Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
Do muzzleloading "rifles" and/or Encore handguns that shoot "rifle" cartridges count?
How many different rifles do you use during a season?
- Thread starter Boogershooter
- Start date
Here in NH we have Muzzleloader season so I have a 50 cal Knight disc scoped. Then when I go to So Carolina I bring 3, Ruger 77 II in 243 scoped, Ruger 77 Hawkeye in 7-08 scoped model 7 Rem in 7-08 scoped. Why 3 you say? I just like to shoot a deer with each one. Here in NH I am limited to 1 deer that is usually taken with my ML. If I do hunt in NH with a rifle its usually my Model 7, great handling accurate little rifle.
Boogershooter
New member
Yes Mr pfleuger they all count. I disn't list all of mine just the main ones I use. Each morning or evening I go to the cabinet, or safe, or closet, one of the many will wink at me and that's what I take.
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
I go through most every season using my custom Savage 11 chambered in .243AI, my Encore Pro Hunter handgun chambered in 7mm-08 and a "Filth Blaster" that some folks call a Black Powder muzzleloader.
This year I could have just brought my sleeping bag and no gun, since I literally did not see a deer when I held a gun in my hands.
This year I could have just brought my sleeping bag and no gun, since I literally did not see a deer when I held a gun in my hands.
If I draw buck tag same season as my bull elk tag, I'll use same rifles, one that I hunt with and back up rifle. If I draw separate season buck tag I have couple rifles just for that tag and same with cow elk tag. Bear tag have rifle for that and same with antelope tag if I draw one.
Dirty_Harry
New member
I always take 2 rifles to camp with me. I also always take my Glock 20 whenever I am in the woods. I like semi auto rifles. I took my 450 bushmaster to the UP this year, and plan to take my M1A scout squad next.
Go figure, the only deer killed in camp this year was by a friend using my 308 bolt gun.
Go figure, the only deer killed in camp this year was by a friend using my 308 bolt gun.
FrankenMauser
New member
Better than my average.
The only "animals" in my camp this year were skulls from moose, beef, a coyote-killed fawn, and some elk bones from the archery season. (We collected everything but the elk bones.)
bamaranger
New member
Multiple
As a bonafide rifle looney, there are lots of choices in my safe for deer. Sometimes I'll rest a rifle for a season, others see regular use. Over a 3-1/2 month gun deer season, there's lots of opportunity.
I sort of use the "golf club" approach, in that certain rifles fit the circumstances, or conditions anticipated . Example: One rifle that sees steady use every year since I've bought it is a stainless steel/synthetic Ruger 77MKII in 7.62x39mm. Loaded and scoped, I doubt it weighs more than 6-1/2 lbs, appreciated if hoofing it in a ways. In wet weather, low maintenance required, stainless steel. I don't worry about nicking the boat paddle stock when using a climbing stand, seems like I'm always wacking something with that dang stand on my back. I hunted it just this AM. Didn't see nothing.
I'll set another rifle out for longer ranges, when hunting the R.O.W;s near my home. For that, there's a Walmart Rem 700ADL in .270 and a 3-9x scope, and recently, a .308 Savage Hog Rifle too, with a 6x42 on it. Both of those are on deck this year, but the .270 has not been afield.
I've got some genuine brush rifles as well, and one of those generally will see use through the season, a scoped Mini 30, or a pair (one scoped the other with XS sights) older Ruger .44 carbines. This year the XS .44 has taken a rather unlucky 5pt, who had a worse morning than I did, after running out of gas on the ATV, killing the battery attempting to restart, than finding someone already hunting my desired spot. Took a walk primarily to scout in new territory, and along he came. Likely the last deer I will ever kill with peep sights.
