|
Forum Rules | Firearms Safety | Firearms Photos | Links | Library | Lost Password | Email Changes |
Register | FAQ | Calendar | Search | Today's Posts | Mark Forums Read |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
February 20, 2013, 09:20 PM | #26 |
Staff in Memoriam
Join Date: November 13, 1998
Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA
Posts: 24,798
|
I like rifles which weigh in at some seven pounds, give or take a pound.
So, any of several .22s for little critters. Tube-fed pump or semi-auto. Bigger critters in mostly up-close country? Hard to beat a .243. My little Sako carbine is ready to go at seven pounds. |
February 20, 2013, 11:07 PM | #27 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 10, 2012
Posts: 6,161
|
I dont know about Virginia, but in Georgia You would have to either use a shotgun or muzzleloader. No rimfire rifle is legal for deer hunting, and no centerfire rifle is legal for squirrel hunting. My favorite walking around deer rifle is probably my .30-30. For squirrels, I usually use a 10-22 or Buckmark pistol.
Last edited by reynolds357; February 20, 2013 at 11:28 PM. |
February 20, 2013, 11:30 PM | #28 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 2, 2007
Location: Iowa
Posts: 2,676
|
IMO, you're askin an awful lot for a rifle. Yes you can do a lot with handloading and many guys have made it work. But your sights won't be on when attempting to use a variety of loads so you got a crap ton of Kentucky windage and elevation going on. Far from ideal.
IMO you need to look at narrowing your range. Think about a small game to varmint/predators gun range or varmints/predators to deer gun range. Your predicament is why I carry 2 guns much of the time. One long, one short. If I'm carrying a rimfire rifle I carry a centerfire handgun and vice versa. As for guns....... Sticking with rifles I like my walking guns short and light. My main 10/22 has a 16.5" fluted sporter barrel, my .243 has an 18.5" sporter barrel, my favorite lever gun was a .30-30 with a 16" barrel. Even my 12ga has a 22" choke tube barrel instead of the traditional 26-28". While not on topic a shotgun very well might be your best bet. Last edited by L_Killkenny; February 20, 2013 at 11:38 PM. |
February 21, 2013, 04:29 AM | #29 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 9, 2009
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 8,273
|
me too
I've pondered the Woods Rifle/Walking Rifle a bit too, and compared it to what I call the GP Rifle as well.
What has been my walking rifle for a long while has been an early Marlin .357 lever, just as the OP suggested and Grump seconded. Loaded up, its pretty serious medicine for deer, maybe hogs and black bear as well. As it gains near 300 fps or more on similarly chambered handguns, I've no doubt on the SD role. The tube holds a bunch of beans, and more if loaded w/ hot .38's. Yes, it can take small game nicely, with single loaded .38 WC (won't feed in my rifle) but mild RN will and is nearly as efficient. I'd think its about like a .36 muzzle loader when so loaded. And you can buy all that ammo over the counter, without having to load.....well you used to anyhow. The .357 lever does give up some range to "real" rifle cartridges, and traditional sights handicap it as well. A peep helps and a little scope more so, but you give up handiness and ease of carry if you scope one. Handy it is too. Mine is the lightest centerfire in the safe. And while Coopers Scout Rifle concept, most recently manifested as the the Ruger Scout, comes to mind as the ultimate GP rifle, and I like Scouts mind you, ....I cannot place it into the Walking Rifle role. Too heavy, too noisy, kicks to much, and the GP caliber of .308 is too much cartrige for small game. Now with some sort of 100 gr Plinker, or a round ball over a modest charge, it can be loaded down, but I wonder if it will shoot anywhere near point of aim with full power ammo. My old Marlin will shoot 125 mag JHP and 148 .38 Spl WC to the same point, pretty useful. As a side note, a recent competitor to the trusty Marlin has been a dandy .223 Mini Mauser with 6x scope (small bell). It almost carries as easily, though a tad longer and not as flat and compact, and the optic is there at the balance point. But I get more reach and accuracy, a lot more. No recoil, but a bit noisier. Ammo is still prolific, or was. I can load it heavy with Partitions, bonded or mono-alloy bullets and have a border line deer rifle. Everybody knows what a varminter they are loaded otherwise. I have not experimented with reduced loads, though it could be done down to Hornet levels, but I do not see the need. The need, the reason the Mini Mauser had moved into that role is ol' Mr. Coyote, who frequently pops into ( and out) of sight out of range of the lever carbine. |
February 21, 2013, 09:39 AM | #30 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 15, 2007
Posts: 1,707
|
Howabout a lever rifle in 32-20? With a headshot it would take a small 100# deer readily. With a solid bullet, cast or otherwise, would take a squirrel.
