What do you hunt With..

[puddle jumper]

I no,, :confused2:
Here we go again with the best deer gun, Sorry,:ooooh: but I was wondering what do you actually take to the woods when you are hunting...Just seems like I go back and forth on a good gun for deer,,,,,I started with a 30-30 growing up, Then the big gun took over in me and I got a 7 mag but I got to tell you I never really liked it, just to much gun for me to hunt deer,, So now im using a 270 and its ok but im thinking of back tracking again to a 243, or a 22-250 or maybee going back to my roots with the trusty 30-30 of 35 lever which when it boils down to it was my fav. gun so far anyway...:roll_eyes:

I hunt in wood's where most of my shots are close, 75 and in, So I dont need a reach out and touch it gun,,,

So #1 what do you use, and #2 any info would help...

Thanks guys
Puddle
oh, and one other note not real interested in going slug gun...

[stoney53]

my first gun was a winchester 30 30 which i still use at times i also use a savage 99 308 cal ,like you i tried alot of different ones finally settled on the 308 basically, in my opinion it can take down most anything that i would be hunting , over the years guns have become more powerful, bigger cartridges , do ya really need all that ??

[massa_jorge]

my weatherby .30-06 is my main deer killer, but i also use handguns and the bow. i have killed deer and hogs with every centerfire weapon in my safe except for my .44 mag.
what info are you looking for?
i use 165 grain softpoints in the -06, 158 grn hp in the .357, 230 grn hp in the .45, 210 hp or 240 grn lswc in the .44, and 123 grn hp in the sks. yes, the sks is a great deer killer. one round and that's it!
ranges out here can go from 20 yards to 400 yards. i have killed deer with the -06 from 20 feet to 400 yards. i have been shooting a .30-06 all my life so that's why i stick to it. good luck this season!

[kvillcat]

Lets see.....30-06, 357mag, 50cal, 12guage, and bow. Yep I think that covers it:smile2::smile2::smile2:


John

[223reload]

I shoot a 243 ,just cause I fell in love with the cartridge way back in high school,When i went hunting with an older neighbor. I havent a clue why,But I have had mine since day one some 30 yrs ago. But for wooded hunting ,I might grab my Marlin 30-30. I can hit most anything I shoot at where I aim this side of 200 yards using iron sights.

[john catfish young]

My go to gun for deer hunting is my trusty remington bolt action 30-06. I also hunt muzzle-loader 50 cal. as well as bow hunt.

The areas I hunt, most of my clear shots have come from under 100 yards. If I hunted areas which required very long shots.....I would probably opt for a 300 mag.:wink:

[rrssmith]

I use my Remington model 700bdl it is just a good gun

[Eddie Mullins]

I don't deer hunt much at all anymore, but I haven't used anything but my 50 cal muzzle loader with 45 cal sabots for the last 8 + years. I started out with a 30/30 , but for years used a 12 ga slug as I hunt in wooded areas, then went to a 30.06 remmington and then the muzzel loader. Its shoots better than I can, but I don't take long shots. I'm not as hard core as bow hunters, but deer hunting isn't about long range target shooting to me, its about getting in their environment. All of my kills have been in the woods, under 75 yards.

[Grimpuppy]

270 for me. It does a good job for me under 100 yards when in the woods and 300 yards when hunting over crop fields. If the only thing I was doing was hunting in the woods it would be a 30-30. That is the gun I used growing up.

[canebreaker]

Remington model 10 12 gauge for birds, limited to 2 3/4" shells.
.22 semi for small game.
SKS 7.62 with lead bullets for large game.
.38 spl. for short shots.

[srblack]

I use a Ruger #1 in 280 Remington, 50cal muzzleloader and crossbow.

[bw69r]

love my .25-06. also take my .41 mag out as well. never got anything with the pistol yet though.

