want to be gunsmith
Member
i need one please help but no bolt actions
best all-around gun for south texas deer
- Thread starter want to be gunsmith
- Start date
- Status
i need one please help but no bolt actionsArt Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
Well, there's the Browning lever action in .308. Or one of the Remmies in either semi-auto or pump in various deer cartridges. The Browning semi-auto is a quality rifle, but IMO it's a bit heavy.
South Texas as in south of US 90? In the brasada, the brush country? Or over more toward Goliad or Woodsboro? If this latter, almost any lever gun will do; the old .30-30 is plenty on account of generally short range shooting.
You're running a bit late, though.
Art
South Texas as in south of US 90? In the brasada, the brush country? Or over more toward Goliad or Woodsboro? If this latter, almost any lever gun will do; the old .30-30 is plenty on account of generally short range shooting.
You're running a bit late, though.
Art
karlsgunbunker
Member
Sks
mustanger98
Member
For the area and the size deer the area is notorious for, you might as well go with .30-30Win. in '94 or 336. It'll be more efficient on that size animal than a .243Win. or 6mmRem. will be, and that's according to Elmer Keith ("Hell, I Was There").
Quote: "For the area and the size deer the area is notorious for"
Mustanger,
The tone of your post implies you are thinking of the small deer typically found in Texas Hill Country. Small size because that area is GROSSLY over populated with deer. IMO, they are stunted in weight due to insufficient food for the quantity of deer there. Mature whitetail bucks from South Texas, West Texas, or North Texas can be significantly larger, twice or three times as heavy in weight, with larger/wider horns than the Hill Country deer.
Good shooting and be safe.
LB
ps: Original poster: the BEST all-around rifle for South Texas deer hunting IS a bolt action rifle in my opinion. This opinion must be shared by many other hunters because bolt action rifles are by far the most popular rifle type in any part of Texas where I have hunted.
Mustanger,
The tone of your post implies you are thinking of the small deer typically found in Texas Hill Country. Small size because that area is GROSSLY over populated with deer. IMO, they are stunted in weight due to insufficient food for the quantity of deer there. Mature whitetail bucks from South Texas, West Texas, or North Texas can be significantly larger, twice or three times as heavy in weight, with larger/wider horns than the Hill Country deer.
Good shooting and be safe.
LB
ps: Original poster: the BEST all-around rifle for South Texas deer hunting IS a bolt action rifle in my opinion. This opinion must be shared by many other hunters because bolt action rifles are by far the most popular rifle type in any part of Texas where I have hunted.
phantomak47
Member
I recently went down around Banderas and scored an 8 point with my savage 99 in 300 savage.
Its an old gun, but it has character....some think its ugly, but I love it.
Nicely scoped with a leupold 2x7.
Its an old gun, but it has character....some think its ugly, but I love it.
Nicely scoped with a leupold 2x7.
mustanger98
Member
LHB1, You may well be right about me thinking of Hill Country deer. I am thinking of smaller deer, many with huge racks.
As for whether the best rifle is a bolt or other action, seems to me it's not only regional preference but personal preference. I've been aquainted with folks who either couldn't get used to a bolt, or couldn't get used to a lever. If somebody don't like either one, I'd recommend H&R's HandiRifles which come in a good variety of calibers/chamberings.
FWIW, .30-30's done the job on some really big deer too, within the working ranges of the cartidge in its various loadings over its 100year history. As a fan of the .30-30, I recommend giving it serious consideration. And while it's mostly a levergun, it can also be found in bolt actions which the original poster already said he was avoiding.
As for whether the best rifle is a bolt or other action, seems to me it's not only regional preference but personal preference. I've been aquainted with folks who either couldn't get used to a bolt, or couldn't get used to a lever. If somebody don't like either one, I'd recommend H&R's HandiRifles which come in a good variety of calibers/chamberings.
FWIW, .30-30's done the job on some really big deer too, within the working ranges of the cartidge in its various loadings over its 100year history. As a fan of the .30-30, I recommend giving it serious consideration. And while it's mostly a levergun, it can also be found in bolt actions which the original poster already said he was avoiding.
Smoke
Member
Savage model 99 in .300 savage.
Smoke
Smoke
There are many cartridges that will get the job done when used properly. As with rifle action type, personal choice plays a big part in selection and use of caliber/cartridge. My personal favorites for both whitetail and mule deer are .25-06, .270, and 7 mm's in a Win M70 bolt action or Ruger No 1 rifle.
