Thank you, sir. Very nice. I'll have to show Gus before we go trampsing around everywhere.

 

A 30-30 is plenty of gun for short (less than 100 yards) shots. You just have to put the bullet in the right place. Heart shots work but double lung shots are better if tracking is an issue. If you haven't shot much you need to limit yourself as far as shot distance goes. Just because my 7 mag will shoot 400-500 yards doesn't mean I'm able to soot it well enough to be ethical and lethal at those distances. I practice out to 300 yards and am comfortable out to about 350 but won't shoot beyond that. Longest shot I've ever had to make has been only 180 yards. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

Excellent point. Every time I hear guys talking about killing whitetail deer out of 400+ yards I really have to wonder. I have to wonder because:

A. Few people can shoot that kind of distance with any sort of accuracy. Most people can't hit the broad side of a barn at 100 yards. They drag their rifle out for deer season and that's it. Long distance rifle work is a perishable skill that takes a lot practice. Expensive practice. Practice somewhere with a very long rifle range.

B. Those doing the bragging are usually pinheads who come up fanciful with statements like "we never take shots on deer unless they're over 500 yards." OK. Tell us another one there Alvin York. Or are you channeling Carlos Hathcock?

C. Anyone who has actually shot those kinds of extreme ranges knows how difficult it is. You have a basket load of variables to deal with. It is better to use your actual HUNTING SKILLS and close the distance to take a more sane shot. Yeah you occasionally have to make a very long shot but they are a real rarity most of the time. I certainly don't like to. I can but I much prefer to keep all of my shooting under 300. From probably my favorite shooting position here at the farm I don't have a shot over 200.

Never fails after hunting season you goto the gun shop or the feed store or where ever and you hear the stories of the mythical 500 yard shots with 30-30s. The 800 yard shots with 30-06s and 7mm mags and 300winmags. All done offhand with variable 3x9 Tasco glass from wal-mart of course. Just held over his shoulder of course "since that gun shoots so flat". Oh unless they took the head shot of course so they don't waste the meat. Cuz they're just that good you know.

How did I do? Shot him in the chest with my old reliable tricked out AK at 100 yards when he stepped out of the woods. Oh the doe tags I filled? Shot them at 40 yards to 60 yards. Doesn't sound nearly as dramatic but at least it's honest and ethical.

30-30 is a fine woods gun by the way. Personally if I was buying a new rifle I'd just step up to a 30-06 or .308. I like something a bit heavier but that's just personal preference. .270 would be a fine choice to if that is your thing. Pretty hard to go wrong with the old incredible versatile 30-06 in in my opinion. A bullet weight for every occasion and you can take any game in North America with it.

 

Very well stated. I hear people brag all the time, but it is usually BS. I have shot around 40 or so deer in my life and all but two have been 50 yards or less. One shot gun kill was about 80 yards and the other long shot was 98 yards with a rifle in PA. The 180 yard shot was on an Antelope in Wyoming. I practice for the conditions. On years when I'm going out west I shoot distance shooting all summer (200-300 yards) and that way if I have to I know I can ( not just hope or throw lead).
I'll be in Wy this October for Mule deer so I'm at the range every week shooting at 200 & 300 yards. From shooting positions too, not just the bench.

 

Liked your spcheil there, Captain. Very true. The guys around here know better than to give us that BS about any shot over 100 yards 'cause the woods are dense and that kind of shot isn't even able to be taken. But, I hunt with a Russian M-44 which is alot like a .308 and is the Russian version of the 30-06. I do think that's what I'll be looking into though. Either a 30-06 or a .270, but most likely the 30-06. My M-44 is great in the brush and I don't technically NEED a 30-30, I just want one. LOL I think I'm gonna go lookin' around here in a little bit, so I'll let ya in on what I find.

 

Here in the south,we have to make long shots,if we are going to take deer. You see,we have clear cuts ever where.40,120,etc acres.During our long season,deer get real spooky and are hard to spot close up.So we set up shooting stands up to 400 yds,and use spotting scopes to look at the game.We mostly shoot crossings on logging roads and fire brakes.Some shots can be 30 yards,but most are in the 200 plus yards,it helps when you have swirling winds to be as far off as possible.It seems that every time I get to hunt the winds are swirling on a ridge top.My best shot so for has been 450+ yards ...but as you say,thats not every day,oh I am shooting a custom Winchester model 70 with a hart matchgrade barrel in 300 weatherby...constantly puts two in the same hole @ two hundred yards......I also miss alot...the glass is a 6X24X50 Swaroski tds......I like good equipment and its taken me 50 years to get it.............

 

Man, I've been huntin all my life on cutovers and in Alabama woods, and i've never shot a deer over 220yrds. Most of my shots, including cutovers and powerlines , are around 100yrds. I have a 300wsm cause I thought I needed one, and I admit I like to hunt/shoot with it, but my 270win never lets me down(kills a deer just as dead), and smacks me a whole lot less when I pull the trigger. Pwillie, I understand a man's love for a custom gun, I have one too(Browning Citori), but let's not make it sound as it is imperative that you have one to hunt. Also understand, I'm not saying anything you stated is not true, just not true for me.

When I hunt in the woods, I use a short little 7mm08 w/ a 4x Leupold. Its light, handy, handles great in a tree, and works well on deer.

Ginnis, never let anyone tell you that a 30/30 is not enough gun for deer. If that is true how do you explain how more venison has been downed with that cal. than any other in history? But, at the same time, if I were you, I would consider something along the lines of a 260,7-08,or 308 in a short action, or 25-06,or 270 in a longaction. I'm am not a fan of the 3006, simply because I feel it has a lot of needless recoil. Any of the calibers I have mentioned will serve you well in the deer woods(even the '06 if you really like it), and with the right bullet choice, you can take larger game if you have the chance. It's not that the 3030 wont work on deer, just that usually calibers like I have mentioned are more efficient. Also understand, you dont need the most expensive gun on the rack to be a good hunter. There are many affordable, quality Remingtons,Savages,Winchesters, Rugers, etc floating around out there, that with care will serve you a lifetime.

One more thing that I have found to be true, purchase the highest quality(brightest) glass that you can afford to hunt with. The scope is what makes or breaks a hunting rifle. Granted this doesnt mean a 24x stovepipe on top of your gun. 3x9 still works as good now as it ever did. I use a 4x to hunt in the woods. I do, however, like a 50mm lens, as it is very bright when its close to dark.

Good luck finding the right rifle. I have several, but usually reach for the same two when its time to hunt. Get a gun that you are comfortable with, and you can shoot well, becouse confidence in your weapon is what counts when that buck steps out for the shot. If you think you will probably miss, you usually will.

 

I just put my 30-06 on layaway today, and need $217 more till it's mine, which translates to: I'll have it it three weeks. No sweat though, I can wait a lil' bit more..... I hope [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img]

 

Congrats![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] 3 weeks till we go shooting then!

 

Two!! Two was what I meant. LOL Sorry. Oh well.