What Deer gun are you choosing to use this year?

[1075tech]

123 grain SST from 16" barrel at 300' ASL still has enough velocity and energy to reliably expand at 375 yards. If you use a 129 gr Nosler ABLR, I believe you can stretch that out to around 425. More than enough gun for any deer in NY. And if I get a chance at the black bear hanging around, I'll take that too.

ETA: Of course, I shot both of those doe within seconds of each other at maybe 30 yards, so...

 

[NirvanaFan]

I wasn't a fan of the SST. They got the job done, but I found lead fragments like 8" from the entry wound. A rib caused the bullet to fragment. I actually threw out a decent amount of meat because of it.

 

[1075tech]

I have some of the Federal Fusion 120 gr that I was going to use this year but I never got chance to get out and check POI compared to the SST I zeroed my scope with. SST's do have an explosive effect. Both deer were DRT but the amount of internal damage was impressive and a little disconcerting. My plan this year is head/neck shots.

 

[Catskillkid]

Remington 700 in .30-06

Traditional. Nothing fancy. It's black but not the scary, baby killing black that the media always shows. It gets the job done though and wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[carpediem]

My old workhorse, a Savage 11FL in .308. Has filled quite a few tags, as well as felled a coyote and more woodchucks than I can count.

 

[Saltwater60]

I'm going boring, but I just love my old Ithaca model 37. Light, fast and easy to shoulder, and accurate as hell. I'll die with that gun in the safe for my kids.

 

[Podmonkey]

Oh, you said deer rifle, not Deere rifle. How silly of me.

 

[ManrisFrack]

Wish I could use mine. Everyone tells me it's not the tool for the job.

Everyone is right. What you really need is a 6.8.

Seriously though, I've killed a couple big bucks in NY with a 6.8 and the Grendel's numbers are very close to it. If you aren't taking shots over 200, definitely tell "everyone" to go screw. If you know and can shoot the drop, it should get it done to the 375 that 1075tech mentioned.

 

[BlackDragon]

Savage 11VT in .308

That is, if anybody i know would get off their ass. Otherwise my tags are going to waste

 

[ArmedCorgi]

I'm going with my Rugrr M77 mk2 in 30-06 and I was also thinking about taking the Ruger GP100 out too.

 

[Criticalt]

Patriot 308

 

[MoMan]

I think I am going to stick with my Howa, 308 when I shoot on my land.

View attachment 21073

I am going down to WV the 25th, I am thinking of using the White AR 5.56. There may be snow, the deer won't be able to see the gun

@GOPerfect , ya got good taste in rifles.
Here's my Howa .308, topped with a Nikon Prostaff 5, 4.5-18x40 scope:



I love this rifle, it's a nice shooter.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

@GOPerfect , ya got good taste in rifles.
Here's my Howa .308, topped with a Nikon Prostaff 5, 4.5-18x40 scope:
View attachment 21164


I love this rifle, it's a nice shooter.

Can't wait to shoots me my new Howa 22-250.

 

[Shadow rider]

I'll be carrying my Remington 750 (30-06) and my Ruger Super Redhawk (.44 MAG).

 

[Acer-m14]

Savage axis .270win .. all sighted in 100 yards .. and ready to rock n roll in the morning , unless it pouring rain ..

reloads ... cci primer , imr4350, 2900fps , 130gr game king sp

and yeahhhh i hung the target upside down LOL ..

 

[FrankenCub]

Savage axis .270win .. all sighted in 100 yards .. and ready to rock n roll in the morning , unless it pouring rain ..

reloads ... cci primer , imr4350, 2900fps , 130gr game king sp

and yeahhhh i hung the target upside down LOL ..

Yeah that's gonna suck, doesn't look like we're going to avoid it in my area. I have one of those camo umbrellas that strap to a tree I'm bringing. No way I'm not going out.

 

[camper4lyfe]

I skipped out on the morning because of the rain. My 870 rusts if you look at it funny. No way I'm taking it out in the rain. I'll go out this afternoon.

