Thread: Craft me a bush hunting rifle

Most of my hunting so far has been more long range, open farm country. My 270 Win has talked a bit, I like the calibre for the longer range stuff but I'm not dedicated to it.

Now I find myself in some bush, like the Kawekas and Kaimais, where a long barrel and a suppressor just don't work that well. I'm rolling with a level action .357 at the moment, but I'm not thinking its ideal.

So, wise and knowledgeable hunters of NZHS, if you were to have one rifle for bush work, what calibre, what length, what optics, suppressor?

Keep it simple. A T3, Rem 700 or similar in .308, .7mm08 cut to 16-18 inches with a DPT mod and a 1-6 or 3-9 scope.
Keep your .270 for tops work and you have all angles covered.

What do you call long range?
Turn your poo seventy into a bush pig and go from there, from what I’ve seen it’s pretty effective on nz hunter

A Howa short action in 7.62x39 cut to 16" or 18", with a 1-6x or 2-7x scope and an overbarrel suppressor... Strong enough medicine for most any close in situation.

Edit: the Grendel version also seems to be held in high regard in the thick stuff.

Well I had a play with a very nice little sporterised 20" Martini in 303 today and I thought to myself this would be an awesome bush rifle

What I use. Tikka T3 superlite in 708 or 308. Cut the barrel to 16” and suppress. Carbon stock. Dialable swaro or leupold scope. Roll your own and chrony the bullet. Make a drop chart. Kill from point blank to 550 yds.

I have a Howa 308 chopped to 16" and suppressed. Suppressor fits right up to the forend so overall length is pretty short. It has a cheap 3-9 Niko Stirling scope with an illuminated reticle.

I don't want to go bush bashing with expensive kit, hence this setup.

Originally Posted by Fatberg

I have a Howa 308 chopped to 16" and suppressed. Suppressor fits right up to the forend so overall length is pretty short. It has a cheap 3-9 Niko Stirling scope with an illuminated reticle.

I don't want to go bush bashing with expensive kit, hence this setup.

My Sauer 100 6.5CM is missing some cerakote from bush bashing (and associated falls). Second hand scope also gives peace of mind.
Now I just need a sodding deer.

Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.

300 blackout? 308? Both designed for full powder burn in a shorter barrel. Both sling heavy slugs so any deflection from twigs leaves etc shouldn’t be an issue

Originally Posted by Jus

300 blackout? 308? Both designed for full powder burn in a shorter barrel. Both sling heavy slugs so any deflection from twigs leaves etc shouldn’t be an issue

If you want actuall heavy slugs, rifled shotgun is the go.

That 284win thats for sale would be my pic

Stick with the lever action. Browning BLR in 308. 2-7x32 or close enough scope.

One of these. T3 in 308win.
Does the tops just fine too.

Originally Posted by Shearer

Attachment 221086
One of these. T3 in 308win.
Does the tops just fine too.

Operating Handle is on the wrong side, does that make it a little awkward?

my choice would be marlin 1895 in 45-70govt with 1-4 scope great for close up shooting to 200yards and short for easy handling