[lance]

30-30 150 gr. It is an inherited winchester I haven't had to shoot past 75 yrds or so even on big cut corn fields in western Ky stand placement and time has allowed shorter range shots and plus I hunt in woods there . If I had money and desire for a bigger gun I had used my uncle's 300 and that is what I would buy . It kicks to hard and may create a flinching problem so... I will stick with what I got it has been a great gun and I will shoot it till the rifling is gone :wink: The gun will outlast me because between the 2 deer tags I normally fill and 3 shots to check it in the fall it normally doesn't get shot but a half a dozen times a year .

[bownero]

What do you hunt With..

Understanding this thread is a main concern about guns for woods hunting, but here's my twist. I go to the woods with my Hoyt bow. I strictly hunt deer and other animals with the stick and string. I feel confident on taking a shot at animals up to 40 yds. Bigger game animals like elk, moose and caribou, maybe longer shots. Never faced that challenge yet. Not bragging on myself, but I can hold groups at 30yds, compariable to rifle groups at 100yds. Accuracy is where it's at! Consistency and great form will offer the best shot!! Practice!!

Just my twist on this thread!!

Thanks.

do own a Browning with the Boss in a 30-06/ bushnell 3x9 variable scope. Rifle has the synthetic stock!! Nice accurate rifle.

[Poppa]

Browning 280 BAR
Renegade .54

[puddle jumper]

I here you Mark,,
I used to shoot open "A" at all the ASA 3-D shoots, to not put to fine of point on it, If you did it with a bow, I loved it,,,now im a little older and my shoulders are worn out, " Injurys and Motorcycles " so I have had to put the bow away, and im not a hard core hunter anymore but still like to sit in the woods when I can't make it to the river...:wink:
So yup, Bow hunting is a great way to go also...
Thanks for all the input so far guys,,
Puddle


What do you hunt With..

Understanding this thread is a main concern about guns for woods hunting, but here's my twist. I go to the woods with my Hoyt bow. I strictly hunt deer and other animals with the stick and string. I feel confident on taking a shot at animals up to 40 yds. Bigger game animals like elk, moose and caribou, maybe longer shots. Never faced that challenge yet. Not bragging on myself, but I can hold groups at 30yds, compariable to rifle groups at 100yds. Accuracy is where it's at! Consistency and great form will offer the best shot!! Practice!!

Just my twist on this thread!!

Thanks.

do own a Browning with the Boss in a 30-06/ bushnell 3x9 variable scope. Rifle has the synthetic stock!! Nice accurate rifle.

[catfish kenny]

(LOL) a 1979 ford f150 60 mile a hr down the gravel ...cow catcher on the front we get em (LOL)

[Dirtdobber]

I use a .270 with hand loads. Where I hunt most of the shots are 150-250 yds. I shoot a lot of ammo during the year so I know I can make a longer shot. I also use a ranger finder so no guess work on the yardage. I never take a shot at a game animal over 300 yds. I can't hold the rifle as still even on a rest.

[mcseal2]

I have shot most of the common ones, started with a 243 and worked up to a 300 win. All did the job well as long as I put the bullet where it needed to go.

Here in KS we have a regular season and an antlerless season. During the regular season I hunt for antlers, and I use a bigger gun that can take tough angles and still hit vitals. I reload my own ammo and shoot enough practice shots to fill 2-3 one pound powder bottles a year with the used primers from my loads. I use a 7WSM BAR for driving deer, and a 7 Rem mag or 300 win for everything else, all with Nosler Accubond bullets. I frequently shoot 300yds and have 20-30mph winds so I want a fast high BC bullet.

For the antlerless season I use my 243 and take a good broadside shot on a doe within 250yds.

Everything works good if you place the bullet right, but the faster magnums with the high BC bullets help me do that at long range or in wind.

Ask me next year and my choices may have changed, I practiced 3-5 days most weeks with my magnums from October on and I was developing a flinch. I was not letting my shoulder heal between practices. I have been shooting my little guns since deer season, and bought a good PAST pad for practicing this fall. If I continue to flinch I will probably back down to a 280 with 140gr accubonds.