Good shooting and be safe.
LB
Good shooting and be safe.
LB
Grayrock
Member
Why no bolts?
All-around? thutty-thutty lever. My 336 shoots 2 inch groups at 100 yards. Shot a doe last year with my CAS rifle- Rossi 92 in .45 Colt- iron sights at about 50 yards. She was DRT!
All-around? thutty-thutty lever. My 336 shoots 2 inch groups at 100 yards. Shot a doe last year with my CAS rifle- Rossi 92 in .45 Colt- iron sights at about 50 yards. She was DRT!
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
Diesle, he didn't say what part of "south" Texas. You get into the brush country generally south and southwest of San Antonio, and you'll find bucks that'll dress out above 150.
Generally in the Hill country, the over-population has many of them sorta like greyhounds with horns...You use up your tags just getting enough for camp meat.
Art
Generally in the Hill country, the over-population has many of them sorta like greyhounds with horns...You use up your tags just getting enough for camp meat.
Art
There're a couple of counties in the Valley along the border that have a reputation (and the records) for MONSTER whitetails. FWIW, I shot a buck in Uvalde Co that went 200 lb on the hoof. [That said, we're pretty sure that he had been one of the imports from up north that a local rancher had tried to stock on his place, only to lose it to a washed-out fence. His loss-- my gain.
]
There're more ways to go than it bears gettin' into. There are the nifty pumps and autos from Remington and Browning in real calibers (I once had a distinct yearning for a Browning BLR lightweight in .308, which would allow the use of spitzers.). There are the venerable lever guns from Winchester, Marlin, Rossi, and Puma. (I've still got a yearning for one of those .454 M'92s). There is of course the above-mentioned, much-loved Savage M99, with which a man could kill any deer that ever walked in .250 Savage. The .300 Savage caliber gives a bit more thump, but isn't quite as flat.
You didn't mention why a bolt was no good for you. If it's the speed of second shot, then you won't be much interested in the single-shots out there. But if you would consider them, highly-accurate and economical offerings are available from NEF and Thompson/Center, and quality single-shots are available from Ruger.
There are those who like to have their military type guns do double duty. I know people who have taken deer with an AR-10 (both with .308 and .243 uppers), AR-15, and SKS rifles. I have seen my father take his M1A Super Match Grade into the field in search of deer. (I'm giving real thought to taking that same rifle to a turkey shoot match tomorrow, actually, for the 50-yard Standing with open sights round.)
The choices are legion. (And that's a good thing.)
]
There're more ways to go than it bears gettin' into. There are the nifty pumps and autos from Remington and Browning in real calibers (I once had a distinct yearning for a Browning BLR lightweight in .308, which would allow the use of spitzers.). There are the venerable lever guns from Winchester, Marlin, Rossi, and Puma. (I've still got a yearning for one of those .454 M'92s). There is of course the above-mentioned, much-loved Savage M99, with which a man could kill any deer that ever walked in .250 Savage. The .300 Savage caliber gives a bit more thump, but isn't quite as flat.
You didn't mention why a bolt was no good for you. If it's the speed of second shot, then you won't be much interested in the single-shots out there. But if you would consider them, highly-accurate and economical offerings are available from NEF and Thompson/Center, and quality single-shots are available from Ruger.
There are those who like to have their military type guns do double duty. I know people who have taken deer with an AR-10 (both with .308 and .243 uppers), AR-15, and SKS rifles. I have seen my father take his M1A Super Match Grade into the field in search of deer. (I'm giving real thought to taking that same rifle to a turkey shoot match tomorrow, actually, for the 50-yard Standing with open sights round.)
The choices are legion. (And that's a good thing.)
For a light and handy firearm, the T/C Encore is hard to beat. Once you have the basic frame, you can configure it to become a 12 ga. or 20 ga. shotgun, or a .50 muzzle loader, or just about any modern rifle caliber you would like. Or you can convert it to a very efficient handgun with the proper handgrip. Even rimfire calibers are available with a simple breechblock change. Even a custom 2 shot rimfire barrel is available. Did I mention that the Encore is versatile???? sorry 'bout that.....The T/C Encore is probably the most versatile platform available.
- Status
