Low velocity bullet advice

[Greener Jim]

Yup that's correct. There is a federal law regarding firearms components but obviously bullets don't count. If they are on your license its fine.
Best speak to the airline regards whether you need to declare them, put them in carry on or whatever. I'd go carry on if you can, they are sec 5 after all.

 

[Southern]

Yes, check with the airlines. They try to breath some sanity in the transportation process, but it can be difficult when the laws and regulations are different on the two ends of a flight. In the USA, firearms and ammunition are supposed to be in checked baggage, in a locked case, declared, with a tag inside which shows up on X-ray. But many TSA people don't know the difference between ammunition and an inert bullet.

The US pilots are carrying .40 caliber SIG pistols, but have their pocketknives taken away.

 

[Greener Jim]

...The US pilots are carrying .40 caliber SIG pistols, but have their pocketknives taken away.

That's fantastic!

 

[The deer man]

Why not just buy a .30/30? I use one with 150gr flat nose bullets doing 2,350 fps. Either Sierra or Speer. You can also get them in 170gr and still achieve 2,200 fps.

It's a far handier package than any bolt action, faster and an ideal woods and tracker gun. Used quite a lot on the continent and of course it's homeland, USA. Good for all deer in the UK, Boar and more.

 

[tackb]

I think if your tracking wounded deer you should carry a round that delivers maximum terminal effect , once the beast is wounded then in my opinion the primary concern is finishing it swiftly and safely

 

[tackb]

here you go !

http://ukvarminting.com/forums/topic/28212-ruger-gunsite-scout-308-complete-with-jet-z/

 

[Southern]

Why not just buy a .30/30? I use one with 150gr flat nose bullets doing 2,350 fps. Either Sierra or Speer. You can also get them in 170gr and still achieve 2,200 fps.

It's a far handier package than any bolt action, faster and an ideal woods and tracker gun. Used quite a lot on the continent and of course it's homeland, USA. Good for all deer in the UK, Boar and more.

A simple and obvious solution, and so much more fun than cutting up a perfectly good .308 bolt action rifle.

 

[NigelM]

A simple and obvious solution, and so much more fun than cutting up a perfectly good .308 bolt action rifle.

Call me stuck in my ways, but I am very comfortable with Bolt Actions. I understand them, I know how to make them accurate and I'm safe with them. And I like moderators if it gets too loud.

I'm looking at it the other way round, I can get the performance of a 30:30 in a package I understand and am comfortable with and with an alternative load it will be an accurate 200 meter woodland stalking rifle and Boar gun. A single gun with 3 jobs it does well.

..and you have to get some strange looks turning up to an RTA with a Cowboy gun in England! Do you have to wear the boots and hat as well?

 

[Southern]

The 150-gr FN Sierra, Hornady, Speer, or Barnes will work like a charm at 2300 fps or so from your .308 bolt action.

If you look at the Spanish M-43 Mauser converstion to FR-8, by installing a CETME barrel and sights ( HK G3 ), you will see the prototype of the Ruger Scout Rifle, built in 1959. I shoot these loads and other light ones I posted above in these rifles ( I have 3 of them at the moment, and they shoot to the 100 yards, using the 200 yard aperture on the sight. It is very accurate, a 150 deer rifle.

..and you have to get some strange looks turning up to an RTA with a Cowboy gun in England! Do you have to wear the boots and hat as well?

You could wear buckskins, or a Mackinaw coat, wool trousers and Maine hunting boots.. or Barbour and Le Chameau. When you roll over a deer at 150 yards with iron sights using your Marlin Cowboy II in .30-30, the ribbing will stop.

 

[NigelM]

I'm sure it would....but our culture is a little different to that. Not saying it's right or wrong, but it's different.

Interesting point though in terms of sights. Looking at sticking a 1.5-6*24 illuminated scope on it. I think it should have the field of view and dot for running Boar and up close work as well as 6 times zoom for 200 yd deer. It's not going to be a dawn and dusk scope, doesn't need to be. Keeps it light as well. Does that sound like a reasonable plan?

