Walking in the woods rifle

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Balrog

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I am looking for a rifle for walking through fairly dense woods. I want it to be deer capable. I think all shots would be 150 yds or less.

Here is what I am looking for:
1. Lightweight, must be under 7 pounds.
2. Don't intend to put an optic on it, so must have iron sights.
3. Chambered in a rifle cartridge (not a pistol caliber carbine), something in power between 30-30 and 308.
4. Barrel under 20"
5. Repeater action, but don't care if its semi auto, bolt, or lever.
6. Not so fancy that I will mind if it gets a few dings going through the woods.

I am considering a Browning or Henry lever action in 30-30 or 243 Win. Also possibly a Ruger Mini 30 Ranch. What else should I consider that meet these criteria?
 
Slamfire said:
You are going to get buried in suggestions. I thought a Marlin lever action, or a Henry lever action in 44 Magnum would do the job very well

View attachment 857276

View attachment 857277

You would be surprised how hard a 240 grain bullet going 1700 fps at the muzzle will hit.
Click to expand...

What is the drop on 44 mag at 150 yds? That is my only beef with the Marlin. I think I want something that shoots flatter.
 
Savage 110 Hog Hunter in .308 is the first thing that came to mind.

https://savagearms.com/content?p=firearms&a=product_summary&s=57020

The Ruger Mini 30 Ranch you mentioned is another good option. I'd also add an AR-15 chambered in 300 Blackout or 7.62x39 would make sense, as would an AR-10 in 6.5 Creedmore or .308 depending on if those are legal for deer in your state. The AR platforms, by the by, will be one of the best options to conserve weight.
 
BigBL87 said:
Savage 110 Hog Hunter in .308 is the first thing that came to mind.

https://savagearms.com/content?p=firearms&a=product_summary&s=57020

The Ruger Mini 30 Ranch you mentioned is another good option. I'd also add an AR-15 chambered in 300 Blackout or 7.62x39 would make sense, as would an AR-10 in 6.5 Creedmore or .308 depending on if those are legal for deer in your state. The AR platforms, by the by, will be one of the best options to conserve weight.
Click to expand...


The Savage weighs too much.
 
Balrog said:
What is the drop on 44 mag at 150 yds? That is my only beef with the Marlin. I think I want something that shoots flatter.
Click to expand...

If you have a 100 yard zero, a 240 grain bullet will drop 5.8 inches at 150 yards.

Looked up the numbers for a 30-30 with a 170 grain bullet going 2150 fps. With a 100 yard zero, the bullet drop is 3.5 inches. However, 150 yards is about 100 yards further than I can see in the woods around here.
 
5D9D62A3-3D04-488F-ADDC-E0066914DF14.jpeg Go tomorrow and get a lever action in 30-30. It’s what you want and need, just admit it to yourself. I have a Model ‘94 made in 1901 that I use on our farm and in our woods. It carries really naturally, is short and is just really ideal inside of 150 yards. It’s great on hogs here in Texas as well.

The Marlin is nice. Has a side eject in case you ever wanted to put an optic on it. If you are sure you will never want a scope, and truly want a rifle that is strictly a tool that you won’t mind beating up a bit, save a bit of money and get a Mossberg 464. I personally prefer it over the Marlin since the front stock is slimmer and it has a straight stock (no pistol grip.)

Good luck!
 
That's awfully light for me. But a model 94 Winchester slips in at 6.8 lbs. It has sights that are good enough for 150 yards if you can see that far without a scope.
Any NEF/H&R would be under that weight.
Some come with sights.
Henry makes a single shot.
I would stay below 308 if you're limiting yourself to 150 yds.
It keeps recoil down so you can focus on making the perfect shot with your irons.
 
DeepSouth said:
Going to be hard to beat a 30-30 lever action.

You’re describing basically what people have been doing with them 100+ years, literally what the gun was made for.
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The Winchester 94 30-30 was made for this and is still the best. It is slimmer and lighter than a Marlin and doesn't kick as much as the Browning. It is also short, compact and fast handling. I have used all kinds of rifles and pistols for stalking deer in the deep woods . I have never found anything better. It is easy to push brush back with one hand with it. Most wildlife in the US care near to extinction by mostly 30-30 Winchester rifles.
 
Last edited:
Screw irons. I'd buy this. 308, 6 lbs. 18" barrel https://ruger.com/products/americanRifleCompact/specSheets/6907.html

6907.jpg

And put this on it. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01C95I8N4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

71bwu1-L5TL._AC_SR260,240_.jpg

You'd come in at just over $450 for both, will be 1/2 lb lighter than any 30-30 and you're not limited to 150 yards.

MOST lever actions in 30-30 will be over your weight limit. About the lightest will be 6 3/4. Most of them are 7 1/4- 7 3/4. They have a reputation for being light, but my scales say otherwise. My Marlin 30-30 is the heaviest rifle in my safe.

I actually have this version with a 1-4X24 scope on it for my walking around rifle. It is only about 1/4 lb heavier, but with the scope on mine is over your weight limit.

https://ruger.com/products/americanRiflePredator/specSheets/26974.html
 
jmr40 said:
Screw irons. I'd buy this. 308, 6 lbs. 18" barrel https://ruger.com/products/americanRifleCompact/specSheets/6907.html

View attachment 857290

And put this on it. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01C95I8N4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

View attachment 857291

You'd come in at just over $450 for both, will be 1/2 lb lighter than any 30-30 and you're not limited to 150 yards.

MOST lever actions in 30-30 will be over your weight limit. About the lightest will be 6 3/4. Most of them are 7 1/4- 7 3/4. They have a reputation for being light, but my scales say otherwise. My Marlin 30-30 is the heaviest rifle in my safe.

I actually have this version with a 1-4X24 scope on it for my walking around rifle. It is only about 1/4 lb heavier, but with the scope on mine is over your weight limit.

https://ruger.com/products/americanRiflePredator/specSheets/26974.html
Click to expand...

OP’s post:
2. Don't intend to put an optic on it, so must have iron sights.
 
Another vote for the 1894 here. Short, light, points well and carries easy. Failing that, how about a 99 Savage in 300 Savage? Or even 308. They're a bit harder to find but again, they're fairly light and easy to carry. Savage 340 in 30 wcf is another decent choice, but weighs a fuzz over 7 pounds though. A 740 woodsmaster in 308 with a synthetic stock would come in under 7 pounds.

A question, though: why a "rifle" cartridge? Would a 357 or 44 in a 92 or Marlin 94 not be more suitable as far as weight and ease of use? My pet woods walking rifle is Marlin 336 in 30 wcf during deer season. However, I'd prefer a 92 in 357, being as none of my shots are over 75 yards. Just honest curiosity.

Mac
 
Got my new cz 527 carbine in 7.62x39. To try out. About 6 pounds.
I have a nice but simple early 1900s. German 98 sporter i like to use, it's under 7 pounds
Also have a marlin 336 in 35 rem. I lighted it up a little with thinking the wood and cutting the mag tube for 4 shots. That's around 6 ish pounds.
I have a trapdoor Springfield carbine in 50/70 that's nice to carry. 6 to 7 pounds.
 
Without question an older Marlin 1894 in 44Mag. 11 rounds of 44Mag is a lot of firepower should you need it. My 1960’s model has a straight stock and is very easy to carry all day with one hand. It points naturally and hits hard. If you want better sights because you feel the factory ones aren’t adequate, put a Williams peep on it. And if you’re hunting brush/woods, there’s no reason you can’t get closer than 150 yards. But as was stated, the drop isn’t bad. Mine is my primary deer rifle. And I have many rifles. I like it that much.
 
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