There is an anter restriction requirement for the Catskills area. Thus I would want a rifle with a scope. It's easier and faster to identify a legal buck with a scope.

I have had similar antler restrictions in VT and I strongly favor scoped rifles.

Thus while I admire the W. M71 I never got one as they don't look good with a scope.

quote:

Originally posted by Greg K:

quote:

Originally posted by Alberta Canuck:
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.

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.

If you had 5 sons, all 5 capable of hunting the game of your area and killing them efficiently, and you had taken all but one of them to camp and let them bag some legal "big game", how do you think that one lone son who dad wouldn't take would feel?

Anyway, not to get too anthropomorphic with you, but letting/helping them do "their thing" is a bonding experience between man and firearm.

quote:

Originally posted by Savage_99:
There is an anter restriction requirement for the Catskills area. Thus I would want a rifle with a scope. It's easier and faster to identify a legal buck with a scope.

I have had similar antler restrictions in VT and I strongly favor scoped rifles.

Thus while I admire the W. M71 I never got one as they don't look good with a scope.

I use my 8x40 binoculars to ID deer, even though all my guns wear scopes. And we do have antler restrictions in the area that I hunt, at least three points on one side.

quote:

Originally posted by Alberta Canuck:

quote:

Originally posted by Greg K:

quote:

Originally posted by Alberta Canuck:
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.

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.

If you had 5 sons, all 5 capable of hunting the game of your area and killing them efficiently, and you had taken all but one of them to camp and let them bag some legal "big game", how do you think that one lone son who dad wouldn't take would feel?

Anyway, not to get too anthropomorphic with you, but letting/helping them do "their thing" is a bonding experience between man and firearm.

I have given consideration to taking the Ruger 96 this season to "blood" it. But I am a lefty shooter and I don't care for the position of the safety on this gun, at least for hunting purposes. It is a bit awkward to disengage quickly.

quote:

Originally posted by Alberta Canuck:
If you had 5 sons, all 5 capable of hunting the game of your area and killing them efficiently, and you had taken all but one of them to camp and let them bag some legal "big game", how do you think that one lone son who dad wouldn't take would feel?

Anyway, not to get too anthropomorphic with you, but letting/helping them do "their thing" is a bonding experience between man and firearm.

AC, If I remember correctly you actually name your rifles, don't you?!

quote:

Originally posted by Alberta Canuck:
Anyway, not to get too anthropomorphic with you, ....

Lloyd, anthropomorphic? Isn't that a dirty word? :-)

quote:

Originally posted by Greg K:

quote:

Originally posted by Savage_99:
There is an anter restriction requirement for the Catskills area. Thus I would want a rifle with a scope. It's easier and faster to identify a legal buck with a scope.

I have had similar antler restrictions in VT and I strongly favor scoped rifles.

Thus while I admire the W. M71 I never got one as they don't look good with a scope.

I use my 8x40 binoculars to ID deer, even though all my guns wear scopes. And we do have antler restrictions in the area that I hunt, at least three points on one side.

Oh your so perfect, superior and everything!

I use both!

Rem 742C 4X scope in OSIX

Forget it guys ! My buddy says it's time to change !
This year NY will permit the use of a cross bow during part of the regular archery season .

While I do have a bow , it's only a kids bow for shooting amateur antenna lines up into trees.So I'd have to buy a cross bow, learn to shoot it ?? I'm too old to learn that stuff .And I'd have to change my name to John Amendall .Anyone know who he is ?

There is a possibility of an early bear season here in the Catskills, they are talking second week of September. Maybe I should start a poll to pick a gun for that hunt.

Yes , they took 430 bear in Sullivan last year. So many "earth muffins" out there who are terrified of bears .There was a couple of joggers in Canada who were "attacked " by a bear .Ran from it and photoed as they went .They knew nothing of bears . It was young , curious, playing around as they ran crying attack !!
That has to be watched carefully otherwise they'll permit all bears to be taken.

With leaves still on the trees I think I'd take my S&W 44 mag.

quote:

Originally posted by Greg K:
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.

Ruger DeerSTalker 44
Remington 760/7600
Browning BLR
Savage 99
Model 94 30/30
Marlin 35 remington or 30/30

In MY humble opinion FWIW the top deer rifles of all time.

Out of your list the Ruger 96

Scoping a mod. 71 Win. or a mod. 94 is akin to incest, a sick, deplorable mind set!

For myself I would be more than content to use my 30-30 or 25-35 at ranges up to 120 yards as you stated..I bet you couldn't begin to count the number of Catskill deer that have fallen to these two old rounds.

I just drove through the Catskills, and the Adirondacks, a few weeks ago. with all of the rain you've have had there the foliage is very dense.

They are not on your poll, but I would choose a very lightweight and handy Winchester model 94 30-30. Just the ticket for those close shots in thick woods.

Have a camp in the Catskills and most of the shots are no more than 50 yds in the cover. Even with a shooting lane along short clearings and trails, I doubt there are many deer harvested with shots beyond 100 yds.

I'd go with the 7x57 and a heavier cup and core.

quote:

Originally posted by lindy2:
I just drove through the Catskills, and the Adirondacks, a few weeks ago. with all of the rain you've have had there the foliage is very dense.

They are not on your poll, but I would choose a very lightweight and handy Winchester model 94 30-30. Just the ticket for those close shots in thick woods.

I only included guns that I currently own on the original poll. Since the poll, I've added another Ruger No.1 RSI to the family, "Bob" is a 257 Roberts. Now I have another one to think about.