Your Pig/Deer Hunting Rifle(s), Caliber/bullet weight, > Range you would shoot?

[Axis II]

Marlin 1895, 22'' barrel topped with a Leupold vx2 2-7-33 shooting 300GR Hornady JHP going around 1800-1900fps. (Buck with log-13pt 120yards!)

CVA Optima Thumbhole stainless topped with Nikon XR Muzzleloader scope shooting 300gr .452 JHP going around 1800fps. (Buck on side) 50yard shot 8pt.

 

[badkarmamib]

My Remington 700 ADL .30/06, with my handloads pushing a 150gr Hornady SST out the muzzle at 2900FPS. The Burris Fullfield E1 lets me shoot MOA to 300 yards (as far as I have tried so far). If I had a perfect broadside shot, on a perfect 12-pointer, with a perfect rest, and perfect control over my breathing and heartbeat (see where this is going?), I believe I could take that shot. Thankfully, in VA, my longest shot is 200 yards (got to take a walk last year with my new rangefinder, and lazed EVERYTHING), which I feel much more comfortable with.

 

[red rick]

Is M/L muzzleloader rifle ?

 

[badkarmamib]

Is M/L muzzleloader rifle ?

That was my first thought, too. But, judging by the OP's list, I am assuming that it means medium/large.

 

[Garandimal]

My Remington 700 ADL .30/06, with my handloads pushing a 150gr Hornady SST out the muzzle at 2900FPS. The Burris Fullfield E1 lets me shoot MOA to 300 yards (as far as I have tried so far). If I had a perfect broadside shot, on a perfect 12-pointer, with a perfect rest, and perfect control over my breathing and heartbeat (see where this is going?), I believe I could take that shot. Thankfully, in VA, my longest shot is 200 yards (got to take a walk last year with my new rangefinder, and lazed EVERYTHING), which I feel much more comfortable with.
View attachment 802134

Understand your concern - but would like to comment.

- Am usually calmer on the longer shots - as there is almost always set time and I'm invisible. Still hunting and coming up on a nice buck in the woods at 25 yards and we're standing there starin' at each other?

- Marksmanship - makes a MOA rifle a MOD (Minute-of-Deer) rifle. Usually leave the bench after load testing and do both sight-in and practice from field positions with a sling. Getting set for 300 yards is still just a <3 MOA field position shot, and if you practice at 100 yards there is not much difference. >500 yards is where things need to get real small.




GR

 

[gotboostvr]

Thanks to the ODNR here in Ohio I'm limited to walled cartridges

But in all fairness, the type of brush bustin, close, quick action I do get I don't think I'd be better served with a bottle necked cartridge anyways.

For most of my hunting in my feet I really dig my Rossi 92. 16" for easy handling is greatly appreciated while trying to untangle myself from briar and thorn bushes and crawling around on my hands and knees. 44mag is plenty of thump and will leave a big hole without damaging much meat all the way through our big bucks. Stainless steel, stays looking pretty even when getting scraped and slid around in the back of a pickup or on a fence. Red dot sight is just my preference, they just work better.

Heck, the steel butt plate is even handy for breaking a dead limb out of the game trail I'm crawling down (empty chamber going through stuff like that).

For the bit of stand hunting I do, I'm still finalizing a T/C Encore in 357 MAX. All I still need are scope rings and some brass. I've got a 17" threaded barrel on a otherwise basic Encore frame and cheap stock. I picked up a Vortex illuminated 1-6x since most my stand hunting is dawn/dusk. Currently with a muzzle loader barrel to go with it, after selling off the factory barrel and sales etc, I'm only into this kit and scope for about $300.

 

[Llama Bob]

If I've got a deer tag, it's usually a second tag. But I'd use the same rifle I use for elk - Winchester 7RM. 175 Weldcores. I'd have to look up velocity but probably around 2900. I'd shoot out to 500y without much concern, but I'd like to be closer obviously.

I'm working up a .264WM with 160 Weldcores and will likely use it this year.

 

[DDDWho]

I have but two to choose from but I think those two could handle most any task.

Marlin 336 (JM) in 30-30



A Ruger 77 in .280

 

[troy fairweather]

I have but two to choose from but I think those two could handle most any task.

Marlin 336 (JM) in 30-30

View attachment 802167

A Ruger 77 in .280

View attachment 802168

i like the ruger i have been looking for one in 280.

