What Are You Using for Deer Hunting This Year?

223 ar pistol has served me well for the past few years.

My son is using the TA44 I got from you to hopefully take his first this year on a 10.5” with the afore mentioned Barnes 62gr TTSX

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@Howland what is this Vermont apple trick? Toss some cut up apples out or something?
 
@11B CIB

I’m glad you’re still getting use out of it, especially after the hiccup you experienced.

I hope your boy slays a monster.
 
@11B CIB, one apple, one deep sea treble hook and a length of 50# test fishing line. You don't even have to get up early. You can sleep in and enjoy another cup of coffee. The deer is waiting under your stand on opening morning.


:cool:
 
@11B CIB, one apple, one deep sea treble hook and a length of 50# test fishing line. You don't even have to get up early. You can sleep in and enjoy another cup of coffee. The deer is waiting under your stand on opening morning.


:cool:
🙄
 
I'll be using the same four rifle rotation I've been using for the past few years. For the woods and heavy cover, I use lever actions. I have a Marlin 336 in .30-30 for the woods around here and a Marlin 336 .45-70 for when I'm hunting down east where bears are known to roam around. For open areas, I have a Savage 110 in .30-06 and a Savage Axis .270. Both of those rifles have Leupold optics and are tackdrivers. These are older calibers but ammunition is still relatively easy to find for them and they knock a deer down as well as any of the newer calibers.
 
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Taylor’s 5.5” .357 with hot 158gr soft points or one of the 1911s with Underwood 255gr +P hardcast.

I’m not going anywhere where 50+ yards is even a possibility, and being able to holster up and just walk is nice.
 
It’ll be the first time taking my grandpaw’s Winchester Model 70 Featherweight 270 since I shot my first deer with it at 13. Had to put a new scope on it. Exited to get it sighted in. Just wish he was here to go with me
 
This will be my first hunting season in NC.

Just wondering what anyone else is planning to use.

For bow season, if I get a chance to get out, I have a Bowtech Fuel. I also have the choice of a crossbow (brand escapes me atm).

For black powder, I have a CVA Wolf 50 cal. Hoping to get a decent load with either 44 or 45 XTPs and Blackhorn 209. I also have 44 FTX to try.

When it comes to regular firearms, I'm thinking about my 5" 629 with the Ultra Dot or maybe my 1894 44.

Unless I suddenly find a place to go, I'll just be on my own little piece of land. Longest shot I can get here would be maybe 100 yards but more likely 50-75.
I am a die hard .308 fan even though I know there is probably better stuff out there. However with sub 100yds, I guess that could become challenging. Have you ever hunted with a slug gun?
 
From what I’m reading, it seems I can use the .45-70 during primitive weapons season as long as the propellant is pure black powder.

Anyone interpret this differently? Also, shameless plug, see my wtb ad for ammo, powder for this very reason.

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From what I’m reading, it seems I can use the .45-70 during primitive weapons season as long as the propellant is pure black powder.

Anyone interpret this differently? Also, shameless plug, see my wtb ad for ammo, powder for this very reason.

View attachment 528138
I’m thinking with the way it’s worded you’ve got to have a muzzleloading rifle. They should have done a better job constructing that sentence…I would definitely call a game warden and ask before I went out with 45-70

Most of the time when non muzzleloading rifles are allowed they will lay out the requirements such as straight wall only or some might even have a date that the cartridge was develop before
 
From what I’m reading, it seems I can use the .45-70 during primitive weapons season as long as the propellant is pure black powder.

Anyone interpret this differently? Also, shameless plug, see my wtb ad for ammo, powder for this very reason.

View attachment 528138

I read the word “muzzleloading” as modifying both “shotguns” and “rifles.” The rest of the definition is all about flints, caps, and inline systems.
 
I am a die hard .308 fan even though I know there is probably better stuff out there. However with sub 100yds, I guess that could become challenging. Have you ever hunted with a slug gun?
Almost everything I've taken has been >100 yards. Longest was 190 yards and that was with my 6.5 Grendel 16".

