Author Topic: What rifle(s) will you be using this hunting season? (Read 2297 times)

Zachary · « **on:** September 30, 2003, 09:17:39 AM »

I have a bunch of rifles...about 20 at last count. Thing is, many of them are still NIB and haven't even been shot, much less even had a scope mounted on them.

However, of those rifles that DO have scopes, I have a dickens of a time trying to decide what I would use this year. I will be hunting in Texas (as usual) for deer and hogs. For those of you who don't know me well, I am an avid hog hunter. In fact, I like hunting hogs more than deer. To me, Hogs are the "Texas Cape Buffalo" - meaning that they are built like tanks and hard to put down.

I know that you guys are going to think that I'm crazy, but this year I'm going to use my .375H&H on the big hogs. It's a Winchester M70 Classic Stainless with a McMillan stock that has been pillar and glass bedded. The action has been jewelled and the trigger set at 3 lbs. Although it has open sights, I have an Elite 3200 1.5x-4.5x-32mm scope with Firefly reticle in Warne Quick Detachable mounts. Ammo will be Federal 300 grain Nosler Partitions. It's not so much that a lesser caliber gun wont kill 'em. Rather, it's a question of how LONG it will take to kill 'em. You see, I've shot hogs - even medium sized ones - and have seen them charge after me even after they were down for several minutes. So if I have a big hog charging me, I want to have enough gun to flatten 'em right on the spot. Trust me, if my .375H&H won't do the trick, then next year I'm gonna get me a .458 Win. Mag. - NO KIDDING! :eek:

On the lighter side, I am going to let my father use my new Sako 75 Stainless Synthetic in 7mm-08. I have a Leupold Vari-X III 3.5x-10x-50mm Illuminated scope with new 30mm tube mounted on it in Sako Optilock rings and bases. Ammo will be Federal 140 grain Nosler Partitions or Hornady 139 grain Light Mag ammo. This should, and will, be great for deer, and should be fine for hogs if they come around. Dad has a bad shoulder from a car accident, so I don't want him shooting harder recoiling guns.

As an "all purpose" back-up, I was thinking about either bringing my Winchester M70 Classic Stainless BOSS in .300 Win. Mag with a Burris Black Diamond 4x-16x-50mm with PMC 180 grain Barnes X ammo, OR my Winchester M70 Classic Stainless in .270 WSM with a Leupold Vari-X III 4.5x-14x-50mm Illuminated with Winchester 150 grain Power-Points.

So, what rifles and scopes will you be using this hunting season?

Zachary

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** September 30, 2003, 09:34:17 AM »

Wal I have an old H&R single shot .30-30 that used to belong to my best friend Billy Doss before he died. I'd sure like to take one with it this year. It wears factory irons.

For sure I plan to try the Browning LW .243 again this year. The jury is still out on this one. I'll be using Nosler PTs and maybe some BTs in it. Rifle wears a Leupold Vari-X II 3-9.

No doubt my Remington M700 LSS Mtn. Rifle in 7-08 will be with me on some hunts also. This one could easily be my only deer rifle and I'd never feel bad about it. Could do for everything I'm likely to ever hunt the rest of my life I suspect but might not be ideal for all. It wears a Bushnell Elite 3200 2-7.

Doubt any other rifles will see use this season. Have several handguns I want to take along also. Some times as primary and some times as secondary gun for a hunt. I have more guns I'd like to use this season than I'm likely to kill deer with.

GB

Lawdog · « **Reply #2 on:** September 30, 2003, 10:44:22 AM »

Zachary,

Looks like our experiences with hogs runs about the same. Don't you just hate having to climb trees or rocks. Age has taken it's toll as I don't climb as well as I used to and besides the last tree I went up was a California Live Oak. California Live Oaks have thorns. Anyway back to the question, "So, what rifles and scopes will you be using this hunting season?" Seeing that we may have a bear problem my favorite deer rifle, a Ruger M77V in .25-06, will be staying home. I though about taking my father's 1917 Enfield .30-06 with it's Weaver K3 that I customized for him but when it came down to picking what to carry my hand just fell on my 40 year old Mark V .300 Weatherby I won in a big buck derby. I have used it all over the U.S., Canada and Mexico and I have great faith in it. I replaced the original 6x Weatherby scope that came with it for a Leupold 3-9x. Had to have it re-barrel it in 1992 when the accuracy when away after over 2500 rounds fired through it. Old friends are the best friends. Lawdog

