth cast at max load works on elk and bears fine. danny

3leggedturtle · Post by **3leggedturtle** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 11:41 pm

My 16" Stainless 45 Puma with a Lee 255gr RNFP going 1400fps or so. Swear it only weighs 5lbs or so. M94 30/30 is a close 2nd.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 12:33 am

My son caught me taking a snooze in the Rockies and snapped this pic of my legs and an 1895 Winchester in 35 WCF. (I still don't know how he got my single action Colt into the pic ).

it's either this rifle or an extra lightweight 1886 in 45-70.

The calibers speak for themselves.------6

MrMurphy · Post by **MrMurphy** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 1:50 am

Ruger 77 in .30-06 with the NECG aperature rear sight option and a front sight added. Irons will handle most anything at reasonable distances, .30-06 will handle anything on the continent you should be annoying in your stated location, and without a scope, carrying is easy if you choose not to sling it. I'd go with a 20" barrel, but that's me.

1894c · Post by **1894c** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 3:34 am

my choice is a Marlin 336 in .30.W.C.F. (170 gr. bullet...need to try cast)...but i am trending towards a 35 Remington in a Marlin 336, feel like i might be missing something, especially if i decide to go Elk hunting...we'll see... :)

P.S. the Marlin in anything is my levergun of choice, really like the simplicity in design...Winchester's type levers have way too many screws, they're nice...but...

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 4:11 am

336 in 35 Rem

if you had said deer only, I might agree with 30 cal, but pigs, bear, and elk at short range?

Ji in Hawaii · Post by **Ji in Hawaii** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 5:18 am

My choice for over 37 years has been my 1894 Marlin in 44 magnum. Haven't shot an elk with it (yet) but would not hesitate using 300 grain hast-cast Keith type bullets.
Maybe a tad small for elk but I also love my little Rossi stainless single shot in 357 magnum.

M. M. Wright · Post by **M. M. Wright** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 5:27 am

BLR in 358 seems ideal to me. I could even get by with 308 and heavy bullets especially Noslers or any good locked core bullet in 200 grains. They can can be pointy in the BLR too and I can have a 2.5X scope on it.

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 5:39 am

The old school very popular PA. woods rifle
Remington model 14 or 141in 35 rem. topped with a
Leupold 1-4x would fit the bill.

http://www.americanrifleman.org/mobile/ ... p?id=13654

7.62 Precision · Post by **7.62 Precision** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 5:39 am

Model 71 Winchester (.348, of course) or 1895 Winchester in one of several calibers. I have .30-40 Krag and .35 Whelen. .30-06 would be great - a real all-purpose cartridge/rifle combo for that purpose.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 8:06 am

In what I have, my SS Guide Gun.

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 8:18 am

No elk or hogs here but lots of bear in recent years. Depending on the country I'm in I carry a 92 carbine in 38 or 44WCF. If I need more I usually pack my cut down and scouted 03A3 or my Ruger GSR. Most of my bigger levers are just too heavy for a lot of walking or snowshoeing.

BenT · Post by **BenT** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 8:42 am

The Remington 141 or 14 in 35 Remington is hard to beat. For all day still hunting I use my Win 94 in 32 Special with a saddle ring sling. The sling helps carry the weight and the gun is always at the ready. A Marlin in 35 Rem with a saddle ring would fit the ticket also.

tman · Post by **tman** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 8:47 am

BLR in 308 with 4X scope. BigBore 94 in .444. The 94 is a perfect medium range large, dangerous game combination in the big marllin cartridge. I like the .356 better, but ammo is expensive and hard to come by.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 9:02 am

Marlin Cowboy 45-70, light but powerful, light being the main consideration.

Mossyoak1957 · Post by **Mossyoak1957** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 9:29 am

1960 Marlin 336 SC 32 spl. w/ 4x Leupold

EdinCT · Post by **EdinCT** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 10:25 am

I think my 32 spcl 94 carbine with the Williams 5d sight is the best I have for a woods walker. My dads 375 big bore with a Williams fool proof would be better for elk but its a unlucky rifle for me and we all know luck is 90% of it

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 10:30 am

3leggedturtle wrote:My 16" Stainless 45 Puma with a Lee 255gr RNFP going 1400fps or so. Swear it only weighs 5lbs or so. M94 30/30 is a close 2nd.

Yep. Either that or a Marlin 1894ss in 44 Mag.

