[41magsnub]

Next year I will be setting up a blind in the middle of some trees that I stalk hunted this year successfully. I figure 50 yards would be a long shot here. I want to change things up just for some variety and use something other than one of my scoped bolt action hunting rifles.

The options that I have today:

.45-70 Shiloh Sharps Old Reliable that I have no idea how to use the vernier sight on but could definitely do well with the buckhorn sight at these ranges.

12 or 20 ga slugs (never fired a slug so I need to do some range work to sort it out with some different makes and models)

AR-15 with iron sights- please god do not make this a .223 enough for deer thing.

Garand with an adjustable gas plug. It shoots really well with the Core-lokt 150 gr.

Any of these are more than adequate to take a white tail. Which do you guys think I should use to spice things up?

[dakotasin]

a handgun.

[shaggy430]

Garand.

[schlockinz]

Buffalo gun, I love the big boom.

Or the .223 at those ranges

The garand would be cool, but its a 30.06, I don't see the change in the challenge, other than letting it kill something other than krauts.

[jimmyraythomason]

Your whitetail season is already over? Glad I live here where we have a 12-13 week season(and it's only 2 weeks old) for firearms(16 weeks for muzzleloader,archery). Personally, the 45-70 S.S. is interesting.

[41magsnub]

Honestly, I am not sure if it is closed or not but I think it is. It is closed for me anyway, already used all my tags.

[oneounceload]

Spice it up? A bow....next - a handgun - I have a Remington XP-100 in 7mm BR that loves 120 gr Nosler BT's........heck of a pistol

In all seriousness, depending on range, any of what you have will work

[jimmyraythomason]

I see,I never thought of that(since we don't use tags here). Congratulations on your success!

[R.W.Dale]

AR-15 with iron sights- please god do not make this a .223 enough for deer thing.

H-bar or pencil bbl?

If a lightweight I'd opt for the AR as mine has been a joy to cart through the woods. Besides I feel that being seen hunting with an AR is just good PR (see sig)

[41magsnub]

HBAR, but it is in a stand so not really an issue. This is lazy man's hunting!

[chas08]

I vote 45/70. I just bought one in a Marlin 1895G and can't wait to get it bloodied.

[highorder]

Dad used a TC Contender 14" 44 Mag for that situation...

Of your choices, I'd use the M1.

It and the AR are parkerized, and hold up well to the elements.
Krochus makes a great point too:

hunting with an AR is just good PR

[Arkel23]

12 with slugs.

[wheelgunslinger]

The 45-70.
You have a year to learn some old school skill with the sight. Take the opportunity and challenge. You'll think more highly of old timers if you do.

[Arkansas Paul]

I'm a bit of a history buff and love older firearms. I wouldn't be able to resist taking the Sharps. The .45-70 round is going to be hard to beat in the brush. Not trying to make it into a .223 for deer thread, but it's probably not a great choice in the brush. Has nothing to do with it not being enough gun, just not great for your particular situation. Sharps all the way.

[Fremmer]

.45-70 Shiloh Sharps Old Reliable

That's a hella-cool rifle for deer hunting! Go for it!

[41magsnub]

No brush, just cottonwoods. The ground is remarkably clear.

[schlockinz]

huntin a river or creek?

[Delaware Ken]

We can only shoot slugs here in Delaware. After much research, I gave my 12 gauge Remington 1100 a rest, and purchased a 20 gauge H&R Sulg Gun with the heavy Barrel. I stuck a 2X Leupold scope on it. and it shoots .75" groups at 50 yards with Remington Accutip 3" Slugs. It's a litte heavy to carry around, but it is outstanding out of a tree stand. It's deffinately a keeper.

Ken

[wyohome]

While it is fun to experiment with less that perfect gun/sight combinations, I prefer to use the most lethal and accurate weapon that I own. I have too much respect for the animals to treat them to a bad hit or less than lethal injury. I am probably in the minority on this issue, but I always know what is behind what I am shooting at as well and have turned down shots on nice bucks because I might hit a second animal.

[bad_aim_billy]

20 with buckshot if you really want a challenge...

[R.W.Dale]

20 with buckshot if you really want a challenge...

of finding the deer after you shoot it:neener:


I used buckshot ONCE 12ga at that.....Never again

[interlock]

the garand with the cor lokt ammo. you know it will do the job and do it well

[Rembrandt]

Our gun deer season for this year hasn't even started yet.....guess some states it comes early.