Am I equipped for deer hunting?

[CoastieTech]

I am going deer hunting with a friend of mine for the first time this fall. I own a Remington 1100LW 20 gauge with a full choke barrel and a skeet choke barrel. We are not allowed to use slugs to hunt in this particular county. My question is this which barrel should I use, what size ammo should I use, and can I use steel shot in my gun? If there is not enough info to answer my questions please let me know and I will try to provide more. Thank you in advance for all your help.

[Preacherman]

Coastie, I'm afraid you have a problem. 20ga. buckshot is typically available in #3 buck in 2¾" shells, and #2 buck in 3" shells (if your gun will take them - if it's an 1100, it will take one or the other, but not both). These are probably too light for anything but very close-range work - and by that, I mean 20 yards or less. A 12ga. shotgun would give you the option of larger buckshot sizes, which will penetrate better at longer ranges, out to 25-35 yards.

Any chance of borrowing someone else's 12ga. for the hunt?

[Dave McCracken]

I'm not really fond of buck for deer. it works at close range and not so good further out.

I do not regard the 20 gauge with buck as a viable venison acquisition tool. Too bad you cannot use slugs.

Borrow a 12 gauge, test some 5 packs of 1, 0, 00 and 000 and go with the tightest patterning.

[CoastieTech]

Well I was going to get a 12 gauge for HD anyways so looks like now I have to buy another shotgun anyways. Darn!;) I was looking around and I found a Mossberg 500 that comes with a 18 1/2" cyl bore barrel and a 28" multi choke barrel, it is a 3" chamber what is your opinion of a package like this for HD and a deer gun? It is going for around $320 is this a good buy? Also the 28" barrel comes with a vent rib, what is that for?

[snafu_72]

If you can't use slugs go with the largest gauge you can (12 ga at least) and the longest barrel you can in full choke, with the largest chamber you can 3 or 3 1/2. Stick with a proven manufacturer (Remington, Mossberg are good) use good ammo (Federal, Winchester) and practice so you can hit what you aim at.
Is a pistol legal? If so, I'd search out a .44 mag w/ a 6-8 inch barrel with a 4 power scope and you should be good to go (Ruger or S&W).

Other things to have (in no particular order of importance)

1. A sharp knife (folding Buck or straigh blade of at least 4")
2. A hatchet or mallet to break pelvis
3. Rubber gloves (wear them when you gut)
4. Warm water and towels (clean up afterwards)
5. Rope (to hang carcass after to let it cool) a pulley is nice here too
6. Binoculars (spot horns in early morning light
7. topo maps (scout out area before you hunt watch for scrapes, other sign, scat)
8. Also, know where your partners are and learn the lanes of approach so you don't mistake Barney the Buck for Elmer Fudd the hunting buddy and either pass on a shot you should have taken or plugged a buddy and have to live with that decision for the rest of your life

[Dave McCracken]

The price on the Mossberg package is a trifle high, IMO, but not an outright ripoff. The 500 is a good shotgun. The combo is a good idea.

Vent ribs both aid the poiint in wingshooting and limit heat mirage when shooting rapidly as in the clay games or a hot dove field.

[Mannlicher]

20 ga. #3 Buck is not a good idea. Go 12 ga. or dont go on the hunt.

[bowfin]

What kind of deer hunting do you plan on doing? Stands, still hunting, dogs, a combination? What kind of cover?

About the only time I have ever heard of slugs being prohibited and not required is in the case of running deer hounds down South. In that case, you can probably get away with a 20 gauge and a good load of buckshot, since you will be shooting at point blank range, and a wounded deer is less problematic with a pack of trained hounds right on the deer's tail.

[OldSchooler]

oops

[OldSchooler]

Why dont you just get your hands on a rifle?

I mean, if slugs are taboo (which strikes me as decidedly odd) that only leaves sharp sticks, shot of some kind and bullets. We'll dispense with sharp sticks at the outset.

Let's start by saying that buck shot has always seemed questionable. Even though the name implies it's use - "buck" shot - I'll wager that there are more deer maimed and/or lost through the use of the stuff than are cleanly harvested. It is severley limited in useful range and about the only time I see its' use is when running deer with dogs.

