Shooting through brush - .35 Remington

[CWarmouth]

Hello Folks,

I've got another one for you...

I've heard people say that the .35 Remington is a good "brush gun". My deer hunting has always either been with a .243, 30.06, .270 Winchester, or bow and arrow. I have never shot through brush. At least not intentionally anyway. Is a 200 grain .35 Rem bullet able to shoot through brush without breaking apart or being deflected? Obviously a clear shooting lane is preferred, but CAN you shoot in pretty heavy cover and still make a good shot?

Thanks, as always,

Carl

[Wulfman]

Depends........

On what the meaning of "brush" is..... (to paraphrase B. Clinton)
(leaves, twigs, branches, trees)

On how close said "brush" is to either the shooter or the target.....
(the closer to the target, the less time the bullet has to change trajectory if it hits "brush")

On how desperate the shooter is to take the shot.....
(how big is the rack, how empty is the freezer or how much season is left?)

"Everything is relative".


Den

[CWarmouth]

I realize that everything is relative and that common sense is required. Sometimes you have to say, "Wouldn't be prudent... not at this juncture" to paraphrase George Bush Sr.

The brush consists of small twigs, maybe some green briar, some water oak leaves... small stuff. I'm in a stand and there could be some canopy between me and the deer.

The shot is 50-60 yards max.

I'm not too desperate. I have plenty of meat in the freezer. If it was a doe or a small buck I'll let it walk. But let's say a really big buck comes through, bigger than anything I have shot. It's 60 yards away working a scrape (the rut starts in January in this part of Alabama) and there is not quite a perfectly clear shooting lane to the front shoulder. Speaking in broad, general terms, would a 200 g. .35 rem plow through? I'm not so desperate that I would risk wounding it and never see it again. I'd rather wait and take a chance that I might see it again. On the other hand I don't want to be overly conservative and not pull the trigger when I could have.

Carl

[John Gyde]

No bullet is immune from deflection, although heavy, slower bullets are thought to be best. There are too many variables. Will you hit a twig dead center or will you nick it? If you're hunting from a blind, why not clear out shooting paths? With a little work you can clear the canopy enough to get you a clear shot.

[remington600]

To clear this up the 35 Remington is classified as a brush gun. The shooter needs to make the decision of a good shooting situation. The 35 is an EXCELLENT caliber, but I would step up to the 350 rem magnum and then you could leave all the other guns in the closet.

[Wulfman]

To clear this up the 35 Remington is classified as a brush gun. The shooter needs to make the decision of a good shooting situation. The 35 is an EXCELLENT caliber, but I would step up to the 350 rem magnum and then you could leave all the other guns in the closet.

Agreed. I like my .35 Whelen, too (1988 Mdl. 700 Classic). It's the non-belted equivalent of the .350 Mag., based on the .30-06 case. Very accurate and plenty of power. It's been (and still is) available in bolt, pump and semi-auto Remington models.


Den

[Recoil Rob]

Have to agree with that, I read the Boddington experiment too. While not scientific, it was practical and his results led me to believe that all bullets will deflect in brush. A .35 will deflect less than a 22, but not enough less to guarantee a well placed shot.

[CWarmouth]

Thank you for the replies!

[Rickster]

Another factor to consider (besides deflection) is bullet performance. I once shot a buck with a 444 Marlin via a 2 inch sapling. The range was 25yds. The sampling was centered. The bullet was a 240gr flat soft point. It hit the point of aim, in the crease behind the shoulder, left a 6 inch entrance wound, sliced the heart and liver and mushed both lungs. The buck ran 50yds leaving a blood trail that looked like it had been poured out of a bucket.

Big bullets may not deflect any less than smaller ones, but they have the mass do the job even if disrupted. I imagine that bullet was in pretty bad shape by the time it got the the deer. I really don't think a lighter faster bullet would have done the job, even if it had hit the point of aim. It would have probably just left a nasty flesh wound. I would say that if you are going to shoot through brush, the 35 Rem with a heavy bullet is as good a choice as any.

[Dave]

I also read Boddington experiment. What I remember most was that it was a 308 150 gr. bullet that deflected the least. I was very surprised the 308 did better than say the 45-70.