[Ed]

When I go to a range it's simple, take everything and lots of ammo. But I ask, sort of in jest, How do I pick which one to deer hunt with? I have a Mod 70 Carbine in 30-06, a Mod 94 in 30-30, and a 1895 g in 45-70. All good deer guns, short and accurate for anytrhing in Ms or AR, where shots are close. Honestly I guess you just pick what is the favorite that day? But half the fun of hunting is just sitting in the woods with a gun. So....anyone else have this problem?

[Art Eatman]

My main reason for any rifle is to use the one with which I can do best. "Married up with" is one phrase I use.

I have a little .243 which has nearly the exact same feel to the trigger and almost exactly the same length of pull as my much heavier '06. So, when I'm hunting in country where the deer are generally smaller and the shots more likely to be fairly close, I'll take the .243.

When I'm hunting in more wide-open country, where I might have to play Ma Bell or if I'm after larger critters than CenTex whitetails, I'll take the '06.

:), Art

[cheygriz]

For almost any kind of hunting in North America, except possibly Alaskan bears, I can think of nothing better than the Model 70 Carbine in .30-06.

One of the finest bolt action rifles ever made in the finest hunting caliber ever made. Just MNSHO!

[Steve Smith]

Since I shoot at least one day a week if not several, and it all has to do with Highpower in one way or another, I rarely get to "play" with the other guns in the safe. Either one of my match guns comes out or the Smallbore upper comes out. When I get the chance I take some pistols out for play, and my HK91.

[Big_R]

It would be difficult for me to take everything to the range. I have three vaults full of various calibers including some wildcats. When it comes to hunting, I use one of three rifles. For varmints and the like, I use a Remington model 788 in .243 which belonged to my grandfather. For deer where I won't be walking too much, I use a Savage 99e in .308 which belonged to my father. When I'm going trekking through the woods in search of deer, I use a Marlin 336 in .35 Remington which will someday belong to my son.

All three of these rifles have worn the same optics for as long as I can remember, and will shoot as good as I can. When it comes to hunting, using one of these rifles is like taking along an old friend. Range time is for shooting toys. I just wish I could get there more. I bought three rifles last year and haven't put more than five shots through any of them. Bummer.

Ryan

[dakotasin]

i just take the one i like the most on that day.

last deer season, i mostly went after the 7 mag, but there was a time or two that the 25-06 was w/ me, too.

as far as range time goes, i take two rifles w/ me at a time at the most. all of my rifles get equal practice time... i typically couple a hard kicker w/ a light kicker (7 mag and 22-250, or 338 and 223, or 308 and 243, etc etc)...it would simply be impossible to drag all my guns to the range w/ me...

[Byron Quick]

It depends on where I'm hunting and what I'm hunting mainly. But it also depends on what I've not hunted with. This year I hunted with a .35 Whelen built on a 1909 Argentine Mauser action by Carolina Precision Rifles. A new rifle and new caliber for me. I liked it. Next deer season, I'm probably going to use my Marlin Guide Gun because it's sat in the safe too long. I've also got a Parker Hale 7mm Magnum that I didn't use at all last year because I loaned it to a hunting buddy. On the other hand, my old familiar is a Browning BAR Safari II in .300 Win Mag. On any given day, I know what it will do.

Too many rifles. Not enough time.

[ahadams]

well the answer used to be easier but this fall my wife has decided she wants to go shooting and then go deer hunting with me. She has an .357 lever carbine that she likes so we'll be going in terrain where that's likely to be sufficient for the deer she encounters.
However, local farmers have started reporting that they've found several chewed up calf carcasses up in trees. Although the prints sure look like cougar prints and the local conservation yahoos have been suspected of reintroducing cougars without telling anyone, said conservation yahoos *claim* the calves are wild dog kills. I am not (as Dave Berry says) making this up. My USMC brother pointed out this would be perfectly logical if one posited the existance of wild dog packs with paw operated blocks and tackles...I guess that's Marine humor...

Anyway I had to help deal with an 'out of area' cougar once in AZ and I do NOT like cougars at all! therefore I'm taking a 45/70 so if we do end up tangling with that thing it's going to lose, bigtime, and right away.

[wanderinwalker]

Rifle that goes with me, for range, hunting or other chores, is my .260 Mountain Rifle. I know that it is capable of sub-MOA groups (and I am too every once in a great while! ;) ), I know where the bullet is going to strike from hard-off-the-muzzle out to 300 yards, and I just flat out like the rifle. Eventually I may have a .22LR bolt-gun to take for practice, but I may have worn the barrel out on the .260 out before then! :)

(Since I purchased that rifle in June I have thrown about 400-500 rounds downrange with it.)

[4Truck]

I have a favorite gun for each season

For deer I tend to use a Browning A-bolt 300WSM, and varmints a Weatherby 22-250.

I do get the urge to switch up every once in a while.

Oh yea, and always carry a sidearm:D

[jacks308]

Real easy , for deer we can use shotguns only . which means 870 drilled and tapped for scope , rifled barrel , sabot slugs and tight groups out to as far as I care to shoot 'em . If I'm going to the high-power range the Garand is still my reach for rifle .

Jack

[Brian Williams]

Wet weather NEF Super Light Handi rifle in 243 cheap 3x9 scope
nice weather Win Classic compact 7mm-08 leupold compact 3x9
Varmint need to get a 22 hornet barrel for NEF with WGRS peep sight