Missouri hunter question...

GaryO7

New member
I am relocating from the West (270 Win. Country) to Missouri soon. What would a typical deer hunting rifle/cartridge/scope combo look like in the Show Me state? What binocular would you use there? Thanks…
 
Keep your .270. It will do just fine. Don't think that your days of shooting long shots are over. There are plenty of times in the east when you can use a 400+ yd deer rifle - it just depends on where you are hunting. Lots of hunting in the eastern states is going to be on a stand overlooking a field or food plot. If you are sitting over a field that's 500 yds wide, then you could need a 500 yd gun.

Lots of us eastern hunters keep at least two deer rifles. My normal rifle of choice is a scoped 30-30. It's light, short, and with Hornady LeverEvolution rounds, I'm good out to close to 250 yds. However, if I know that I'm going to be using a stand overlooking one of the bigger cow pastures, I've also got a 30-06 and a .270.
 
I agree with Doyle. Your 270 will work in many areas. A good lever gun would work well in others. I take one of my .30 cal bolt guns AND a .45-70 guide gun to deer camp and switch out depending on which stand I will be in.
 
I live in and do all of my hunting in northern Missouri. I've deer hunted with a 270 win. for over 40 years and it works fine. There are other cals. that will work fine too but I don't see any reason to change now. As for binos I use an old pair of Tasco 8X40 that serve the purpose quite well.
 
.270, 30-06, and 30-30 seem to about the most popular at least for my part of the state (60miles west of St. Louis). I'm basing it on what I see the local stores overstock just prior to deer season. Choice can depend on where however ie: more open country with longer shots in the north or thicker woods and brush with shorter shooting distances more to the south.

For comparison the land my family owns is heavily wooded and brush so anything over about 150yrds is considered long. Other areas nearby shots of several hundred yards would be quite possible. There's alot of variety available the .270 will do just fine, I know alot of people that hunt with them.

Mav
 
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