Post by fatfred on Oct 25, 2021 19:01:06 GMT -5
Been a deer hunter all my life. Went from wanting so badly to get a buck every year to getting one every year. Then wanting to shoot big bigger bucks. Then to shooting does for the 1st time. we never did that until about 2000. The bow was and is the ultimate weapon with the most satisfaction for getting a deer and still is. Before rifle in 2011 and earlier, the ML was the next greatest over a good rifled shotgun. Then rifle came in 2011. Big turn about. EVERYONE in camp started bringing out old rifles, buying new rifles, buying high end scopes, reloading like crazy. A real tipping point for our gang. The whole deal was to have the best weapon for any challenge. Now we are building rifles. AR platform, custom bolt guns and lots of playing around. I will say we are a bunch that is into precision and lethality with a mission on growing big bucks, taking a fair share of does, and doing it precisely. That makes it fun and the one shot one kill aspect is solidified in the group. This year this is what I have on deck.
1) Bow: Newer Hoyt, snuffer broadheads. Shoot out to 40 yds really good on the lawn but will limit actual hunting shots to 30 yds max. Hopefully 20 yds.
2) Guns: Marlin 30-30 using handloaded 150 gr Barnes 150 TSX's and W748. Nothing spectacular but very adequate short range woods gun. Killed a buck and doe very dead last year with it. 7MM Rem 700. Old gun. Shoots bug holes with 120 TTSX barnes coppers at 3,425 fps. My go-to for field edge stands. So accurate and powerful. New gun. .458 SOCOM. Loving the AR Platform and never owned anything in this configuration. Son of a gun shoots way better than I would have thought. The preferred load is a .458, 250 gr Hornady monoflex solid copper at 2,050 fps. This is like a semi auto ML. Love the ballistics and the big holes. Accuracy is very good out to 200 yds even with the drop you get. It would be no problem to drop a shot into the 10 ring at 200 yds.
So, enjoying the small collection of handloaded rounds and guns that are all ready to go. It's all about the bow for the next 3-4 weeks and shooting guns between hunts to be dialed in for the next season. I will say I might not even shoot a deer this year. Have decided on big bucks only for a long time now and right now, we do not have any super bucks that we know about but that can change fast. would like to maybe park a few does with the SOCOM.
Other guns on deck are a few pistols. For 20+ years I have wanted to take a deer with my .357 Ruger GP100 using some 140 Barnes XPB's or 158 gr EXP's OR 125 gr gold dots. Always carry it but also carry a long gun. Long gun always gets the nod. Would wand a short 25 yds shot for the pistol. Also have a 1911 RIA 45 ACP that has a few good handloads ready. 230 XTP and Gold Dots. Again, would want a slam dunk 25 yd or shorter yd shot from a ground bunker. Usually when I hunt a spot like that I also have a rifle. I guess I may never shoot a deer with a pistol. That's OK but I am ready.
Sorry for the long post but this is my favorite time of year and I love to shoot and tinker and be ready with all my stuff. At 54 I might not even shoot a deer based on my goal of big or go home. Watching everyone at camp go out and hearing their stories is more fun then my own experiences these days. Getting older is weird!!
1) Bow: Newer Hoyt, snuffer broadheads. Shoot out to 40 yds really good on the lawn but will limit actual hunting shots to 30 yds max. Hopefully 20 yds.
2) Guns: Marlin 30-30 using handloaded 150 gr Barnes 150 TSX's and W748. Nothing spectacular but very adequate short range woods gun. Killed a buck and doe very dead last year with it. 7MM Rem 700. Old gun. Shoots bug holes with 120 TTSX barnes coppers at 3,425 fps. My go-to for field edge stands. So accurate and powerful. New gun. .458 SOCOM. Loving the AR Platform and never owned anything in this configuration. Son of a gun shoots way better than I would have thought. The preferred load is a .458, 250 gr Hornady monoflex solid copper at 2,050 fps. This is like a semi auto ML. Love the ballistics and the big holes. Accuracy is very good out to 200 yds even with the drop you get. It would be no problem to drop a shot into the 10 ring at 200 yds.
So, enjoying the small collection of handloaded rounds and guns that are all ready to go. It's all about the bow for the next 3-4 weeks and shooting guns between hunts to be dialed in for the next season. I will say I might not even shoot a deer this year. Have decided on big bucks only for a long time now and right now, we do not have any super bucks that we know about but that can change fast. would like to maybe park a few does with the SOCOM.
Other guns on deck are a few pistols. For 20+ years I have wanted to take a deer with my .357 Ruger GP100 using some 140 Barnes XPB's or 158 gr EXP's OR 125 gr gold dots. Always carry it but also carry a long gun. Long gun always gets the nod. Would wand a short 25 yds shot for the pistol. Also have a 1911 RIA 45 ACP that has a few good handloads ready. 230 XTP and Gold Dots. Again, would want a slam dunk 25 yd or shorter yd shot from a ground bunker. Usually when I hunt a spot like that I also have a rifle. I guess I may never shoot a deer with a pistol. That's OK but I am ready.
Sorry for the long post but this is my favorite time of year and I love to shoot and tinker and be ready with all my stuff. At 54 I might not even shoot a deer based on my goal of big or go home. Watching everyone at camp go out and hearing their stories is more fun then my own experiences these days. Getting older is weird!!