Quadzillabill · « **Reply #3 on:** September 30, 2003, 11:43:02 AM »

Quote from: Graybeard

For sure I plan to try the Browning LW .243 again this year. The jury is still out on this one. I'll be using Nosler PTs and maybe some BTs in it. Rifle wears a Leupold Vari-X II 3-9.

GB

Hey, Graybeard. Funny this would come up, but I ran across an 1885 LW in .243 today - fired 3 times according to the owner (certainly looks like it) and topped with a Nikon Monarch 3-9 gloss. What a great looking and feeling weapon. I'm ashamed to admit that I can pick it up for $700 and change - yet I'm still hesitating. I've never fired one of these at all - but understand they are quite accurate

Can you tell me about your experience with the rifle?

TIA, Q

tominboise · « **Reply #4 on:** September 30, 2003, 12:41:48 PM »

Mule deer opens in Idaho this weekend, and I will be using a Winchester M70 classic featherweight in 6.5X55. It has a Leupold vari-xIII 2.5-8X on it, and the load is a 140 gr Nosler partition over H414.

Next weekend antelope opens in Montana, and I have two tags. I am planning on packing my pre-64 Winchester M70 .270 WCF. It has a B&L Elite 3000 3X9 on it, a ramline stock, and the load is a 130 gr Hornady spire point over H4831. It is my second most accurate rifle, BTW, but is heavy.

Elk hunting in Idaho will probably be my Sako 75 hunter 30-06 with Zeiss conquest 3X9. The load is either 180 gr Nosler partition over RL22 or 165 gr Hornady interbond over H414. It is my most accurate rifle.

My back up for all these hunts will be my M70 Classic stainless 7mm Rem Mag, with Leupold vari-xII 3X9. Load is 140 partition for deer, 160 gr partition for elk. It is closely tied as my second most accurate rifle.

Good luck to all this year - let's post pictures when the season's over.

jhm · « **Reply #5 on:** September 30, 2003, 12:44:45 PM »

Different days will be different guns, wont really know until the night before the hunt and depending on how I feel, I have 3 old tang safety rugers I will try 30-06/7x57/270 and the rem. model 7 in 7-08 and I have just come into a savage 99 in 243 I am trying to get ready for the season I guess the rest will have to stay in the safe other than range time.

JIM

longwinters · « **Reply #6 on:** September 30, 2003, 12:49:30 PM »

Well, lets see here. Hmmm, I think I am going to start next week out in Wyoming hunting lopes with my Sako 7mm with the Conquest 3.5 x 10. Then for rifle deer season in Michigans U.P I will go with my Encore rifle in 7m-08 with the Nikon monarch 3 x 9. Late season with see my Encore with the 209 x 50 with a Simmons 3 x 9 (need to update this with a Bushnell soon). I am very partial to my Tikka 243, but robbed the scope off of it to try on the 7M-08 so I have to wait until I can dig up enough $$ for a scope that deserves to be under such a fine rifle.

long

razmuz · « **Reply #7 on:** September 30, 2003, 02:01:59 PM »

Just because I rushed out and bought one before checking everything out I will hunt the first day with a new CZ 6.5X55. The rest of the season I'll probably use an old throw in the back of the truck 30-30. The CZ is one of the most accurate rifles I've ever owned, but I really don't like it. Why you say? Because it's just to darn heavy. By the way the rings that come with the CZ are A-OK. I tried tally's but their so low its hard to load the magazine, for me anyway.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #8 on:** September 30, 2003, 03:12:41 PM »

I'll have my Win. M70 & Ruger 77 MKII .243. I really wanted a M70 in 30-06 and got it 3 years ago. I like it but that little Ruger just seems more friendly now I have shortened it's length of pull. :grin: I haven't scored with the M70 yet so I'll use it. Both are great and accurate rifles with good glass. Dave

