Deer hunting for the first time. Which of my guns to use?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Deer hunting for the first time. Which of my guns to use?

Posted: 9/12/2005 10:36:04 AM EDT

I'm going to try and bag a deer this year, but have never shot one before. I have some rifles, but none are dedicated to hunting, mostly C&R stuff or plinkers. Most likely where I will be hunting the shot will be within 100 yards, though I'd prefer a shot at less than 50-75.

Here is what I could possibly use.

7.62x39 SKS. Yugo 59 with a williams firesight (peep sight) I can keep them on a paper plate at 100 yards.

7.62x54r M44 Mosin. Not very accurate with it and the iron sights. I just ordered a "darrylls scount mount" that will let me pop a scope on there without drilling. I hear they are good quality mounts. I could use a 4x20mm that I have sitting around the house or get a 3x9x? at the store.

AR-15. All I have right now is a lower, but plan on putting a 14.5 + flashider upper on there pretty soon. I could probably get by with the iron sights, but wouldn't mind an EOtech or other optic sight.

Browing BPS 12ga. All it has is a front bead sight so unless I was standing on the deer I don't know if I'd be comfortable using it. It does have a 26 in barrel, but I don't know how to mount a scope on there. If I could mount a scope and shoot reliably at 50 yards I'd prefer this.

Well, what should I go with to get my first deer?

Posted: 9/12/2005 10:38:05 AM EDT

[#1]

of those. SKS 7.62x39 does a good and accurate job.

Posted: 9/12/2005 10:40:20 AM EDT

[#2]

The M44 would be better ballistically, but if you are more accurate with the SKS, go with that one. With good JSP ammo the 7.62x39 is decent on deer.

Posted: 9/12/2005 10:40:27 AM EDT

[#3]

Throw some 00 buckshot in your shotty and you'll be fine out to 80 yards or so.

The SKS would also be fine as it's about the same as a 30/30, just get a soft nosed round it shoots well and this too will work.

Mike

Posted: 9/12/2005 10:40:59 AM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
I'm going to try and bag a deer this year, but have never shot one before. I have some rifles, but none are dedicated to hunting, mostly C&R stuff or plinkers. Most likely where I will be hunting the shot will be within 100 yards, though I'd prefer a shot at less than 50-75.

Here is what I could possibly use.

7.62x39 SKS. Yugo 59 with a williams firesight (peep sight) I can keep them on a paper plate at 100 yards.

7.62x54r M44 Mosin. Not very accurate with it and the iron sights. I just ordered a "darrylls scount mount" that will let me pop a scope on there without drilling. I hear they are good quality mounts. I could use a 4x20mm that I have sitting around the house or get a 3x9x? at the store.

AR-15. All I have right now is a lower, but plan on putting a 14.5 + flashider upper on there pretty soon. I could probably get by with the iron sights, but wouldn't mind an EOtech or other optic sight.

Browing BPS 12ga. All it has is a front bead sight so unless I was standing on the deer I don't know if I'd be comfortable using it. It does have a 26 in barrel, but I don't know how to mount a scope on there. If I could mount a scope and shoot reliably at 50 yards I'd prefer this.

Well, what should I go with to get my first deer?

I'd use the SKS, unless having the AR would paint me with more enviable color.

Seriously, I'd use the SKS.

Posted: 9/12/2005 10:41:52 AM EDT

[#5]

Well, the 7.62x54R probably has the greatest potential for a 1-shot kill, but a 7.62x39 is approximately as powerful as a 30-30. Some folks will tell you the AR is the best, but ammo selection is key, assuming your state laws allow you to hunt with <25 caliber. Mine don't. I'd probably take the 7.62x39 because you're accurate with it, and it's sufficiently powerful. MJD

Posted: 9/12/2005 10:42:33 AM EDT

[#6]

After you scope the M44, choose between it and the SKS based on proficiency.

Neither are anywhere close to ideal for the job.

Posted: 9/12/2005 10:44:11 AM EDT

[#7]

ID take the M44

Posted: 9/12/2005 10:44:52 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
After you scope the M44, choose between it and the SKS based on proficiency.

+1. Practice.

Posted: 9/12/2005 10:45:38 AM EDT

[#9]

If the SKS is legal I would go with that. In Ohio we can't hunt deer with a rifle so I used a shotgun. If you practice with the shotgun you should be able to get a good hit on a deer up to 50 yrds easy with a bead sight, and if your skilled up to 100. A rifled slug would have plenty of power at those ranges. Also the use of buckshot is illegal here too, it is slugs only.

Posted: 9/12/2005 10:46:50 AM EDT

[#10]

I would go with the 12ga with slugs or 00 buck shot.

Posted: 9/12/2005 10:47:57 AM EDT

[#11]

Shotty with modified choke tube and rifled slugs should be accurate to 100yards. My 1300 is when I hold it 6" high.

Shok

Posted: 9/12/2005 10:49:39 AM EDT

[#12]

Take them all to the range and see which one you can hit a 6 inch circle with.

If the answer is none then find a rifle in which you can hit a 6 inch circle.

Posted: 9/12/2005 10:49:57 AM EDT

[#13]

You could buy a 1919 and try that. It's okay, I read about it in General Firearms.

I'd take the M44.

Posted: 9/12/2005 10:51:15 AM EDT

[#14]

I'd take my AR, if they didn't insist on putting me in jail for it.

Posted: 9/12/2005 10:53:36 AM EDT

[#15]

I'd take the SKS also ...... but only because the 12ga has a bead sight.

