Deer Rifle Advice
- Thread starter SteelChickenShooter
- Start date
smoakingun
New member
I wouldn't jump right on the 30-30 being a bunch lighter than the guide gun, it is lighter, but not by much. As to brush busting, I too have lost game to deflection of a fast 30, and yes, the 45 will deflect too, it takes more substantial stuff to throw it completely off target, I have the skins on the bed and holes in the palmetto to prove it.
My next question would be, how many folks answering this thread own or hunt with the guide gun?
My next question would be, how many folks answering this thread own or hunt with the guide gun?
1st Choice: Sell some shotties and get the 45/70.
2nd Choice: Remove the scope from the 30-30, and it instantly becomes better in close woods. Lots of folks like peep sights on lever actions.
3rd Choice: Sell the 30-30 and get the 45/70. You could always download the 30-06 with "managed recoil" ammo and simulate the 30-30, at least from a trajectory and recoil point of view.
Do you hand load? If not, you should. Otherwise, the 45/70 is going to beat the hell out of you. The lightest factory bullet weight for 45/70 is 300 gr. That's about double the weight of a typical 30-30 bullet. I'm fairly certain they use more powder too. My shoulder hurts just thinking about it.
Another thing handloaders can do is to load spitzer bullets in their 30-30s to make it a 200 yard gun. Load one, chamber it. Then load the other. If you don't get the deer in two shots, you've got plenty of time to reload while you wait for your next opportunity. From what I understand, they don't stick around more than a couple milliseconds once you start shooting at them.
The last thing: people don't usually think of it, but a 44 Magnum lever rifle is a good 100 yard deer gun. Probably kicks about the same as a 30-30.
2nd Choice: Remove the scope from the 30-30, and it instantly becomes better in close woods. Lots of folks like peep sights on lever actions.
3rd Choice: Sell the 30-30 and get the 45/70. You could always download the 30-06 with "managed recoil" ammo and simulate the 30-30, at least from a trajectory and recoil point of view.
Do you hand load? If not, you should. Otherwise, the 45/70 is going to beat the hell out of you. The lightest factory bullet weight for 45/70 is 300 gr. That's about double the weight of a typical 30-30 bullet. I'm fairly certain they use more powder too. My shoulder hurts just thinking about it.
Another thing handloaders can do is to load spitzer bullets in their 30-30s to make it a 200 yard gun. Load one, chamber it. Then load the other. If you don't get the deer in two shots, you've got plenty of time to reload while you wait for your next opportunity. From what I understand, they don't stick around more than a couple milliseconds once you start shooting at them.
The last thing: people don't usually think of it, but a 44 Magnum lever rifle is a good 100 yard deer gun. Probably kicks about the same as a 30-30.
Not true at all unless you are buying Buffalo Bore or similar ammunition. Most ammunition manufacturers .45-70 is pretty anemic, not anymore powerful than the old black powder loads. The ammo guys do this to keep from blowing up old trap door rifles that can't handle the pressures of the Marlin levers.
While I wouldn't want to shoot a lot from the bench. From field positions the recoild of standard factory ammunition in a .45-70 will be pretty mild. I just can't imagine the recoil impulse being that sharp, it would be more like a heavy push.
I've never shot a deer with any other kind of rifle than a bolt-action, mostly in either .30-06 or .270 Win. My kills were from 10, to over 400 yards and I never felt under-gunned or over-scoped.
My hunting rifles have had 2.5X, 2-8X, 3-9X, or 2.5-10X scopes. At lower powers, a properly-mounted scope is faster and better than iron sights in all light conditions. A red-dot sight is faster, but lacks magnification and low-light capability.
A variable scope is best when you need to check for antlers before shooting. After sighting a deer, I turn it the power up to spot antlers, if necessary, then turn it down to a lower power to shoot.
Bolt-action rifles are the most common deer hunting rig among successful deer hunters in Maine, the country's most forested state. The most popular caliber is the .30-06! That's from tagging station polls conducted for many years.
My hunting rifles have had 2.5X, 2-8X, 3-9X, or 2.5-10X scopes. At lower powers, a properly-mounted scope is faster and better than iron sights in all light conditions. A red-dot sight is faster, but lacks magnification and low-light capability.