J.W.Neely · « **Reply #9 on:** September 30, 2003, 03:30:31 PM »

I, like most folks have a host of nice rifles...but my old meat and potato rifle is not the most expensive and fanciest thing in the vault, it's my old trusty Ruger M77 in 30-06 with a fixed 6 power Redfield, I have had the thing for many years, paid 190 bucks new and another 100 for the scope back in 1978.
It has never failed me and taken many a South Texas deer, coyotes, bobcats, jackrabbit, and things I don't remember. ( now I remember the desert mule deer out in Sanderson)
Every year I swear I will take something more exotic, but when I stand there looking in the vault, I always seem to grab the old Ruger 06.

God bless America, John Wayne and Bill Ruger.

crow_feather · « **Reply #10 on:** September 30, 2003, 03:35:28 PM »

Zachary,

First - Will you adopt? I'm a cute 54 year old fella that will take good care of all those rifles when you pass on to the great reward.

Second - I just got a 270 WSM at the last gun show in a Winchester Coyote - and even though it's a heavy sucker, I'm a gonna carry it in the woods for deer. I'm goning to fire the rifle the day before season opens cause I here that it will shoot into tomorrow.

GBO MGMT · « **Reply #11 on:** September 30, 2003, 06:43:47 PM »

Quadzillabill wrote:

Quote

Hey, Graybeard. Funny this would come up, but I ran across an 1885 LW in .243 today - fired 3 times according to the owner (certainly looks like it) and topped with a Nikon Monarch 3-9 gloss. What a great looking and feeling weapon. I'm ashamed to admit that I can pick it up for $700 and change - yet I'm still hesitating. I've never fired one of these at all - but understand they are quite accurate

Can you tell me about your experience with the rifle?

TIA, Q

Mine shoots like a dream. Right out of the box with factory ammo or most reloads it shoots 100 yard groups of 0.4"-0.8" with most every thing except Barnes bullets. Hornady factory varmint ammo is 1/4" stuff in it. I know of several others who have a LW in .243 Win. and all seem to shoot that way.

My only concern is whether the .243 Win. is truly up to deer hunting. Lotsa folks say yea, lotsa folks say nay. Me I dunno yet. I've shot one and lost it. Found it several days later when the buzzards were circling. I wasn't the one who found it so didn't get to see if the hit was where I think it was. The buck did take a step forward just as a pulled the trigger but my sight picture says it should have been a solid liver hit if not back of lungs. Maybe a bit of both.

Just not enough bullet weight for an exit wound. I found no blood anywhere. Looked forever it seemed and all over the area. Deer apparently made it several hundred yards. My 7-08 or '06 either one would have blown an exit hole and gave me a blood trail I needed to find it. The .243 didn't. That was with Hornady factory 100 grain ammo.

GB

UCM Tails? · « **Reply #12 on:** October 01, 2003, 02:50:33 AM »

I think I am going to use my .220 swift. It is such a pleasure to shoot and is very accurate. I have shot hogs to 300lbs. and droped them in their tracks. That little 60gr. hollow point is like a bolt of lightning. Before you bash me, know that I only take a perfect shot out to 100 yards and always shoot um in the ear. They drop like a sack of taters if you do that. Don't get me wrong, I like big guns too, and have a couple. I like to hunt hogs for meat not for trophy and I do zero meat damage this way. Same goes for deer, the biggest we have around my area may be 150lbs. on the hoof, so you don't really need the big guns.

Rusty · « **Reply #13 on:** October 01, 2003, 03:41:38 AM »

A CZ-550 in 6.5 X 55 with Weaver Grand Slam 2.5-10 X 40, or W7- SS Classic 300 WSM w Zeiss Conqest (3-9 X40) for Mulies & Black Bear. One will be my back up. I will use one or the other depending on the weather. All loads are handloads.