Else a TC contender in a holster in a scoped rimfire chambering, and a 243 or 30-30 in a short rifle. Makes you wonder sometimes, there are so many cartridges available these days that no single cartridge seems to meet all needs. |
February 21, 2013, 11:14 AM | #31 |
Senior Member
Join Date: August 6, 2009
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 2,832
|
Blazer Bergstutzen (o/u double rifle w/ one small & one large barrel) in 22. Hornet and 30-06 (US) or 5.6x52R and 8x57ISR (Europe).
__________________
I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying. |
February 21, 2013, 11:21 AM | #32 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 2, 2007
Location: Iowa
Posts: 2,676
|
Quote:
Now keep in mind, I'm not saying a .32-20 in a lever gun isn't enough for deer. Many have fallen to it but I have no personal experience. But if you only think it's good enough for small deer and only with head shots than you plain and simply don't use it for em. |
|
February 21, 2013, 11:45 AM | #33 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 2, 2007
Location: Iowa
Posts: 2,676
|
Kinda having a brain fart here and if the OP or someone else would kindly explain something to me.....
The OP questioned about one gun for small game to deer and carrying a load or loads which would work for all things. Why? I can definitely understand wanting and using versatile guns and cartridges for woods bummin but with short and set seasons on big game, woods bummin just doesn't include deer or many other big game. Not like I'm out for a general stroll thru the woods and have the legal ability for shots of opportunity on deer. Coyote yes, maybe hogs if ya got em, varmints OK, small game I'll buy due to long seasons, but Deer? Deer season is deer season and then you have everything else and there is no need to pack a gun for deer most of the time IMO. Any of you live in an area/jurisdiction where deer or other game is on the list when woods bummin? |
February 21, 2013, 12:02 PM | #34 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 1, 2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 401
|
Quote:
But for me, if I am in the woods during deer season, I am usually deer hunting, not just "bummin". I have seen and killed coyote while deer hunting but I just used my '06 on them. In one case my muzzleloader. Outside of deer season if I am woods bummin, I would carry my Marlin Golden 39A Mountie.
__________________
(Luke 11:21 KJV) When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: (Luke 22:36 KJV) Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. |
|
February 21, 2013, 02:55 PM | #35 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 22, 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,746
|
Quote:
Finding a gun thats good for everything from squirrels to deer is gonna be tough. I like the idea the other poster gave of carrying a handgun and a rifle. Deer season carry the rifle and a handgun for small game. Small game hunting, carry a 22 with a large bore handgun you shoot really well. But if I am deer hunting I don't want to make any extra noise that might spook off deer. So a light weight rifle is what I will be toting. The squirrels and coyotes are safe for the time being. |
|
February 21, 2013, 03:23 PM | #36 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 6, 2011
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 1,350
|
Quote:
__________________
Go Pokes! Go Rams! |
|
February 21, 2013, 04:05 PM | #37 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 1, 2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 401
|
Quote:
__________________
(Luke 11:21 KJV) When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: (Luke 22:36 KJV) Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. |
|
February 21, 2013, 05:48 PM | #38 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 22, 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,746
|
Quote:
|
|
February 21, 2013, 06:25 PM | #39 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 28, 2011
Posts: 458
|
There are some good points made about the need for a rifle like I described in the OP in a world of draconian hunting seasons and regulations. This mental exercise started in a world without such limitations, or if you like, one in which those rules go unenforced. However, in reality of course, game laws would prevent such a situation from occurring in Virginia, unless we start seeing northward migration of the destructive wild hog populations. Of course, one could argue that black bear could be added to the top end of the list in place of deer because of the need for self-defense.
