What rifles for deer hunting this year?

[Armored farmer]

Gracias, amigo. That sleeve is made by Galco and I ordered it from Midway. I’m probably about to order a couple more. I really like it.

I use Allen sleeves on my Handi-rifles but in a few years the elastics get loose and they start dripping ammo. The leather looks classier on your rifle....although it maybe a silk purse on a Handi-rifle....

 

[marksman13]

I use Allen sleeves on my Handi-rifles but in a few years the elastics get loose and they start dripping ammo. The leather looks classier on your rifle....although it maybe a silk purse on a Handi-rifle....

I’ve got a few Allen sleeves laying around. I’ve got no issue with them. Like you said though, they’re only good for two or three seasons. I think that Galco would look good on a Handi-Rifle.

 

[Highland Lofts]

My first shotgun was an Ithica super single with a lever and a hammer. I killed a lot of rabbits squirrels and grouse with that gun. My uncle used to borrow it during deer season and he took several bucks with it even though it only had a front bead for sighting. NY you had to be 16 to hunt big game then. I still have that gun, use it to rid the garden of pests from time to time. New we can use rifles in NY so my shotguns don’t get out as much as they used to.

I was born & raised about 55 miles from the Ithaca Gun manufacturing plant so early on I had a desire for the Ithaca guns.
I have owned a bunch of Ithaca guns over the years and still have several.
Back in New York when it was shotgun only west of the susquehanna River I bought a 16 gauge model 37 and had Frank Gabriel down in Binghamton drill & tap the receiver for a scope. I killeda pile of deer with that set up. Still have that gun. It has the rattail fore end.
I bought another model 37 in twelve gauge-full choke 28 inch barrel, rattail forend. That gun sure can throw #00 buckshot. Still have it.

I love the model 66 Super-Singles.
I have three in 20 gauge, one of them has a vent rib. Perfect squirrel/ rabbit/grouse gun.
Then I have three of the model 66 in 410 gauge
Great safe little shotgun to start the kids out on.
The model 49 Ithaca 22lr & 22 magnums are another good little gun.
They were made with cheap materials and I never had any luck with the repeaters. They wore out another were garbage wall hangers.
I took one over to Kurt Stienz over in Bainbridge to get fixed about ten years ago and will never get it back.
Lots of memories with Ithaca guns.

I took my grandson back to New York for the last two weeks of October for two weeks of squirrel hunting and a week of fisher trapping.
He used a twenty gauge model 66 and did really good with the squirrels and we trapped two fishers. Great memories for my grandson and myself.

 

[BreechFace]

@Highland Lofts

You and your grandson will definitely have a bond with all those memories! I’m sure his parents are very glad to have a grandfather take the time for him!

 

[9x56MS]

Easy now. I like hunting with my ugly, black rifles too. Lol

As long as you like it then that’s the gun for you. Picked up my grudge on them courtesy of Uncle Sam back in the early 70’s. Just can’t warm to them, but I never begrudge another his right to choose. Good hunting. Have a Merry Christmas.

 

[9x56MS]

I was born & raised about 55 miles from the Ithaca Gun manufacturing plant so early on I had a desire for the Ithaca guns.
I have owned a bunch of Ithaca guns over the years and still have several.
Back in New York when it was shotgun only west of the susquehanna River I bought a 16 gauge model 37 and had Frank Gabriel down in Binghamton drill & tap the receiver for a scope. I killeda pile of deer with that set up. Still have that gun. It has the rattail fore end.
I bought another model 37 in twelve gauge-full choke 28 inch barrel, rattail forend. That gun sure can throw #00 buckshot. Still have it.

I love the model 66 Super-Singles.
I have three in 20 gauge, one of them has a vent rib. Perfect squirrel/ rabbit/grouse gun.
Then I have three of the model 66 in 410 gauge
Great safe little shotgun to start the kids out on.
The model 49 Ithaca 22lr & 22 magnums are another good little gun.
They were made with cheap materials and I never had any luck with the repeaters. They wore out another were garbage wall hangers.
I took one over to Kurt Stienz over in Bainbridge to get fixed about ten years ago and will never get it back.
Lots of memories with Ithaca guns.

I took my grandson back to New York for the last two weeks of October for two weeks of squirrel hunting and a week of fisher trapping.
He used a twenty gauge model 66 and did really good with the squirrels and we trapped two fishers. Great memories for my grandson and myself.