A variable scope is best when you need to check for antlers before shooting. After sighting a deer, I turn it the power up to spot antlers, if necessary, then turn it down to a lower power to shoot.
Bolt-action rifles are the most common deer hunting rig among successful deer hunters in Maine, the country's most forested state. The most popular caliber is the .30-06! That's from tagging station polls conducted for many years.
SteelChickenShooter
New member
Thanks again for the replies. I've read them all and have been doing more homework possibly getting a 357Mag or 44Mag rifle as an addition instead of the 45-70 as a replacement. I must admit it is true that I could use a slug in one of my shotguns instead of buying a 45-70. I see the rifle at the dealer and I am impulsive. I want to show off that gun at the campfire and try to justify buying it, or scheme to buy it when my eyes are bigger than my wallet. You guys have brought me around to correct thinking. The Browning A-bolt 30-06 is kept for longer range ability in locations where I can see clearly from 200 or 400 yards. The 30-30 is kept but lightly scoped for intermediate shooting lanes in other parts of the woods that reach to 100 yards or more. And I can sit under the oak tree in the back corner of the land surrounded by pines with a short barrel shotgun loaded with a one counce copper solid, or Brenneke Heavy Short Field Magnum. No doubt at close distance no greater than 20 to 30 yards pretty much any good quality slug will do.
I admit my first idea was off base. Some of your posts steered me back. I don't really need a 45-70, I just wanted it. But I think I may proceed with selling off some surplus hardware and use that money to add something like a Marlin 1894 to the roster. That would give me a decent open sight shorter range rifle I could bring to camp. I've been reading a lot about lever action 44Mags and 357Mags, I think I'd like to just add one of those.
I asked for advice based on experience, you guys delivered.
I admit my first idea was off base. Some of your posts steered me back. I don't really need a 45-70, I just wanted it. But I think I may proceed with selling off some surplus hardware and use that money to add something like a Marlin 1894 to the roster. That would give me a decent open sight shorter range rifle I could bring to camp. I've been reading a lot about lever action 44Mags and 357Mags, I think I'd like to just add one of those.
I asked for advice based on experience, you guys delivered.
Geezerbiker
New member
Just wanting one is a good enough reason for me. Save up and get one and I'm sure you'll find a niche for it in your hunting line up...
Tony
Tony
WildBill45
New member
Think outside the box
You don't need a new caliber, you need a new rifle!~
Hunting rifles are carried 99% of the time, and only shot 1% of the time, OR LESS!
A new, lightweight, short, and quick handling rifle is the nicest gift you can give to yourself! There are lots of custom options, or factory rifles that foot this bill!
A rifle that weighs 7 pounds max, 6 1/2 is better, 20-inch barrel, really good trigger or get a Timney, and in a shorter cartridge maybe, which can come in a shorter, thus lighter action!
I have a rifle like that, but mine is a medium bore for other game, but you could get a cartridge for deer that is suitable for your hunting style! Remember, that style will change over the years, one day you may find yourself in some far-away-land, and a rifle that is diverse can follow your trail!
The scope is the next option that makes a huge difference!
A single power, light weight scope is best, 4X is all you need! If you can't hit a deer with a 4X scope you are shooting too far! I used to shoot 900 yards with iron sights in competition, so I think you can hit deer with a 4X scope ... you don't need a spotting scope on your rifle like you see these days! A scope is for shooting, not for looking ... that is dangerous, use binoculars for looking!!! A single power scope has less parts, less openings for water or other stuff to get in, and is lighter, smaller, and keeps the overall weight down.
Next, is scope rings and mounts. Here you can save weight again, with one pieces rings, and light mounts.
Take your time, research the options, and put a rifle together for a life-long relationship, and a unique friend that is all yours!
On the upper end of the spectrum, this Kimber is a great example of light, reliable, and easy to carry, great to shoot! Get it in 25'06 OR .270 Win. and you have a perfect deer rifle! I handled one at the NRA CONVENTION, IT IS WONDERFUL!
http://www.kimberamerica.com/rifles/model-84l/montana
On the less money end, but still lite and a great shooter:
http://www.tikka.fi/t3models.php?lite
Good luck with your choice!
Hunting rifles are carried 99% of the time, and only shot 1% of the time, OR LESS!
You don't need a new caliber, you need a new rifle!~
Hunting rifles are carried 99% of the time, and only shot 1% of the time, OR LESS!