In fact there seems to be a concensus among the experts here, to whom I defer, not being anything close to one myself, that it is less than adequate. Of course, having said all that, someone will now come forward and announce how well it works. But, you get the point I'm sure.

Yet another respondent mentioned a handgun. Thats a good idea. A .44 Mag would do and be a fantastic thing to just haul out now and then and admire.
Another option further down this line is an S/S pistol, like a T/C Contender. However, unless you don't mind spending as much (or more) than your house payment, this may not be a welcome idea.

But, the concept does get us started down the road I intended, so lets just get there, shall we?

Consider this, if you will. If slugs are out and buckshot is dubious at best, then just set the 20 ga aside for now. And hold off on the 12 ga. Mossie for a bit, okay?
I personally like the idea of a hunting handgun. But a serviceable handgun will be quite costly, and requires a good bit of practice to become proficient with it. So what to do?

There is an alternative that combines the best of many attributes and has yet to be mentioned. What am I talking about?

The Handi-Rifle, of course, chambered in any one of several suitable rifle calibres. These would be: 30-30, .308, 7mm-08, and if you must .243. They are even made in 45-70, if memory serves.

A used one will set you back the same as a night out - well okay, A NICE nite out - and a new one will cost little more than that. For example, a new Handi-Rifle in .308 goes for $203 at Walmart. A boomer for sure, but we're talking .308: one of the finest deer rounds made. Ditto the 7mm-08, with less boom. Even better.:D

Now, it WILL require an optic sight, but a useful one can be had for $100, mounted. Some names that come to mind are Simmons, BSA and Tasco in this price range. None of these are the best there is, but for your limited use, adequate.

Then you will have a deer rifle to go along with that excellent 1100 of yours, for 300$ plus change. An that's if you buy a new one. Man, now we're talking a hunting battery here!

Some will argue that it's just a single shot. True, it is. But with a little practice, you can do as much with that single shot as anyone - after all how many shots at any one moment can you take? That's right...one. Besides with a cartdige slide on your sling or a forearm holder, quick second shots are mere seconds away. I've just described my friends' still and stand hunting set up, and he has yet to fail with it, that I know of.

Then, if you like the thing and will keep it, you are ready. You can always upgrade later, if youre inclined. On the other hand, if you dislike it and want to shuck the rifle, it will resell well. In fact, just contact me; I'll probabaly buy it.

Thats my recommendation. I'm nobody, of course. Just another hack, really. You are free to do what you want. But, I have seen this work and am gearing up the same way myself.

Oh, and dont forget to get that Mossberg after the season. I have one, with a rifled slug barrel and a C-lect choke barrel, along with the 18.5" security and IC field barrel. Talk about versatile! (they even make a black powder barrel for the things) IMHO, they're one of the last great values around.

[OldSchooler]

;)

[RNB65]

Don't forget the ever popular SKS. Butt ugly to be sure but dirt cheap and 7.62x39 is good on deer out to 150yds or so. $175 will buy you an sks and enough ammo to hunt for a lifetime.

[CoastieTech]

Would you believe me if I told you that you can't use rifles in the county I'm hunting in either.

King William County
-No hunting of big game with shotguns loaded with slugs.
-Muzzleloading rifles are permitted during any authorized deer season where firearms are permitted.
-It is unlawful to hunt with a firearm within 100 yds. of a road.
-No hunting with a rifle larger than .22 caliber or shotgun slugs during the deer season.

[Thin Black Line]

There's always the bow and arrow....

Seriously, you can't go wrong with a Mossberg 12g. I've taken deer with
buck and slugs through a M590 (yeah, the full military version). Like has
already been pointed out you will need to be no more than 35 yds with
00 buck and much shorter is preferable for a clean kill. You're lucky to get
one pellet on a standard torso silhouette at 50 yds. I think you'll find you
can make a good number stick at 25 yards. Please pattern your buckshot
on some really big paper at various distances to see what I'm talking about.

