Does anyone here hunt deer?

[holster]

any deer hunters here?

[quinkie]

I don't but my son used too, when he lived in WV.

[holster]

I don't but my son used too, when he lived in WV.

I'm a pistol nut... largely for self defense and target shooting fun...
My long guns currently are .22's and shotguns.

I'm looking for a entry level gun for hunting whitetails. I've looked at forums and articles and learned that "a good deer gun" is a very private thing indeed. It seems that a number of calibers and guns will work.

Do you have any personal input on cartridge and gun??

[OLD fashioned preacher]

For large whitetail and for mule deer (Ks, Col) try a .280, .30, .308, or 8mm.

[OLD fashioned preacher]

I use a Rem 700 in .308, one son uses a Mosin-Nagent in 7.62mm, another son uses a Lee Enfield .303, the other son uses a Rem .280.

[holster]

I use a Rem 700 in .308, one son uses a Mosin-Nagent in 7.62mm, another son uses a Lee Enfield .303, the other son uses a Rem .280.

Thanks. The Rem 700 in .308 sounds like a good way to go. It's mentioned a lot (as well as .30-30

[trc123]

I have two rifles that I really like, they are different calibers and have their own variations for what circumstances I would use each.

I have a Winchester Model 94 30-30 Lever action which is a great "brush gun" and good in more of a densely wooded situation; but is also sufficient for a bit of a longer shot. It has a tube magazine and I love it. Great gun, never had a jam or misfire.

I also have my dad's Enfield .303 British rifle that will reach out and touch someone. It is bolt action, takes a seven plus shell magazine and is a great shot. It has a peep site (which I really like) and for an open site has been very very accurate for me at 300 yard distances. It's taken down many a deer. Also never had a jam or misfire with this gun.

My grandfather always preferred the old Remington Bushmaster in 30-06. It was a clip fed semi-automatic. He loved that caliber as there was a huge supply of inexpensive ammo post WWII.

Like you said, it is a very personal thing and you'll do well with any of them.

[JerryNumbers]

If one could hunt at night around these parts all they would have to do is drive down the highway until they saw them grazing in the ditches them stop and shoot them. Just now between my house and a small community about 12 miles west of us I suppose Linda and I just saw at least 50 to maybe 100 of them.

[holster]

If one could hunt at night around these parts all they would have to do is drive down the highway until they saw them grazing in the ditches them stop and shoot them. Just now between my house and a small community about 12 miles west of us I suppose Linda and I just saw at least 50 to maybe 100 of them.

oh but that's no fun! the fun is in the hunt.... (and if you shoot roadside- better not get caught)

[holster]

I have two rifles that I really like, they are different calibers and have their own variations for what circumstances I would use each.

I have a Winchester Model 94 30-30 Lever action which is a great "brush gun" and good in more of a densely wooded situation; but is also sufficient for a bit of a longer shot. It has a tube magazine and I love it. Great gun, never had a jam or misfire.

I also have my dad's Enfield .303 British rifle that will reach out and touch someone. It is bolt action, takes a seven plus shell magazine and is a great shot. It has a peep site (which I really like) and for an open site has been very very accurate for me at 300 yard distances. It's taken down many a deer. Also never had a jam or misfire with this gun.

My grandfather always preferred the old Remington Bushmaster in 30-06. It was a clip fed semi-automatic. He loved that caliber as there was a huge supply of inexpensive ammo post WWII.

Like you said, it is a very personal thing and you'll do well with any of them.

Just got done looking at Marlin 336 in 30-30 on Gunbroker.com You can find some good used one cheap!

[trc123]

My brother in law bought a Marlin 30-30 lever action last year. While it is a nice weapon, it just wasn't smooth and didn't feel right in my hands. That's prOBably because it was brand new and my Winchester 94 is a 1950's vintage and is smoother than silk to cycle.

[Amaryllis]

Isn't that a prOBlem in the eyes of others? I've heard people complaining about Christians who practice this activity because it leaves a bad impression for the world.

[OLD fashioned preacher]

I do it for the food (rabbit, deer, pheasant, etc), it's not unScripitural, and I also butcher cattle, chickens, turkeys, and hogs (we raise them).

[holster]

I do it for the food (rabbit, deer, pheasant, etc), it's not unScripitural, and I also butcher cattle, chickens, turkeys, and hogs (we raise them).

God has provided so much abundance to this county that people can't understand actually going to the "source" for food instead of taking it of the freezer at some store...

[holster]

Thinking I'll go bolt action 30-06..... I've been told the the locals that a 30-30 doesn't work well (range) here in SW Colorado.