Deer Rifle This Year

[lazyMlazyK]

Not to derail another thread here, just wanted to get a discussion going. I like to try different things for deer when I can, but we're only allowed one rifle tag in ND per year (not counting muzzleloader, if you're lucky enough to draw). I grew up shooting a Win. 70 .30-06 with factory ammo, then moved on to reloading cup & core ammo for it. Then one year I decided to try a new-to-me .30-30, then a 6.5 Creedmoor. I made up my mind last night that this year, I'll be trying to take a deer down with my .30-06 using Ranch Dog style bullets I've cast. There is some load development that needs to be done, but I've got two pounds of 5744 to try out that hopefully will be a good match. I'm almost out of IMR-4064, and can't find it anywhere, so that's why I'm trying out the cast bullets. Due to the very wide meplat of the bullet, the rifle only feeds well with two round in the mag, but I'm hoping I'll only need the first one anyway . Hoping to get about 2200fps out of the load. The rifle already shoots this bullet well with Unique (just under 1MOA@100 yards, IIRC), but I don't think I've got enough velocity to feel comfortable with it.

What are you all shooting in the deer field this year?

 

[TrapperBR549]

In MO they changed our muzzleload season to "alternative weapons" which includes any centerfire handgun. I have since aquired a couple of AR pistols, 300BO and 6.5 Grendel. The Grendel is for my wife and I have a 100grn partition load, a Hornady 123 SST's, and 95 vmax for varmints that all shoot moa. I am interested to see how those loads perform on whitetails.
For the 300BO I have a 110 Barnes and 125 TMK's that both shoot very well.
So, pretty much the opposite direction you are heading. I have a Ruger #1 375H&H and a whole pile of cast bullets for it I need to work on too.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

My neighbor has had shoulder surgeries, he wanted to still use his Marlin 30-30 for deer(couldn't talk him into an AR). We made up some slightly under mid range loads with a 150 flat point, he shoots it well. He also wants his 357 mag(Python) as an option, so we worked up a 125 xtp load I think will handle deer under 30 yards and it doesn't aggravate the shoulder joint. I was hoping straight wall rifle cartridges would be legalized, I would use a 45-70 KP-1 I have in the box.

 

[Bill Norris]

I shot a Rem Model 7 Predator in .243 last year. This past winter I had my "Smith" (WSMNUT) re-barrel it to a 30BR 1 - 15 Tw. and replaced the factory stock with a Mcmillan stock. Plan to shoot the Nosler 125 gr. A B & B T bullets.

 

[Bill K]

This year I will use a new/rebuilt 6MM CM, instead of the 6.5CM or 25-06 I usually use. It is shooting so nice and will work just fine on deer or bear.

 

[JB10]

In October i will try out my new 6.5 prc

 

[john 800]

I think i will use my rem 700 in 270 this year. Maybe my dads rem 7600 in 270. Either way it’s been a while since i took a deer with a 270 so I think thats the route im going to go.

 

[Carl S]

We are quite lucky here in the UK as regards deer cull quantity.i shoot a few reds on local farms.there is quite a few on my uncles farm which is 2.5miles away from home.i do like to go to Scotland normally three or four times per year to shoot roe and Sika deer.not so many reds these days I shoot up there.i use my Defiance 6.5x47 quite alot 120 bergers are super accurate in it's Bartlien barrel and it knocks them over no problem.the sky is the limit with deer calibers.use what ever caliber one likes.they will all do the job if the bullet is in the right place.a few hundred feet per second either way the deer on the receiving end won't no the difference.

 

[209jones]

Working on blooding some of the newer guns I've picked up in the last few yrs, down to 2 left to do, a Ruger 1A in 7-08 and a Tikka T3X in 6.5cm, one or the other will get taken out in Nov., whether it gets used this year is questionable as the main gun is the Krieghoff SXS in 30R Blaser, just too much fun not to use.

 

[K22]

In 50 years of deer hunting, I've taken them with a 270, 30 06, 308, 243, and 357 Magnum revolver*.

If you place your shot properly and the distance is reasonable, your cast bullet should do fine. The pioneers feed their families with deer taken with cast bullets. My Dad took 18 bucks and a bunch of does with an open sight 30-30 Winchester Model 94.

As far as what I'll be using, well, I won't be going deer hunting. I had double hernia surgery in 2020 and have a "fish net" holding my guts in place. The doctor has advised me to not lift anything heavier than 30 pounds so if I did get a deer, I wouldn't be able to drag it out. So, my deer hunting days are over.

However, if I was going deer hunting this year, I'd opt for my old reliable 243 Win. Took my first deer with this cartridge many years ago. Oh, I've missed a few with various cartridges but I never lost a deer to the 243 if I hit it. Believe or not, the most effective bullet I've used is the 85 Sierra BTHP. A broadside shot behind the shoulder almost always drops them in place or they run less than 50 yards and pile up.

My 270 and 30 06 are long gone via trades. Sold the 308 last year. Just not good enough anymore with a pistol to hunt with it.


*Only once with a revolver.

 

[GaryL1959]

6.5 Grendel, 16 inch AR upper, 120 partitions over LeverEvolution...hopefully with a Banish can, if my tax stamp comes through (almost 7 months so far).