 

[jmr40]

I have several rifles, but this is the one that has gotten the most use over the last 10 years. A Winchester EW in 308 with McMillan Edge stock. Since taking the photo I've upgraded the scope to a Zeiss. I'd hunt anything in North America and most of them from 4 yards to 400 with the right loads. Some of the larger game, (the ones I'll never hunt anyway) would require me to get a little closer. I'm referring to big bear or moose. But I'd still hunt them with this rifle if the opportunity arose.

I've tried everything from 130 gr Barnes TTSX bullets to 200 gr Accubonds in it. A 165 gr of some sort is what I use the most, but I have worked up lots of loads that I'd feel comfortable with depending on the needs.

 

[cdb1]

Deer: CZ 550 American 6.5x55, Meopta MeoPro 3.5-10x44 German #4. 130 grain Berger Hunting VLD using IMR 4831.

Hogs: Marlin 336W 30-30, Leupold VX-3 1.75-6x32 German #4. Factory Remington Corelokt 150 grain.

The deer rifle has taken hogs and the hog rifle has taken a number of deer, especially Axis because I normally only see them at night when I’m hog hunting.

 

[Bandit67]

In Michigan's rifle zone I used my Marlin 336 .30-30 for many years. Always hunted in the woods with 100 yards pretty much max range. Now I hunt an area that has some longer range opportunities so I bought a Brownjng A-bolt .30-06 for 50% off when Gander went out of business. Found a nice accurate load with Hornady 150 gr. Interlock's and Varget. In the Shotgun zone I use my old 870 smooth barrel bead sight with any old slugs for close range or my scoped Mossberg 500 with Hornady SST's if I want to reach out further.

 

[303 hunter]

16” Bison barreled AR in 6.8 SPC, using hand loaded Speer 90gr Gold Dot bonded bullet. The 6.8 is all I’ve deer hunted with since 2012, and it’s never failed me.

 

[troy fairweather]

well this will get use this year now.

 

[troy fairweather]

View attachment 802333 16” Bison barreled AR in 6.8 SPC, using hand loaded Speer 90gr Gold Dot bonded bullet. The 6.8 is all I’ve deer hunted with since 2012, and it’s never failed me.

i like the hand guard who makes it.

 

[JeffG]

For deer and pigs, I go to my Savage 10 Predator in .243, or the Savage Hog Hunter in .308. On occasion I will shake out my .458 WM Mauser, loaded with cast bullets near 45/70 velocity. The 243 load is 100gr Sierra boatail handload, the 308 load is 180gr Sierra round nose handload. I usually pass on shots at game past 100 yards, most shots around 50 yards.

 

[303 hunter]

i like the hand guard who makes it.

It’s an older Troy 11” Battle Rail that I bought used several years ago. It’s not lightweight but very solid

 

[troy fairweather]

It’s an older Troy 11” Battle Rail that I bought used several years ago. It’s not lightweight but very solid

i like the look of it if i did a hunting ar id do a 6,5 grendel with one of the round hand guard with the pic gas block that is adjustable port.

 

[BigBore44]

Well I’m primarily a bow hunter. But since you asked for rifles....I have 3 rifles that are my primaries.
1895 45-70
444S in (duh) 444 Marlin
1894 in 44 mag

All JM Marlins. Topped with Nikon glass.

I have others I could use. But leverguns are just too much fun.

My loads are:
45-70 with 350gr Hornady RN over 51gr H-4198
444 with 300gr Sierra’s over 41gr H-4198
44 with 240gr Sierra’s over 22.5gr H-110
All with StarLine brass and either Winchester or Federal LPP or LRP’s.

Shots are always under 100 yards. Most are between 10 & 40. I’ll reach out farther for pigs. But have never had to.

I don’t have a preference. I literally open the safe the night before the hunt and just grab one. I know my rifles. I shoot them enough that I don’t worry about if they’re on. I know they are.

 

[303 hunter]

Well I’m primarily a bow hunter. But since you asked for rifles....I have 3 rifles that are my primaries.
1895 45-70
444S in (duh) 444 Marlin
1894 in 44 mag

All JM Marlins. Topped with Nikon glass.

I have others I could use. But leverguns are just too much fun.

