Hunting rifle suggestions

SvilleKid · 01-13-2011, 07:51 PM

I mainly use a Rem 30-06 if I'm shooting moderate distances. Most places I hunt do not have shots over 150 yards, sometimes 200 yards, so I'm not really worried about trajectory. If I know I'm hunting in close, I have a Marlin lever action 30-30 that I paid $75 for 20 years ago, including the Redfield 4x9 scope. It has all the knock-down power I've ever needed on short shots. Never had a deer that I shot with it move from the spot. And, considering my investment, it's hard to argue with a $75 rifle that has dropped every deer I've shot with it! Only places I've ever considered a chotgun and buckshot was so dense that I'd never get a deer out if I shot it, so I've avoided those spots. Ninja prefers his Rem .270 for the deer, but also likes the old Marlin 30-30.

HOWEVER, please keep in mind my hunting preferences. I like to eat deer meat. Thus, I prefer does over bucks for the better meat quality. So, I'm usually shooting smaller deer than those after trophy buck. For larger deer, at longer distances, the 30-30 will require a much more precise shot placement to drop the bigger deer. In addition to liking the doe meat better, Alabama has a severe overpopulation of female deer, because not enough hunters are willing to shoot the does. They only want the trophy buck. To combat this, and try and re-balance the deer population, the state wildlife regulations have changed dramatically over the last five years to limit the bucks taken to only 3 per season, but you can take 2 doe per day all season long. Still not working because most hunters here are looking for a wall mount, not a freezer of meat (what the heck, gives me more chances to put meat in the freezer, jerky in the dehydrator, sausage through the smoker!!!)

Good luck. Don't rule out a good used gun. But, have it checked out before you buy it by a gunsmith you trust! Both my Marlin and the Rem 30-06 were used. I waited until after the season was out, and fishing was kicking in. That's the time to keep an eye out for last season's guns to be on the market!

01-13-2011, 07:51 PM	#37
SvilleKid Yes I am a Pirate Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 33°46′08″N 86°28′16″W / 33.76895°N 86.471037°W Posts: 2,776 Trading: (52)	Re: Hunting rifle suggestions I mainly use a Rem 30-06 if I'm shooting moderate distances. Most places I hunt do not have shots over 150 yards, sometimes 200 yards, so I'm not really worried about trajectory. If I know I'm hunting in close, I have a Marlin lever action 30-30 that I paid $75 for 20 years ago, including the Redfield 4x9 scope. It has all the knock-down power I've ever needed on short shots. Never had a deer that I shot with it move from the spot. And, considering my investment, it's hard to argue with a $75 rifle that has dropped every deer I've shot with it! Only places I've ever considered a chotgun and buckshot was so dense that I'd never get a deer out if I shot it, so I've avoided those spots. Ninja prefers his Rem .270 for the deer, but also likes the old Marlin 30-30. HOWEVER, please keep in mind my hunting preferences. I like to eat deer meat. Thus, I prefer does over bucks for the better meat quality. So, I'm usually shooting smaller deer than those after trophy buck. For larger deer, at longer distances, the 30-30 will require a much more precise shot placement to drop the bigger deer. In addition to liking the doe meat better, Alabama has a severe overpopulation of female deer, because not enough hunters are willing to shoot the does. They only want the trophy buck. To combat this, and try and re-balance the deer population, the state wildlife regulations have changed dramatically over the last five years to limit the bucks taken to only 3 per season, but you can take 2 doe per day all season long. Still not working because most hunters here are looking for a wall mount, not a freezer of meat (what the heck, gives me more chances to put meat in the freezer, jerky in the dehydrator, sausage through the smoker!!!) Good luck. Don't rule out a good used gun. But, have it checked out before you buy it by a gunsmith you trust! Both my Marlin and the Rem 30-06 were used. I waited until after the season was out, and fishing was kicking in. That's the time to keep an eye out for last season's guns to be on the market! __________________ Ceilin' fan it stirs the air, Cigar smoke does swirl. The fragrance on the pillow case, and he thinks about the girl. Thanks, JB, 1975.