Hunting Long Gun Less than 100 yards: Shotgun or Rifle

wstrickl

wstrickl

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Hey guys and gals!!

Here is the situation, I hunt primarily small plots where my line of sight and shooting lanes are typically less than 100 yards long and most of the time within 50 yards.
I am debating on a shotgun with slugs or a rifle. I am new to long guns and wanted to make sure I get all the information I can before making a purchase.
Here are a couple questions I have that I need clarity on.

1: Shotguns, do I need a smooth barrel or a rifled barrel for shooting most slugs?

2: Rifles, What is a good short range rifle and caliber for hunting game like white tail deer and such.

See I told you I am new to long guns, these are simple questions but I know there are plenty of people here to help guide me in a smart decision.

Also, please explain in a little detail about your choice or your opinion so I can better understand the reasoning.

Thanks again for everyones help!!!

No lets start the discussion now and.........................GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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There are lots of choices. For shotguns if you are shooting a rifle bore you need to use sabot slugs; "rifled" slugs are for smooth bores. You could probably make the shots just fine with a smooth bore shotgun, but I personally would feel better using a rifled barrel. For rifles I think a 30-30 would be an excellent choice for those distances. An AR in .300BLK would also be an great choice.
 
Derek8404 said:
There are lots of choices. For shotguns if you are shooting a rifle bore you need to use sabot slugs; "rifled" slugs are for smooth bores. You could probably make the shots just fine with a smooth bore shotgun, but I personally would feel better using a rifled barrel. For rifles I think a 30-30 would be an excellent choice for those distances. An AR in .300BLK would also be an great choice.
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Thank you for your comment! I appreciate the information

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Ok, first, I am of the opinion that, unless you are hunting somewhere that requires you to use a shotgun like Maryland, a rifle is always superior to a shotgun unless you are on a deer drive and need buckshot.

The reason is simple, a rifle is almost always more accurate and the size of the round is less likely to damage the meat. Rifles shoot flatter and in the range you are giving will allow for better shot placement.

I have hunted in places that require a shotgun and have hunted with both smooth barrel slugs and rifled barrel slugs. Brenneke makes a really good smooth barreled slug that has fins. They catch the air and give rotation for better accuracy but 50 yards is about the furthest I have felt comfortable with smooth bore slugs.

A rifled barrel is the better option and most are predrilled for adding a scope or red dot mount. With a rifled barrel and sabot slugs I feel comfortable out to 100 yards. The sabot slugs are usually a little lighter and therefore a little flatter trajectory.
 
Chdamn said:
Ok, first, I am of the opinion that, unless you are hunting somewhere that requires you to use a shotgun like Maryland, a rifle is always superior to a shotgun unless you are on a deer drive and need buckshot.

The reason is simple, a rifle is almost always more accurate and the size of the round is less likely to damage the meat. Rifles shoot flatter and in the range you are giving will allow for better shot placement.

I have hunted in places that require a shotgun and have hunted with both smooth barrel slugs and rifled barrel slugs. Brenneke makes a really good smooth barreled slug that has fins. They catch the air and give rotation for better accuracy but 50 yards is about the furthest I have felt comfortable with smooth bore slugs.

A rifled barrel is the better option and most are predrilled for adding a scope or red dot mount. With a rifled barrel and sabot slugs I feel comfortable out to 100 yards. The sabot slugs are usually a little lighter and therefore a little flatter trajectory.
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Thank you for your comment!

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Disagree on slug distances. If you know your aim points a slug is easily good out to 150 yards. We shoot slugs at 100 to 120 yards in 3 gun matches all the time they are really pretty accurate with modern ammo.

I do agree that if you can use a rifle then use it for the same reasons stated previously.
 
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Shotgun is most versatile, rifle not a bad choice either. Since you're limited by sight lines for range, it's extremely hard to beat a 1895 Marlin in 45/70. Common misconception is that you need tons of muzzle energy to put down a vicious bambi, but truth is, a pokey old 45/70 will anchor bambi with authority and you can generally eat right up to the bullet hole. Real issue is bullet placement, if you can't shoot a rifle for love nor money, better learn.
 