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 10:32 am

Toss up either 336 or GS depending on the weather. I do wish someone would make an affordable synthetic stock for the GS, then it would be perfect for foul weather.

FWiedner · Post by **FWiedner** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 10:36 am

I've used a .356Win for all of the above except bear, and the one bear I've killed, I used a .357 Mag (It's what I had in my hands

)

But I'd trust a .30-30 with 170gr PP to do the job any day of the week as long as the range and placement were reasonable.

86er · Post by **86er** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 11:32 am

My first choice is the 356 Win in a Model 94. That caliber because I have loaded it with 200gr bullets at 2100 fps and enjoy light recoil and low noise with great accuracy and plenty of power. If a larger animal was the specific target or a little bit of range was possible I'd bump up the load to a higher velocity and maybe go to a 225 grain bullet or more. I could live with a 35 Remington for this same purpose although the levergun choice is limited to a Marlin, and then there's the Remington 8/81 and 14/141, 760 and a few other Brands of customs, conversions and single shots.

JayF in AZ · Post by **JayF in AZ** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 11:44 am

I think my Marlin 1894FG in .41 magnum would fill all those roles, especially with the 265 gr cast from a custom Mountain Mold. But I have more than one to choose from so I'd never limit myself to one

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 11:46 am

jeepnik wrote:Toss up either 336 or GS depending on the weather. I do wish someone would make an affordable synthetic stock for the GS, then it would be perfect for foul weather.

Ditto. I'd love to have a decent polymer stock on my GS. Not that I need it as much as I did tromping around near seawater & in Alaskan Rivers, but still...

madman4570 · Post by **madman4570** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 2:38 pm

Careful with those Gamemaster's Mike!

Few more handles and then try one at the range, you might just be ruined for life as too what is a top shooting woods gun.

Though, it is usually thought of as a Long Range weapon you will be hard pressed to beat a 220gr 30-06 in that gun.

Those 760's are extremely accurate and fast to the call of duty.

Just myself now but it would either have the fine open sights or a extremely light well made Dot scope!

Good Luck.

After yesterday I up here have found my ultimate next hunting rifle.

Benellli R1 in 30-06 topped with a Lucid HD7 Dot sight.

Shot one yesterday and I am absolutely in love. Almost Zero recoil and do some reading on that Dot Scope.
At 100yds it grouped like my M70 300 win Mag with a 6-18X Redfield.

Just under an inch! that m70 s/b better but that sucker wallops ya and we weren't using sleds.

http://www.mylucidgear.com/reddotsights.php

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 2:39 pm

Most of my hunting rifles fit into that catagory, short barreled,lightweight, etc.
in the areas I hunt 100 yds. would be an unusually long shot. My all time favorite is my grandfather's '03 Springfield in 30-06, though I've been using my 450 Marlin scout rifle more than any of the others lately.
I have a 336D guide gun in .35 Remington that I will be using the next time out. Really love the accuracy I've been getting from the .35R.

jb

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 3:08 pm

and the one bear I've killed, I used a .357 Mag (It's what I had in my hands )

We need the story on that one....

barbarossa · Post by **barbarossa** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 3:40 pm

WINCHESTER 95 SRC in 30/06

handirifle · Post by **handirifle** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 12:06 am

To me I would defer to what some of the best woods hunters I can recall ever reading about used, the Gamemaster (or the 7xx designatoer of it's day) in 30-06, and 180gr round nose bullets.

For weight and simplicity, I would get one in 308. To ME the pump action is the most natural action repeater their is besides a semi auto which would not be my choice for reliability.

2X22 · Post by **2X22** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 12:07 am

Well, I live 100' from the woods where I spend many days walking all day with a Marlin Cowboy in .44 mag with a 24" barrel. Really balances nicely, especially if you load the tube all the way. The extra weight is offset by the way it balances it, making it seem much lighter at the end of the day!

In fact, just a couple weeks ago, after a long day of hunting on the mountain behind my place, I knocked down another nice bull elk with a 255gr cast @ 1700fps! That makes two for it in the past four years, the other two elk being a .444 Marlin!

fordwannabe · Post by **fordwannabe** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 4:28 am

For me it kinda depends on which woods I am roaming, but I usually take my 1894 marlin in 44 mag( I shoot a lee 310 gc bullet) if I am cutting firewood clearing a trail blah blah blah. If I am going out to bigger woods with more walking around and less working...Marlin in 35 remington. As a side note the 35 marlin was owned by a departed friend of mine for many years and is going out for a buck this coming week, so wish me and "Mike's" Marlin , luck. Tom

FWiedner · Post by **FWiedner** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 6:41 am

BlaineG wrote:
and the one bear I've killed, I used a .357 Mag (It's what I had in my hands )
We need the story on that one....

