Deer camp - which rifle? - Page 2

ligonierbill · September 28, 2022, 03:53 PM

All "slung". Bit of a hike to my hunting area.

**44 AMP** · September 28, 2022, 06:18 PM

thanks, I figured they would be. Back in the 60s/70s it was still common to see the Marlin/Winchester lever guns unslung and carried in the hands, but today, most folks see the advantage of a sling as a carry strap, at the least.

I'd still pick the Marlin for that area, the only thing I have against the .32 Special is the tendency for SOME of them to lose accuracy or have a radical shift in point of impact for no apparent reason.

By no means ALL of them, but some have done it, I've seen it more than once. Even my father's Win 94 .32Special had the point of impact shift so that it was hitting 6" low at 50yds when the previous year it was fine and the rifle was stored identically to what it had experienced for years.

Some say its the twist, I don't know, what I do know is that I've seen .32s go sour with no detectable wear to the barrel, or anything else. Same exact guns in .30-30 just don't seem to do it. Go figure...

If its shoot "on" the Marlin will be a fine choice and a little bit handier in thick cover than the longer barreled rifles.

wachtelhund1 · October 4, 2022, 06:14 PM

My go to deer rifle is a Winchester 100 carbine in .308.

Picher · October 5, 2022, 12:31 PM

I'd choose the Ruger 77 1977 22" 1977 Leupold 2-7X 7x57 140 Sierra 2,829. The scope power range is the deciding factor.

gwpercle · October 5, 2022, 05:02 PM

I would use the rifle I could shoot best .
More to the point ... the rifle I could place the very First shot most accurately .
Usually it's the first shot ... that gets the job done , so the rifle you can place the first bullet accurately with and do it quickly ... is the one to go with .

The stock needs to fit and the sights need to come to aim automatically and the shot fired effortlessly ... the caliber doesn't matter ... Making the first shot count matters .

I have an old model 95 Mauser in 7X57 in a Herter's sporter stock that fits me like this.
I can shoot and hit with my eyes closed ( well one eye closed at dusk anyways)
I didn't bed the triggerguard/magazine housing exactly right so it will feed only the top round but that's OK ... I have never needed a second shot ...that's the gun I hunt deer and hogs with !
Gary

Picher · October 6, 2022, 11:15 AM

My "Go-To" deer-hunting rifle is one of four Rem. 700 rifles that I own, Two 270 Win, and two .243 Win. I used to have a .30-06, but gave it to my son.

Paul B. · October 6, 2022, 02:02 PM

According to the Speer #9 Manual in their reference section, the Marlin and Winchester rifles have a 1 in 12" twist. The .32 Winchester special guns have a 1 in 16" twist. The 30-30 fouled badly during the early days when black powder was used to reload the cartridges. The twist was just too fast for black powder loads. Thus, Winchester brought out the .32 WS. If could shoot the smokeless powder load fairly well and those who preferred black powder could do so without the heavy barrel fouling. The 1 in 16" twist that was used was the same as the black powder 32-40 Winchester.
Paul B.

shafter · October 7, 2022, 11:41 AM

Can't go wrong with the Marlin although I have a Model 77 that I use just as much.

With regard to the sling I don't hunt without one. I don't always keep it on the gun though. I may take it off from time to time but always have it with me.

Brush deflects anything that hits it. If the brush is really close to the animal it might not deflect enough to matter but the father away to brush and the animal is the deflection is going to be significant. That's not even considering how much the bullet will deform.

hooligan1 · October 8, 2022, 10:00 AM

A few years back I finished a 7x57 mauser build and that rifle is going deer hunting with me this year.
It has a Shilen Match with a 1:8.25 inch twist barrel.. #3 profile, 22". It adores 175 grn SBT's from Sierra and 7828 powder...
3-9×40 Leupold scope... Shots will be less than 100 yds...

Picher · October 9, 2022, 05:03 PM

Seems like a great rifle. How about a picture?

