What gun do you use for deer hunting?

[noggs]

I live in Wisconsin, and deer gun season starts this saturday so im just wondering what u guys use?

[Stl. boy]

Winchester Model 70 chambered .270, Weaver 9x scope.
Both the rifle and scope are 30+ years old, but still shoots straight. Cant use it this year, hunting in Indiana and they only have muzzleloader and shotgun seasons, no rifles.

[TacoDelRio]

We don't use guns, we use RIFLES.

Depends on what you wanna spend. I personally like the Remington 700 CDL in .30-06 the most, as it is relatively cheap, very accurate, and has a very aesthetically pleasing stock that is comfortable to hold. It actually looks like somethign you wouldn't be ashamed to pass down to your grandkids without them thinking of you as a cheapskate. AND, it operates very smoothly!

I prefer those to Winchester 70's, especially since FN bought em out.

Just my $0.02!

[DeltaWhisky58]

Scotland & Europe

.308W (7.62x51mm) Sauer 200: Schmidt u. Bender 8x86 & 6x42 scopes (EAW swing-off interchangeable mounts), 150gr Nosler handloads. Used for larger species (Red deer, Sika, Fallow) + wildboar.

.222R Custom CZ Mini-98: Zeiss 6x42 Scope, 50gr. Nosler handload. Used for our small native Roe deer (50-60lbs). Very effective!

I have also used the following calibres - 7x64mm (Superb); 6.5x54mm (Old and slow, but effective); .243W (excessive carcase damage in my experience); .30-06 (Need I say anything?).

[SATANAS]

:D M-14 BATTLE RIFLE .... 7.62 mm FULL METAL JACKET :D

[Frens]

20mm vulcan cannon :lol:
http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/ships/carriers/stennis/sten-vulcan.jpg

...for deer hunting, I would go with 7.62 or .223

[DeltaWhisky58]

:D M-14 BATTLE RIFLE .... 7.62 mm FULL METAL JACKET :D

Well that ain't going to be very humane to Bambi is it? :fork:

[Werewolf01]

I use a Winchester model 94 .30-30. Where I hunt, you can't shoot more than 100 yards 99% of the time. I also use a Model 700 ADL .30-06 with a Refield 3-9X. Even a .30-06 is pretty strong medicine for a whitetail. You really don't need that much punch. I see a lot of guys running around the woods with everything from .300 Win Mag to (believe this or not) .375 H&H mag. Like I said where I live, you really can't shoot that far to warrant a belted magnum, and .375 H&H is simply rediculous and it drops like a rock over 100 yards. The last time I checked there weren't too many cape buffalo running around the Appalachains. Anybody who uses that much gun (unless it is their "one" gun a la Col. Cooper) is proabaly trying to compensate for a lack of virility. :petting:

As far as hunting with FMJ, yeah, you can, but it deosn't kill as cleanly and you will probably be humping for hours looking for the deer. I don't like the idea of losing a deer that may die slowy because I was too damn cheap to buy good ammo. Unless you want to make a lot of headshots (I only take these when there are no other options), use good expanding bullets. These are deer, not people...they don't wear body armor, and when they are shot their first reaction is not "Oh crap I am gonna die!", or "Hey let's get a dressing on this."...their first reaction is RUN! Anybody who has hunted deer any length of time knows from experience how far they can run with massive internal injuries. Don't fool around. You owe the animal respect. :slap:

Please don't hunt deer with a 5.56mm either. All it does is wound them. Most of the time the bullet never even enters the vitals. I have killed one deer that some idiot shot with a 5.56. It spalled out on the shoulder and I had to pick bits of jacket and core out of what otherwise would have been really good meat. My uncle has killed a deer in a similar state. Yes, of course you can kill deer with a .22lr or mag, and a lot of poachers do this, but let's refer back to the respect point.

Guys keep in mind this is hunting not sniping. Respect the animal. Don't get me wrong, hunt with any type of rifle you want (I have hunted with a M1A and an Hk91 before) just respect the animal enough to kill it cleanly.
My rant for the day. Thanks for letting me vent. :lol:

[vryhpyammoadded]

WWII surplus Enfield 303 mk4 with iron sights. Still the best dam deer, moose, caribou etc... rifle I've owned!