Not much of a story.

A buddy and I were checking out some game trails for hogs and this young boar came wandering out of the brush. It was unexpected, and we kinda stood still so as not to incite him, and as soon as "bear" registered I had my Marlin aimed at his head at about 15 - 20 yards. He wasn't real big, but not real small for a Blackie. He wasn't a cub. We expected him to turn tail and run (Black bears are supposed to be kinda timid and people shy, right?) but he stood there looking us over. I would have much preferred if he'd just turned and left like he was supposed to.

We decided to back up slow like to leave and he started to move toward us a couple quick steps. so I put a 158gr SP in his head. DRT.

I'm thinkin' he was just curious, but I wasn't.

We weren't out looking for a bear that day, but we both had tags so we dragged the thing out, dressed it, and he took it home. He had the skull for a while, and might still, I dunno. Haven't seen him in quite some time.

guido4198 · Post by **guido4198** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 6:43 am

Here's my choice....45/70 Guide Gun.
Ideal for Woods carry, Truck Gun, whatever...wherever.

piller · Post by **piller** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 6:53 am

Based on what I actually own, my Guide Gun would be it. You did mention availability of ammo. If you hadn't set that as a criteria, my .480 caliber M92 would be my choice. With handloads of 410 grain LBT style wide flat nose cast bullets at 900 fps, or maybe even bumped up to 1000 fps, out to 100 yards or so it will punch through quite a lot of animal. 10 shots and a smooth cycling lever make it a decent one for anything I have done with it.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 5:10 pm

With handloads of 410 grain LBT style wide flat nose cast bullets at 900 fps

this is almost exactly my redhawk 44 load. I agree all the way out to 100 yards.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 5:44 pm

375 Marlin. It's what I bought it for.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 5:57 pm

Thanks to all. I spent the day working on this project. A Remington model 14 in 35 Remington was purchased from a forum member. I then located the correct Lyman peep, the correct super grade sling swivels, three boxes of ammo in 200gr and a military sling. Found the correct barrel blanks but they didn't fit. Tomorrow will be time at the range. I am really liking the smooth sliding action, the balance, and point ability. I'm looking forward to the range time and opening morning deer hunting on Monday.

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 6:00 pm

rjohns94 wrote:Thanks to all. I spent the day working on this project. A Remington model 14 in 35 Remington was purchased from a forum member. I then located the correct Lyman peep, the correct super grade sling swivels, three boxes of ammo in 200gr and a military sling. Found the correct barrel blanks but they didn't fit. Tomorrow will be time at the range. I am really liking the smooth sliding action, the balance, and point ability. I'm looking forward to the range time and opening morning deer hunting on Monday.

Well done Mike

Classic PA. hunting at its best.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 6:05 pm

I appreciated your earlier posts encouraging and enabling

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 6:46 pm

rjohns94 wrote:I appreciated your earlier posts encouraging and enabling

LOL I think we've all mastered those traits

fordwannabe · Post by **fordwannabe** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 7:51 pm

Encouaraging and enabling? Here? You gotta be kidding..encouraging and enabling here he says.

n2t · Post by **n2t** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 9:44 pm

I'm going with my marlin 336 in 35rem. It should do the task quite well and has very little to improve on, unless range becomes an issue.

Mike Rintoul · Post by **Mike Rintoul** » Sun Dec 01, 2013 2:51 pm

Thats a great, classic combo that should serve you well. Some plaid wool garments and a compass in the stock will turn you into the quintessential early century Pennsylvania woodsman.

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Sun Dec 01, 2013 3:01 pm

Mike Rintoul wrote:Thats a great, classic combo that should serve you well. Some plaid wool garments and a compass in the stock will turn you into the quintessential early century Pennsylvania woodsman.

Agree with that, and it's a lot of fun

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Sun Dec 01, 2013 5:21 pm

Mike,

I'd love to be in PA woods tomorrow too but just isn't going to
happen this year. Best of luck to you!!

If I were it would be my 336D/ .35 Rem!

jb