[Jacksmooth]

(LOL) a 1979 ford f150 60 mile a hr down the gravel ...cow catcher on the front we get em (LOL)

Never did figure out why it was easier to hit em at 55 mph!:smile2:

I use 280 in remington. Most of my shots are under 75 yrds. I bought the 280 incase I would ever happen to go out west. Otherwise I probably would have just bought a 30/30 or 35. I have used both of those and the 35 was my favorite of the 2. I have also used 222, 220 swift, 22-250, 270, 30/06, and 12 gauge. The 280 has been my favorite of all of the guns I have taken deer with! I also hunt with a bow too.

[WhoJosh]

At the mmoment bow only. I don't have a 12 ga. yet and highpower rifle hunting is illegal in OH.

[cantstopgrandma]

The county I live in dont allow rifles for deer, so i take my 12 guage or my .50 cal muzzleloader. I never did understand that..... You can use a .50 cal muzzleloader, but not a centerfire rifle.

[rrssmith]

The bullet wont travel as far

[joshmorgan]

I use my Bowtech TomKat most all the time but on toward the end of the season if I'm needin a little more meat for the freezer I'll break out my .32 win special, .243, or my .50 cal muzzleloader. But if I had my rathers it'd be all bow. Love that "Thwang!"

[SGTREDNECK]

I use a 300 win,300 savage(just found out that its gone:angry:),Ross bow,Savage smokeless powder 50 cal. If you have never used a 300 savage you should. It is just like a 30.30 but I like it alot more. It was my first deer rifle and now its gone. Owell items can be replaced I guess. I hunt with everything I can. I like muzzleloader hunting the most tho. 1 shot.

[Cutbait101]

I have used alot of rifles from 243 to 338 win mag,but i have more fun using my winchester trapper 30-30 with 16 inch barrel than any other gun.i hunt big hardwoods from tree stands,and the shots never go over 100 yrd.so the little lever gun is perfect in my book.thump em in the ribs and they go down in about 20-30 yards.But for a all around deer rifle id say the 270-280 is about perfect.:wink:

[ladyfish50]

I have used a Ruger .308 on a short Manlicher stock for years; hubby bought it for my birthday one year. I've had great success with it. Then a couple of years ago, he bought a Browning .270 SWM; Oh my! Is that a sweet gun! It's not as heavy as his Ruger M77 .270. I hate to say it, but I've pretty much taken that gun. But his Ruger .270 is so "dead on", he hates to hunt with anything else. He bought a Remington .300 ultra mag several years ago for a buffalo hunt, but it's just too much gun to deer hunt with around here.
Our grandsons have been started with a .243, & have both killed deer with them. And it'll reach out & knock 'em down, too.

[jlingle]

I've killed deer with a .308, 30-06, 270, 280, .243, 7mm mag, and a 6mm. My go-to gun is the 7 Mag, hands down. If I feel like taking something different, then I reach for the .243 or 6mm, if my wife is watching and giving me "the look" then I take the 30-06 she bought me.

[Mike81]

I primarily use a .270 Win for deer and hogs. When I am in Alaska I use a .300 win mag and a .338 win mag.

[eufaulacat]

I started off with a 12 ga. Browning...moved up to a Winchester 30/30... I guess like some people the need to find out just how far an object could be and hit it got under my skin...So I moved up to a Remmington 270.....I shot my rifle every day (weather permitting) It was nothing to take animals 200 to 300 yards....I guess I lost the feeling that I got when I used a 30/30..So I took up bow hunting....a real challenge...with a gun I didn't get that excited feeling,because I knew if I could see it ...it was dead...now with a bow.... an old propellar eared doe could walk out an my heart would beat out of my chest...the up close and personel works best for me...the old stick and string as some call it... :tounge_out::tounge_out::tounge_out:

[1mickymoo]

Colt Python .357, I mainly bowhunt, but I occasionaly doe hunt during rifle season with my wheel gun.

[JUG_LINE]

I use a 270 rememington bolt action model 700 I run a scope on it now as my eyes are not as good as when I was younger. I will tell you one thing I like about it. It will work for almost any occasion great all around rifle.

