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I've hunted deer here in the Catskills for many years. Lately I tend to hunt with a different gun each year. Help me decide which one to use this year. I've already taken a deer or a bear with each gun on the list except the Ruger 96. Typical shots range from 20 to 120 yds. | ||
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Greg, the RSI would be my pick, just because they're so classic. This would be for stand or still hunting, I would assume. If you're part of a Deer drive (I HATE them!), then a repeater would be in order. | |||
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Over the years my Catskill deer have all been within 100yds.For 25 years I used a 6.5x55 a great one .That and the 7x57 or newer 7-08 are all perfect for the job .Rarely used more than one round snd I love single shots so R #1 in 7x57 is the way !  | |||
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You already tipped your hand...the Ruger 96...it needs to take a deer Mike Legistine actu? Quid scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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I agree take the 44 Mag rifle. I have killed a lot of deer and a couple of pigs with a 44 Mag rifle. DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY | |||
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A 30-30 will do just fine. I like 170g bullets in our Marlin 336C ... Regards, Chuck "There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit" Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness" | |||
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Yes! Second vote for a Marlin 336 (JM gun not Remlin) in 30-30 or 35 Remington. | |||
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Conditions here in PA are pretty much like your lovely hills. I'm a fan of the '94 32 Special or a 77 in RLS. I'd go for the 96 as my first gun with the No. 1 as the second, particularly if you hunt on the ground. Bfly Work hard and be nice, you never have enough time or friends. | |||
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+1 and the 44 mag wont do the meat damage the 25-06 and 270 will do at the ranges you are shooting. | |||
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I agree these would work fine, but you won't find either one of these in my gun safe or listed in the poll. | |||
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I've taken a couple of deer with a 44 Mag. Contender pistol and it is very effective at woods ranges. I'm comfortable with my Ruger 96 to 80 yds. and would enjoy walking the woods with it, but I overlook a cut hayfield in the evenings and shots are typically 120-130 yds. | |||
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No deer drives for me, I hunt from a stand or still hunt a little. Where are you in NW Jersey? I grew up in Warren Co. a little town called Washington. | |||
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I would opt for the all time best of all, a pre 64 Win. Fwt. or 98 Mauser in 30-06 with a 180 or 200 gr. Nosler Partition. I like control feed rifles.. A real classic for your area would be a Winchester model 71 in .348 Win. caliber. I have used it on Mule deer and it sure puts them down pronto.. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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Ray, I'm sure these would be fine choices, but I was looking for suggestions on guns that are already in my safe. Not looking to add to the collection right now. All the guns listed in the poll currently reside in my safe. Just trying to decide which one will be the primary deer gun for 2014. | |||
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Of those choices, I would pick the Ruger in 7x57 Regards, Chuck "There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit" Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness" | |||
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Well, I never need much of an excuse to buy a new one!  | |||
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Agree w/biebs. Don't know what kinda scope your Ruger is sporting but my pick would be a compact 1-4x24, 1.5-4.5x26 or 3-9x36/42/50, etc., a nice woven leather sling, some 154 Hornady R.N.'s - perfect; you're ready to Rock n' Roll! Cheers, Number 10 | |||
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I pretty much decided to hunt with the Ruger RSI, it wears a Leupold 2.5-8X scope. My second choice for this year will be the 25/06. I'm surprised the 25/06 didn't get more votes. In the 7x57 I'm working up loads with a 160 gr Sierra Gameking bullet for this coming season. | |||
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Greg , since you're shooting all that ammo - Gander Mtn in Middletown NY has greatly expanded their guns an ammo section. Loads of ammo [ no 22 rimfire ] also old Mausers etc ,some in excellent condition . | |||
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buy a good 30-06. | |||
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Since it's New York, you can get 8 rounds in a Win 94 rifle! Having hunted from Monticello to Hancock I would use the Ruger as my first choice.  Member NRA, SCI- Life #358 28+ years now! DRSS, double owner-shooter since 1983, O/U .30-06 Browning Continental set. | |||
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Thanks for the heads up, but I reload for all my centerfire guns. | |||
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My first deer rifle was a Remington Model 760 in 30/06 and I used it for a number of years with good results. I've owned a couple of other 30/06's over the years including a Browning A-Bolt and an Encore single shot. It was necessary to sell them because if you own a 30/06 you really don't need any other rifles and that would be just too boring. Now I have three guns to replace one 30/06. | |||