Thanks for the awesome comments. I am loving all this information!! Thanks for taking the time to post. I look forward to more information and what everyone has to offer. This page is great!!

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Forgot to add, at the distance you are typically hunting almost any caliber is fine (throwing out really small rounds like 22 etc.)

223 is fine for hunting deer, at these distances. As stated, 30-30 and 300 blackout are also fine. 308 and 30-06 may be a little over kill at these ranges but I have used them.

As with anything shot placement is key. 30-30 has probable killed more deer in the south than any other round. 308 and 30-06 are great overall rounds that if you find yourself hunting somewhere new and need to take a 200-400 yard shot will get the job done at those distances too.

When I hunt close range I use sub sonic 300 black out suppressed. Took the largest buck I've ever taken a few years ago at about 50 yards with that exact set up. Deer only made one leap before dropping DRT.
 
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wstrickl said:
Thanks for the awesome comments. I am loving all this information!! Thanks for taking the time to post. I look forward to more information and what everyone has to offer. This page is great!!
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Patience Grasshopper

Too many options... Go pick different guns up & see what fits you & what's your budget?
Rifles- Lever gun, single shot break barrel, short bolt gun in 44mag, 35 Remington, 30-30, 300BLK
A shotgun will give you multi-purpose, ie. bird hunting options as well.
 
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At the risk of starting a caliber debate- If you're going with a rifle, get a caliber that is in common use and ammo is everywhere (especially if you don't handload)

But to relate what one old guy told me when I asked why he used the 45/70, he said- "I'm old, I've had both hips replaced, and I don't like tracking"
 
Pink_Vapor said:
Patience Grasshopper

Too many options... Go pick different guns up & see what fits you & what's your budget?
Rifles- Lever gun, single shot break barrel, short bolt gun in 44mag, 35 Remington, 30-30, 300BLK
A shotgun will give you multi-purpose, ie. bird hunting options as well.
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I got all the patience in the world. Just liking where this post is going. Budget is flexible. Not looking to spend a ton of money. I do have kids and it is Christmas time lol.

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I'm going to approach the question from a different angle and that angle is you. The person with no experience with long guns.....

I would recommend against a shotgun shooting slugs. Not out of performance concerns but out of concerns for your enjoyment of shooting long guns. I wouldn't want you to start there. Recoil is going to be harsher than needed for what you need to do and with an inexperienced long gun shooter, starting with harsh recoil can develop bad habits that will last.

For what you describe a .30-30 or .300BLK is darn near ideal. Top it with a good 2-7x scope or shoot open sights and have at it. Find an older Marlin or Winchester lever gun in .30-30 or build an AR in .300 BLK (parts are pretty cheap these days) or pick up a Ruger American in .300BLK. Either will do what you need it to do. Build your skill set then try out a shotgun later if you like. I particularly like Brenneke slugs on deer. They're usually DRT or within just a few steps. A well placed rifle bullet will do the same though :).
 
I have to agree with the above. I wouldn’t recommend a slug gun to a new long gun shooter because of felt recoil. A 30/30 , 300 bo or 308 win would do all you need. I personally would recommend the 308 in case you acquired a new hunting spot that the shots were over 100 yds. The Ruger American rifles are good for the $ I have the predator model in 308 and it shoots very soft with 165 gr Nosler accubond. 30/30 & 308 are also very abundant at the sporting goods store so ammo availability is great. 300bo may be a bit harder to find just because it’s a newer round compared to the other two choices.


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I think that while .300blackout or 30-30 would be great for where you are hunting, .308 may be a better overall choice if you want one do it all rifle. Some of the most common calibers for hunting in North America are .270, .308, and .30-06. These calibers can be used for hunting most anything anywhere in the US. If you ever go anywhere else to hunt other than the property you are on currently, these will serve you well and are available in most any store that sells ammunition.

That said, they will probably be more gun than you need for your current set up and you could get something else with less recoil.
 