There have been a lot of good suggestions so far! I really like the idea of a single-shot 20 gauge set up to shoot both rifled slugs and varmint loads, any of the leverguns with appropriate handloads, or a single-shot rifle like a 22 Hornet or 223. I'm thinking iron-sights only, probably peep sights. :-)
__________________
"... I cannot but conclude the bulk of your [politicians] to be the most pernicious race of little odious vermin that nature ever suffered to crawl upon the surface of the earth." ~ Jonathon Swift |
February 21, 2013, 07:15 PM | #40 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 10, 2012
Posts: 6,161
|
I see deer off my farm tractor all the time. They pay it absolutely no attention. I almost ran over several does earlier this year. If I see a big enough buck, I will grab the mini 30, open the window, then throw him up on the plow and haul him off to my processing shed.
|
February 21, 2013, 09:05 PM | #41 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 26, 2008
Posts: 142
|
@old grump - my answer was vague,however, the notion of a perfect rifle for everything from squirrels to deer is pretty wide open. if you do a lot of walking in the woods, squirrel season is a lot longer than deer season and provides way more opportunity for shooting. Not that a .357 won't put down a squirrel (sarcasm), but will waste most of the useful hide/meat. To each his own
To the OP, My answer would still be a shotgun. When hunting squirrels, stoke it with pellets. If it were deer season I would keep it filled with slugs. If I came across a squirrel while hunting deer, I would simply, swap out for for a different load ... If I didn't care about the deer. If I were to to lean a different direction from my first, reply (based off your request) it would be that savage 24 that petahw posted. It's great to dream on the Internet and living a place where we have so much choice. |
February 21, 2013, 09:25 PM | #42 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 14, 2010
Location: Border of Idaho & Montana
Posts: 2,584
|
I have killed Squirrels and Mule Deer with my marlin 357 magnum.
Head shots on squirrels if you want to save money (some times its easier said than done)
__________________
Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well... |
February 21, 2013, 11:08 PM | #43 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 27, 2001
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 787
|
This is my 30-30 topper with a 16 1/2 inch bbl. A 165 TC gas checked at 1600 fps makes whitetails go dead down on the spot. If you don't reload, use Fed or Rem 150 factory loads. A Lee 113 soft lead over 6 grs. of Bullesye makes a fine small game/garden pest gun. It might weigh 5 1/5 lbs. Sight is a Bushnell TRS 25 red dot. |
February 22, 2013, 03:17 AM | #44 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 16, 2008
Posts: 1,692
|
Savage 24 series .Pick any combo .
Owned most of them over the years. 22lr/20, 22mag /20, 222 /20 .best woods gun other than a tc contender .
__________________
No Gun Big Or Small Does It All |
February 22, 2013, 08:40 AM | #45 |
Member
Join Date: November 9, 2008
Posts: 71
|
Maybe a Thompson Contender with a choice of different barrels for different purposes. It's sorta a rifle.
|
February 22, 2013, 04:32 PM | #46 |
Member
Join Date: January 1, 2012
Location: Wyoming - Texas
Posts: 69
|
Your idea of a .357 levergun is perfect. I've got one and it does a lot things nicely. Just make sure the gun will cycle both .38 special and .357 mags and you have something for everything. I don't know how big the black bears are in your country, but the .357 is more potent than some give it credit for. A similar levergun in .44mag/special is also a great choice. For me, a "walking around rifle" needs to be light and handy and the levergun works.
__________________
All it takes for tyranny to succeed is for good men to do nothing. |
February 22, 2013, 05:46 PM | #47 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 19, 2012
Location: Near Gainesville Fl.
Posts: 224
|
Bolt Action .223 or 7.62x39
Look at Savage's website. If you want to take squirrels and whitetail I recommend their 7.62x39 bolt action. It can drop a deer, but won't destroy a squirrel completely. A .223 will drop a deer if you can really hit a vital area or maybe get it in the brain, and is an excellent varmint cartridge. Also a 22 hornet isn't a bad idea, Savage Arms makes excellent 22 hornet bolt actions. Let us know what you decide on!
|
February 22, 2013, 06:22 PM | #48 |
Senior Member
Join Date: August 8, 2010
Posts: 1,191
|
"walking rifle" has got to be lever action.
Winchester '94
__________________
The Day You Get Comfortable Is The Day You Get Careless... |
February 23, 2013, 10:42 PM | #49 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 8, 2010
Location: North Georgia
Posts: 1,679
|
M77 Ruger in 22mag
REM 7600 pump 223-270 |
February 23, 2013, 11:47 PM | #50 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 22, 2005
Location: USA The Great State of California
Posts: 2,090
|
My 'Perfect walking rifle' is either a Ruger M77 in 6mm Remington, or an USGI M1 Carbine in .30 carbine. It would depend upon how seious I was in shooting something while wandering around.
__________________
Hook686 When the number of people in institutions reaches 51%, we change sides. |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|