Finally, I have an nostalgic streak, and will hunt a few rifles for sentimental reasons. The highlight of this year so far has been another buck that fell to my Grandads 1956 Winchester 88/.308. The old lever rifle has not spoken for blood in a long time. My notes show that the last deer I killed with it was Thanksgiving Day, 1993!!! That's 22 seasons ago. Basically retired as a family heirloom, I rescoped it this fall with a Leupold 6x36 (the old Bushnell Scopechief my Dad put on it was just not bright enough anymore) and took a small 3 pt meat buck for a disabled friend last Sunday with an easy 45 yd shot from a shooting house.
Hmm......! Should I hunt tomorrow........what rifle?
As a bonafide rifle looney, there are lots of choices in my safe for deer. Sometimes I'll rest a rifle for a season, others see regular use. Over a 3-1/2 month gun deer season, there's lots of opportunity.
I sort of use the "golf club" approach, in that certain rifles fit the circumstances, or conditions anticipated . Example: One rifle that sees steady use every year since I've bought it is a stainless steel/synthetic Ruger 77MKII in 7.62x39mm. Loaded and scoped, I doubt it weighs more than 6-1/2 lbs, appreciated if hoofing it in a ways. In wet weather, low maintenance required, stainless steel. I don't worry about nicking the boat paddle stock when using a climbing stand, seems like I'm always wacking something with that dang stand on my back. I hunted it just this AM. Didn't see nothing.
I'll set another rifle out for longer ranges, when hunting the R.O.W;s near my home. For that, there's a Walmart Rem 700ADL in .270 and a 3-9x scope, and recently, a .308 Savage Hog Rifle too, with a 6x42 on it. Both of those are on deck this year, but the .270 has not been afield.
I've got some genuine brush rifles as well, and one of those generally will see use through the season, a scoped Mini 30, or a pair (one scoped the other with XS sights) older Ruger .44 carbines. This year the XS .44 has taken a rather unlucky 5pt, who had a worse morning than I did, after running out of gas on the ATV, killing the battery attempting to restart, than finding someone already hunting my desired spot. Took a walk primarily to scout in new territory, and along he came. Likely the last deer I will ever kill with peep sights.
Finally, I have an nostalgic streak, and will hunt a few rifles for sentimental reasons. The highlight of this year so far has been another buck that fell to my Grandads 1956 Winchester 88/.308. The old lever rifle has not spoken for blood in a long time. My notes show that the last deer I killed with it was Thanksgiving Day, 1993!!! That's 22 seasons ago. Basically retired as a family heirloom, I rescoped it this fall with a Leupold 6x36 (the old Bushnell Scopechief my Dad put on it was just not bright enough anymore) and took a small 3 pt meat buck for a disabled friend last Sunday with an easy 45 yd shot from a shooting house.
Hmm......! Should I hunt tomorrow........what rifle?
Geezerbiker
New member
I sight in and practice with 2 rifles before hunting season. I hunt with one and the other is in the truck in case I need a back up. A damaged scope or similar problem could ruin a hunt so why not bring a spare?
This year I hunted elk with a scoped .30-06 but I also brought along a .45-70 with a peep sight in case I got into a place where the hunting would be shorter range. In the hills of western Oregon there probably won't be any long shots anyway so either rifle would be OK...
Tony
This year I hunted elk with a scoped .30-06 but I also brought along a .45-70 with a peep sight in case I got into a place where the hunting would be shorter range. In the hills of western Oregon there probably won't be any long shots anyway so either rifle would be OK...
Tony
Crankylove
New member
Depends on the tags I end up with.
Antelope usually get my .270 or .30-'06.
Deer hunt gets .22 Hornet, .270, or .358 Win.
Elk get .22 Hornet, .30-'06, or the .358.
Which one gets used depends on the terrain I plan on hunting that day, the weather, and how much weight I feel like packing that day.
Antelope usually get my .270 or .30-'06.
Deer hunt gets .22 Hornet, .270, or .358 Win.
Elk get .22 Hornet, .30-'06, or the .358.
Which one gets used depends on the terrain I plan on hunting that day, the weather, and how much weight I feel like packing that day.