[net man]

44 mag 9 1/2 inch 30-30 winchester 7 mag browning and pse baby g bow i do use all of them and happy with all of them just depends on where i hunt:big_smile:

[flathead willie]

Yea, it's not a complete poll. I use a recurve bow most of the time, but I also use a .50 cal. Ruger, a 30-06 Ruger, a 30-30 Marlin, a 12 ga.Remington 1100, or a Ruger .357.

[hunter]

Marlin & winchester 30/30, 270 win, 30/06 rem, 50 cal black powder and 7mm mag, use my 300 weatherby for elk. But I would say I use the 30/30 for timber hunting and the 7mm for the field hunting. Never know when you might want to take that 500+ shot. I know the 270 will do it, but I have more confidence in the 7mm

[plainsman]

I got a 30.06 Rem 700, and a .308 Rem 7600, also a 30.06 rem 740. I have used my Rem 870 12 guage, but I realy like the rem 700, I wish I had one in 308.

[MikeV]

Finally someone mentioned the 7600 pump i use the older 760 in 30-06. With see thru weavers,i use the irons under 50y and the 3x9 leupold past that. If i'm huntin the bush i use a beretta semi 12g. 3in. 000buck or my old sawed off ithaca

[calogan]

Here in Iowa all you can use for gun season is a shotgun. I love my 870 Wingmaster, with Remington Copper Solid 2 3/4 in shells. The fully rifled barrel makes it very accurate and the 12 ga. has a lot of knock down power, especially since the woods around here are thick and a "far" shot is around 50-75 yards.

[westvirginiacatfish]

I use my 7 mm mag . I've been using it for 20+years now and it has never let me down. :wink:

[big pappa]

zeroed at 300 yards (hand loads) i have 4 stands i can shoot 500 yards from.. but i use a 30-30 in the woods or a rem-742 30-06

[countryboy32c]

When I'm using a rifle instead of a bow I use a 30 30 round here there is a lot of woods where you dont need to use a long range gun your shots are usully 50 to 100 yards unless you hunt a big cropped farm field:cool2:

[wolfman]

What do you hunt With..

A '94 Dodge Ram pickup:smile2::wink:

[kyelkhunter3006]

The go-to gun every year is a 11 year old Remington 7400 semi auto in 30-06. My wife bought it for me for x-mas back when we were dating. I knew at that point I should marry her! :smile2: It's not original....got rid of the plastic stock set and put a Bell & Carlson Carbelite stock (kevlar, fiberglass, graphite) stock on it, had the barrel cut down to 20" (bad spot in the rifling in the last inch of barrel), sights remounted and the gun was parkerized. Pulled the factory trigger spring out and replaced with an aftermarket spring a little shop in southern ohio used to sell, dropping the trigger pull from 5lbs down to around 3. I put a short set screw in the trigger guard to stop the overtravel of the trigger as well (kind if like a T/C Encore has). It's picky about ammo, but it will shoot with any bolt action gun with ammo it likes. The best was the Winchester Failsafe 180gr, 5/8" 3 shot groups consistently. Of course, they quit making it.:sad2: Right now the Hornady 150gr SST ammo shoots very well, less than 1" at 100 yds.

I've used every almost every make of bolt action out there, and they are all good choices. I don't have any at this time.

The 7400 is currently the only centerfire rifle that I own right now.

Two guns that I want to get are a Marlin 336 in 30/30 and a CZ 527 Carbine in 7.62x39. I've had both in the past and foolishly traded them off.:confused2:
With the outrageous costs of ammo and components right now, I don't shoot the centerfires too much.

If was going to buy a new rifle for deer hunting, it'd be a Marlin 336 in 30/30 and I'd shoot the Hornady Leverevolution ammo in it. With that ammo, the 30/30 is good out to 200-250yds, which is all I'd need. I bought some of that for my cousin last year, and it just plain changes that old rifle round. IMO, you just can't beat the handling qualities of those guns.

I love muzzleloaders, and I buy/sell/trade several every year. I hunt with them all the time, but, crazy as it sounds, I've NEVER taken a deer with one. It's driving me nuts. In KY, we get a weekend for BP in October, then a week in December. We can also use them during the 2 week rifle season in November. I think that this year, it's only going to be BP for me. It seems that components for BP haven't been subjected to the crazy costs that centerfire rifle and pistol ammo have, so that's even more reason to shoot them. I mainly play with the modern guns, and I do practice out to 250 yds with them. But really, I much prefer to get close to the animal than take the long shot. Take away the capability and that takes away the temptation to attempt a long shot. My longest shot on a deer is 67 yds with the 30-06.

