Stuck on a fence...

[ds92]

Hello everyone. Once again i've run into a decision that needs to be made before deer season. I'm in the market for a new deer gun but in CT you can only legally use a shotgun on state land. However, i do have many friends with lots of land that would be available for hunting so i havent ruled out a rifle. It's pretty much boiled down to a Ruger M77 in .270 win. or a mossberg 500 with slug/field combo in 12 ga.

Any advice is welcome and appreciated.

 

[Shawnee]

You can use the shotgun on both state and private land.

In Ohio, the annual deer harvest is between a quarter-million and a third of a million - and not one of them is taken with a centerfire rifle.

 

[koja48]

Confronted by the rules as you are, I'd agree with Shawnee (unless you have a slug-launcher already). If you do, the .270 isn't a bad choice at all.

 

[Grumulkin]

In Ohio, the annual deer harvest is between a quarter-million and a third of a million - and not one of them is taken with a centerfire rifle.

If you count nuisance permits, some are taken with centerfire rifles.

 

[matrem]

Yes, shotguns can be very effective venison collectors with the right gun / slug combo.I feel I'm giving up zero to using my 7 mag if the range is 100yds or less.Where I hunt,the vast majority of shot opportunities are less than 100yds.
I'd have to pick the .270 as a far better "one gun",but you'll have to decide how much of your hunting will be on state land & how many shot possibilities you'll get beyond 100-125 yds.
Another point you might consider.What are CT state land rules for modern inline MLs? Those can be "very usable" to 200 yds,and for some,a bit beyond.In OH,they can not only be used anywhere at any time a slug gun can,they even get a few extra days after Christmas.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

The other thing to consider is that while today your friends have private land where a rifle is useable, tomorrow with houses being built, that law may change, but still allow a shotgun. Such is the case in the People's Republic of Maryland, in some areas it's a good idea, in other areas it's silly, but that doesn't stop legislation. (i.e. one can't use a lever action in .44 mag or .357 mag where I am, but one can use a .44 or .357 revolver, or an inline using 150 grains of powder - stupid)

LD