Crankylove
New member
It's legal in Utah for big game. Has to be a centerfire cartridge, fired from a rifle, using an expanding point bullet. Could use a rifle in .25 Auto if you wanted.
I've taken it on the elk and deer hunts for several years now. But never used it. I realize the limitations of that cartridge, and take it in the hopes of a one in a bazillion shot. You know, the one where I'm sitting at the campfire, and a nice cow or calf walks out of the woods, stops broadside 25 yards away, and patiently waits for me to retrieve the .22 Hornet, set up my shooting sticks, and put one into her head.
It goes along as more of a joke than anything else, but does make a good coyote/rabbit/squirrel gun.
johnwilliamson062
Moderator
I generally use one firearm for regular gun season and then my muzzle loader. Shotgun, rifle, or pistol. Several years I have just used my muzzle loader. It is my most accurate if the cap immediately ignites the charge, and it has the best ballistic/recoil characteristics out of the guns I currently have at my disposal. It is a real pain to clean and dealing with an un-fired load at the end of the season is a real PITB.
Next year I might hunt with two centerfires for the first time. Probably not the best idea. I also bought a new ML barrel with removable breech plug for next year which will aid in cleaning. Hopefully the TC barrels of today are as accurate as the ones of the 90s.
Next year I might hunt with two centerfires for the first time. Probably not the best idea. I also bought a new ML barrel with removable breech plug for next year which will aid in cleaning. Hopefully the TC barrels of today are as accurate as the ones of the 90s.
FrankenMauser
New member
I know the circumstances of your hunts are different than what I deal with, but I take the easy route for unloading.
At the end of each day on a muzzleloader hunt, the rifle gets fired into a stump, berm, or improvised target.
Clear it out. Give the barrel a quick scrub. Start fresh in the morning.
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
FrankenMauser said:
Voluntary, daily torture instead of once at the end of the year.
johnwilliamson062
Moderator
I've done it both ways. A lot depends on the location of my hunt and time I quit. I try to avoid firing after legal hunting time, especially on public land. I had the privilege of being checked by a state wildlife officer this year. He was pleasant and all my documents and equipment were in order, but, like an IRS audit, I prefer to avoid the experience.
I definitely do not unload daily though. Our firearm hunting seasons are 2-7 days. As long as it isn't soaked, I wait until the end of the season. I hate to leave pyrodex in the barrel for longer than that though. The 7 days is really pushing it, but I have never hunted all 7 days of gun season with it without a reason to discharge.
I definitely do not unload daily though. Our firearm hunting seasons are 2-7 days. As long as it isn't soaked, I wait until the end of the season. I hate to leave pyrodex in the barrel for longer than that though. The 7 days is really pushing it, but I have never hunted all 7 days of gun season with it without a reason to discharge.
I am relatively new at the hunting thing, having started only several years ago.
I've gotten one of each: pronghorn, elk, and deer, here in CO. All with one rifle. All I could afford. Deer at 70 yds, other two at nearly 300. So... I guess I don't need more rifles
But I wouldn't mind having a shorter, lighter brush gun. Maybe a lever gun cuz I have always wanted one.
It'd be fun to try a super accurate long range rifle for the speed goats but... not really required, for me at least.
More rifles = more fun right? Then again since I am also fairly new to rifles, maybe it's best to be really confident and proficient with one and just keep others as range toys.
I've gotten one of each: pronghorn, elk, and deer, here in CO. All with one rifle. All I could afford. Deer at 70 yds, other two at nearly 300. So... I guess I don't need more rifles
But I wouldn't mind having a shorter, lighter brush gun. Maybe a lever gun cuz I have always wanted one.
It'd be fun to try a super accurate long range rifle for the speed goats but... not really required, for me at least.
More rifles = more fun right? Then again since I am also fairly new to rifles, maybe it's best to be really confident and proficient with one and just keep others as range toys.