Author Topic: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?  (Read 2132 times)

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Offline rebel57

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best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« on: June 09, 2010, 03:03:46 PM »
whitetail deer, central nc, 100 yd max range in oak/hickory forest...possible to get a 150-200 yd cross meadow shot...dairy country...opinions please...

Offline gendoc

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #1 on: June 09, 2010, 03:26:07 PM »
45/70... with lots of elevation change practice.

my situations are simular but not greater than 50yrds...
so its 44mag-45/70 for the the gall-berries roun heah !!!

tough decision when ya got a few possibilities

i jus close my eye's and grab one  ;D

sea-ya.....
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Offline S.E.Ak

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #2 on: June 09, 2010, 03:27:49 PM »
The 30-30 or 45/70 Handi with sights

http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Rifles/youth.asp

Offline whitetailmaniac

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #3 on: June 09, 2010, 04:36:42 PM »
Hard to beat the 45-70. Mine is deadly accurate with anything I put down the tube.

     Chris

Offline wreckhog

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #4 on: June 09, 2010, 04:52:53 PM »
200 yard shot with a .44 or 45-70 will take a lot of practice and rangefinding. Or you could get a .243 and not think about trajectory at all. Personally, I'd take a 30-30 and hope I had the holdover right.

Offline bikerbeans

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #5 on: June 09, 2010, 05:02:29 PM »
Rebel,

Sounds like where you a hunting most shots will be inside 100 yds so 30-30, 30-06, 45/70 all would be fine.   Hunting the meadow might need a range finder for the 45/70.  Could also do the woods with a USH or Muzzleloader no problem.  If you have any issues with heights in a treestand then I would opt for a low recoil gun.

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Offline Spanky

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #6 on: June 09, 2010, 05:14:27 PM »
30-30 Handi with 18" barrel.



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Offline fredster22

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #7 on: June 09, 2010, 05:25:27 PM »
  Been hunting the same conditions in the Tri-state area of NJ - PA - NY most of my life
 and its always been a good slug gun or 30-06   Fred
All H&R 17m2 Sportster-17hmr Sportster-22lr Leatherneck semi-22mag ultra-22mag 700semi-22 hornet/20 258-221 fireball
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Offline manatee1947

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #8 on: June 09, 2010, 06:01:53 PM »
45/70 would certainly work fine, but don't overlook the 444 marlin. I have used both and I love my marlin. I would not hesitate to buy either one that is available. The 45/70 can handle heavier bullets, produce more energy, the 444 can be loaded lighter, faster and flatter shooting, and less recoil. It has much greater range and capabilities than a 44 mag.
remember the starfish

Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #9 on: June 09, 2010, 06:27:56 PM »
243 on up will get the job done for ya. ;)  We all got our favorites, :-* but my first statement is the gospel.  Now that may be the last thing I type tonight that you can believe, ::) but you can believe that. ;D  DP  manatee1947 speaks the truth as well.  DP
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Offline JRW209

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #10 on: June 09, 2010, 06:30:50 PM »
243 would be perfect!

JW

Offline Mac11700

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #11 on: June 09, 2010, 07:54:26 PM »

I've never seen any deer follow yardage markers religously , so they can show up under my stand or out at 800 yards.I want a cartridge that will do well up close and far away..and always shot for the bolier room not the shoulder.That's why I went to the extra trouble of having my 30-06 done..so..I vote for the 30-06 the all around cartridge.. plus factory ammo is cheap and plentiful just about everywhere :D :D ;)

Mac
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Offline necchi

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #12 on: June 09, 2010, 08:05:46 PM »
Them NC deer ain't big creatures, least how the photo's I seen, now keep in mind I'm in Minn.

30-06 will do it but's awfull big for that stuff,, I vote 30-30,, 7-08,, 243 (if it's a shooter)
found elsewhere

Offline Mac11700

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #13 on: June 10, 2010, 01:16:09 AM »
Them NC deer ain't big creatures, least how the photo's I seen, now keep in mind I'm in Minn.