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I picked the M70 for its fast handling and very unlikely longer shot. The SS is a good choice, too. | |||
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I chose M70 but isn't the offical gun of the notheast a Remington 760 pump gun? It would be a good choice too. Roger ___________________________ I'm a trophy hunter - until something better comes along. *we band of 45-70ers* | |||
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I voted for the Model 70 in .270 WSM. Between my son and 6 grandsons we have 4 that we shoot at Deer and Elk. The .270 WSM with bullets from 120 grains up to 160 grains in the hands of a reloader is the perfect Deer round IMO. Good shooting. phurley | |||
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I need to take a deer with mine, so far just one black bear with it. I load 130 gr Sierra Pro-Hunters to 3,000 fps. This is 270 Win ballistics and plenty for the Catskills. My Model 70 is a lefty featherweight model. | |||
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The rifle you have not killed anything with is probably starting to feel neglected, and it is certainly capable of killing anything that walks, swims, or flies in the Catskills. My second choice would be the Ruger RSI, just because it so handy in the woods and I don't see ANY need for a more powerful rifle than the 7x57 in that environment. | |||
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7x57 for sure --why---because I just bought a custom mauser in 7x57 --pic it up saturday at Jesse's I have to bloody that this fall  DRSS Chapuis 9.3 x 74 R RSM. 416 Rigby RSM 375 H&H | |||
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I bought my RSI from Jesse. | |||
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It's not neglected, the Model 96 goes to the range quite often for practice. I'm shooting some cast bullet 44 Special loads through it that are a lot of fun. | |||
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While the Ruger #1 is one of my favorite rifles, but for deer, I would choose the Browning A-Bolt; not so much for the rifle but for the caliber. The 25-06 is a very fine deer rifle and, with the right bullet, it works well at longer ranges (400 yards+). I prefer X-Bolts, but nothing wrong with a Browning A-Bolt. Start young, hunt hard, and enjoy God's bounty. | |||
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Greg K ----- All of my .270 WSM's are Model 70 Featherweights Deluxe, and all have gorgeous wood. Each has it's own personality but will shoot tiny groups with the right bullet. I shoot 130 grain Sierra Gamekings, Nosler Ballistic Tips and Solidbase, Partitiions, and Northforks. 140 grain uncoated Failsafe, Nosler Accubond and Ballistic Tips, Seirra Gameking, Barnes TSX. 150 grain Northforks. 160 grain Nosler Partitions. The heavier bullets I use for Elk, the lighter Deer. Speeds from 130 grainers at 3450 fps, 140 grainers at 3260 fps, 150 grainers at 3150 fps and 160 grainers at 2900 up to 2975 fps. In my opinion one of the most versital rounds offered today. Good shooting. phurley | |||
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Greg, Sorry for the hiccup! Ok, based on your choices I would without hesitation grab the Ruger RSI in 7x57, in fact I would hunt the entire world with that one if I had to and not feel insecure with it..A good 175 gr. RN corelokt, Sierra or Speer bullet in your neck of the woods would be ideal and have plenty of penetration to take a shot at any angle. Great bear killer also..I have used the caliber on deer, elk, bear, and plains game and on even larger game. Perfect Whitetail gun and caliber combination. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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 Considering area, range, foliage, size of animal and need to baptize --- 44 MAG.  rogerOld age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone.. | |||
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Greg K, You and I hunt in similar country. I have taken deer and other game in the North East for a lifetime. I have had a hunting camp in Southern Vermont for 50 years. Rather than pick from a rifle you have consider what I have used with great success. My optimum game rifle is my Savage 99 F in .358 Winchester. I favor it because game was not easy to get a shot at then or now. I still favor it and have more than one .358. Not that some other round won't get game but for the hunter who can shoot it's an optimum choice.  Here are some of my rifles. From the top: Brno 8X57, Steyr 30-06, Savage 99 F .358, Steyr .358. Get the 'power' or optic that your eye likes instead of what someone else says. When we go to the doctor they ask us what lens we like! Do that with your optics. | |||
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I was surprised by the lack of votes for the 25/06. My Browning is one of my favorite rifles and has taken deer, coyote, and groundhog. | |||
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Just wondering. What makes a Catskill Deer Rifle different from any other deer rifle? Each of us has a preferred deer rifle I am sure, just never thought if I ever hunted Catskill deer I would need a "special" rifle?  Larry Sellers SCI(International)Life Member Sabatti 'trash' Double Shooter R8 Blaser - AKA Jemez Mountains Deer Rifle DRSS | |||
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I think he is referring more to the typical terrain rather than any unique qualities of the game mentioned. I'd opt for the 7mm. | |||
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Oh, yeah! Drool. Slobber. What a wonderful suggestion! Ray, you are a rare man of culture! And yes, I understand this isn't one of the choices . . . but I am only human . . . | |||
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