Paul B. · October 9, 2022, 06:45 PM

"A few years back I finished a 7x57 mauser build and that rifle is going deer hunting with me this year.
It has a Shilen Match with a 1:8.25 inch twist barrel.. #3 profile, 22". It adores 175 grn SBT's from Sierra and 7828 powder..."

If I may be so bold, would you mind telling me the load for the bullet using 7828 Powder? I bought a bunch of it for a .280 Rem. and the .280 and that powder don't get along all that well... TIA.
Paul B.

CCCLVII · October 11, 2022, 11:41 AM

At that range I dont think I would use a scope unless I had eye issues. If it was me I would go with the Marlin.

Picher · October 11, 2022, 07:32 PM

I'd probably be most comfortable with the Marlin, but I normally use a Rem 700 BDL, 3-9X scope, in .270 Win and would take that, if available. It's made one-shot kills on deer from 20 to 300 yards.

Picher · October 20, 2022, 11:13 AM

I happen to love bolt-actions. My deer rifle is a .270 Win, Remington 700 Stainless that shoots one-hole groups at 100 yards. I free-floated the barrel, pillar-bedded the action, and mounted a great Leupold 3-9X Stainless scope on her.

She's gotten several deer, including one buck, shot Left-Handed, as it ran away from my tree-stand. I may have that rifle buried with me, but not planning to pass, for quite a few years.

Drm50 · October 20, 2022, 04:55 PM

My favorite eastern deer guns don’t have scopes. Rem 141 / 35 cal, Win 1895 in 30/06 and Marlin Maurader 30/30. This year recovering from some health issues will be hunting from stand with a Ruger#3 in 375 Win. Limited to straight case cartridges in Ohio. I’m running a scope on in. I never hunt from stand and usually under 100yd shot. SE Ohio ruff and thick my deer usually taken on the “wing”. I have bolt guns with scopes don’t like they in the woods.

MGMorden · October 29, 2022, 02:37 PM

I'd probably carry the 7x57. Any of the three will work but both .250 Savage and .32 Special are sliding dangerously close to what I'd consider minimum power for whitetail. Still within the acceptable range, but very close to the edge of it.

7x57 on the other hand is in the "optimal" range of the scale rather than merely being "acceptable".

FWIW my go-to cartridge for whitetail is 7mm-08 which is ballistically nearly the same as 7x57. I've hunted with as low of power as .225 Winchester and as high as .30-06 but to me 7mm-08 is "just right".

FITASC · October 29, 2022, 08:03 PM

Of those choices, I would opt for 7x57. I have a 7-08 which is very similar

hooligan1 · October 31, 2022, 06:18 AM

Picher, I cant download pics on here correctly.
The load is 47 grains of 7828 and a 175 grn SBT from Sierra, coal 3.089..

**44 AMP** · October 31, 2022, 01:58 PM

Quote:

The load is 47 grains of 7828 and a 175 grn SBT from Sierra, coal 3.089..

IF you're talking about 7x57mm Mauser, industry standard max coal is 3.065".

Paul B. · October 31, 2022, 02:31 PM

"Picher, I cant download pics on here correctly.
The load is 47 grains of 7828 and a 175 grn SBT from Sierra, coal 3.089.."

Thank you.
Paul B.

Picher · October 31, 2022, 03:38 PM

I'd take the Ruger 7mm. It has the best deer caliber/scope range of the bunch.

Jack O'Conner · November 1, 2022, 07:10 AM

I'd be happy with the 32 Marlin. Same lethal performance as the famous 30-30 cartridge.
- Jack

ammo.crafter · November 1, 2022, 10:54 AM

7mm Mauser is a grand cartridge for deer. (7x57)

I have been using a 7X30 Waters for excellent results and low recoil.

Good luck!

Pumpkin · November 10, 2022, 11:13 AM

The 7 x 57 will do anything the others can do, can't say the reverse of that.
Great scope and rifle too.

Picher · November 10, 2022, 03:48 PM

I like the Ruger 77 with the 2-7x Leupold. The 7x57 would handle things pretty well.