When it comes to hunting, your camo, boots, and scent control can be more
important. You can easily get 25 yds or less if you're patient and very still
or stalking on a rainy/snowy day with the wind on your face. Have fun and
mix and match still hunting and stalking, but my suggestion would be to
master still hunting first unless you're with an experienced deer hunter
who can push toward you and you are both very very serious about safety.
Wear your 360 degree blaze orange like it's a fashion statement when you're
on the ground!

Sorry I went on so long....just thinking a few months in advance and getting
excited :D

[RNB65]

Would you believe me if I told you that you can't use rifles in the county I'm hunting in either.


Yep, sounds very familiar. Sounds like you neet to get yourself to Wal Mart and buy a 12ga pump and use 00 buck. Black powder, bow, and large caliber handgun are options.

Your best option is to look for a hunting location in another county that allows rifles or slugs.

p.s. Have you ever fired a 12ga slug shell before? It's like standing behind a very angry mule and letting him give you a full kick in the shoulder. Not much fun!

[OldSchooler]

King William County
-No hunting of big game with shotguns loaded with slugs.
-Muzzleloading rifles are permitted during any authorized deer season where firearms are permitted.
-It is unlawful to hunt with a firearm within 100 yds. of a road.
-No hunting with a rifle larger than .22 caliber or shotgun slugs during the deer season.
Seems like something you might have mentioned in the first place. :) Regardless, why the goofy regulations? Where do you live? Is your entire county a virtual school yard, with a densely crowded population? Or do they just want you to fail for some reason? I live in South Carolina, where almost anything goes. I admit, I am not up on other places. Enlighten me with details, dear friend. Another guy says this:

Yep, sounds very familiar.

What am I missing about where the rest of you live?

Sounds like you neet to get yourself to Wal Mart and buy a 12ga pump and use 00 buck. Black powder, bow, and large caliber handgun are options.
Your best option is to look for a hunting location in another county that allows rifles or slugs.
Man, I gotta agree. Definitely look into blackpowder or a .44 Magnum. And I guess I gotta take it all back about the Handi-Rifle...unless you can get thineself elsewhere. Good Luck, brother.

[RNB65]

What am I missing about where the rest of you live?

VA as a whole is a very gun and hunting friendly state, but some of the localities are not. You have to dig thru the hunting regs with a fine-toothed comb to make sure you're not violating any ordinances of the county where you're hunting.

[OldSchooler]

Ah, the Old Dominion mentality. Probably some hold over law from before the WBS.

[CoastieTech]

I live in the Hampton Roads area but the guy I'm going hunting with lives in King William County. Since this is my first time hunting I have to go where he goes so I can learn the ropes.

[OldSchooler]

Well I am not knockng VA, mind you. I was just taken aback by the restrictive regulations. NO offense...

Go get the Mossie, stuff it with 3" OO shot shells and hope to get close ~ ~

[RNB65]

I must say that I'm shocked that King William County bans rifle hunting. I understand some of the urban/suburban counties banning rifle hunting due to their high population densities, but King William is about as rural as rural gets. The entire county only has about 13,000 people living there. It makes no sense at all.

[OldSchooler]

I understand some of the urban/suburban counties banning rifle hunting due to their high population densities, but King William is about as rural as rural gets.
Ditto on the shock factor. I CAN see rifle bans in densely populous areas, but not slugs. Not anymore.

When rifle-barrel shotguns hit the scene, there was the "cop killer" image to contend with as well as the fear of range carry. Neither of which was found to be the threat once imagined. As we here know,

1. Hunters dont kill cops and,
2. Generall, criminals dont choose big-assed shotguns as a primary weapon,
3. Slugs are effective at cleanly taking deer,
4. An ounce or so of lead just cannnot carry far, due to the laws of physics.

This is the modern, enlightened age and slugs have actually come into vogue in many places, thanks to the reasons just mentioned. I intend to use them this year, in fact, in my Mossie 500. There is little reason to go thwarky over them except fear or ignorance, the latter likely in the legislative councils of individual counties, anywhere.

(I noticed that there were no restrictions on handguns, at least none mentioned. How far does a T/C Contender carry a bullet in a commonly chambered round, say, .30-30? Or how about others, like 7mm-08 or exotics, like .309JDJ. The whole things reeks of typically un-informed crony-ism)

If you were looking beyond your immediate question and hoping for advice, let me add this - which you've likely guessed already.