A smart shooting weapon! I can knock the head off a Turkey at 250m with that rifle. Yes I know, over kill and a bit... against the rules but it was fun anyway. Ok, so I got real lucky ;)

[DeltaWhisky58]

Werewolf01

I would agree with much of what you say - the same applies to the use of heavy calibres here in Europe. We get a lot of German/Austrain hunting guests over here in Scotland, many of whom are ridiculously over-gunned. Fortunately the use of FMJ bullets for deer hunting is illegal in most European countires.

As for the 5.56mm calibres, yes they are inadequate for North American deer, but here we have three small species - Roe, Muntjac & Chinese Water Deer (latter two in England only) - none over 70lbs live weight. The .22 centre-fires are legal for these in Scotland, although we only have the Roe deer, .222R, .223R, .22-250 and similar are all used to great effect on these small beasties. I have shot many Roe Deer with my .222 Rem., and with correct selection of bullet (Nosler BT 50gr) they often drop on the spot with minimal carcase damage. My wife took out a trophy roe buck a few years ago at well over 200yds with a .222!

[Durandal]

12 Ga 1100 semi-auto with slugs and a tube stopper to limit capacity to three rounds.

State law...

Non-black powder shotgun hunting last three whole days in Ohio.

No rifles permitted whatsoever.

[James]

.458 Winchester Magnum or .505 Gibbs for deer... bigger for larger critters.

[DeltaWhisky58]

Hah, hah - if you can hadle them. Have you ever seen a .505 Gibbs round? Why not go the whole 9 yards and get yourself a .700 Holland then! ;)

No worries here - both would be illegal here in Scotland owing to low muzzle velocity, but I have no doubts they'd kill deer.

I remember donkey's years ago seeing an article in Guns 'n Ammo Annual about a bunch of guys qwho called themselves the Pensylvania 1000yd. Deer Club. These guys set themselves up in long forest clearings - especially the ones where the power lines go through - with artillery rangefinders, high power spotting scopes and rifles build on the .378 Weatherby necked down to .30 cal. This must have been thrity years back, well before the days of modern long-range rifles and bullet-drop compensating scopes, but these guys got to tie on their tags each year.

[Durandal]

I remember donkey's years ago seeing an article in Guns 'n Ammo Annual about a bunch of guys qwho called themselves the Pensylvania 1000yd. Deer Club. These guys set themselves up in long forest clearings - especially the ones where the power lines go through - with artillery rangefinders, high power spotting scopes and rifles build on the .378 Weatherby necked down to .30 cal. This must have been thrity years back, well before the days of modern long-range rifles and bullet-drop compensating scopes, but these guys got to tie on their tags each year.

Wow, I think I would have paid money to see that.

[James]

Hah, hah - if you can hadle them. Have you ever seen a .505 Gibbs round? Why not go the whole 9 yards and get yourself a .700 Holland then! ;)



.700 Holland is for pussies. It is like a 9mm to me.

[maw]

well howdy, we got us a red neck thread goin' on.

as much as i like the .243 and the .270, i always seem to go back to the .308. you can darn near kill anything in north america with .308 especially if you step up to the 230 grain spitzers.

the only venison in my freezer this year was brought down with a 12 gauge winchester sx2 shooting 3" mag buck shot with a real fancy choke.

they've been releasing elk in the mountains here in north carolina and apparently they're doing fine. i'm looking forward to getting tags for that one, probably won't be for a couple of years though. i might consider stepping up to a short action magnum like .300wsm for elk.

btw, i ground hunt. so no stands for me.

[Otsoa]

Use a Winchester Model 94 in 30-30 for my deer rifle. The bush we have in my neck of the woods usually allows for shots from 25m to 300m but where I tend to go, I only will shoot out to 75m or so. Going to rebarrel my bubba'd p14 and restock it and use that for my moose gun. Don't need anything stronger than 303...only reason why I'd get a 375 H&H was if I was going into grizzly country and I don't plan on doing that anytime soon.

[Werewolf01]

I have heard that some tribes in Canada use a .22lr and a thermos to hunt moose. Apparently, the shoot the moose in the belly (which is supposed to hardly make the moose flinch), then they drink the coffee in the thermos while it takes 30 to 45 minutes for the moose to bleed out. I have never seen this done, but an interesting story at any rate.