 

[lost okie]

In 50 years of deer hunting, I've taken them with a 270, 30 06, 308, 243, and 357 Magnum revolver*.

If you place your shot properly and the distance is reasonable, your cast bullet should do fine. The pioneers feed their families with deer taken with cast bullets. My Dad took 18 bucks and a bunch of does with an open sight 30-30 Winchester Model 94.

As far as what I'll be using, well, I won't be going deer hunting. I had double hernia surgery in 2020 and have a "fish net" holding my guts in place. The doctor has advised me to not lift anything heavier than 30 pounds so if I did get a deer, I wouldn't be able to drag it out. So, my deer hunting days are over.

However, if I was going deer hunting this year, I'd opt for my old reliable 243 Win. Took my first deer with this cartridge many years ago. Oh, I've missed a few with various cartridges but I never lost a deer to the 243 if I hit it. Believe or not, the most effective bullet I've used is the 85 Sierra BTHP. A broadside shot behind the shoulder almost always drops them in place or they run less than 50 yards and pile up.

My 270 and 30 06 are long gone via trades. Sold the 308 last year. Just not good enough anymore with a pistol to hunt with it.


*Only once with a revolver.

K22. Ain't it the sorry sh?ts! You get old enough to know how to do it and your body quits on you. Been chousing deer around for 60 years. Killed em' with everything from a 22 lr to a 338 win to #4 buckshot. I stay off the steep places and the bad brushy draws now. I can see where you're at from where I am now. If I shoot a fat one I'll drink a whisky for you.

 

[1K6BRA]

I was just running my options through my mind during the day today. The last two years I have used my 25–06 that brought back fond childhood memories. This year I believe I am going to use my Cooper model 52 in 6.5 x 284 and my pre-64 model 70 standard grade in 250–3000 Savage. 100 grain Barnes TTSX in the Cooper and Speer 87 grain Hot-cores in the Winchester. I hunt both New York and Pennsylvania so I will get a chance to use both. I like this thread I hope it continues, it’s interesting to see what people like and use.

 

[Just Say Moe]

Gonna try a Mauser in 6mm Remington this year in the daily rotation.

 

[Toptom]

Last year I used a 308 I put together last year a bighorn action bartlein barrel and grayboe stock. This year if I don’t fill my buck tag in bow I’ll have my push action model 70 I just rebarreled this summer with a bartlein carbon. But if I am lucky enough to fill buck tag in bow season and only have doe tags I have a 629-3 with a Burris fastfire on top I’d like to try my hand with. I’ve never shot a deer with a handgun but have had fun past few years trying it just for fun.

 

[Pyscodog]

Seems I've killed deer with about everything except a spear or a rock. Last few years if it didn't have horns I let it walk. But I used a Sako 243 for last years deer. Usually I take Frank. He's my Remington 700 in 7mm08. As reliable as a Timex watch.

 

[CJ6]

My neighbor has had shoulder surgeries, he wanted to still use his Marlin 30-30 for deer(couldn't talk him into an AR). We made up some slightly under mid range loads with a 150 flat point, he shoots it well. He also wants his 357 mag(Python) as an option, so we worked up a 125 xtp load I think will handle deer under 30 yards and it doesn't aggravate the shoulder joint. I was hoping straight wall rifle cartridges would be legalized, I would use a 45-70 KP-1 I have in the box.

Minnesotas DNR is pushing for rifle (all caliber center fire) statewide . It didn't get done so-far this year but the GW I talked with said he's pretty sure it will get done before 2023 season.

 

[7887mm08]

I have 2 rem 788's that i have not harvested a deer with yet.
44 mag and 243. I am actually going to site the 44 in today.
Have not started loading yet for the 243. I recently bought scopes for each.
Can't wait to carry either!

 

[outasite`08]

I shot a Rem Model 7 Predator in .243 last year. This past winter I had my "Smith" (WSMNUT) re-barrel it to a 30BR 1 - 15 Tw. and replaced the factory stock with a Mcmillan stock. Plan to shoot the Nosler 125 gr. A B & B T bullets.

Next time you take a pic, clean up and organize your workbench. Jeff Oh, nice gun, good luck.

 

[K22]

K22. Ain't it the sorry sh?ts! You get old enough to know how to do it and your body quits on you. Been chousing deer around for 60 years. Killed em' with everything from a 22 lr to a 338 win to #4 buckshot. I stay off the steep places and the bad brushy draws now. I can see where you're at from where I am now. If I shoot a fat one I'll drink a whisky for you.

Yea, getting old isn't for the faint of heart as the saying goes. But I had a good run at deer hunting - can't complain - shot my fair share and took two really nice bucks, a 9 and 8 point.

Fortunately, at least physically, I can still hunt groundhogs, which is my passion. However due to overdevelopment and changes in farming practices I've lost a significant number of farms and fields which has significantly reduced shot opportunities. But getting out in the outdoors has its own reward.

So, I spend a couple of days a week at the range in "simulated" ground hog hunts. Which means shooting off my cross sticks at 3 x 5 cards. I get a lot of weird stares because 99.9% of the shooters I encounter at the range shoot off the bench.

The whiskey sounds great. I have one or two a week strictly for medicinal purposes.