With Deer Season Approaching: Rifle/Chambering/Load/Optic

[Gun-Reck]

This is where the Season starts, along with location and scouting.

So what's getting tuned up, sighted in, and shot?

 

[T.R.]

Where I usually hunt in northern Florida and central Pennsylvania, the shots tend to be 75 yards or less. So, I continue to hunt with my Mossberg lever gun in 30-30 fitted with a Simmons 2-7X scope. For ammo, 170 grain Power Point is a dandy. - TR

 

[troy fairweather]

Got 3 rifles this year I'll play with, never know what day I'll use which I always have a spare gun in the truck in case.

Ruger 77 tang safety, 7x57 this year's load again is 175 noslor partitions. leupold vari-xii 3-9x40. My normal go to gun tho I really need to get a new Follower spring it's been getting weak the last few years and the 2nd round is sticking some.

Mauser m18 6.5 prc, Burris ff2 3-9x40. have 2 loads there within 1/4" or so at 100. 140 speer hotcor and 147 eldm my normal target/lr load but may pop a deer and see what it does.

Aero ar -15 I put together, 6mms arc Sightron stac 4-16x42. probably try the 108 eldm on deer or the 105 hp

Went to the range twice the last week and got them checked, got 2 doe tags and can try for more in November but I don't have the freezer space, maybe I'll have to just do one hole deer into jerky and ground since I like it so much.

 

[.308 Norma]

So what's getting tuned up, sighted in, and shot?

My .308 Norma Magnum of course. Not that I figure it will need "sighted in" (I haven't had to adjust the scope since I first "sighted it in" 13 years ago), but I do like to make sure it's "on" just before opening day. "Sighting in" my rifle just before opening day of deer or elk season is more of a "tradition" than anything else with me.
On the other hand, my wife uses a wood-stocked 7mm Rem Mag for deer (and maybe elk this year) hunting. And for practice, she's been shooting it with light loads off and on all summer. So, there's a small chance she'll need to "tweak" the scope just a little before opening day when she'll have it loaded with real deer and/or elk "hunting loads" - 160gr Speer GSs at almost 2,900fps.

 

[sevt_chevelle]

Ar 15 in 450 bushmaster.
Eotech Vudu 1-6 scope.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Remington 760 30.06. No need to sight in. Ruger SBH as my side arm.

 

[red rick]

I live in a shotgun only for deer , so not much to do . I mostly use buckshot . I might shoot my muzzleloader to check it before the season starts . I have been bush hogging my property the last 2 weeks .

 

[d2wing]

My Tikka T3 in 7-08. I have a Weaver Grand Slam on it but may replace it with a Leupold. I am hoping that I don't have any more health issues so I can hunt this year. My stuff is still packed from last year when a heart attack stopped me. I restocked my ammo supply and hoping I get some shooting in. I am bird hunting to get into shape.

 

[22250Rem]

Two rifles that won't be in the rotation this year are the Savage Mod. 10 in 300 WSM & the Kimber sporterized Mod. 96 Mauser in 6.5x55, which both wear 3.5x-10 Leupolds. Filled a tag with each of them on my recent S. Carolina deer hunting trip. So they get a break. What's going out this fall? The Marlin 30-30, with Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x, the CVA Scout single shot in 444 Marlin with Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x, the Ruger Redhawk in 44 Magnum & Leupold 2x, the T/C Encore rifle in 7mm-08 with Redfield 4-12x, and the CVA Accura 50 cal. in-line muzzle loader wearing a 1-4x 20mm Leupold. Both CVA's I just got earlier this year so this fall will be the first deer season for them. Also, the fully rifled 12 ga. Remington 870 dedicated slug gun and 2.5x 20 mm Leupold for my friend's land where rifles are a no-no, (but anything else is fine). Currently getting everything all ready and zeroed for the upcoming season. So, this year the deer season rotation is down to three rifles, one inline muzzle loader, one 12 ga. shotgun, and one handgun, which would be two if I counted my late uncle's German Luger that I carry in his memory as a close range coup-de-gras tool. Probably shouldn't count the Luger, as it's not a primary hunting gun.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I plan on going "vintage" this season.
I have a Remington 721 in 270 that is now in an original factory stock and has an older 6 power Bushnell Banner mounted on it. It got sighted in and on target at 50 yards the other day. I still need to check it at 100 yards but it will be the primary rifle this season.

 

[gotboostvr]

I'm not deer hunting this year, but I'm hoping to get out and chase some song dogs.

I've got two rifles I'll mainly be using, a parts bin Mk12 Mod 0 knock off (18" 5.56 AR) and my 308 Sig Cross.

I'm pretty sure I'm gonna swap the scopes on them still, and have yet to decide what load to run in the AR.

The Cross, I'm just gonna run my go-to 165/168gr JHPBT load. Might be overkill, but I don't think the coyotes are gonna complain.

Both are already set up to be run suppressed.

 

[Chuck R.]

We're still undecided about our annual deer trip out to western KS this year. Due to CWD, we might hang more to the middle of the state. IF we do go I'll either use:

Nolser M48 in .270W with Leupold VX6HD 2-12x42 loaded with Nolser 130ABs

or

M700 "Custom" I just had finished this year in 300WM with Leupold VX6HD 3-18x56 with Nolser 165 LRABs. This is the only load development I've got left to do, just finished breaking in the barrel a couple weeks ago. I've got another 35 150 Hornady's to run through it before I get serious about a load. I was planning on working on it this week, as I expected to be furloughed, but that "crisis" is resolved, so it's back to work tomorrow

Locally, Rem M7 in .260Rem with Leupold VX3HD 2.5-8x36 with 130 Nolser ABs on mine and my neighbor's place.

