Which of my two rifles would be your choice for the upcoming deer season?

[Hokkmike]

I feel somewhat under gunned with both - but I would choose one of these two rifles with the proviso that shots would be limited to approximately 100 - 125 yards. I am hunting on light forest adjacent to pastureland on a friend's farm. No deep woods and no long across the field shots. I have harvested 15 or so deer in the past with other calibers that I DO NOT have access to this year.

The lever packs a heavier wallop while the bolt has superior sighting capability.

I know there are many better alternatives out there but it "ain't" what I got so please try to limit your response to #1 or #2. If you feel VERY strongly that neither is sufficient please voice your opinion.

The CZ is .223/5.56

The Marlin is .45(LC)

 

[chicharrones]

• 1. CZ-257/ Leupold 3.5x10x40 VariX III scope w/ Winchester XP 64 grain Extreme Point cartridges.
• 2. Marlin 1894/ Skinner Peep sights w/Barnes 200 grain VOR-TX

What is each rifle chambered in?

 

[someguy2800]

Whichever you will shoot most accurately from field positions. I think for most people that will be the CZ unless you have exceptional eyesight.

 

[Larry in wyoming]

Marlin 1894. I don't like the 223 for deer. I just don't. But it will work.

 

[Hokkmike]

• 1. CZ-257/ Leupold 3.5x10x40 VariX III scope w/ Winchester XP 64 grain Extreme Point cartridges.
• 2. Marlin 1894/ Skinner Peep sights w/Barnes 200 grain VOR-TX

What is each rifle chambered in?

How stupid of me to forget that little detail. Thank YOU for the heads up. I added it it to the OP. CZ-.223/5.56. Marlin-45(LC)

 

[ojibweindian]

Marlin.

 

[Riomouse911]

My only question is the type of hunting you will do. In cover or in a blind where shots are more often taken quickly at 50-100 yards (Marlin), or in the open fields where shots are further out and you have time to pick your shot (CZ)?

You listed the areas, I am thinking more along the type of shot you will most often see; quick and close or slower at a bit of a distance? That would be my determining factor.

Stay safe.

 

[jmr40]

Neither would make my top 10 but between the 2 I'd take the CZ in 223 10 times out of 10.

 

[Pat Riot]

Personally, I wouldn’t use a .223/5.56 for deer. Just my bias.
If under 100 yards I would have no issues using the Marlin in .45 Colt.

 

[Legionnaire]

Put me in the Marlin camp. I'm not a lever guy and if I were, I'd prefer a .44 magnum. Nevertheless, I wouldn't choose to use a .223 for deer except in dire circumstances. YMMV.

 

[mshootnit]

I feel somewhat under gunned with both - but I would choose one of these two rifles with the proviso that shots would be limited to approximately 100 - 125 yards. I am hunting on light forest adjacent to pastureland on a friend's farm. No deep woods and no long across the field shots. I have harvested 15 or so deer in the past with other calibers that I DO NOT have access to this year.

The lever packs a heavier wallop while the bolt has superior sighting capability.

I know there are many better alternatives out there but it "ain't" what I got so please try to limit your response to #1 or #2. If you feel VERY strongly that neither is sufficient please voice your opinion.

The CZ is .223/5.56

The Marlin is .45(LC)

Neither
Dont favor either one for that purpose.

 

[9x56MS]

The 223 will kill deer but your margin for error is much smaller than with the 45 LC.

 

[redneck2]

The .45 should be plenty potent with the correct ammo. Obviously trajectory would be a concern.

Not sure that I personally would feel comfortable using a .223

 

[Mauser lover]

I used that .223 load last year. It worked. Just make sure you can hit what you shoot at, and don't take the shots you can't. I limited myself to 200 yards based on the bullet's retained energy at that distance. Group sizes (five shots) were about 1.125 inches at 100 yards, and I practiced at both 100 and 200 yards so I knew where the bullets were going.

 

[md7]

I’d go 223 with the options available to you, keep your shots around 100, and wait till they gave you a broadside.

Use a hunting round that groups well and use judicious marksmanship. It should work out for you.

If possible save up between now and next season for something more ideally suited for the task (243, 270, 7-08, 308, 30-06, etc)

 

[Armored farmer]

I chose the scoped rifle simply because I have been limited by my state for 50 years to use slug guns or muzzleloaders or handguns......I have always wanted to be able to use a scoped centerfire rifle and have the ability to make a precise shot at more than 100yds

 

[Show Me]

Too many if's and where's

 

[InTheSwamp]

223

 

[red rick]

I would go shoot both and let that make my decision .

 

[Random 8]

I voted for #1, but would absolutely choose a different bullet. That Win Xtrem point is meant for rapid expansion, which is undesireable in your situation. I would favor their conventional power point in 64 grains, or a mono or bonded offering of similar weight. Even specifically the Hornady 68 or 75 grain BTHP match bullet with cannelure would be a superior choice IMHO. The ones with a cannelure have a thicker jacket and are intended for LE use. They have a decent reputation as a game bullet, and the 75 will stabilize in my 1;9 twist carbine. I've never shot a deer with one, and never will, but they act like a heavy for caliber soft point on coyotes from point blank to 600 yards. Do not take any hard quartering shots, I would prefer a CNS shot to the base of the skull, but wouldn't pass a clean heart lung shot on dead broadside or slight quarter if the confidence wasn't there for CNS.

If you would limit your shots to 75 yards, the .45 would probably suffice.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I would use the Marlin.
I'm not a fan of .223 for deer either. I know people use it effectively. But I wouldn't.

 

[LoonWulf]

527 primarily because of the optics. Otherwise either or. Honestly I wouldnt feel uncomfortable with either when used at around 100yds.

 

[Captcurt]

With my eyes I need optics. I would feel better with the 223, but be really picky about my shot. 20 years ago I would have gone with the Marlin.

 

[Mauser lover]

I voted for #1, but would absolutely choose a different bullet. That Win Xtrem point is meant for rapid expansion, which is undesireable in your situation. I would favor their conventional power point in 64 grains [...] Do not take any hard quartering shots, I would prefer a CNS shot to the base of the skull, but wouldn't pass a clean heart lung shot on dead broadside or slight quarter if the confidence wasn't there for CNS.

Oops! I lied. I used a .223 with the Winchester 64 grain Power-Point last year. I was planning on a CNS shot, but he gave me a very attractive shot facing me at about 75 yards. I decided a heart shot was more certain than trying to shoot through his nose with such a light bullet. And it worked quite well.

 

[BushMaster-15]

Not knowing where the snack capital of the USA is , I'm guessing White tail deer on the smallish side ?. Therefore 5.56 would be legal ?. I'd still opt for .45 LC
Start practicing with that Marlin ,so You can nail whatever within 125 yd. . Personally I'm NOT fond of either ,especially for Deer hunting .

I've only hunted Deer twice in close cover thickets and preferred MY .44 Mag pistol . All the remaining Deer Elk Antelope I've hunted has been open territory ,including plains game in Africa . So using scoped weapons 90% of the time ,makes for fairly precision shots and NOTHING smaller than 6.5mm .
Exception using an open sight 6.5X55 Swede in Sweden to hunt Moose . Beautiful Rifle by Husqvarna WWll M38 . I believe with practice I could have kept 3" groups at 200 meters with that rifle . Ammunition was Norma hunting load and they're flat shooting .