[RuralTurtle]

Something I read recently got me thinking about action types used for deer hunting. I understand preferences are highly dependent on the terrain/location of the user, so thought it would be interesting to take an informal poll.

Any discussion would be great. Maybe post your location in the world and the reasons behind your choice.

Thanks.

 

[recole]

Deer Rifle

My deer rifle is a Savage model 340 bolt action in 30-30. I like bolt action rifles and here in southern Missouri, 100 yards is a typical distance. I do better with 170 grain bullets than the 150. I have a common cartridge in an uncommon dispenser!

Ron

 

[RuralTurtle]

I remember the Savage 340's; neat little rifles. Yes, unusual for a .30/30 in a bolt-gun.

I use a Winchester '94 in .30/30 and also stick with the 170gr bullets too. Seem to work well.

Take care.

 

[keysrat]

I usually take a "dual purpose gun" into the woods as in FL I primarily hunt hogs.
I have used a 1893 Marlin in .32 WS for deer.

I took this doe a few years ago with the Marlin:

If I hunt deer this year, I will use my 1894 Winchester in .38-55.
I put fiber optic sights on it to help my old eyes.

Now, my primary hog gun is an H&R Handi-Rifle in .500 S&W. I use the 500 grain Hornady JSP ammo. (RECOIL!)I got tired of hogs trying to kill me after I shot them. A Smiff 629 is a back up.

 

[RuralTurtle]

Thanks for the pics! That's a nice looking Marlin.

I wish a company would put out a lever-gun carbine in .500 S&W Magnum. That would be a great all-around rifle.

 

[RU shooter]

My two favorites are a Rem. model 600 in 35 rem. and my other is a 1920's winchester 94 in 32 WS Both are family hand me downs rem 600 from my dad and the 94 from my dads uncle both have taken alot of Pa. deer ! neither are powerhouses but shots over 100 yds are rare indeed in the brush.

 

[keysrat]

I don't think a lever gun in .500 S&W will come anytime soon.
I read an article somewhere that reported that th H&R Handi-Rifle firing the Hornady 500 grain JSP generated the recoil energy of the .470 Nitro Express. Elephant gun recoil!
A 500 S&W lever gun firing less than 300 grain bullets would be great, but I don't think we will see it.

 

[RuralTurtle]

I don't think a lever gun in .500 S&W will come anytime soon.
I read an article somewhere that reported that th H&R Handi-Rifle firing the Hornady 500 grain JSP generated the recoil energy of the .470 Nitro Express. Elephant gun recoil!
A 500 S&W lever gun firing less than 300 grain bullets would be great, but I don't think we will see it.

I think you're right about not seeing a factory .500 lever gun any time soon. There is a cartridge called the .50 Alaskan in a lever-action (http://www.wildwestguns.com/CoPilot_And_Guide_Rifles/copilot_and_guide_rifles.html), but I don't know much about it.

The recoil being similiar to a .470 NE - youch! :^)

 

[Son of the Gun]

Actually, I've got three total that I plan on using to hunt whitetail. First pick is a Swiss K31. Second is my Norinco '66 (once I get a proper scope mount). Third and final choice is the Remington M91 which is actually last just because it's the heaviest and longest of my rifles.

 

[davef]

6.5x257 or 6.5x54MS I think this season, depends really on where I go and the weather.

 

[keysrat]

Thanks for the pics! That's a nice looking Marlin.

Thank you.
The Marlin was made in 1899. The Winchester in 1901.

 

[reddog]

I use a bolt, Winchester Model 70 in .270.

 

[RU shooter]

I think you're right about not seeing a factory .500 lever gun any time soon. There is a cartridge called the .50 Alaskan in a lever-action (http://www.wildwestguns.com/CoPilot_And_Guide_Rifles/copilot_and_guide_rifles.html), but I don't know much about it.

The recoil being similiar to a .470 NE - youch! :^)

I actually think one will come along in the future, Marlin is really pushing newer calibers lately. And nice thing about a 50 cal. anything is that big bullet dont need to be that heavy or moving that fast to do the job! A 350-400 gr. cast bullet at lets say 12-1300 would be the ticket for anything in North America and recoil wouldnt be all that bad either.Heck a 45-70 with a 500 gr'er at the same speed isnt too punishing in a marlin.!

 

[AZshooter]

Mod 94 Winchester Ranger. 16" barrel, chambered in .357 Mag.

 

[Wynn]

Highly sporterized & tuned M96 Swede with Nikon 4x Buckmaster scope. At least 60 hogs and a dozen deer in the past. Hard to beat the efficiency of the 6.5 not to mention the accuracy out to 350 yds.

 

[pymi]

Ruger M77 .270Win

 

[beavis331]

The last 3 or 4 years I've been using a sporterized 1917 remington 30-06. Before that it was a Marlin 336 in 30-30. This year its 6mm-06. I picked up a custom built rifle built on a 1903 springfield action in 6mm-06. I've been working on building up some ammo for it. I put a Burris 4.5x12 on her. She should be a long range machine.

 

[chester]

Two of my favourites.

A nice 96 swede 6.5x55 sporter and a 1923 Win. 94 in .38-55 with original lyman tang. chester.

 

[jebber]

Bolt action:
6.5x55 (Winchester)
6.5x06 (mauser action)
.270 (Winchester)
7x57 (Ruger)
.30-06 (Winchester)
8x57 (Sporter Czech K98)

Lever action:
.357 Marlin
.45-70 Marlin

I hunt in Texas.

This year I plan on using the 7x57 & one of the lever guns.

 

[HerrMesser]

Bolt Action
FN 270 wby
Vz 23 300win mag
G33/40 257 roberts
G 98 6mm rem
Charles Daly 30-06

Pump
Rem 760 30-06

Auto
Rem 1100 12ga

Won't get to go to Wyoming this year so I will be restricted to the 12ga.

Rad