[DE6]

I use an oldie but goody. I have a Remington 742 Woodsmaster autoloading in .30-06. It's a bit heavy for deers, but on the plus side, I can use it for moose (which are usually long shots).

I put a Czech optic on it, a Meopta Artemis 2000 1.5-6x42. Crystal clear, good light gathering, I just wish the reticle wasn't so thick. Other than that, it's right up there with Zeiss and Leupold.

http://www.meopta.cz/products/scopes/riflescopes/Artemis_2000/Artemis_2000_1.5-6x42.jpg

[oldsoak]

6.5x55mm Swedish mauser bought from Nelson Rod and Gun in NZ. Scope is a bog standard Nikko Sterling.

[FozzieBear]

Hah, hah - if you can hadle them. Have you ever seen a .505 Gibbs round? Why not go the whole 9 yards and get yourself a .700 Holland then! ;)



.700 Holland is for pussies. It is like a 9mm to me.
well that 3 ton 30mm gatling gun kicks like a 12 gauge to me, plus i can kill all the deer in a 1 mile radius ;) woot

[Otsoa]

I have heard that some tribes in Canada use a .22lr and a thermos to hunt moose. Apparently, the shoot the moose in the belly (which is supposed to hardly make the moose flinch), then they drink the coffee in the thermos while it takes 30 to 45 minutes for the moose to bleed out. I have never seen this done, but an interesting story at any rate.

There have been some idiots who use .22lr on large game but that is a rarity. In most provinces it is illegal to use certain cartridges on game and in every province to my knowledge,.22lr is totaly illegal for big game. Btw, a belly shot(I assume you mean gut)is a damn good way of ruining your meat. Almost every native uses the same types of rifles and cartridge that non natives use....which is anything from the venerable 303, 30-30, modern short magnums, and in old surplus military rifles to the newest custom rifles made.

[oldsoak]

Sad thing is that some people do silly things. Theres stories of hunters shooting a deer only to find some idiot has previously put half a dozen .22 rounds in the poor thing, causing all sorts of unecessary suffering.

[Nick Fury 2002]

I use an old Enfield 2A chambered in .308 with an aftermarket Synthetic stock and a scope mount with a cheap 3x10x50 Simmons scope attached. All together maybe $250.00 invested and it has brought me a deer every year for the last 8 years. Great rifle.
My Girlfriend uses a Remington 700 chambered in 243 with a Nikkon scope attached. She just called to rub it in that she will be hunting all weekend while I am slaving away at work. Oh well I will be out on her dad's 35 acres the day after Thanksgiving for my second deer this year hopefully.

[pAt]

20mm vulcan cannon :lol:
http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/ships/carriers/stennis/sten-vulcan.jpg

...for deer hunting, I would go with 7.62 or .223

now i think your family would like something without lead in it lol

[wiking]

bugger 20mm vulcan, real men hunt with 75mm field guns. incendiary rounds, instant barbeque. :lol: (allright it was a bit lame, but it sounded funny when i thought it.)

[Seraphim]

:D M-14 BATTLE RIFLE .... 7.62 mm FULL METAL JACKET :D

How bout let people with real knowledge post in this topic.

[DeltaWhisky58]

I use an old Enfield 2A chambered in .308 with an aftermarket Synthetic stock and a scope mount with a cheap 3x10x50 Simmons scope attached. All together maybe $250.00 invested and it has brought me a deer every year for the last 8 years. Great rifle.
My Girlfriend uses a Remington 700 chambered in 243 with a Nikkon scope attached. She just called to rub it in that she will be hunting all weekend while I am slaving away at work. Oh well I will be out on her dad's 35 acres the day after Thanksgiving for my second deer this year hopefully.

Hi Nick - didn't realise you hung out over here as well - you'll know me better as HighlandSniper58 - you've got me puzzled, what's an Enfield2A?

[wiking]

I use an old Enfield 2A chambered in .308 with an aftermarket Synthetic stock and a scope mount with a cheap 3x10x50 Simmons scope attached. All together maybe $250.00 invested and it has brought me a deer every year for the last 8 years. Great rifle.
My Girlfriend uses a Remington 700 chambered in 243 with a Nikkon scope attached. She just called to rub it in that she will be hunting all weekend while I am slaving away at work. Oh well I will be out on her dad's 35 acres the day after Thanksgiving for my second deer this year hopefully.