[MUDCAT77]

my fav is a 338 rem ultra mag

[kyelkhunter3006]

Which rifle are you shooting that in? Handloads or the factory stuff? In factory, which power level/load you shooting?

[Jeremy Sheffey]

when choosing the gun that you are going to hunt with you need to look at where you plan on hunting. if its up close and personal with some brushy spots then a good brush gun is needed, like a 30-30. if your going to be shooting a really long distance then you need to look at something bigger and faster, like the 7mm STW. i don't think there is really such a thing as to much gun when buck hunting especially. In saying that i dont think you should deer hunt with a Barret .50cal. Personally i hunt with a .300 win mag. i can reach out and touch them if i need to shoot out to 500 yds or so. however if im in some brush its not as effected by a small limb compared to a 22-250 or a .270 and what not.

[MUDCAT77]

i used to shoot fed 225 gr now i reload and shoot hornady 180 gr it is super fast and all the knock power you would ever want

[MUDCAT77]

ii have about it is a rem mod 700 but had to order it from rem custom gun shop. i have about $1,800 in it

[catfishcatcher]

Here in Indiana the high powered rifles are out. I use to hunt with a remington, pump 12ga set up with slug barell and scope. A very nice gun, works well but limited range. I now hunt with a thompson center 50 cal. muzzle loader, stainless steel barell, compostie stock an set up with the thompson center scope that has the bdc reticle just for muzzle loaders. All I can say is WOW! This gun has awesome nock down power and range. It is almost like shooting a rifle. I dont hunt with any thing else here in indiana for the gun season. By the way, I use 150 gr powder (pellets) and a 295 gr power belt bullet. An awesome combination that could take down just about anything. I seen this gun used on tv in africa on big game.

[IA Flatcatter]

Here in Iowa we don't have much choice, shotguns - slugs, or muzzle loaders. That is part of the reason all those big boys are runnin around. Alltho I think not gun hunting during the rut and being corn fed has more to do with it... The more I use a front end loader the more I like it!
Larry

[Madtownangler]

Winchester 70 .270 bolt action Nikon Prostaff 2-7x scope. I cut an inch off the stock and put a shotgun pad on the end of it.

[puddle jumper]

Winchester 70 .270 bolt action Nikon Prostaff 2-7x scope. I cut an inch off the stock and put a shotgun pad on the end of it.

I like that idea Dan, :wink:
What kind of pad did you use???
Puddle

[Paraguayguy]

I inherited an old German made Weatherby 257 Magnum from a man I mowed grass for. When he died I was 18 and over the years I shot a mess of deer with that rifle. I quit using it about 20 years ago when I started shooting a .308 and .243. I gave the fifle to my 13 year old boy. It had a recoil pad on it but it was old and crumbling so I had a gunsmith put a Sims Limbsaver pad on it. Sims makes lots of rifle pads but not for my Weatherby so I had the gunsmith put on a "grind to fit" pad. It is so soft shooting now, best thing I could have done!

[lookin_4_moby]

25/06 looking to get a 7mm rem mag thou

[way west]

I hunt with a Remington 600 mag. chambered in .350 Remington Magnum. It is short (18 1/2" barrel) which makes it easy to handle in the Wisconsin woods. It shoots minute of angle and I have never lost a deer or bear I have hit with it in the 39 years I've carried it. My hunting buddies refer to it as "Hamburger Helper".

[SWAMPRAT]

i usually use a .300 mag or a .25-06. i love both rounds, have killed a lot of deer with both. all of my guns are Brownings. have never had any problems with them the 300 is a BAR automatic and the 25-06 is a A-bolt. i wouldnt trade 1 browning for 100 of any other brand.:cool2:

[whiteriver]

A broomstick and a switch!