If you don't have a deer rifle currently, I suggest getting a value (savage axis, ruger american, etc) combo with a scope for under $400 (even under $300) in any common rifle caliber larger than .24 and learning to put rounds in a pie plate at 100yds. It doesn't take alot to kill a deer other than a shot in the vitals. I don't recommend 'boutique' rounds like .300BLK etc for a first rifle. For no other reason that it's hard to find a wide choice of hunting ammo for these without reloading.
I'm fortunate to have choices, and many times when I don't feel like toting a 9lb rifle, I grab my son's youth .243 and it almost feels like a toy. But it absolutely smashed a 200lb six-pointer last weekend at 60-65yds last weekend. It's also a great coyote gun.
 
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A lot of great advice given, so all I can add is about the rifles to get you in the door. I bought a Savage Axis awhile back in the off chance I am ever invited or find the opportunity to deer hunt. Out to 100-200 yards it is accurate even with the less expensive scope they are sold with. So for less than $400 you can be into a solid meat gun. I got mine in .308 as the ammunition is pretty easy to get in many different styles and weights so you can find the round that suits your needs (and rifle) the best.
 
B00ger said:
A lot of great advice given, so all I can add is about the rifles to get you in the door. I bought a Savage Axis awhile back in the off chance I am ever invited or find the opportunity to deer hunt. Out to 100-200 yards it is accurate even with the less expensive scope they are sold with. So for less than $400 you can be into a solid meat gun. I got mine in .308 as the ammunition is pretty easy to get in many different styles and weights so you can find the round that suits your needs (and rifle) the best.
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BTW I did this myself with random parts but I noticed this available now for Axis owners: https://www.mcarbo.com/savage-axis-trigger-spring-kit.aspx
I promise that is the best mod I have ever done to a factory trigger. From 6.5-7lbs to 3.5lbs and no creep. Who needs a freaking accutrigger??
 
Rifled barrel for slugs, more options with sabots. 12ga recoil is not all that bad, but there is a 20ga option, slightly less ammo choices. With a barrel change though you have a decent bird gun.

In a rifle I'd suggest something mainstream. 30-30, 308 or the like. Walk the ammo aisle before you pick something and check the selection and price. Lever guns are cool, but Ruger Americans are good value.

My "dream" brush gun is a 45/70 leveraction just because I like leveractions and big bullets. I also handload and cast though. 44Mag or 45Colt wouldn't bother me either.
 
Ikarus1 said:
BTW I did this myself with random parts but I noticed this available now for Axis owners: https://www.mcarbo.com/savage-axis-trigger-spring-kit.aspx
I promise that is the best mod I have ever done to a factory trigger. From 6.5-7lbs to 3.5lbs and no creep. Who needs a freaking accutrigger??
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I may look into that. To be honest I haven't spent much time with the rifle once I put a few boxes of good ammo through it to make sure I could hit a target at 100 yards. It is really a "just in case" rifle I picked up for a great deal. I totally see why some people spend thousands of dollars on higher dollar equipment for sure, but for someone that just wants to drop an animal reliably at 100-200 yards without spending an arm in a leg and just need it out the door, then Savage is good to go for me.
 
Nothing is wrong with using a shotgun. I do. 00 buck or slugs are very deadly on whitetails. Limit your range for both. A 35 rem (highly suggested), 30-30, 45-70, 243win, are great for deer. 7.63X39, 30-40 krag, 308, 30-06, are also good for deer at those ranges. Pistol caliber carbine would also work like 357, 44mag, 44-40, basically whitetails are easy to kill. Being new to long guns I assume you're new to hunting and therefore should become proficient with whatever you use.
 
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I have been hunting a couple years with a compound bow but want to get into long guns. I love my handguns and carry everyday but I am new to long guns. Thanks for the comment!

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wstrickl said:
I have been hunting a couple years with a compound bow but want to get into long guns. I love my handguns and carry everyday but I am new to long guns. Thanks for the comment!

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A shotgun with buck shot is as good as a compound bow as far as distance. I hunt with a long bow.
 
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You want to kill deer.
Last choice is a shotgun. Only if you are required by law, then slugs. I hate buckshot.

