Rifle from the saddle

[fbwguy]

I'm going to hunt with a rifle from my saddle, probably as much as i will with my bow. My questions for you rifle hunters are: How short of a rifle are you using? Is recoil an issue to consider, since you have many different positions and angles that are available? I'm going to buy a Ruger American Ranch in 450 Bushmaster as my primary Saddle Rifle. Any thoughts there?

 

[ImThere]

I’ve used my 308 and 22-250 Ruger Americans for the saddle. I haven’t had any problems


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[fawnzy]

I’ve used both a .308 Ruger frontier (16.5 inch barrel) and a .303 British.
Both are great.
I hang my rifle by it’s strap. If you do, make sure it’s in good repair and attached securely to the rifle. I always double check before hanging it.


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[TFNC]

I haven't had a chance to gun hunt from the saddle, but I have shot my gun from it. Some shots are easier(using the tether as a rest) some are little different but most defiantly doable. The only thing that I find way harder from a saddle is taking a leak lol

 

[EricS]

I killed two with a rifle from the saddle last year. My tikka t3 has a 22 inch barrel and was no problem. I just hang mine from a screw in small cheap bow hook using the sling. I use the tree and my tether as a rest when possible

 

[BigAl]

Shot a doe with a muzzleloader from my web this past fall. Not a problem from the web. Hang the gun as stated above.

 

[Nutterbuster]

Short barrels are nice. I had a handi rifle that was a thing of beauty in the saddle. Very easy to get it up and over the bridge. Unfortunately it was a .243, and after losing a nice public land buck this year I sold it in a fit of rage.

The 30-06 Tikka I replaced it with works fine, but it's definitely noticable how much longer it is.

 

[Autumnrider]

Taken 2 bucks from the saddle. One with .270 and the other with the 35 whelen. No issues

 

[pilgrimhunter]

Rifles are not an issue. Infact I love a saddle for a gun as you can get a great rest against the tree. I am sure a short gun is nice but I don't think I would choice something special because of using a saddle.

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[fbwguy]

Rifles are not an issue. Infact I love a saddle for a gun as you can get a great rest against the tree. I am sure a short gun is nice but I don't think I would choice something special because of using a saddle.

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LOL I have been craving the 450 for a while now! The saddle hunting is just another justification to buy it. It’s nice and compact with the 16” barrel, should be perfect. You can never have enough rifles anyway.

 

[IkemanTX]

The only thing that I find way harder from a saddle is taking a leak lol

Switch to a sit drag and platform then it’s easy


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[brydan]

I hunted a few times from a GW with a Contender carbine, 18" 357 Maximum. Weighed under 5lbs all up with a scope and it worked pretty well. While using a rifle was fine I don't think I'd really want to use a long barreled rifle. It seemed to me like a short carbine was a better fit, from a GW anyway.

 

[redsquirrel]

I can't use rifles in my state but I've shot a bunch of deer and a bear from my saddle with my muzzleloader.

 

[Sparrowhawk]

fbwguy,

Here's a vid that may be helpful:

 

[BudgetBuck1]

I hunted with my AR out of my saddle last year and shot two from it very easily. Perhaps easier than a treestand because the bridge acts as a gun support. The .450 Bushmaster in that little ruger rifle has some serious kick. Equivalent to my lightweight 30.06 so make sure you have the stock firmly in your shoulder or you could get scoped. A buddy of mine has the same rifle and he loves it. It does have some serious muzzle blast. I have a tendancy in the saddle to try and shoot from positions in which I have never practiced before. I turned back and sideways with my 30.06 to lean around a tree to shoot a deer and the scope popped me but not hard enough to split the brow. In hindsight, I should have rotated around the tree and stayed vertical instead of leaning back to shoot around the tree. You live and learn.

 

[ARERHODES]

Bridge makes a good rest. Hunt with my rifle late in the season. I tend to hunt thick stuff and use my Win93 but here is me hanging out with the 30.06 this year I'm gonna bring the 300 blackout pistol. 10in barrel will be much better for the saddle.

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[Catskills]

Short barrels are nice. I had a handi rifle that was a thing of beauty in the saddle. Very easy to get it up and over the bridge. Unfortunately it was a .243, and after losing a nice public land buck this year I sold it in a fit of rage.

The 30-06 Tikka I replaced it with works fine, but it's definitely noticable how much longer it is.

I am looking at the Tikka as well. Would you recommend it?

 

[Nutterbuster]

I am looking at the Tikka as well. Would you recommend it?

I honestly haven't shot it enough to give a fair review. It shoots well enough with the 165s I have, but I'd like to see how it does with 180s. The ergonomics/aesthetics aren't my favorite, but the bolt is nice and it seems well made.

 

[Catskills]

I honestly haven't shot it enough to give a fair review. It shoots well enough with the 165s I have, but I'd like to see how it does with 180s. The ergonomics/aesthetics aren't my favorite, but the bolt is nice and it seems well made.

I hear ya, thanks man. Have a few I am debating between

 

[Vtbow]

I hear ya, thanks man. Have a few I am debating between

I have a t3 lite(blued) in 300wsm. I love it. I shoot winchester silver ballistic tip in 150gr. leupold VXII on it. It is super light, durable, and a serious tack driver.
Other nice option would be a remington 700 mtn rifle in something like 7mm 08. Think the barrel is 22" on that. and its like under 7lbs without scope...

One thing worth noting on the tikka--the safety is not my favorite the way the bolt lock works. Much prefer the winchester or rem 700 with a 3 way...