Maybe, just maybe, IF I get my 7600 358Win project done in time, some late season doe drives. IF not I'll use my M7 in .350RM.

I always verify zeros, no big deal as my range is out back. Some of my rifles are now sighted in for practice loads (cheaper bullets). In addition, every year prior to the season I set up my hunting practice range with steel from 200-600yds to work from field positions, so that's this and next month.

I plan on going "vintage" this season.
I have a Remington 721 in 270 that is now in an original factory stock and has an older 6 power Bushnell Banner mounted on it. It got sighted in and on target at 50 yards the other day. I still need to check it at 100 yards but it will be the primary rifle this season.

Let me know if you want to stretch its legs!

200-300 from the bench, further if you want to work positions. It's been a while since you were out!

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

^^^
Thanks Chuck, 200-300 yards could be "interesting".
Further not so much, I don't like to shoot further than I can see...
I'll be in touch.

 

[Chuck R.]

^^^
Thanks Chuck, 200-300 yards could be "interesting".
Further not so much, I don't like to shoot further than I can see...
I'll be in touch.

That's why they gave us optics AND glasses!

 

[JmacD]

I’m running a seriously “remodeled” 308, before and after… went from a 4x12 vortex crossfire 2 to a 5x25 ffp vortex viper pst2. And the stock, bedding etc… technically it’s the “same” rifle as last year… running a 178ELDx hand load va hornadypesicion hunter last year. I’m also messing with a couple other recipes(same bullet) but I’m likely running N150 (42.5 gr) in lapua brass, CCI br2 primers. So….
hopefully a)my back will behave better this year, b) I can shoot the booner I saw in late antlerless last year, and c) the freezer gets refilled…
Some of my private ground has a few more hunters on it than i like to see, so I may be running some other areas… not sure…

 

[Mstafford88]

Remington 770 chambered in .270 with a simple clamp on muzzle brake.

300blackout supersonic with easy 250yd capability and energy.

We had early season in my county due to overpopulation. Already took one with the 300blk

 

[jmr40]

Probably going to miss this season. I'm scheduled for surgery on the 10th. Nothing strenuous for 6 weeks after which gets me to the end of November. Technically deer season runs until January, but I'll need a few weeks to get back in shape before I can do much. And December isn't the most productive time to be out.

But... if I recover faster than expected and I have a chance to go it will with this Winchester 308 loaded with 165 gr Accubonds.

 

[Mstafford88]

Probably going to miss this season. I'm scheduled for surgery on the 10th. Nothing strenuous for 6 weeks after which gets me to the end of November. Technically deer season runs until January, but I'll need a few weeks to get back in shape before I can do much. And December isn't the most productive time to be out.

But... if I recover faster than expected and I have a chance to go it will with this Winchester 308 loaded with 165 gr Accubonds.

View attachment 1173894

Health over hunting my friend. Praying for a quick recovery for you!

 

[EIB0879]

Mossberg 4x4 30-06 with Meopro 3.5-10x 44mm scope. Using 180 gr Barnes Vortex TTSX ammo.
Or
PA10 .308 with Bushnell Elite 3200 SA 3-10 40mm scope. Using either 168 gr Barnes Vortex TTSX ammo or 180 gr Feceral Fusion ammo.

 

[marksman13]

I moved a few scopes around this summer, so I’ve got quite a bit of zeroing to do in the next couple weeks. Friends have already started bringing me their rifles too, so I’ll get plenty of trigger time between now and November.

 

[35 Whelen]

Probably one of these levers-

35W

 

[horsemen61]

Browning Xbolt Long Range Hunter 6.5 PRC Suppressed

Luepold VX 3HD 3-9x40

143 grain ELDX
59.0 grains StaBall HD
ADG BRASS
CCI LARGE RIFLE MAGNUM PRIMER

SUPPRESSOR TBAC ULTRA 7 gen II .264 cal

 

[tdbmd]

This is where the Season starts, along with location and scouting.

So what's getting tuned up, sighted in, and shot?

I am going to go with a 7mm-08 this year, 120 gr Ballistic Tip handloads.

 

[Armored farmer]

I'm excited about this season!
We have our new "straight-wall" centerfire rifle rules for this fall.
My new (to me) .45-70 Handi-Rifle under a Vortex Straightwall BDC 3-9x50.
I need to make final adjustments to get sighted in with my 340 grain cast handloads
I'm looking forward to spending a long weekend at my hunting blind.

 

[someguy2800]

I am waiting for cerakote work to put my 45 raptor AR15 together so this year I’ll likely be taking my handi rifle in 444 marlin. This is currently wearing a Leupold rifleman 3-9x40. Load is a 320 grain hard cast from Montana Bullet Works over Reloader 10x leaving the pipe at 2200 fps.



I think I’ll take my No4 Mk1 enfield as backup. The scope is an old Bushnell 3-9x32 which is needed to clear the iron sights and keep the scope at a reasonable height. I load 174 grain hornady RN over SW4350