Tough it out this season, write your elected representatives with the facts about slugs and hunter-related shooting incidents, then get together with friends and locals around Hampton Roads where you live and find somewhere else to hunt next time.

[1911_CQB]

I wish you could use slugs. I had a LT20 1100 that would take em clean with remington slugs. Buckshot I aint so sure about from a 20

[F=ma]

No hunting of big game with shotguns loaded with slugs.
-Muzzleloading rifles are permitted during any authorized deer season where firearms are permitted.
-It is unlawful to hunt with a firearm within 100 yds. of a road.
-No hunting with a rifle larger than .22 caliber or shotgun slugs during the deer season.
Seems like they (and maybe you?) should just cut to the chase and specify "muzzleloaders only"!

[sm]

I'd check on Combo Shotguns like the 870 Express in 12 ga.
Short smoothbore is rifle sighted and the other bbl is 26" or 28"

Now you have versatility. That short rifle sighted bore is also good for HD.

You will need a sling, so get the Mag Cap with sling attachment, and have someone set up to drill the stock for the other Uncle Mikes sling stud. Get the Uncle Mike's QD [Quick Detach] and get a simple leather or nylon sling.

Too heavy a sling causes "pendulum effect" - sling sways messing up shooting.

Buy varieties of 5 packs of buckshot. Forget high dollar , goopy, marketing hype and anything other than 2 3/4" shells.

My gut says that longer barrel with 2 3/4" Fed 9 pellet 00 thru a Modifed choke tube will give tightest patterns
;)

Everyone knows...
A stick of beef jerkey in back pocket/on person makes you a better shooter.
Get at least 3, really bad to miss because you didn't have any by wearing another jacket without.

Forget Camo - wear natural neutral colors.
No marketing hype on scented chewing gum, gun oil or whatever.
If cold...wool fingerless gloves, keeps hands warm, and fingers can operate gun...
...get a smoke out a pack, use a Zippo, unzip your fly, pour coffee...how I hunt anyway.

Main thing is, be safe, have fun, be with good folks, and make memories - getting venison a nice bonus.

[gezzer]

King William County
-No hunting of big game with shotguns loaded with slugs.
-Muzzleloading rifles are permitted during any authorized deer season where firearms are permitted.
-It is unlawful to hunt with a firearm within 100 yds. of a road.
-No hunting with a rifle larger than .22 caliber or shotgun slugs during the deer season.


Considerately law No hunting of big game with shotguns loaded with slugs-No hunting with a rifle larger than .22 caliber or shotgun slugs during the deer season.

Contact F&G for clarification must be a miss-print or mistake slugs are considered safer than buckshot, let alone more effective.

[saddlebum]

why not buy a muzzle loader you can get a starter kit with gun, powder bullets everything you need for under $250. and you'll have a real 150+ yard deer gun.

['Card]

I just downloaded the .pdf of the Virginia game regs and he's right - that's what it says. No shotguns with slugs.

I've seen some pretty stupid regulations in my day, but that one has to take the cake. What possible logical reason could you come up with for allowing someone to hunt deer with a .22, but not with slugs?

[RNB65]

What possible logical reason could you come up with for allowing someone to hunt deer with a .22, but not with slugs?

You didn't fully read the regs. The local regs prohibit deer hunting with slugs and rifles greater than .22 cal. The statewide regs prohibit hunting deer with a rifle less than .23 cal. That effectively bars all rifle deer hunting in KW county.

[Franklin7X57]

Buckshot is all about pattern. If your 20 gauge will put enough pellets on target you'll get your deer. That said the 12 gauge is the best choice because Federal and Winchester spent some money on developing a good 12 ga. round. Get some large pieces of cardboard and some pie plates and start about 20 yd. I think 3 or 4 pellets in the pie plate and nice even pattern around the pie plate. Back up and repeat, then don't shoot any farther than that.
If you aren't hunting with dogs and want a new gun the muzzleloader is a great idea. If you can go during muzzleloading season the rut is on= primetime.