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Post by csmonte on Dec 13, 2011 15:31:29 GMT -5
So I'm going to start gearing up and get ready to do some deer hunting next season. I have a closet full or shotguns for water fowl and skeet but no slug gun. I am currently looking at getting a rifle for deer and I would like a bolt action but all the guys I know who hunt deer either use a Muzzleloader or bow hunt. What are do you guys and gal on here like to use for hunting deer?
Right now I am looking at a Ruger 77/44 or
buying or building an AR15 in a .458 Socom Caliber
Don't quite know what to go with yet. So let me here you input and what you like to us.
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Post by Boilermaker on Dec 13, 2011 16:10:00 GMT -5
It sounds like you're looking for more than one shot or I'd say buy an H&R .44 Handi-Rifle. Good shooting gun for the money. If I were going to spend a little more money on a rifle I'd buy the Ruger 77/44...anything AR doesn't belong in the woods if you ask me! Plus I've read a lot of posts on here about folks shooting the 77/44 with lots of success.
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Post by dbd870 on Dec 13, 2011 17:38:36 GMT -5
If you want a bolt gun you are pretty well talking the 77/44. I see absolutely no problem using the SOCOM on an AR platform.
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Post by Woody Williams on Dec 13, 2011 17:44:41 GMT -5
If you want a bolt gun you are pretty well talking the 77/44. I see absolutely no problem using the SOCOM on an AR platform.
^^^^^The voice of experience... |
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Post by jajwrigh on Dec 13, 2011 18:44:15 GMT -5
...anything AR doesn't belong in the woods if you ask me!  If its not your way why is it wrong? We hunters are on the same team man. |
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Post by cedarthicket on Dec 13, 2011 18:51:43 GMT -5
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Post by danf on Dec 13, 2011 19:03:56 GMT -5
For next year the .450 Bushmaster will also be legal. Factory ammo is available and is likely cheaper than finding custom loaded .458.
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Post by evolutionsthunder on Dec 13, 2011 19:34:38 GMT -5
no complaints on my ruger.
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Post by dbd870 on Dec 14, 2011 5:47:43 GMT -5
For next year the .450 Bushmaster will also be legal. Factory ammo is available and is likely cheaper than finding custom loaded .458. Quite true; I have to start thinking about the new regs now. I didn't bring up the custom bolt guns and their rounds as they are going to be more expensive to buy feed and set up for and most guys interested in them know their options, however if you hunt a spot where you can encounter long shots on a regular basis it may be worth the investment. If you have an AR already a new top half would be very tempting. |
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Post by 45shooter on Dec 14, 2011 6:24:32 GMT -5
Welcome.
I previously have used a Marlin 1894 in 44mag. Proven design. Handy in the woods. Affordable. Cartridges are readily available in many different bullet choices. And of course, the 44mag is a proven deer stopper at reasonable ranges.
My stepsons use H&R Handi-rifles in .357mag. I bought the rifles used in .243 and .223 then ordered barrels in .357. These are GREAT youth guns. Not so expensive to shoot. Mild recoil. Accurate. Cartridges are available in many different bullet choices. And a proven deer stopper at reasonable ranges.
I am considering reaming these out to .357Max. It is a significant performance improvement and they will still be able to shoot .357mag in them.
Now I am using a 358 BFG. It's a .25 WSSM necked up to .358. I have reloaded and tinkered with guns for many years. I wouldn't even think of calling myself a gunsmith, but I'm not afraid to install drop in parts, springs, etc. I decided to try to rebarrel a Savage M11. This was my 1st rebarrel and my 1st time loading a wildcat cartridge. It's been the most fun and rewarding firearms project I've taken on. Also, it's a little different. It's always fun to show it off at the range.
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Post by csmonte on Dec 14, 2011 8:05:56 GMT -5
If you have an AR already a new top half would be very tempting. I don't have an AR yet but I have a collection of Mosin-Nagant's and AK's that I would love to hunt with but can't in Indiana. |
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Post by Boilermaker on Dec 14, 2011 8:26:27 GMT -5
...anything AR doesn't belong in the woods if you ask me! If its not your way why is it wrong? We hunters are on the same team man. I know, I should've kept that opinion to myself. I just know a guy that deer hunts with an AR in the Socom round and since he has a few extra rounds to shoot each time he takes less than acceptable shots and a lot of them. Next time I'll try and not group all AR people in the same bunch; my apologies. |
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Post by dadfsr on Dec 14, 2011 8:40:25 GMT -5
If its not your way why is it wrong? We hunters are on the same team man. I know, I should've kept that opinion to myself. I just know a guy that shoots an AR in the Socom round and since he has a few extra rounds to shoot he takes less than acceptable shots and a lot of them. Next time I'll try and not group all AR owners in the same bunch; my apologies. Yup that kind of written sentiment is what cost Jim Zumbo his job. Military rifles have always been adapted for hunting purposes where applicable-the AR platform is no different. Just because you know of one person that doesn't believe in the "one shot one kill" theory doesn't mean that the AR can't be and won't be used properly for hunting purposes-it just means that the so called hunter is a slob. Even though why the AR was brought up in a thread asking about bolt action rifles is kind of out in left field....  |
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Post by dbd870 on Dec 14, 2011 9:17:12 GMT -5
Actually the OP brought it up as an option.
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Post by hornharvester on Dec 14, 2011 12:51:05 GMT -5
And Boilermaker apologized so lets not get off topic and hang him for that broad statement. h.h.
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Post by Boilermaker on Dec 14, 2011 13:18:48 GMT -5
And Boilermaker apologized so lets not get off topic and hang him for that broad statement. h.h. Thanks hh |
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Post by schoolmaster on Dec 14, 2011 15:57:41 GMT -5
That Ruger 77/44 is a pretty good deer rifle for Indiana. You can get WW white box ammo at the Mart and the 240 gr softpoint ammo is the way to go. I have several friends that took nice bucks this year with this combo. With some practice and the correct sight in you are good to 200 yards.
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Post by lon371 on Dec 14, 2011 18:54:34 GMT -5
This year I took a Buck with my Mossy 12 smoothbore, Brenneke slug. One doe with H&R .44 mag. One doe with H&R .357 Maximum. With all the options the guys have given you, a phrase comes to mind. "pick your poison"
Sorry kind of overlooked the Bolt action part.
Lonny
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Post by huntingman on Dec 14, 2011 21:06:26 GMT -5
Savage 220 or 212, do bolt actions shotguns count?
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