Hi Nick - didn't realise you hung out over here as well - you'll know me better as HighlandSniper58 - you've got me puzzled, what's an Enfield2A?

The Enfield 2A are the No. 1 Enfields chambered for 7.62NATO.

[ramy]

...for deer hunting, I would go with 7.62 or .223

Going after a deer with a .223 is cruel..... There is a chance that you will only wound it and it will die a painfull death.... The .223 was meant only to wound and take a person off a battlefield... Using one of those rounds against a deer isnt right... I would use a 7.62 mm :-P

[DeltaWhisky58]

...for deer hunting, I would go with 7.62 or .223

Going after a deer with a .223 is cruel..... There is a chance that you will only wound it and it will die a painfull death.... The .223 was meant only to wound and take a person off a battlefield... Using one of those rounds against a deer isnt right... I would use a 7.62 mm :-P

I'm sorry Ramy, but that is rather a sweeping statement.

Whilst I appreciate that in North America your smallest deer species - I'm not sure which, Whitetail/Blacktail/Mule - require calibres in the class of .243/.30-30 and up, here in Europe we have deer species ranging in weight from the 35-40lb of the non-indigenous Muntjac to the 1000lb+ of the Elk (European Elk = Moose to you former colonials).

Bearing in mind that the native Roe, and non-native Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer seldom exceed 70lbs in weight in Western Europe, it is both legal and perfectly humane to shoot these species using the .22-class centrefire calibres from .222 Remington and upwards, asuming use of proper expanding bullets designed for use on deer-sized quarry. Use of these calibres is also legal in most countries except England.

From personal experience, I have had better results shootng Roe Deer with a .222R then with .243 - the lighter bullet of the .22-centrefire calibres tends to expend much more of its energy inside the carcase and fully expand, whilst the high velocity rounds like the .243 punch on through the smaller species often without fully expanding, hence many more runners and the need for a well-trained dog.

Personally, I think you can't beat rifles in the .308W/6.5x55/7x57 class for most European game including Elk and Wildboar.

[ramy]

I hear that its illegal in most us states to hunt with a .223 ....
I guess it depends on the size of the deer and wildlife available in the region.

[wormie]

Put's meat on the table. http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m-2-50cal-dvic550.jpg

[wiking]

Although i don't hunt, 30-06 is the most common caliber for large game hunting here in Norway. That's what i've heard atleast.

.308 win is allso popular, and there are quite a few who have Krag Jørgensen rifles in 6.5x55

[Ratamacue]

"Civilize 'em with a Krag!" :lol:

[ZaakM433]

Remington model 700
.270
4x scope
wooden stock

hunted about 5 days over 2 seasons... 2 deer...

It's going to get interesting this time though, they changed the seasons and i may have time conflictions now that im in college.

[11 Bravo]

When I lived on the east coast ( that place is a POS anymore ) , I was restricted to a scattergun. I and my father used 10 gauge doubles - most excellent for up to 80+ yards. Also I used an old pre 1959 JC Higgins Model 20 with cuts compensator that has a factory original choke. It fired # 000 , # 00 and #4 buck with astounding tight groups , and still does.
Now that I live in a part of REAL AMERICA ( bluegrass ) I can go back to using my rifles like I did when I hunted in Pennsylvania. My preference was a bolt mismatch bnz41 98k. It shot exceptional with Hornady 170 grainers backed by either W748 or IMR 4064.
Nowadays I use one of my trusty full length gewehr 98's. And I don't bother with any damn scopes !.

[Aussie E]

I use a Remington 25-06 Mountian Rifle for the smaller stuff and a Marlin 45-70 Guide Gun for the larger critters.

[hank]

I hear that its illegal in most us states to hunt with a .223 ....
I guess it depends on the size of the deer and wildlife available in the region.

This is true in TN I know.

hank

[martinexsquaddie]

had a platoon commander who's relative owned a vast chunk of scotland thought it would be bit of a wheeze take the sniper section up for some live target practice :roll:
Now no offense ment towards people who hunt But slotting basically an athelitic cow as a pastime sucks.
maybe we had the wrong kit 600m yer to far away
craw crawl crawl and then some more crawling 100metres bambi's mum gets right it in the eye :(
can I go home now.
sorry battle of wits between me and a deer I reckon I've got at least 50 iq points advantage rofl

[Geezah]

I've seen what a 300lbs deer will do to a motor vehicle, and while I'm not all that into hunting, I don't mind other people doing it as I view deer the same way I view vermin, they're a menace.

