Deer hunting ?

[Randall53]

I used to be deer hunting crazy, but got out of it 20 years ago. I'm thinking about getting back in since i plan on retiring soon. Not hardcore mind you, just to be outdoors and maybe put some meat on the table. My question is this. I always hunted thick stiff and will likely do the same. I have a Marlin 44 magnum lever and have been wondering how far a maximum shoot would be just in case. I hate to wound an animal so I'm talking about about a clean kill leaving my shooting skills out of the equation. My guess is somewhere between 100 & 150 yards maybe? what do you guys think?

[Guest Bonedaddy]

I'd be thinkin' a hunnerd or less. JMHO. I just recently got back into it some, too but since movin' I don't have a good place to go without goin' to a WMA but there is a deadend back road right in front of the house that my SIL owns 2 acres on, at the very end of it. Plan on settin' a blind there, possibly, this year. A lot of deer move down that tree line in the Fall and Winter. Sometimes, I'll see a dozen out there in the field at night. Plan on huntin' with the .357 S&W. Only thing that sucks is that now Crockett is Unit L and  I hafta to buy that type 94 permit, as well, makin' my license cost more expensive, if I wanna doe.

[Randall53]

After doing some checking, it appears a 225 gr bullet zero'd at 25 yards will be 3" @ 100 yds and -5.7" @ 150 yds. 200 yrds is -14.6" and way over the line. anybody got input?

thanks.

[peejman]

While it's all about shot placement, I'd agree with the 100 yds or less.  From my (very limited) experience, it's pretty unlikely you'll get a clear shot much over 50 yds in the woods.  Long shots only come if you're hunting someone's corn field. 

[Randall53]

I agree peejman. most shots I've ever had were in the 50 yard range, give or take 10 yards. i do like to walk fire trails at times and they can sometimes stretch out there a ways. thanks for the input.

[Peace]

100yds for a 44mag is stretching out there. 50-75 is a long shot in the woods, so you seem to have it covered - great brush gun!

[DaveS]

75 yards and less is my comfort zone. Rossi lever action with open sights. 240 grain jacketed soft nose. Does a right fine job!

 

DaveS

[Randall53]

thanks Daves....that's probably gonna be my long shot anyway. i do plan on using the same bullet....or close. thanks.

[whiskey]

It should really depend on the maximum distance that you are proficient with the rifle. A .44mag is plenty deadly at 150yards, but that doesn't mean you should shoot that far. I'd recommend going out and shooting offhand, no rest, or with only a shooting stick that you've committed to always use. If you can hold 3 shot within a 4" circle, you should not have worries about hunting at that distance. When the group goes to 6 inches, you may want to reconsider. Most hunters struggle offhand at 100 yards, yet they readily attempt much further shots in the woods.

I don't like to shoot past 50 offhand. 100 with a stick, maybe 150 with a solid rest. I just don't get to shoot further than enough to be confident.


Yup.