A new, lightweight, short, and quick handling rifle is the nicest gift you can give to yourself! There are lots of custom options, or factory rifles that foot this bill!
A rifle that weighs 7 pounds max, 6 1/2 is better, 20-inch barrel, really good trigger or get a Timney, and in a shorter cartridge maybe, which can come in a shorter, thus lighter action!
I have a rifle like that, but mine is a medium bore for other game, but you could get a cartridge for deer that is suitable for your hunting style! Remember, that style will change over the years, one day you may find yourself in some far-away-land, and a rifle that is diverse can follow your trail!
The scope is the next option that makes a huge difference!
A single power, light weight scope is best, 4X is all you need! If you can't hit a deer with a 4X scope you are shooting too far! I used to shoot 900 yards with iron sights in competition, so I think you can hit deer with a 4X scope ... you don't need a spotting scope on your rifle like you see these days! A scope is for shooting, not for looking ... that is dangerous, use binoculars for looking!!! A single power scope has less parts, less openings for water or other stuff to get in, and is lighter, smaller, and keeps the overall weight down.
Next, is scope rings and mounts. Here you can save weight again, with one pieces rings, and light mounts.
Take your time, research the options, and put a rifle together for a life-long relationship, and a unique friend that is all yours!
On the upper end of the spectrum, this Kimber is a great example of light, reliable, and easy to carry, great to shoot! Get it in 25'06 OR .270 Win. and you have a perfect deer rifle! I handled one at the NRA CONVENTION, IT IS WONDERFUL!
http://www.kimberamerica.com/rifles/model-84l/montana
On the less money end, but still lite and a great shooter:
http://www.tikka.fi/t3models.php?lite
Good luck with your choice!
Hunting rifles are carried 99% of the time, and only shot 1% of the time, OR LESS!
Last edited:
pabuckslayer08
New member
I think you need to re think your options because to me getting rid of the Browning is just stupid. Why in the world would you trade a great shooting 30-06 in for a 45-70. That just baffles me. I mean unless you were in for collecting it may make sense but for hunting thats just dumb. If I were you I would keep the browning and dump the 30-30 and buy something else. Why exactly do you want a lever action gun, they are far less accurate, not all that much faster than a bolt and are bulky. It may just be me but im lost at what your trying to get at.
If you want a .45-70, then get a .45-70. You're an adult with free agency.
Personally I'd stick with what you have or buy the .45-70 as a third gun.
Just so you know the .45-70 doesn't have to kick like a mule. A big slow bullet works fine on deer and won't beat you up.
So don't let fear of recoil put you off.
I'm more a fan of the 1886/Model 71 than of the Guide Gun. That gets into pretty high prices, so the Marlin is a better deal.
You never can tell though, you might find an affordable 1886
Personally I'd stick with what you have or buy the .45-70 as a third gun.
Just so you know the .45-70 doesn't have to kick like a mule. A big slow bullet works fine on deer and won't beat you up.
So don't let fear of recoil put you off.
I'm more a fan of the 1886/Model 71 than of the Guide Gun. That gets into pretty high prices, so the Marlin is a better deal.
You never can tell though, you might find an affordable 1886
My "primary" hunting rifle is a 30-06 and I also have a 336 (in 35 Remington) so I feel like you have two rifles that complement each other well for most deer hunting situations. OTOH I have this 45-70 Guide Gun that is truly a joy to shoot, hunt with and load for. I carried it more than any other rifle last season. I like to chase big hogs and I like the big slow chunk of lead a 45-70 provides when they decide to chase me. 
Can't argue against a pistol caliber carbine either, they're a ball to shoot and deliver respectable performance on game @ close range. Seems I have one of those, also. Obviously I don't think you can have too many good rifles, sorry if I wasn't helpful. 
All kidding aside, if you want to stay with two rifles and don't reload, you don't need another rifle. You have two very good ones already, IMHO.
Can't argue against a pistol caliber carbine either, they're a ball to shoot and deliver respectable performance on game @ close range. Seems I have one of those, also. Obviously I don't think you can have too many good rifles, sorry if I wasn't helpful. All kidding aside, if you want to stay with two rifles and don't reload, you don't need another rifle. You have two very good ones already, IMHO.