I use my .444 for the thick stuff

One time I was sitting on a rock ledge over looking some pines w/ a small trail going though them, it was pretty good set up. At the end of the day a big bodied buck appeared out no where, about 20 yards beneath me, I raised the ruger 30-06, I had at the time, put the cross hairs on his shoulder, and squeezed one off. I was surprised when he ran off. I went down to check, but found nothing but a couple brisket hairs and no blood. I came back in the morning and saw that there was a small rotten branch hanging off a tree where he was standing, that I didnt see when I shot. When I looked closer I saw it had a small 30 cal. notch in it I tried to follow the trail he ran down ,and only found one tiny drop of blood in about 200 yds, so I figured I just shaved a couple of chest hairs off him. Point is, that rotten branch was only a few feet in front of that buck, and it almost completely deflect a 180gr spitzer and cost me that buck.

Do not deliberately shoot through a lot of brush. Every bullet made will deflect upon contact, some more than others, and the deflection is entirely unpredictable.

I would recommend that you go with a 180 grain bullet in the .30-06. I have had bad experiences with 150 grain bullets when the shots were close (say 20 yards). The 180 grain core-lok plowed through the deer whereas the 150 grain powerpoint exploded on impact with the shoulder and failed to penetrate the vitals in masse (shrapnel killed the deer and it was a lousy blood trail).

The 180 grain bullets perform well from the end of the muzzle out to 200 yards or so (and even further). For deer at reasonable ranges, any bullet type will work well...find the one that shoots the best in your rifle.

.30 30 works great in thick brush. just remember where your .30-06 bullet is going to end up

.30-06 with 220 gr. have taken a couple of bucks down when I've jumped them in the thick stuff. I like my semi for this, as a second or third shot comes a little quicker than the old winchester .30-30. However, I have a quest this year to try and kill a deer with my deceased fathers gun... So I'll keep you posted, but Phil says it works, then it works!

I would go with the 30-30,but would still wait for the best shot.

nothin beats a pump carbine for thick woods work. they are light and handy. always dependible. cant beat the 06 either. good cartridge. i personally prefer my whelens or my 350's but i still manage to get some of the remmy 06 pumps out each season

The 220 would be best. But none are able to go thru much brush!

Here is what I use in .35 Remington




http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firear...rfire/336C.asp





180 gr. round nose bullet and your ready to go....................

I use a 30-06 for anything, but I wont shoot thru trees. Wait for a good shot if not for any other reason then do it for the sake of the deer. I dont call any gun a brush gun. I call my 7mm saum my "field gun", my 6.5x55 my "all purpose" gun and my 45-70 my "stalking thickets" gun but I dont shoot any of them thru brush at deer.