[Wil]

Me? 30-30 iron sights. nuff said:cool2:

[fishjunkie]

for me it is my 300 win mag its a part of me i dont even think twice about is it to much gun for deer or not enough i know that when i put my cross hairs are on the sweet spot that the animal is going down in a fast hurry but i am the kinda guy thats shoots a lot
all year long so that i can make those fast killing shoots and not waste a lot of meat or lose the animal

[phase5supply]

There is so many great cal. out, but my favorite is 7mm WSM in a Kimber 8400. Happy hunting and good luck everyone!

[T Man]

I hunt a high fence area with a bow only Use a 30/06 to cull and control does

[Fletchhunter]

Can't hunt with any of those here in Indiana, but I only bowhunt anyway:wink:

[justcallme12]

I have used a 7mm08 and a 243 both lever action. Seems to me that neither really have enough knock down power. I always have to go tromping through the woods to find my deer. Never drop them where they stand. And I am not a bad shot. No gut shots, always behind the shoulder as I was taught.

[scooter079]

i use a winchester 94 30-30 with open sights for my brush gun and a springfield 03-a3 30-06 that was sportarized beautifully for long range love them both

[puddle jumper]

I have used a 7mm08 and a 243 both lever action. Seems to me that neither really have enough knock down power. I always have to go tromping through the woods to find my deer. Never drop them where they stand. And I am not a bad shot. No gut shots, always behind the shoulder as I was taught.

Hey Lana,
I shot a 8pt right in the heart at 10ft with a 7mm Mag :ooooh: No heart left when I cleaned it, and it ran over 100 yards, I figure some deer just dont know when to die...:wink:
Puddle

[smokey]

I havent hunted the last two years.When I did I used my pappys 32spl for my 1st dear every year.It always made me feel like i was with my dad.I hunted with it for 45 years and killed deer every year but three. When I have killed the 1st deer I use my 308 model 100.have killed many deer with that.The last five years I hunted I killed 17 bucks on my own land.

BTW Last year I gave my 32 spl to my great nephew so he can hunt with it. My Dad bought it in 1948 and killed deer every year.I bet its killed 200 deer.
smokey

[CountryHart]

I shot a weatherby in 270 win. for years. Have handloaded with 140 gr. hornady boat tail bullets and have no complains. Likeyou, i hunt the timber mainly but do like knowing i can shoot 300yds. if the chance occurs. Want to load some 90 gr. this fall for these stinkin coyotes.

[team salmon]

I rarely hunt deer with a firearm as I enjoy archery more - however I will go out during the firearms exstended season here in Kansas if I'm wanting some more deer meat before season ends - I will also use my bow during this time depending on the area I'm hunting - if I've located deer that are using an area that's too difficult to get a stand up in I'll lay off it (usually within 125yds or so and use a mohawk 600 in a 6mm - great flat shooting gun and light enough to carry - also has a short barrel that makes it easy to get thru thick areas without any problems - amo is fairly inexspensive (if there is such a thing) the only thing is it can be a little more difficult to locate then your 30-30 or 30-06 loads - I have 2 daughter ages 14 and 12 and this smaller rifel is ideal for a youth shooter so this was also a larger factor in what gun to use

[poisonpits]

over the years ive had lots of dirrerant rifles but now i have 2 i hunt with.modern gun i use a marlin 30-30 with 127 gr.nozzler hand loads and a t/c 50 caliber for muzzel loading season.have an old mcpherson intemidater for bow hunting.

[katfish ken]

Where was the all of the above button???:smile2: I have a model 7 Remington in 308 Win. cal. that I hunt with mostly but have hunted with all that was in the poll except for the 300 mag. I have 25.06,270,30.06,, 30/30, 308, 223, 270 Win and 243WSSM in the cabinet to choose from. I have killed deer with all except the223 and 30.06. They have all been one shot kills except one,and that was my fault not the gun or caliber of the gun I was shooting that evening. I hunt in the woods 95% of the time.The model 7 is a short version of the 700 . I handles good in tree stand or heavy brush and the 308 Win.cal. is a good all around cartridge for me.