[Werewolf01]

I've seen what a 300lbs deer will do to a motor vehicle, and while I'm not all that into hunting, I don't mind other people doing it as I view deer the same way I view vermin, they're a menace.

Yes, but a tasty menace.

[shadower]

This one! :D

http://world.guns.ru/sniper/sn56-e.htm

[BartEmpira]

For deer in brush country, I use my dad's Winchester 71 in .348. Some may say "overkill" but dead is dead and I don't like chasing blood trails.

A pleasure to carry in the brush!

Bart

[Geezah]

This one! :D

http://world.guns.ru/sniper/sn56-e.htm

OMG :cantbeli: :P

[shadower]

I can't help I like it.

[DeltaWhisky58]

had a platoon commander who's relative owned a vast chunk of scotland thought it would be bit of a wheeze take the sniper section up for some live target practice :roll:
Now no offense ment towards people who hunt But slotting basically an athelitic cow as a pastime sucks.
maybe we had the wrong kit 600m yer to far away
craw crawl crawl and then some more crawling 100metres bambi's mum gets right it in the eye :(
can I go home now.
sorry battle of wits between me and a deer I reckon I've got at least 50 iq points advantage rofl

Speaking as one who has had considerable experience of Scottish Deer Stalking, I haven't read such a load of complete and utter bollocks in ages.
Assuming Bambi's Mum has an IQ of 1 you haven't advanced very far have you! I can only assume you were taken out in the deep of winter when food was short. Try it against a stag with his wits about him, or a roe deer and the odds might be slightly different.
Before making such sweeping statements in the future, chose a subject about which you know something, or you might be confused for an armchair wannabe.
Sorry guys, but such asinine comments really piss me off.

[DeltaWhisky58]

I've seen what a 300lbs deer will do to a motor vehicle, and while I'm not all that into hunting, I don't mind other people doing it as I view deer the same way I view vermin, they're a menace.

I've seen one of our 70lb max roe deer take the rof off of a car and totally write it off!

[Geezah]

I've seen what a 300lbs deer will do to a motor vehicle, and while I'm not all that into hunting, I don't mind other people doing it as I view deer the same way I view vermin, they're a menace.

I've seen one of our 70lb max roe deer take the rof off of a car and totally write it off!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/Geezah/DeervsDurango2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/Geezah/DeervsDurango3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/Geezah/DeervsDurango4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/Geezah/DeervsDurango5.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/Geezah/DeervsDurango7.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/Geezah/DeervsDurango8.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/Geezah/DeervsDurango.jpg
I don't know the owner of this SUV :(

[Old Retard]

http://nuclear-weapons.nm.ru/fotos/pictures/Hardtack_I_1958_oak2.jpg

This is the best and the most effective weapon for deer hunting (all deer at one time - just 9 MT and BBQ is ready)

[DeltaWhisky58]

I've seen what a 300lbs deer will do to a motor vehicle, and while I'm not all that into hunting, I don't mind other people doing it as I view deer the same way I view vermin, they're a menace.

I've seen one of our 70lb max roe deer take the rof off of a car and totally write it off!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/Geezah/DeervsDurango2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/Geezah/DeervsDurango3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/Geezah/DeervsDurango4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/Geezah/DeervsDurango5.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/Geezah/DeervsDurango7.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/Geezah/DeervsDurango8.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/Geezah/DeervsDurango.jpg
I don't know the owner of this SUV :(

Yes, that's the sort of deal I was thinking of, but with a ssmall 70lb roe deer and a tinny Italian car, otherwise not much difference! Ouch! :(

[Geezah]

You see dead deer on the motorway all the time in my area, normally where they tried to take on a semi and low and behold the semi won.

[Abolith]

I have always used .50 cal. stops em` cold when I hit.

[mr.x]

I use this....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/ouchieusa/Outdoor%20Stuff/CIMG0222.jpg

[Burncycle]

SKS and Mosin Nagant

[ArmyRanger]

mossberg 590 12G