September 28, 2022, 06:18 PM	#27
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,871	thanks, I figured they would be. Back in the 60s/70s it was still common to see the Marlin/Winchester lever guns unslung and carried in the hands, but today, most folks see the advantage of a sling as a carry strap, at the least. I'd still pick the Marlin for that area, the only thing I have against the .32 Special is the tendency for SOME of them to lose accuracy or have a radical shift in point of impact for no apparent reason. By no means ALL of them, but some have done it, I've seen it more than once. Even my father's Win 94 .32Special had the point of impact shift so that it was hitting 6" low at 50yds when the previous year it was fine and the rifle was stored identically to what it had experienced for years. Some say its the twist, I don't know, what I do know is that I've seen .32s go sour with no detectable wear to the barrel, or anything else. Same exact guns in .30-30 just don't seem to do it. Go figure... If its shoot "on" the Marlin will be a fine choice and a little bit handier in thick cover than the longer barreled rifles. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

October 4, 2022, 06:14 PM	#28
wachtelhund1 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2007 Location: pelican lake, WI Posts: 414	Winchester 100 Carbine .308 My go to deer rifle is a Winchester 100 carbine in .308.

October 6, 2022, 02:02 PM	#32
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,803	According to the Speer #9 Manual in their reference section, the Marlin and Winchester rifles have a 1 in 12" twist. The .32 Winchester special guns have a 1 in 16" twist. The 30-30 fouled badly during the early days when black powder was used to reload the cartridges. The twist was just too fast for black powder loads. Thus, Winchester brought out the .32 WS. If could shoot the smokeless powder load fairly well and those who preferred black powder could do so without the heavy barrel fouling. The 1 in 16" twist that was used was the same as the black powder 32-40 Winchester. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

October 8, 2022, 10:00 AM	#34
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,587	A few years back I finished a 7x57 mauser build and that rifle is going deer hunting with me this year. It has a Shilen Match with a 1:8.25 inch twist barrel.. #3 profile, 22". It adores 175 grn SBT's from Sierra and 7828 powder... 3-9×40 Leupold scope... Shots will be less than 100 yds... __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

October 9, 2022, 06:45 PM	#36
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,803	"A few years back I finished a 7x57 mauser build and that rifle is going deer hunting with me this year. It has a Shilen Match with a 1:8.25 inch twist barrel.. #3 profile, 22". It adores 175 grn SBT's from Sierra and 7828 powder..." If I may be so bold, would you mind telling me the load for the bullet using 7828 Powder? I bought a bunch of it for a .280 Rem. and the .280 and that powder don't get along all that well... TIA. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

September 28, 2022, 03:53 PM	#26
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,459	All "slung". Bit of a hike to my hunting area.

October 5, 2022, 12:31 PM	#29
Picher Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 3,695	I'd choose the Ruger 77 1977 22" 1977 Leupold 2-7X 7x57 140 Sierra 2,829. The scope power range is the deciding factor.

October 5, 2022, 05:02 PM	#30
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,752	I would use the rifle I could shoot best . More to the point ... the rifle I could place the very First shot most accurately . Usually it's the first shot ... that gets the job done , so the rifle you can place the first bullet accurately with and do it quickly ... is the one to go with . The stock needs to fit and the sights need to come to aim automatically and the shot fired effortlessly ... the caliber doesn't matter ... Making the first shot count matters . I have an old model 95 Mauser in 7X57 in a Herter's sporter stock that fits me like this. I can shoot and hit with my eyes closed ( well one eye closed at dusk anyways) I didn't bed the triggerguard/magazine housing exactly right so it will feed only the top round but that's OK ... I have never needed a second shot ...that's the gun I hunt deer and hogs with ! Gary

October 6, 2022, 11:15 AM	#31
Picher Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 3,695	My "Go-To" deer-hunting rifle is one of four Rem. 700 rifles that I own, Two 270 Win, and two .243 Win. I used to have a .30-06, but gave it to my son.