I have, and have used, a 12 gauge. Currently it's configured for HD though. Should get another one for the woods
 
Almost everything I've taken has been >100 yards. Longest was 190 yards and that was with my 6.5 Grendel 16".

I have, and have used, a 12 gauge. Currently it's configured for HD though. Should get another one for the woods
I love the 6.5. I thought about building one for my son but just haven’t gotten around to it yet. I hope you nail one whatever you take!
 
I’m using Barnes Vor TX in my 6.5 Grendel
 
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I put a 223 64gr Win PP handload into the cervical spine of the first deer I had a shot on this year, satisfying my darling wife's freezer requirement, so for the rest of the season, I'll probably relax and stick with my 45 Colt or my Underhammer. Or the flintlock. Or...
 
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I put a 223 64gr Win PP handload into the cervical spine of the first deer I had a shot on this year, satisfying my darling wife's freezer requirement, so for the rest of the season, I'll probably relax and stick with my 45 Colt or my Underhammer. Or the flintlock. Or...

I killed one in 2014 with a 64gr power point. She dropped right on the spot. I was very impressed with the bullet
 
I killed one in 2014 with a 64gr power point. She dropped right on the spot. I was very impressed with the bullet
I've been quite satisfied with it's performance with CNS shots. Seems the energy transfer when pushed >3000 fps absolutely wrecks the nervous system when you can put the bullet in proximity of the spine.

Either that or I'm just that good of a shot.🤔
 
Once rifle season gets here it will be whatever I feel like that day....357 mag, 357 max, 41 mag, 44 mag, 30-30. I've got a 243 that hasn't killed anything yet so it might come out.
 
I've never tried a neck shot. Is there a spot on the neck you hold for?
Slightly above center line, looking for a skeletal hit. Rarely get a true broadside and normally at a downward angle due to being 15 ft or so up in a tree. So normally getting some skeletal and arterial. Longest shot I’ll get on my lease is about 115 but I rarely take anything over 50. I’m minute of Coke can at those distances. Had a big buck do about a 10 yard leap off a canal bank once then crumpled over, never had one go further than that. Have to be picky with the shot and I let many walk when there is brush in the way, concerned with deflection (part of the reason I’ve still not got one yet this year). I wouldn’t suggest it for a new hunter that hasn’t taken enough to be past the shakes from seeing one in the scope. I hunted with a 7mil my first few years but got over losing that much meat pretty quick. Then 30-30 for about a decade before moving to the AR.
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Slightly above center line, looking for a skeletal hit. Rarely get a true broadside and normally at a downward angle due to being 15 ft or so up in a tree. So normally getting some skeletal and arterial. [...]
Thank you for a really clear and thorough explanation. I learned to hunt from a circle of guys who were regularly shooting walking or running deer. I presume as a result of that, I never heard much discussion of shots other than the boiler room.
 
Thank you for a really clear and thorough explanation. I learned to hunt from a circle of guys who were regularly shooting walking or running deer. I presume as a result of that, I never heard much discussion of shots other than the boiler room.
Oh yeah, never on the move with this method. I’ll give ‘em a whistle if they are walking to get them to pause for a moment. Last time I a shot one on the run was with some good ole boys running dogs. 3.5” double ought made a hell of a mess. Not knocking it but not my style.
 
I tend to use an old model 14 remington when I go. 35 remington. Not opposed to my m1 Carbine if there are tons of briar, or my Thompson in 3006 suppressed if I have a stand handy
 
This will be my first hunting season in NC.

Just wondering what anyone else is planning to use.

For bow season, if I get a chance to get out, I have a Bowtech Fuel. I also have the choice of a crossbow (brand escapes me atm).

For black powder, I have a CVA Wolf 50 cal. Hoping to get a decent load with either 44 or 45 XTPs and Blackhorn 209. I also have 44 FTX to try.

When it comes to regular firearms, I'm thinking about my 5" 629 with the Ultra Dot or maybe my 1894 44.

Unless I suddenly find a place to go, I'll just be on my own little piece of land. Longest shot I can get here would be maybe 100 yards but more likely 50-75.
Ravin crossbow
Knight mk85 muzzleloader
Ruger 7 mag skeleton rifle
 
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