Now rifles.
Short, easy to maneuver, Marlin/Winchester in a 30/30. Depending how good your eyes are open sights maybe just fine. Scoped gun is a better choice at the longer distances.
If you get into other calibers in lever guns the cost goes up, which may be fine for you, not everyone is afraid to spend a little money. :p

Now, if someday you may want to go beyond 150 yards, the .270 is another great deer cartridge. Look at the Howa brand. They are extremely accurate and the cost is affordable.

Unless you reload stay away from odd calibers.

That being said, with the parameters you have given, the 30/30 is the ticket. You can even find them in single shots.
Now if you feel adventurous, the same lever in a .35 remington is about as good as it gets.
Initial costs are a little more and ammo can be a little harder to come by. Just buy 3 or 4 boxes when you find it and you'll be good to go.

Hope this helps.
 
Mightyox04 said:
A shotgun with buck shot is as good as a compound bow as far as distance. I hunt with a long bow.
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I will just put this out.
I have killed several deer at a tad over fifty yards with a compound bow.
I would never shoot that far at a deer with buckshot. Seen to many crippled and lost by other hunters to even consider it.
Your mileage may vary.
 
Some will disagree but I've been using a 5.56 AR, shooting a 60 gr SP Hornady round. 3 down so far this year, from 20 - 70 yrds. With neck or head shots, they are DRT and minimal meat loss. This of course is dependent on your ability to put accurate shots on target in field conditions. That being said, the last management buck was an offhand shot at 70 to the temple. If you can keep 3 - 5 rds in a 1-2 inch group at 100 and you've killed a few before, your good to go.

As Ikarus1 pointed out, there are many budget friendly rifles (with decent optics for at least 100 yrds) on sale right now. I'm partial to savage cuz I like legos. If you are not veteran hunter/don't feel comfortable, at 243 is hard to beat for the size deer we have in the Carolinas. Witnessed a big doe getting dropped at approx. 300 yrds last year with Hornady SST Superformance. Wouldn't be my first bullet choice due t meat loss but it did put her down quick.
 
Did not read all the posts, but what I did was spot on. It may have already been said, but I would opt for a rifle in say .308. You are in a close range situation now, but you may have the option in the future to hunt somewhere that gives you longer shots. A centerfire covers both short and long
 
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wstrickl said:
Hey guys and gals!!

Here is the situation, I hunt primarily small plots where my line of sight and shooting lanes are typically less than 100 yards long and most of the time within 50 yards.
I am debating on a shotgun with slugs or a rifle. I am new to long guns and wanted to make sure I get all the information I can before making a purchase.
Here are a couple questions I have that I need clarity on.

1: Shotguns, do I need a smooth barrel or a rifled barrel for shooting most slugs?

2: Rifles, What is a good short range rifle and caliber for hunting game like white tail deer and such.

See I told you I am new to long guns, these are simple questions but I know there are plenty of people here to help guide me in a smart decision.

Also, please explain in a little detail about your choice or your opinion so I can better understand the reasoning.

Thanks again for everyones help!!!

No lets start the discussion now and.........................GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

giphy.gif
Click to expand...

There’s a Ruger American in 308 with scope in the classified section for $400


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Tailhunter said:
I will just put this out.
I have killed several deer at a tad over fifty yards with a compound bow.
I would never shoot that far at a deer with buckshot. Seen to many crippled and lost by other hunters to even consider it.
Your mileage may vary.
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I kept my shots to 40 with a compound to be humane. I keep them to 20 yards with a long bow. A 12ga is good for those distances and a little past depending on a few things. Fred bear killed a tiger at 80 yards IIRC from a moving river boat with a bow. I think most people follow the 40 yd rule.
 
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Tailhunter said:
I will just put this out.
I have killed several deer at a tad over fifty yards with a compound bow.
I would never shoot that far at a deer with buckshot. Seen to many crippled and lost by other hunters to even consider it.
Your mileage may vary.
Click to expand...

Agreed, I always used 25 yards as a max for buckshot, 40 was my max with a bow, 50 yards with a smooth bore slug and 75 for rifled barrel slug.

Yes, you can shoot further with some of those, but that has always been my maximum comfort level to kill and not wound.
 
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