October 7, 2022, 11:41 AM	#33
shafter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2009 Posts: 1,624	Can't go wrong with the Marlin although I have a Model 77 that I use just as much. With regard to the sling I don't hunt without one. I don't always keep it on the gun though. I may take it off from time to time but always have it with me. Brush deflects anything that hits it. If the brush is really close to the animal it might not deflect enough to matter but the father away to brush and the animal is the deflection is going to be significant. That's not even considering how much the bullet will deform.

October 9, 2022, 05:03 PM	#35
Picher Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 3,695	Seems like a great rifle. How about a picture?

October 11, 2022, 11:41 AM	#37
CCCLVII Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 432	At that range I dont think I would use a scope unless I had eye issues. If it was me I would go with the Marlin. __________________ Always looking for a good hunt!

October 11, 2022, 07:32 PM	#38
Picher Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 3,695	I'd probably be most comfortable with the Marlin, but I normally use a Rem 700 BDL, 3-9X scope, in .270 Win and would take that, if available. It's made one-shot kills on deer from 20 to 300 yards.

October 20, 2022, 11:13 AM	#39
Picher Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 3,695	I happen to love bolt-actions. My deer rifle is a .270 Win, Remington 700 Stainless that shoots one-hole groups at 100 yards. I free-floated the barrel, pillar-bedded the action, and mounted a great Leupold 3-9X Stainless scope on her. She's gotten several deer, including one buck, shot Left-Handed, as it ran away from my tree-stand. I may have that rifle buried with me, but not planning to pass, for quite a few years.

October 20, 2022, 04:55 PM	#40
Drm50 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 1,382	My favorite eastern deer guns don’t have scopes. Rem 141 / 35 cal, Win 1895 in 30/06 and Marlin Maurader 30/30. This year recovering from some health issues will be hunting from stand with a Ruger#3 in 375 Win. Limited to straight case cartridges in Ohio. I’m running a scope on in. I never hunt from stand and usually under 100yd shot. SE Ohio ruff and thick my deer usually taken on the “wing”. I have bolt guns with scopes don’t like they in the woods.

October 29, 2022, 02:37 PM	#41
MGMorden Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2006 Posts: 158	I'd probably carry the 7x57. Any of the three will work but both .250 Savage and .32 Special are sliding dangerously close to what I'd consider minimum power for whitetail. Still within the acceptable range, but very close to the edge of it. 7x57 on the other hand is in the "optimal" range of the scale rather than merely being "acceptable". FWIW my go-to cartridge for whitetail is 7mm-08 which is ballistically nearly the same as 7x57. I've hunted with as low of power as .225 Winchester and as high as .30-06 but to me 7mm-08 is "just right".

October 29, 2022, 08:03 PM	#42
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	Of those choices, I would opt for 7x57. I have a 7-08 which is very similar __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

October 31, 2022, 06:18 AM	#43
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,587	Picher, I cant download pics on here correctly. The load is 47 grains of 7828 and a 175 grn SBT from Sierra, coal 3.089.. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

October 31, 2022, 02:31 PM	#45
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,803	"Picher, I cant download pics on here correctly. The load is 47 grains of 7828 and a 175 grn SBT from Sierra, coal 3.089.." Thank you. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

October 31, 2022, 03:38 PM	#46
Picher Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 3,695	I'd take the Ruger 7mm. It has the best deer caliber/scope range of the bunch.

November 1, 2022, 07:10 AM	#47
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	I'd be happy with the 32 Marlin. Same lethal performance as the famous 30-30 cartridge. - Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

November 1, 2022, 10:54 AM	#48
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 1,970	PA deer 7mm Mauser is a grand cartridge for deer. (7x57) I have been using a 7X30 Waters for excellent results and low recoil. Good luck! __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

November 10, 2022, 11:13 AM	#49
Pumpkin Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2020 Location: Seguin Texas Posts: 433	The 7 x 57 will do anything the others can do, can't say the reverse of that. Great scope and rifle too.

November 10, 2022, 03:48 PM	#50
Picher Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 3,695	I like the Ruger 77 with the 2-7x Leupold. The 7x57 would handle things pretty well.