re: Looking for a "Woods Rifle" - Caliber?

I think they are useful as well.

We'll just agree to disagree on this. Iron sights are just like a shotguns, pick it up and shoot, no need to find the sights in the scope

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Iron sights are just like a shotguns

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Oh no not hardly IMO. Open sights are much slower than a scope to me and exponentially slower than a shotgun.

You have to find the front sight, put it in the grove, put all that on the deer, and then pull the trigger.

With a shotgun you see what you want to shoot and you shoot it. I never even see the bead. I don't think it's possible to shoot anything accurately faster than a good fitting shotgun unless you are some kind of freak trick shooter.

With a scope, when I pick my gun up the crosshairs are somewhere very close to whatever I was looking at. Make a small correction and pull the trigger. I never have to find things in my scope.

Just my very personal opinion. I can get a 2-7 scope on target at close range much faster than anything else.

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I think see through mounts are the stupidest things on the face of the earth.

Just get a 2-7 scope. I don't think people realize how wide the field of view is at 2x, and just how little zoom that is. Much quicker target aquisition than with open sights because all you focus on is crosshairs and the deer, not a front sight, a back sight, and the deer. One whole thing less you have to look for when you shoot.

You can seriously take a 2 power scope, point it at your feet, and see them clearly. I've hunted in the swamp with open sights, see through mounts, a peep sight, fixed 4x scopes, 3-9 scopes, and even a 4-12 scope once. Nothing comes close to being as handy and simple as a 2-7x32 scope ontop of a short lever action except for a shotgun with buckshot and one bead.

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Lots of truth in the above comment.

My comments are not for the benefit of those here who already use see through rings (and are happy w/ them), but for those who are considering them. If someone has problems making snap shots at close range w/a low power scope, they've not practiced w/ it enough or the fitment is not proper. OTOH, if one uses see through mounts and a low power scope, one may indeed be able to get off close range shots quicker w/ the iron sights than w/ the scope on that gun; this is not because the iron sights are faster to acquire than scope cross hairs, but because the see through mounts can slow down target acquisition of the scope. The biggest problem I have w/ using see through mounts is the change in the cheek weld when changing from open sights to scope. W/ regular scope rings, sufficient practice and a proper fitting stock and scope, the cross hairs should be pretty much be on target when you throw the gun up. OTOH, when you throw up that same gun using the same cheek weld and see through mounts, your eyes are now naturally lined up w/ the iron sights, not the scope; you have to lift your face off the stock to get lined up w/ the scope that's sitting so much higher off the action due to the much higher rings.

For close range shooting, before investing in see through rings, try shooting a friend's deer rifle w/ a low power scope (heck, if you think 2X is too much magnification, get a 1.25-4X variable). Another alternative is to practice snap shooting w/ 22's, one w/ open sights and the other w/ a low power scope mounted low on the action. I bet you'll shoot more accurately and faster w/ the low power scope. I know I do.

People tend to think of woods rifles by caliber. That can be true to an extent, but it's less about the round and more about maneuverability. Short actions usually are shorter overall which is probably what you're looking for. 308 xbolt or bar probably fits what you're looking for. I have a 300 wsm xbolt that is a great close quarters rifle, but the little 308 would be my choice. 7mm-08 would also be great.

The main reason I like a lever action is the thin reciver and short overall length make them great to carry. Caliber is definitely a moot point as long as it isn't a. 243 or smaller. Damn I hate. 243s...

.308 ammo can be bought anywhere that sells ammo.

And its a greattttt deer caliber

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Is ammo hard to come by in 308 SA?

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Every mom and pop in the world will have .22, 308, 30-06 and .270 win.

THere is more info and ammo for the 308 then probably any other cartridge in the world. It is a GREAT round. It leaves a lot to be desired at longer ranges (yes, I know it's history better then most) but out to 300 in a 22" barrel its good to go. It's my next fetish.

I almost bought the 308 xbolt last year just because its such a small compact rifle, much like my 300 wsm. The recoil is much less which makes a follow up shot easier. I have killed 3 hogs at one time in the "woods" with my 300 wsm xbolt. I can only imagine how much faster a 308 would have been, and I would have lost little killing power. More then enough. Remember the short bolt throw of the xbolt due to the four bolt lugs. Damn, I might go buy one this week!

300 Ruger Compact Magnum
308 Marlin Express

I was thinking more about the Ruger compact rifles. They make it in non magnums too
Ruger Compact M77