What Is Your Favorite Go To Gun For Deer Hunting?
 

What’s your favorite go to gun for deer hunting?
You may vote for more than 1 type.
And why do you like what you use?

Thank You

jrbsr

I went with SINGLE SHOT & SHOTGUN.

Here in IL it used to be pretty much shotgun only for firearms season. Now it is shotgun, ML and handgun all in one.

I like the single shot because it is really a "do 'em or lose 'em" deal, and puts a little more fair game in it. And by using H&R USHs if there is gonna be a slip up it is most likely going to be on me.

Although I have many if not all of the listed types, I'm partial to my bolt action .270 or .30-06. I was raised on bolt actions plus my love of muzzleloading makes shot placement (do it right the first time) paramount. Rarely do I need a follow-up since the projectile does all of the heavy lifting. I've heard some folks on opening day unload a whole magazine in about 10 seconds at an animal. Never understood that.

My grandpa's old semi auto 30-06

I have hunted with a 30-30 . Then I went to a 30-06 . If I am going to set in a stand I use the 30-06 . If I plan to walk any distance I carry a 357 mag. rifle -light and quick to shoulder .

bolt action 308 rem 700

.243 = blacktail & southern whitetail - Remington 700 SPS


7MM RM = Northern whitetail & mule deer - Sako A7

I used to think that a bolt action 30-06 is about the ultimate deer gun. My Remington 700 has served me well since 1976. In that time I personally have only taken one shot beyond 200 yards. It was a 300 yard shot from the sitting position with no backrest, I aimed at his chest and I broke his neck. Even if the rifle is capable, I'm not comfortable shooting that far. If I lived out west I'd have to learn to make long shots, but until then it's not necessary as 90% of the deer I've killed were under 75 yards. Like Firehawk said, it should be the first shot that counts. If you missed him with the first shot, it doesn't make sense to me to empty your gun on a running animal.

With that said, my choice for deer hunting is my Marlin 336SS in 30-30. In my opinion there is nothing like the feel of a levergun in my hands, and when I shoulder it everything just seems to come into perfect alignment. The 30-30 is a great short to medium range cartridge, deer aren't that big or hard to kill, and the recoil is barely noticeable. With the Hornady Leverevolution ammo the 30-30 is easily a 250 yard gun.

While I have some fancier Rem 700's, my "go to" gun for deer is the Marlin 336 lever-action. I grew up using that type of gun and can't believe their ****** accuracy! I can take any deer comfortably out to 200 yards with it and it's easy to carry, shoulder, aim and drop the hammer!

iSnipe

T/C Encore Endeavor Muzzleloader.