Lee D. · « **Reply #14 on:** October 01, 2003, 03:51:36 AM »

Funny how that old 6.5X55 keeps working. My old mauser (four digit setial number) is still my main deer and bear gun.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 01, 2003, 04:49:26 AM »

I'll be trying out some different rifles this year. A 264 M79 clasic supergrade with a 3x9 leupold, a 6.5x55 in a clasic M70 featherweight, perhaps a M70 Supergrade in 7mm RemMag. Of course I'll keep the old Winchester built Enfield custom in 300 WinMag at the ready with the M77 Ruger(old Model) in 7mmRemMag, both excellant backups. I may also try a 38-55 this year, if time allows.. I found it a few years back, a used Winchester commemoritive that I bought at a good price.. I'll install a receiver sight and see what the little beast will do.. Maybe a handloaded 255 grain flatpoint... and I haven't used the DanWesson 44 in several years... Good thing the ConservationCommission has decreed this area to have unlimited doe permits.... I plan on taking advantage of that rule change!

Crayfish · « **Reply #16 on:** October 01, 2003, 05:59:49 AM »

My weapon of choice will be the Rem700 Mountain Rifle LSS in 7mm-08 that I bought last year but didn't get a chance to get it bloody!! Hopefully this will be the year. It wears a Nikon Monarch 3-9x40 and will most likely be shooting handloaded 145gr Speer SP's over W760. These showed some promise a couple of weeks ago. If they don't work out the way I think, I'll have no qualms about going back to the Hornady 139gr Light Mags .... can pretty much count on sub .75" groups out of those!

Of course, the Contender with 14" 30-30 will go on a few trips (with 2.5-7 T/C scope), as well. But the next 3 weeks are going to be spent in treestands with bow and arrow in hand .... season opens this Saturday and I can hardly wait!!

Good luck this year! ... Crayfish

eroyd · « **Reply #17 on:** October 01, 2003, 08:30:44 AM »

My main battery would be my Rem 700 BDL stainless/syn in 300wby topped with a Leupold satin silver VXII 3x9. It's up for pretty much any task. 180gr Nosler Partitions

I have a win. featherweight in 257 Roberts improved that I think I'll use locally on the island for blacktails. It to has a VXII 3x9. 100gr Barnes XBT.

I also want to use my BLR in 358 win. topped with a Leupold 1x4. I know 90% of my shots will be within 150 yards but it's that other 10% that this rifle may not be up for the task. I once had a clear shot opportunity at a magazine cover buck at 300 yds., unfortunately on that particular day I decided to carry my old 30-30 '94 iron sights for nostalgic purposes. But thats hunting. :cry:

dbuck · « **Reply #18 on:** October 01, 2003, 01:23:43 PM »

Well, Zachary, I will be hunting in W.Va. this year with my Tikka 270 winchester with my new Richards Microfit laminated stock that I just finished and top off with a Nikon Monarch 3X10 scope.

dbuck

Kragman71 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 02, 2003, 06:03:29 AM »

Zachery,
Every September,I Check the sights of my Faithful 1892 Krag with newly made handloads. That is my meat and potatoes Rifle.
I also take one other rifle from the rack to use in November. For the past three years,it was my Winchester 94,30/30 carbine.
Unfortunately,the 30/30 will be redlined this year,because the Leoupold scope had a reticle failure at the range,last month.
The replacement will be a 30 cal GI Carbine,that I sporterized 30 years ago. Tomorrow,weather permitting,I'll check the sights with the new ammo with all new componants.
Frank

conibearer · « **Reply #20 on:** October 02, 2003, 10:40:42 AM »

I am going to be hunting in Michigan with my Tikka 30-06 like every other year but this year I am also going to use my new winchester 30-30.
-Good luck to you all

matt d · « **Reply #21 on:** October 02, 2003, 01:38:02 PM »

Zachary,
My deer season is over, it was a good one, I used my only large game rifle a Winchester model 70 post 64 feather weight. Not the fanciest rifle mentioned in this forum but one hell of a gun none the less. It has a Leupold VXII 3-9. I reload using Remington brass, Fed 210 primers, IMR4831 and Nosler ballistic tips. Hopefully next time this question is asked I can have a big list like many others. Maybe a 257 Roberts and a 7mm-08. What is that saying? One woman, many guns? or is it the other way around?

264 WIN MAG · « **Reply #22 on:** October 04, 2003, 04:56:08 AM »

I'll do nothing but whitetail hunting this year and nothing but the 264 Win Mag to take them with. One of the best rifles ever made (Once you find the right ammo for it).