 

[Yorric]

If you want a rifle that is handy, light & classy & can live without a moderator howz about a 308 Stutzen Mannlicher M --- Classy little rifle -- great in the woods!

Ian

 

[NigelM]

If you want a rifle that is handy, light & classy & can live without a moderator howz about a 308 Stutzen Mannlicher M --- Classy little rifle -- great in the woods!

Ian

Nice thought, but I have a rifle already that I want to convert.

 

[Greener Jim]

Posted this link before but very useful:
The Truth About Barrel Length, Muzzle Velocity and Accuracy - The Truth About Guns

Even at 13.5" it's deer legal. Nice compact moddy on there and it's one hell of a tracking/despatch/everything rifle.

Do you have the complete rifle or a donor?

 

[NigelM]

I have a complete rifle, but will cut the barrel to whatever length I feel is right.

It was this article that I got a lot of my data from, as well as Ballistic Studies website from NZ, plus advice from a number of people on here.

The only reason I am backing off a 13.5" barrel is that you cannot fit a light weight mod to it, which if it does turn out to be too noisy becomes a bit of a problem. I do fancy a real stumpy, but it backs you into a bit of a corner.

 

[Greener Jim]

Roger that, I was hoping it was gonna be a unwanted .243 so I could suggest 358 Win

Ofcourse you do have the option of a custom full length moddy. But that does start to get a little spendy!

I think 15-17" will do everything you want. Much easier to take off than put on!

 

[Greener Jim]

Another kinda left field option.
How about a folding stock of some kind. So long as the length of the barrelled action is over 24", whatever folding stock you put on would be legal and could be tailored to be a max of 24" (folded+moddy).
So easily under 3' long.

Even if you say 12" barrel, 6" action an 13" lop stock that's 31" plus moddy.

The major upside though is there is no permanent change to the rifle. If you don't like it you just put the old stock on and cut the barrel

 

[Southern]

Interesting point though in terms of sights. Looking at sticking a 1.5-6*24 illuminated scope on it. I think it should have the field of view and dot for running Boar and up close work as well as 6 times zoom for 200 yd deer. It's not going to be a dawn and dusk scope, doesn't need to be. Keeps it light as well. Does that sound like a reasonable plan?

I think it is ideal. Or a 1-4x24.

I have several small scopes like that, straight tube 2.5x Leupold on a combination gun, 1.5-4.5X Burris on a 7mm-08 carbine, a 1.25-4x24 #1, and had 1.75-5X Leupold on a .375 H&H. I just now borrowed a Bushnell Trophy 30mm 1.5-6x24 4A with illuminated dot to try on several rifles, including a .444 Marlin and a .375 H&H. I am going to try the 1-4x24 Bushnell.

See this current thread:
Driven boar scope

 

[The deer man]

...
..and you have to get some strange looks turning up to an RTA with a Cowboy gun in England! Do you have to wear the boots and hat as well?

Most people in this country are so ignorant about guns they wouldn't know the difference! On the other hand they might actually recognise it as a rifle!
I use my .30/30 mostly in the summer and wear a bush hat!

 

[NigelM]

Another kinda left field option.
How about a folding stock of some kind. So long as the length of the barrelled action is over 24", whatever folding stock you put on would be legal and could be tailored to be a max of 24" (folded+moddy).
So easily under 3' long.

Even if you say 12" barrel, 6" action an 13" lop stock that's 31" plus moddy.

The major upside though is there is no permanent change to the rifle. If you don't like it you just put the old stock on and cut the barrel

Thanks for all your thinking on this one Jim, looks like the project has captured your imagination!

 

[takbok]

After reading this post and subsequently looking on the NZ fishnhunt forum, they have lots of load data and experience to share on their short barrelled 'bush pig' rifles. I'm sure you can find all the info you'll need on that forum. I'm sure the short barrel won't be a hindrance for most UK hunting.