 

[carpediem]

I unfortunately took a pass this morning as well. Overslept and then saw the Doppler radar and there just wasn't time. Not feeling the whole soaked and rusty equipment scene. Maybe later if it dries up.

 

[Acer-m14]

made it out in 8M in Groveland , little rain right at sunrise for about 30 mins then stopped .. was great for a hour or so then the wind really picked up for a hour the slowly died off .. staid out till noon .. seen nothing but hunters (5) that most likely shouldn't have been there , 2 were 50 feet away from my cousin's stands so he just said F it and went back home .. posted land ..

 

[JamieZ]

In the stand at 615am yesterday morning. Hot coffee in my new Yeti 26oz tumbler,,,bunch of snacks in my pocket. Lots of gunshots went off from about 7 to 730 and then heard nothing all the way till noon when I left. I saw nothing but had fun sipping my hot coffee and enjoying the bird, squirrel resort I was in. They were drinking and bathing in a big mud puddle in front of me. Coffee stayed real hot all day and it was delicious.

Back out for the 2nd time this morning. We shall see if I stay awake in the stand being that I went to bed at 9 and woke up at 1 and Im wide awake now at 3.

 

[Celt]

View attachment 21091 Late in the season to fill the doe tags I’ll most likely use my early model Marlin 336 in .35 Rem

I regret selling mine, it was my first deer rile and i sold it to buy a hand gun. Now i need to buy an 1894 in 44mag.

 

[1075tech]

I wasn't a fan of the SST. They got the job done, but I found lead fragments like 8" from the entry wound. A rib caused the bullet to fragment. I actually threw out a decent amount of meat because of it.

I have some of the Federal Fusion 120 gr that I was going to use this year but I never got chance to get out and check POI compared to the SST I zeroed my scope with. SST's do have an explosive effect. Both deer were DRT but the amount of internal damage was impressive and a little disconcerting. My plan this year is head/neck shots.

Used the Fusion anyway. Figured at the distance I typically shoot a deer, it wouldn't make too much difference.

Much happier with the results. Just about same distance as the SST doe last year, but about twice the size deer. Complete pass through, minimal meet damage, one broken rib. A little high as I think I missed the lungs but took off the top third of the heart.

 

[Chuck]

Savage 111 in 270. Also going to try later with Ruger super Redhawk in 44 mag.

 

[ManrisFrack]

...I have one of those camo umbrellas that strap to a tree I'm bringing. No way I'm not going out.

Those umbrellas are bad ass. Cheap too: Amazon.com: Allen Instant Roof Camo Treestand Umbrella, 57": Sports & Outdoors

 

[Cleck]

I'm sure you've seen the build, but Savage Axis XP 308 with Nikon P308 4-12x40. Federal non-typical white tail 150gr rounds.

 

[FrankenCub]

Those umbrellas are bad ass. Cheap too: Amazon.com: Allen Instant Roof Camo Treestand Umbrella, 57": Sports & Outdoors

It was some of the best money I've spent. I use it all the time, keeps me dry. I think I've had it for 20 years now.

 

[camper4lyfe]

It was some of the best money I've spent. I use it all the time, keeps me dry. I think I've had it for 20 years now.

Do you leave it on all season or carry it out when you need it?

 

[FrankenCub]

Do you leave it on all season or carry it out when you need it?

The only part I leave for the season is the threaded bar that screws into the tree, if I have my ladder stand up. Otherwise I keep both parts in the bag and even use it if it starts raining while I'm walking. I only put the umbrella up if there's a good chance of rain or heavy snow. I had it out in some pretty bad snow storms and was surprised it held up to the gusting wind. Nothing beats staying dry when it's freezing ass cold

 

[HighlandLofts]

Did you see a lot of deer while you had it up over the years?

 

[FrankenCub]

Did you see a lot of deer while you had it up over the years?

I've taken a few deer under it. Sometimes some have looked towards me when the wind was blowing it but they didn't seem too bothered by it. Might look a bit like a bunch of leaves rustling in the trees.