My loads are:
45-70 with 350gr Hornady RN over 51gr H-4198
444 with 300gr Sierra’s over 41gr H-4198
44 with 240gr Sierra’s over 22.5gr H-110
All with StarLine brass and either Winchester or Federal LPP or LRP’s.

Shots are always under 100 yards. Most are between 10 & 40. I’ll reach out farther for pigs. But have never had to.

I don’t have a preference. I literally open the safe the night before the hunt and just grab one. I know my rifles. I shoot them enough that I don’t worry about if they’re on. I know they are.

Those are some good looking rifles sir, congrats!

 

[troy fairweather]

Well I’m primarily a bow hunter. But since you asked for rifles....I have 3 rifles that are my primaries.
1895 45-70
444S in (duh) 444 Marlin
1894 in 44 mag

All JM Marlins. Topped with Nikon glass.

I have others I could use. But leverguns are just too much fun.

My loads are:
45-70 with 350gr Hornady RN over 51gr H-4198
444 with 300gr Sierra’s over 41gr H-4198
44 with 240gr Sierra’s over 22.5gr H-110
All with StarLine brass and either Winchester or Federal LPP or LRP’s.

Shots are always under 100 yards. Most are between 10 & 40. I’ll reach out farther for pigs. But have never had to.

I don’t have a preference. I literally open the safe the night before the hunt and just grab one. I know my rifles. I shoot them enough that I don’t worry about if they’re on. I know they are.

have u had any problems with h110 in the 44 in winter.

 

[Random 8]

My main rig is a .280 rem barreled military Mauser 98 with a thumbhole stock. No special accurizing done, still has the military 2 stage trigger, I prefer it in heavy cover while wearing heavy gloves in the cold. 3x9 Burris. This one is built for ergonomics and steady shooting from bad positions (offhand, "lawn chair sitting," deer stand around the tree, etc). I shoot 2 loads. One is the Speer 145 Grand Slam, other is Nosler 140 BT, both over a healthy charge of IMR 4350. Most of my shooting is in fairly heavy cover with some openings, the 145 speer gets the nod here. Max range is irrelevant as I can't see deer beyond the capabilities of the rifle/load. Hammers them well at close range and tough angles.

The 140BT is there for the occasional power line, clearcut, etc. I might hunt. I have practiced extensively with this load to 400 yards, and would shoot a deer at that distance given favorable winds and a solid shooting position. The rifle and shooter are up to it.

I also have a sported M17 30-06 camp rifle. This is there for a loaner to someone with a compromised zero, and I use it in really nasty weather. Never really pushed it's capabilities, but it will group both the Sierra 150SP over 47gr IMR4064 (Garand safe load) and the 180 Norma Alaska over a near-max load of IMR4350 (big critter load) to near 1" at 100. It wears a 1.5x4.5 Bushnell, and I consider it a 100 yard rifle for this reason. With a bigger optic, more pointy 180 gr and some load work, I've no doubt this one would be up to elk, moose, bears to 300 yards.

I also plan to hunt one stand with a nostalgic rifle this year. Grandpa's Savage M99 .300. Rifle wears vintage Marbles buckhorn irons. Practiced a fair amount with it, plan to shoot some more. Slings 150 Sierra SPs where I point them to 100 yards. I can keep them inside 3" from a rest at that range. I'd be comfortable on deer to about that distance given a solid position or chance to sling up. The stand I plan to use it from has a max line of sight of about 75 yards, so good as gravy there.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

This year will be the first year I'm in a county that rifles are allowed for deer. Plan on using this Savage .308 with 4-12x40 Hawke.







As for hogs I haven't had the opportunity yet but I suspect I'd use the AR if a chance arose.

 

[BigBore44]

have u had any problems with h110 in the 44 in winter.

None. Lowest outside temp I’ve shot it at was about 16-17 degrees. It’s my understanding that you need to go quite a bit colder for the powder to be affected. Since I don’t hunt out of a blind or shooting house, I don’t go out if it’s much lower that 10-15 degrees. So I’ll probably never see negative effects.

 

[troy fairweather]

None. Lowest outside temp I’ve shot it at was about 16-17 degrees. It’s my understanding that you need to go quite a bit colder for the powder to be affected. Since I don’t hunt out of a blind or shooting house, I don’t go out if it’s much lower that 10-15 degrees. So I’ll probably never see negative effects.

ok thanks