30-06 will do it but's awfull big for that stuff,, I vote 30-30,, 7-08,, 243 (if it's a shooter)

Well..they have taken some nice ones taken there..http://www.dixiedeerclassic.org/records/bc-typical-honors.htm
What's the old saying..." I'd rather have it and not need it,than to need it and not have it.." ;) ;)

The 7-08 would be a good choice too

Mac
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Offline PawPaw

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #14 on: June 10, 2010, 03:01:20 AM »
Good advice from everyone.  However, last year I picked a .308 Ultra out of a pawn-shop rack.  That gun, while not benchrest accurate (it hovers around 2"), is repeatably accurate.  It'll shoot the same with a cold barrel or hot barrel, in summer and in winter.  I've put about 100 rounds through it and it continues to drop them in that same 2" circle.  My current load uses Reloder 15 powder and a 165 Gameking.

Like you, I've got a hunting area that is hard to read.  It's an active oil field and I might be in thick brush, take two steps and be on a pipeline where I can see 300 yards.  I'm thinking more and more that the Ultra might be a good rifle to carry in that area.  With scope it weighs 8.4 lbs, which is a good weight for a carrying rifle.

Offline LONGTOM

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #15 on: June 10, 2010, 03:44:33 AM »
About anything from the 243 on up.

I would consider PawPaw's choice of the 308 a very sound one.
Would do well in all the conditions you mentioned with out the holdover of some and still plenty for the chance of an even longer shot if need be.



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Offline petemi

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #16 on: June 10, 2010, 04:16:05 AM »
I've gotta agree with PawPaw and Longtom.  My .308 has been my best deer getter over the years from point blank to 300 yards plus.  But, I've taken deer at over 200 yards with the .45-70. 

In a tree stand in the woods this year I'll use the .445 SM, .45LC (which will be .454 by then) and the .357 Max.  The mid range shots belong to the .45-70 and .30-30. The long range shots go to the .308, 7mm-08, and .30-06.  My trouble is I've got too many deer rifles, and I haven't even included the front stuffers.  The choice to use at any given time depends on where I'm gonna hunt, the weather and time of day.  Some rifles have open sights, some scoped and some red dotted.

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Offline schoolmaster

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #17 on: June 10, 2010, 04:44:16 AM »
The guys in the 243, 260 rem, 7mm/08, 308 camp are right on in my opinion, 200 yards is not far with any of these calibers. Sighted in with a good bullet, and suitably accurate load, dead on at 200 and just hold center of mass and shoot. I killed 3 deer one morning with a 7mm/08 in a TC Encore pistol at ranges from 100 to 175 yards and they all did the same thing. Ran 20 yards on a death run and flopped over. Just get the gun and scope you like, shoot it enough to get some confidence and never look back. I like the heavier bullets in these calibers and used the 140 grain ballistic tip in the 7mm/08. It shot just over an inch for 5 shots at 100 yards. That's what worked for me.

Offline spikehorn

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #18 on: June 10, 2010, 11:55:42 AM »
My go to deer rifle has always been a 308. that being said I can't wait to get my recently accuired 45-70 to deer camp this year.
308 win                 45-70                       12ga         
30-30                    223 stainless steel   20ga TDC
44 mag                  Tracker II 20ga        20ga
45-70 Manlicher     20ga USH                28ga
                                                              410ga

Offline Daman

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #19 on: June 10, 2010, 01:17:45 PM »
My go to rifle for thick heavy brush is an H&R Topper 158 30-30 with 170 grain bullets.

My go to rifle for those days I get up and say "You know I am going to go kill a deer to put in the freezer" and jump in the truck, I grab my 30-06.

Yet again if I am hunting river bottoms, I shoot my 223 or 243.

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Offline mechanic

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #20 on: June 10, 2010, 01:32:15 PM »
Just about anything you can shoot well at those distances, as stated above, from 243 up.  If you can't place the bullet at 200, it's all a moot point.... :D
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Offline gendoc

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #21 on: June 10, 2010, 01:59:34 PM »
i guess most people kill paper with there 45/70...

if ya can't dial in or know your holdover for 200 yrds on a whitetail..... then why have one !!!!

thats the art of the caliber... its good at all yardage, in and beyond that range.
sea-ya.....
in tha meen time, i'm wait'n for tha  7th trumpet ta sound !!!

gotta big green tractor ana diesel truck, my idea of heaven's chasin whitetail bucks and asa country boy, you know i can survive............

hey boy, hit this mason jar one time...
burn ya lil'bit did'nt it. ya ever been snipe hunt'n ?  come on...