Quadzillabill · « **Reply #23 on:** October 04, 2003, 05:57:33 AM »

Quote from: 264 WIN MAG

I'll do nothing but whitetail hunting this year and nothing but the 264 Win Mag to take them with. One of the best rifles ever made (Once you find the right ammo for it).

Isn't this round known for wearing out barrels? I looked at a nice Model 70 once, but got scared off after doing some research.

264 WIN MAG · « **Reply #24 on:** October 04, 2003, 06:24:27 AM »

I have had my 264 win mag for about 6-7 years and I shoot it pretty often and I have never had a problem with the barrel. I have heard incidents with wear on the barrel but that is pretty much any really fast shooting rifle that is not cleaned properly after shooting I'm sure. I try to clean mine often and make sure to get everything out of the barrel everytime I clean it and it has been a great rifle. It's the most accurate high caliber rifle I think I have ever shot and with the right round it is quite deadly. Although there are alot of different rounds out there I have tried and do not suggest for this caliber.

coug2wolfs · « **Reply #25 on:** October 04, 2003, 07:17:59 AM »

This may upset the apple cart since I have not slipped below 375 cal in a while, much preferring 44 and 45 cal rifles, lever guns mainly. as most know.

Howsomever, this trip around I'm using 2 BAR's, one in 338 Winnie Mag, and the other in filthy odd six!

I kinda warmed up to that just slapping the trigger game. Thinking back on the mascre of 2001 in Auroa, had I a BAR with a spare clip, well I mighta been able to kill ALL them hogs on the first pass and cheated the lobster boys outa their fun :lol:

coug2wolfs · « **Reply #26 on:** October 04, 2003, 07:27:48 AM »

Zach

I LIKE the way you think :wink:

Killin rooters is where it's at, nothing even comes close. You gotta hit em, and hit em hard. Even then, they come back to life, and dirt mean.

I find it a little bit more than curious that you are, at least as far as I'm concerned, on the right end of the stick, while I have a big pisspot cooking over in the pigpen about 22 rimfires for hogs.

I wuz young once, and of course foolish. But as I recall, even then, I had no deathwish at such a young age. Those lads in Texas are pepperin em up with the lowly 22 rf and proclaiming it the berries?

No matter how much I cuff em they just ain't backin off. They claim I don't know horsedung from buffler crap. Gee, that's queersome, I done kilt well over two hunred hogs stone dead, none lest than 250 pounds, some as big as 500. Sure, I been charged, but I had enough gun in my hands to put the game in my favor, less I wouldn't be here to tell of it. :wink:

Lawdog · « **Reply #27 on:** October 04, 2003, 12:50:21 PM »

Quadzillabill,

The .264 Win. Mag. is no harder on barrels than any other cartridge in the same category, like the .257 Weatherby, 7mm Remington Magnum's. or any of the other large capacity magnum cartridges. I've had a .300 Weatherby Magnum barrel last almost 3,000 rounds before the accuracy went to pot. My .257 Weatherby has almost 1,800 rounds thru it and it still groups under an inch. Sure if you want to push the limits of the cartridge, velocity wise, you'll burn the barrel out but you can do that with any cartridge. The .264 Winchester Magnum is a great cartridge and will last as long as you will let it. Lawdog

264 WIN MAG · « **Reply #28 on:** October 04, 2003, 04:53:55 PM »

Like I said I have had mine for several years and shoot it quite often and I have never had problems with accuracy. As far as I am concerned it is the most accurate high caliber rifle I have ever shot. Although when I got mine I got it with the boss on it and that is something I would not get if I had it to do over again. The boss has given me nothing but problems from day one.

The only other suggestion I have about that caliber is don't shoot the Remington rounds. For some reason the Remington rounds just don't shoot for anything.

Hound_Dog55 · « **Reply #29 on:** October 05, 2003, 02:13:06 PM »

Going to carry the first "big game" rifle I ever owned--An Interarms Mark X in 30-06. One of the most accurate rifles I have ever owned. My son will carry his Rem. 700 BDL in 243.