View attachment 1047042 View attachment 1047043 View attachment 1047044 View attachment 1047045 View attachment 1047046 View attachment 1047047 View attachment 1047048

Now that is what great memories are made of. My Dad worked at Ithica gun in the early 60’s. I have the super single 20 gauge and a 12 and 20 gauge deerslayer both with rat tail forearms. They were the best shooting slug guns before the rifled barrels came out. They make good grouse guns too.

 

[marksman13]

As long as you like it then that’s the gun for you. Picked up my grudge on them courtesy of Uncle Sam back in the early 70’s. Just can’t warm to them, but I never begrudge another his right to choose. Good hunting. Have a Merry Christmas.

I had the opposite experience courtesy of Uncle Sam in the early 2000s. They’ve come a long way, but, like you, I don’t begrudge anyone of his choice.

 

[Gooseman69]

Browning X bolt hc speed in 6.5cm, & 280AI NOTHING in north america, this combination wont kill, from gophers, to moose its, covered

 

[9x56MS]

I had the opposite experience courtesy of Uncle Sam in the early 2000s. They’ve come a long way, but, like you, I don’t begrudge anyone of his choice.

Thank you for your service! My son tells me the same thing. He was in Afghanistan and told me they are still ugly but much more versatile and reliable. I will have to take you guys word for it. I still like my blued steel and walnut stocks.

 

[tws3b2]

Why go though all this . Just take the 30 06. Job Done. Job done well. No Ifs, Ands or Butts. End of Story.

 

[9x56MS]

Why go though all this . Just take the 30 06. Job Done. Job done well. No Ifs, Ands or Butts. End of Story.

Because variety is the spice of life. You wouldn’t eat burgers and fries everyday would you?

 

[tws3b2]

Because variety is the spice of life. You wouldn’t eat burgers and fries everyday would you?

????

 

[WisBorn]

????

A few years ago - six deer, with six rifles, chambered in six cartridges. That would be a little spicy.... One in 30-06

 

[Chuck R.]

Why go though all this . Just take the 30 06. Job Done. Job done well. No Ifs, Ands or Butts. End of Story.

It's a mix of hobbies...

There are die hard hunters that are not gun people, the rifle is a tool, just like the bow, and the muzzle loader. They have multiple tools, but to take advantage of multiple seasons. Some (most?) of the best deer hunters I know are not "gun people", their focus is on the hunt, they're gun collection consists of enough to get the hunt done, by animal type and conditions. They're perfectly happy with the classic 5 or 6 gun battery for everything.

Chances are their discretionary funds went into stands, scent lok cammo, game cameras, possibly a lease VS guns reloading equipment etc.

Then there's the mix, gun hobby and hunting hobby, and in some cases the hunt is the justification for owning multiples....

I'm a mix...

I hunt, and have 65 guns that gives me the ability to use some pretty task specific options. Hence, my often relating guns to golf clubs. I literally have 4 or 5 rifles ready for deer season and pick one based on the conditions. Yesterday and SAT were wooded terrain, range no greater than 150 yds, so I chose my .350RM in an M7 carbine. I shot my buck this year with my 24" barreled .270 with a 130 at 3160 FPS. There's no way I'd want to put that round into a deer at typical woods distances. Nor is there any way I'd want to be faced with 400+ yard shots with my 350RM. When I head out west it's the .270 or a .300WM, cause the odds are the shots will be over 200.

 

[9x56MS]

A few years ago - six deer, with six rifles, chambered in six cartridges. That would be a little spicy.... One in 30-06

It is rare I shoot more than 1deer with the same rifle in the same season anymore. I use specific guns for specific conditions and methods I may encounter on a specific hunt. Could I get by with just my 30-06? Certainly but why when I have more specific tools for the job at hand? To each their own. If it enhances your enjoyment failed you should do it, as long as it is legal.

 

[tws3b2]

Dang, I did it wrong. I didn't know you needed a different caliber and different gun for each individual deer. I used the Same gun, Same caliber for over 33 years. But I guess I was lucky. All the deer in all the different places went down with one shot from the same gun. Just lucky, I guess.

 

[BreechFace]

Dang, I did it wrong. I didn't know you needed a different caliber and different gun for each individual deer. I used the Same gun, Same caliber for over 33 years. But I guess I was lucky. All the deer in all the different places went down with one shot from the same gun. Just lucky, I guess.

I think you are misreading people.

