Nice problem to have...which rifle for the hunt.

[ZeSpectre]

So after 40-something years I was finally persuaded to go on my first deer hunt this year. Problem is I just can't make up my mind which rifle to take out first. (I know, don'tcha just feel terrible for me? )

So just for the fun of it I submit the contenders to you for a vote.

In one corner....
Remington 7600 pump action rifle chambered in .243 Winchester with a nice 3x-9x scope. Rifle has been sighted in and is a real tack driver. I have been shooting this type of rifle longer than anything else (learned on an old model 760 as a kid).

In the other corner....
Marlin 336a lever action chambered in .30-30 Winchester, also with a decent 3x-9x scope. Rifle has been sighted in and is very accurate, possibly with a better trigger than the 7600. Haven't shot this rifle nearly as much as the 7600, but have used it enough to feel confident that I could make a clean kill. Plus I've sighted in with and have some of the "LeverEvolution" ammo for it.

Whitetail hunting conditions will be hilly and some trees. It is extremely unlikely that a shot over 90 yards would present itself and I know I won't take a shot over 150 yards (just my personal choice).

 

[JesseL]

Which rifle can you hit with most quickly and accurately from field positions?

 

[ZeSpectre]

First hunt... First, as in haven't hunted before. Targets only prior to this. Standing, sitting, offhand, whatever. I do about the same with either.

Seriously it's a wash, I'm pretty capable (at least against paper) with either, hence the call for a tiebreaker vote

 

[eliphalet]

I have been shooting this type of rifle longer than anything else (learned on an old model 760 as a kid).

I'd choose this one for that reason.

 

[Legionnaire]

Ditto.

 

[Walkalong]

Which one do you shoot better? I voted .30-30.

 

[Shawnee]

Ditto Eliphalet's comment.

Either would be fine but it's always best to use the one you're most familiar with.

 

[cracked butt]

All else being equal, I'd take a .243 over a 30-30 every time.

 

[JonB]

I picked the 30-30 just because I don't have one - I use .243. But flip a coin, or go hunting two days and take one each day. both sound like great rifles.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Seriously guys, the accuracy is a wash, I seem to do equally well with either.
(Keep in mind the following target is after sighting in, and about 100 rounds of practice with each rifle).



but so far the vote says that the .30-30 gets to go out on the first day and the .243 on the second. Like I said, nice problem to have

 

[Wolfgang2000]

What are you hunting, and in what type of terrain are you hunting in?

The 243 is flatter shooting and better for open terrain. The 30-30 is a great brush gun. If it comes down to a coin flip, go with the rifle you are most familiar with. It will help combat the "Buck Fever" of a first hunt.

Good Luck

 

[ZeSpectre]

Wolfgang... read the first post <grin>.
Whitetail deer, rolling terrain w/ clumps of trees. Some underbrush.
Shots in the 90-150 yard range.

Good point about "buck fever"...I've been sort of mentally avoiding that thought

 

[Titan6]

I voted for the Remington for the familarity. The .243 has also slightly superior ballisitics....

After voting I realized that the .30-30 is better against bear and faster acting in case that plays in your decision making process. :wink:

Either way put some tick juice in your clothes they are real bad this year.

 

[GRB]

Rifle has been sighted in and is a real tack driver.

I like my Marlin 336, and I like my remington 870 pump action shotgun (no not a .243 but a pump action like yours). For me the pump action is quicker to engage, and your trigger hand stays in place for a follow-up shot if needed. I like that, though I much prefer the first shot be right on the money, and it usually is.

Still though it could be a toss up for me. As for your choise, I think you made it already and do not realize it. You said it all in the above sentence. If it is a tack driver for you, use the Remington.

All the best,
Glenn B

 

[Wolfgang2000]

Sorry I didn't see the deer part. I still lean toward the most familiar rifle.

Buck fever can be serious.

 

[Harve Curry]

Marlin 30-30

 

[hank327]

Take the 243 as you say you have more trigger time with this rifle. In your hunting situation the caliber of the rifle is not important at all. However your familiarity with the rifle may be. Take the one with which you have the most experience.

As for buck fever, when it comes time to take the shot, concentrate on that tiny portion of the deer that you want your bullet to strike. Try to pick out an individual hair that you want to hit an concentrate on making the shot. Once you have determined that you are going to shoot focus all your attention on making the shot and disregard antler size, deer size etc. By focusing on making the shot, you will go a long way in overcoming the excitment and nervousnous of buck fever.

 

[Twud]

Hate to be a spoiler but I'd try to get a bolt action 270 together real quick like. IMHO the 243 is not enough and the 30-30 is range limited. If your sure you're shots would be under 100 yards I might go with 30-30 and the heavier bullet.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Hate to be a spoiler but I'd try to get a bolt action 270 together real quick like. IMHO the 243 is not enough

Well, I appreciate that concern, but Dad brought home multiple deer, almost always a one shot kill, every year for as long as I can remember with a .243 so I'm pretty sure it's enough gun. I'm not hunting to feed the family so I can stick to the "not near enough, don't take the shot" principle and let anything chancy walk away.

On paper I'm as good a shot as Dad ever was. I guess this year we'll see how I stack up on live game.

Like I said though, I appreciate you tryin' to look out for me.

 

[Lupinus]

Well in this case both work equally well so long as you can shoot both equally well.

The terrian/range is pretty neutral as far as what could be called advantages or disadvantages to one rifle or the other.

Basically what would you rather say you took your first deer with? Go with that one.

 

[azredhawk44]

I'd go with the 30-30. The targets above have one spoiler shot that ruin an otherwise predictable and reliable group for the .243. The 30-30, while a larger pattern (if the spoiler is ignored from the previous one), is more consistent. Or, at least your shooting was more consistent.

But, for kicks and giggles, put that same target out at 75 yards and shoot at it, standing, with no support.

For me, I shoot worst standing and unsupported. Even slung-up properly, I wouldn't trust myself to shoot more than 50-75 yards while standing and unsupported.

But... I shoot my M1A better standing than I shoot my .30-30 or my .22 for that matter. My Mosin is right behind the M1A in standing accuracy for me. The M1A is the heaviest rifle I have (2nd heaviest is the Mosin 91/30) and the extra weight seems to dampen my muscle twitches as my arms try to keep me on target.

Do you have time before the hunt to shoot another group from each rifle, standing? That would be my deciding factor were I in your shoes.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Do you have time before the hunt to shoot another group from each rifle, standing?

Nope, but I wish I did, hadn't really even thought about it to tell the truth (darnit).

 

[ZeSpectre]

To everyone:
I posted this kinda tongue in cheek but you folks are bringing up some excellent points, many of which I hadn't really considered.

Big +1 for the THR community, I LOVE the idea sharing that goes on here! (oh and by the way, Happy Thanksgiving to y'all).

 

[rbernie]

The terrain favors the 30-30.

 

[mljdeckard]

My dad has an old 760 in .257 Roberts he has had for at least 40 years. It is beat to hell, he says it still makes him look like a really good shot.

When we are creeping through sagebrush, we have found over the years that the compact rifle is most appropriate.

I really don't have much experience with lever guns. I suppose I would consider if I was more inclined to pinching my fingers in the lever, or as I rack the slide on the 760. In MY case, I'm much more practiced with the pump.