Posted: 9/12/2005 11:03:13 AM EDT

[#16]

If its leagle to use buck shot in your state, go for it!
If not, get a shotgun scope mount.

www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0006213710172a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnString=QueryText=shotgun+scope+mount&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=shotgun+scope+mount&noImage=0&rid=0180102012302&cmCat=perf&cm_ven=Performics&cm_cat=Overture&cm_pla=hunt_springturkey&cm_ite=shotgun%20scope%20mount&_requestid=37299&returnPage=search-results1.jsp

If you go this way, dont buy a expensive, zoom scope. Get a cheep, fix power, wide angle scope. Anything around $100.oo or less would be good enough!

scopesandmore.meridian1.net/s/scopesandmore/default.asp?S=503&A=E&PKV=RSR-SM7790D|0

Posted: 9/12/2005 11:05:04 AM EDT

[#17]

Your AR with an Eotech is your gun, son. Just get some 62 gr hollowpoints and a mag that meets the hunting regs and you are golden.

Kilt a buck at 250 meters (1 shot, 1 kill) and made a headshot on a running doe at about 50 meters last year with my AR.

Posted: 9/12/2005 11:18:49 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
After you scope the M44, choose between it and the SKS based on proficiency.

Neither are anywhere close to ideal for the job.

+1-----------Much better guns out there for deer hunting than those two choices.

Posted: 9/12/2005 11:21:01 AM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
Quoted:
After you scope the M44, choose between it and the SKS based on proficiency.

Neither are anywhere close to ideal for the job.

+1-----------Much better guns out there for deer hunting than those two choices.

+2. Find a good used deer rifle. What you have are suboptimal.

Posted: 9/12/2005 11:22:47 AM EDT

[#20]

SKS. It's a pointy 30-30.

Leave the AR at home. It's a varmint gun (or bad guy gun).

Posted: 9/12/2005 11:29:00 AM EDT

[#21]

For deer hunting under 100 yrds, Nothing beats a 12 guage slug. It has knock power up the ying yang!!!

Posted: 9/12/2005 11:33:21 AM EDT

[#22]

Mosin. You will kill them with muzzle blast.

(edit - not kiss them with blast, kill!)

Posted: 9/12/2005 11:33:56 AM EDT

[#23]

All of them............
You don't know how tough a whitetail can be untill you piss him off

Really, What can you shoot most accuratly?
What range do you expect the be shooting at?
Thick brush & woods or more open ground?

Posted: 9/12/2005 11:47:46 AM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:
of those. SKS 7.62x39 does a good and accurate job.

Seemed to work well enough for Vang

Posted: 9/12/2005 11:51:17 AM EDT

[#25]

Quoted:
Quoted:
of those. SKS 7.62x39 does a good and accurate job.

Seemed to work well enough for Vang

Beat Me To It!!

Posted: 9/12/2005 11:58:50 AM EDT

[#26]

SKS

Posted: 9/12/2005 12:02:22 PM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:
After you scope the M44, choose between it and the SKS based on proficiency.

Neither are anywhere close to ideal for the job.

How about a scoped K31?

Or a scoped Mauser?

Posted: 9/12/2005 12:08:44 PM EDT

[#28]

if you plan to hunt in MO you can't use buckshot in your shotgun. you must use slugs.
auto loaders have a 10 round mag limit so leave the high caps home or put a wooden block in them so they only hold 9 rounds. just to be safe. also no full metal jacket.
the deer in MO run 125-150# so you can take them with any of the above weapons if you use a nice soft point or HP designed to kill deer.

have a safe hunt!

Posted: 9/12/2005 12:14:37 PM EDT

[#29]

I've shot deer with my SKS and AR. Since your AR isn't complete you should use your SKS. Patty

Posted: 9/12/2005 12:16:27 PM EDT

[#30]

The SKS and the Mosin are possibles. You need an intermediate eye relief scope to make a Scout mount work. A regular scope won't work on one. Your SKS might be the best choice with American HP ammo. One thing you didn't mention that might be something to consider is to borrow a deer rifle from somebody and use it. Something like a bolt or lever gun.

Posted: 9/12/2005 12:16:52 PM EDT

[#31]

Be sure and use a pistol scope or scout scope with this mount.

A regular scope probably won't have enough eye relief to allow you to see a full image.

Dennis Jenkins

7.62x54r M44 Mosin. Not very accurate with it and the iron sights. I just ordered a "darrylls scount mount" that will let me pop a scope on there without drilling. I hear they are good quality mounts. I could use a 4x20mm that I have sitting around the house or get a 3x9x? at the store.

Posted: 9/12/2005 12:22:26 PM EDT

[#32]

Really, What can you shoot most accuratly?
What range do you expect the be shooting at?
Thick brush & woods or more open ground?

Mostly wooded hills with a few open spots. More than likely I'll walk up on them rather than sit around and wait. So I expect the shot to be less than 100yds.

Does the shotgun mount need drilled? Does it damage the finish on the receiver? My shotgun is a Browning BPS that's engraved on the receiver and in 99% condition, don't want to mess it up.

Posted: 9/12/2005 5:47:47 PM EDT

[#33]

I think I'm going to go with the M44. The HP or JSP's are around 180 grains and will pack a lot of punch. The last thing I want to do is wound a deer. With the 5 round capacity I won't have to modify anything. Also, I know it hasn't been accurate with iron sights and I want to get it to the range with it scoped. I imagine I could make it shoot better than the SKS with even a 4x scope.

Now I just need to figure out who sells 7.62x54r ammo for the gun. All I've shot out of it is FMJ 174 grain surplus.

Posted: 9/12/2005 6:56:58 PM EDT

[#34]

If you can reload the 7.62 X54R with a soft point,will give you .308 win ballistics(more than enough for deer or elk!!

But FMJ are a no -no in the woods!!!!!

You might just kill more than deer with the overpenetration!!!!

Bob

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Deer hunting for the first time. Which of my guns to use?

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