This is a gun forum, filled with gun enthusiasts. So it’s only suitable that hunting be used to justify ones purchases of additional firearms. It’s not about whether one can get hunting done with one caliber. Not everyone is like this but being a gun enthusiast population we are speaking got here, there is going to be a bent to enjoy matching a tool for the job and enjoying that process.

 

[9x56MS]

Dang, I did it wrong. I didn't know you needed a different caliber and different gun for each individual deer. I used the Same gun, Same caliber for over 33 years. But I guess I was lucky. All the deer in all the different places went down with one shot from the same gun. Just lucky, I guess.

The gun may kill the quarry but it still needs the hunter to put it in the right place at the right time.

 

[Chuck R.]

I think you are misreading people.

This is a gun forum, filled with gun enthusiasts. So it’s only suitable that hunting be used to justify ones purchases of additional firearms. It’s not about whether one can get hunting done with one caliber. Not everyone is like this but being a gun enthusiast population we are speaking got here, there is going to be a bent to enjoy matching a tool for the job and enjoying that process.

This Xs 10!

One thing I learned a long, long time ago was never 2nd guess "needs" VS "wants" when it comes to other folks discretionary spending. Who cares anyway?

 

[tws3b2]

I think you are misreading people.

This is a gun forum, filled with gun enthusiasts. So it’s only suitable that hunting be used to justify ones purchases of additional firearms. It’s not about whether one can get hunting done with one caliber. Not everyone is like this but being a gun enthusiast population we are speaking got here, there is going to be a bent to enjoy matching a tool for the job and enjoying that process.

Dang it all. I did it again. In 1974 I thought I found the matching tool for the job. I mean, All those years without a fail to do its job in many situations. In gun and caliber. I should have bought many more to replace it. Because?? Well??, Im doing it wrong again here. I don't know why. Oh, Because I'm a gun enthusiast?
Enthusiast? Oh, yeah. It took me three weeks to work and earn the $20 to get my first gun out of layaway at age 15. "Man that was a long time ago".
Actually, I didn't know that a gun "Enthusiast" only bought guns just to be "The right tool for the job". Did it wrong again.
Only two gun safes full of different types and calibers. Maybe three? Maybe I can find some for " The right job"? Maybe. Heck, I only bought mine because?, Well, Because I like guns. Wrong again??

 

[BreechFace]

@tws3b2

I never said you did it wrong. I only pointed out that you are typing your comments on a gun forum. I don’t need much coaxing to make a purchase of an additional firearm, and I’ve been guilty of buying a rifle to suit a hunt, even though I have a rifle that is more than suitable to get the job done.

Don’t think I can be more clear in the point I’m trying to get across.

If you have a rifle that has got the job done since 1974 and you are happy with that situation then, you do you. I’m not trying to convince you otherwise, just as I wouldn’t try and convince a person on a gun forum that they don’t need another firearm if they have one that will work for the job.

 

[MISportsman]

I had the opposite experience courtesy of Uncle Sam in the early 2000s. They’ve come a long way, but, like you, I don’t begrudge anyone of his choice.

Thank you, I also got my experience with those ugly black rifles in the early 2000s. I had no interest in hunting with one for the longest time either, but last year wile we were on lockdown here in Michigan due to governor nitwit I did what evey good American did and started building ar15s. The first one I built was a 6.5 grendel and I took a nice doe with it this season!

 

[Chuck R.]

@tws3b2

I never said you did it wrong. I only pointed out that you are typing your comments on a gun forum. I don’t need much coaxing to make a purchase of an additional firearm, and I’ve been guilty of buying a rifle to suit a hunt, even though I have a rifle that is more than suitable to get the job done.

Don’t think I can be more clear in the point I’m trying to get across.

If you have a rifle that has got the job done since 1974 and you are happy with that situation then, you do you. I’m not trying to convince you otherwise, just as I wouldn’t try and convince a person on a gun forum that they don’t need another firearm if they have one that will work for the job.

Give it up. He either woke up on the wrong side of the bed, or he needs to have his meds adjusted. Probably a combination of both.

You've been perfectly clear.

 

[scallop]

Ohio ML season opener tomorrow. CVA Accura .50 cal. First time out for it.

 

[22250Rem]

Best of luck with that front stuffer tomorrow. Our late muzzle loader season ended Jan. 1st. Keep us posted if you get one; maybe you can still put it into the 2021 Hunting Pictures thread.