I am curious to hear from those who use a variety of weapons to take game. I am aware that a person can spend a lifetime of hunting all types of game with one or two weapons, but I enjoy different ones for different reasons.
I have taken numerous deer with both a recurve and a compound bow and have startes hunting with a crossbow this season but have not had an opportunity to take a deer with it.
I hunt small game as well as predators with a shotgun. Usually, I like to use an old single shot .410 for rabbits and squirrels, saving the 3 1/2 " thunderboomer magnum for the coyotes and other predators. I do not hunt deer with a shotgun.
I let the area I will be hunting dictate the rifle I use to hunt deer. In the really thick stuff I like a lever action .35 Rem. or possibly my 45/70 single shot. I also like the no scope 30/30. In open woods I go for my single shot .308 which I used to take 5 deer with last year. The 45/70 also sees action in the open woods at times since it is extremely accurate up to 150 yards or so. I also hunt the powerlines on my property which gives me a 600 yard view to the North and a 500 yard view to the South. I may not ever shoot a deer this far but the opportunity is there. I have dialed in my Custom .308 to hit an 8" gong nearly every time at 500 yards. I also hunt the long range areas with a Ruger 7 mm mag.
I always carry my Ruger .44 Mag pistol for those behind the stand shots and have taken numerous deer with it including one that was shot at 88 yards. I am considering getting a T/C pistol but have never really felt the need yet.
I also enjoy reloading the rounds I shoot and hunt with. I usually spend a considerable amount of time and effort in finding the exact load my guns like, trying a number of combinations of bullets and powders to find the one that is "magical" for that particular application. I have been keeping very detailed records on the loads I use, and this has been quite helpful for myself as well as some of the other guys I shoot and hunt with.
I am a very strong supporter of ethical hunting as well as taking the responsibility to introduce young people to the outdoors, including camping, hunting, shooting, fishing and general wildlife knowledge. The young folks are the future of our sports and they need the support and guidance of RESPONSIBLE ADULTS.
So, lets here about the tools you use to hunt with, Either the variety, or the lack therof. Thank you.
Lately I have been trying to downsize to the caliber most versitle and needed.
I have recently traded off my 17HMR and 22Mag, and have begun experimenting with reduced loads for my 223. It's a very versitle round, and loaded with BlueDot or other simular powders, can match a 22LR, 22Mag, 22Hornet, and the full potiential 223 loads.
My Model 70, 270 will see action this year. And I have worked up a very nice load. She is shooting just under 1/2" with my handloads, and I am happy with that out of a straight factory rifle.
My 243's have always been a nice medium ground for me. And I plan on starting out my future wife on one of these.
As for close range/tight woods, I have trusted in my 12ga Slug works for this and am happy with the effects, and my .58cal Muzzleloader will be more than effective this year I am sure as it's quite a wallop.
My Remington XR-100 , 308 is my dedicated target baby, and I am most happy with her. Perhaps I will use her to target long range offense in the barn this year.
If need be, the Ol' M39 is always a trusted friend too..
This does it for me at the moment..who knows what "need" will arise ..
To me guns are like dirt bikes...you cant have too many. I use a Bushmaster .223 and 12 guage on predators, mini-30 in the brush for deer and hogs, and .270 everywhere else. I have capped a muley with my Super Redhawk .44 mag. When I finally get to go elk hunting, I'll have an excuse to get a Weatherby 300 mag. If I had to use 1 gun for all, it would have to be my .270.
__________________ "I'm your huckleberry. Thats just my game!"
Hello Sir.
I like to try to use all of my guns to hunt with. Exceptions; Garand, SKS, 1911 etc. I know they can be used in some applications but have plenty of hunting guns to rotate.
My favorite rotation is the shotguns. Everyone gets a turn. I'm looking forward to early season duck hunting with the 20ga SXS my wife bought me. She wants me to smash a woody to mount for her. See what I can do. It would be cool if I could do it with the 20 she got me.
After decades of white tail hunting (started in 1952) am trying a customized SKS ... (6 position stock ... optical sights ... buffered action ...match trigger, etc) on a 40 in Northern Minnesota. Very short sightlines ... brush and heavy cover that keeps shooting to 75 yards or even less.
Have always believed strongly in 30 caliber as a minimum for white tail ... but that said ... it is bullet placement and design that make hunting humane.
Anyone have experience with the 7.62 x 39 and white tail in similar circumstances? Bullet weight?
eer, coyote, rabbit, prarie dog, coons, anything that needs shootin