I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery.

Offline kevinsmith5

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #22 on: June 10, 2010, 02:50:25 PM »
Ht now the choice for me would be my 30-30. But I handload for it and run hotter than factory with spitzer points. In a little while here I'll be getting a 45-70 in 22" that may change that though. I iron sight both.
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Offline PawPaw

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #23 on: June 10, 2010, 03:30:37 PM »
i guess most people kill paper with there 45/70..

I hunt with mine, just haven't made any meat with it yet.  That's not the rifle's fault.

Offline Mac11700

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #24 on: June 10, 2010, 04:24:28 PM »
i guess most people kill paper with there 45/70...

if ya can't dial in or know your holdover for 200 yrds on a whitetail..... then why have one !!!!

thats the art of the caliber... its good at all yardage, in and beyond that range.

I've hunted with the 45-70 for many years,mostly with my Marlins,and even with a converted bolt gun 1 season.(not all they are cracked up to be IMHO) It does a wonderful job without a doubt,but,while 200 yards isn't a extremely difficult shot in calm winds for most people,add just a 10 mph - 15 mph cross breeze and what would normally be a good hit will turn into a bad shot or miss for a lot of people very easily.I found this out 2 years ago while on the practice range. I just couldn't believe how much that big ole slug would move when shooting long range..or even those gummy tipped Hornady bullets. Practice does help and is highly recommended for anyone even thinking about going at a deer at 200 yards..You got to know how well it does in all conditions.Using a much sleeker and faster bullet is usually the wiser choice when unsure of what your hunting conditions will be,and the distances can be on the long side...Yes I know a miss with one of those will do the same thing,but,you'll have less likely a miss even off hand since it won't be so far off to begin with a better BC bullet IMHO. Spitting distance or under 100 yards to me,the 45-70 is most impressive with the right loads,and certainly would be my choice of rifles closely followed by a tuned 20 or 12ga slug gun..busting brush where the shots will be under 50 yards all the time the 12 ga. goes with me.I've never lost a deer when I hit it with a 45-70 load.I can't say that with the smaller calibers I've used being the 30-30 or 243 or 357 mag or 44 mag at 100 yards,but with calibers with good BC's and higher SD's you have your bases covered better. All the folks I know who have hunted with them say the same thing..and they have been killing deer since I was a pup..and that's been quite a while  :D :D :D

Mac
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Offline Spanky

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #25 on: June 10, 2010, 05:03:57 PM »
Once again... a 30-30 Handi with an 18" barrel.
Short, light and easy to swing in the stand and shoots flatter than the 45-70 for the longer shots.
Put a decent glass on top of it and you've got a great setup. ;)



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Offline geezer56

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #26 on: June 11, 2010, 01:56:19 PM »
Handi in 25-06 or 280.  The 45-70 is a real killer,  but I find the shots over 150 yds to be a bit tricky.  I use the 45-70 over the places where visibility is limited to 100 yds or so, the other 2 over the clearcuts/greenfields.  I am going to try the Whelen this year though.  I believe it will be the ultimate deer thumper with the Lyman 358009 GC bullet.

Offline Big Blue

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #27 on: June 11, 2010, 02:34:08 PM »
Your situation sounds like a great reason for a Two-Fer. Not that the cartridges previously mentioned wouldn't do the job, but I'd prefer a long barreled rifle for longer distance stand shooting and a short barreled lighter rifle for the brush. Maybe a .280 or .270 for those longer shots and a nice 18" barreled 45/70 for the brush.
Don

Offline LONGTOM

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #28 on: June 11, 2010, 05:47:55 PM »
Man, I like the way Big Blue thinks.
I regulary do just that on my farm.
A 270wsm for the long shots from a good rest and the 45-70 for everything else.
Has always worked for me!
Just means another gun to have to tote to the blind.



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Offline noyb72

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Re: best tree stand/brush rifle configuation?
« Reply #29 on: June 11, 2010, 10:54:16 PM »
If I could have it my way, I'd get a 7-08 and have it reamed to 7mm Mauser AI. Load it with a big bullet to modern pressures and be covered all the way around.

Ron