Spring has sprung. Get out and shoot your Henry

Choosing The Best Deer Rifle

Tell us about the accessories you like, want, can't live without or wish they made. Throw in a picture or two also.
User avatar
EasyEd
Cowhand
Posts: 188
Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2019 9:00 pm
Canada

Re: Choosing The Best Deer Rifle

Post by EasyEd » Sun Aug 09, 2020 11:43 pm

Hey All,

Anybody thinking about deer season yet? If you are a bow wounder (yes I'm being facetious but I have seen a number of deer died of arrow wounds) bow season starts in a few weeks. Rifle about a month.

Any special plans? Changes in weapon of choice?

I been thinking on a number of changes - I've pretty much always hunted with my BLR in 30-06. But I admit while great in Alberta I'm finding the total weight of 10.5 lbs more than I like to carry now that I'm over 65. Thinking on a rifle Ive never owned a Marlin 30-30 compact 16.5 in barrel nice and light and as an aside -

why won't Henry offer lightweight short barrel carbines with sidegates - although I think Henry doing a sidegate was a great step forward. I think henry really needs to trim them down at least in some models - I would rather deal with recoil than weight especially when hunting carrying the rifle.

Anyway I'm also thinking on a bolt gun 308 Tikka (6.2 lbs IIRC without scope) as well as a 35 rem lever - with Buffalo bore it looks real good. I do still have my 7-08 BLR as well. I could see myself ending up with 30-30 35 rem 7-08 BLR and 308 bolt gun. Two guns for far two guns for near. Probably get 45 colt lever too at some point but really thinkin I would like lightweight short barrel carbine. Don't know what I'll end up doing but it is always fun to think about this stuff!

And it is easy to social distance in the woods and no mask needed.

-Ed-
0 x

Team Roper
Cowhand
Posts: 437
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2020 5:16 am
Location: N.E. Ohio
United States of America

Re: Choosing The Best Deer Rifle

Post by Team Roper » Mon Aug 10, 2020 5:17 am

You have some nice rifles there. I have three levers that I hunt deer with depending on how I feel the morning I open the safe to get ready to go. At 74 I have to give it a lot of thought. I have an 1895 Guide Gun 45-70 but even it gets heavy, not bad if hunting from a blind or tree stand. I have a Henry BBS in 44 mag with a 20 inch bbl. that could stand to lose a few pounds, and a 1894 in 45 Colt with 20 inch bbl. The Marlin 45 Colt is the lighter of the three. I haven't hunted the Marlin 45 Colt yet but it's going to happen this year. The 20 inch bbl is my choice over shorter bbls. cause I want all the velocity that I can muster out of the bore. Even at that, I, myself, feel that 75 yards is max for the 45 Colt because of the energy loss after 75 yards. The 44 mag has taken deer at 90 yards while the 45-70 has taken them up to 150 yards. I have a JM model Marlin 30-30 and a JM model 35 Remington collecting dust because Ohio has a straight wall cartridge law for deer hunting otherwise one of them would be my go to hunting rifle. Especially the 35 Remington.
0 x
Army Paratrooper
173 rd Airborne Brigade, 2nd/503 rd. Airborne Infantry, Vietnam 66-67, point man, tunnel rat
combat jump 2/67
82 nd Airborne Div. 1st/505th Airborne Infantry, Vietnam, 68, Sniper
jumped with the Army Parachute Team, The Golden Knights.

User avatar
Greyhawk
Cowhand
Posts: 422
Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2018 6:07 pm
Location: Northern Minnesota
United States of America

Re: Choosing The Best Deer Rifle

Post by Greyhawk » Mon Aug 10, 2020 6:19 pm

I've shot deer with a number of different rifles: Marlin 30-30, 7.62x39 SKS, Ruger .300 win mag, Henry 45-70, Henry .45 Colt. and many with my bow. Not sure what I'll be carrying this year. But, I agree with you that deer hunting is one of my favorite ways to social distance!
1 x

User avatar
bdbrown66
Cowhand
Posts: 191
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2016 7:57 am
United States of America

Re: Choosing The Best Deer Rifle

Post by bdbrown66 » Tue Aug 11, 2020 4:19 pm

Team Roper wrote:
Mon Aug 10, 2020 5:17 am
You have some nice rifles there. I have three levers that I hunt deer with depending on how I feel the morning I open the safe to get ready to go. At 74 I have to give it a lot of thought. I have an 1895 Guide Gun 45-70 but even it gets heavy, not bad if hunting from a blind or tree stand. I have a Henry BBS in 44 mag with a 20 inch bbl. that could stand to lose a few pounds, and a 1894 in 45 Colt with 20 inch bbl. The Marlin 45 Colt is the lighter of the three. I haven't hunted the Marlin 45 Colt yet but it's going to happen this year. The 20 inch bbl is my choice over shorter bbls. cause I want all the velocity that I can muster out of the bore. Even at that, I, myself, feel that 75 yards is max for the 45 Colt because of the energy loss after 75 yards. The 44 mag has taken deer at 90 yards while the 45-70 has taken them up to 150 yards. I have a JM model Marlin 30-30 and a JM model 35 Remington collecting dust because Ohio has a straight wall cartridge law for deer hunting otherwise one of them would be my go to hunting rifle. Especially the 35 Remington.
If you reload, you can make that 45 Colt plenty strong enough for 100-125 yards, no problem. My handloads for my Henry 45 Colt have a MV of 1600-1700fps with a 250gr bullet. It's still has plenty of thump at 100 yards. Took a doe and this buck here in KY last year, and expecting to use it again this fall.
IMG_20191111_173334.jpg
IMG_20191111_173334.jpg (216.04 KiB) Viewed 3537 times
1 x

User avatar
Vaquero
Ranch Boss
Posts: 10255
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2016 12:56 am
Location: Somewhere between Memphis & Nashville
United States of America

Re: Choosing The Best Deer Rifle

Post by Vaquero » Tue Aug 11, 2020 5:06 pm

EasyEd wrote:
Sun Aug 09, 2020 11:43 pm
Hey All,

Anybody thinking about deer season yet? If you are a bow wounder (yes I'm being facetious but I have seen a number of deer died of arrow wounds) bow season starts in a few weeks. Rifle about a month.

Any special plans? Changes in weapon of choice?

I been thinking on a number of changes - I've pretty much always hunted with my BLR in 30-06. But I admit while great in Alberta I'm finding the total weight of 10.5 lbs more than I like to carry now that I'm over 65. Thinking on a rifle Ive never owned a Marlin 30-30 compact 16.5 in barrel nice and light and as an aside -

why won't Henry offer lightweight short barrel carbines with sidegates - although I think Henry doing a sidegate was a great step forward. I think henry really needs to trim them down at least in some models - I would rather deal with recoil than weight especially when hunting carrying the rifle.

Anyway I'm also thinking on a bolt gun 308 Tikka (6.2 lbs IIRC without scope) as well as a 35 rem lever - with Buffalo bore it looks real good. I do still have my 7-08 BLR as well. I could see myself ending up with 30-30 35 rem 7-08 BLR and 308 bolt gun. Two guns for far two guns for near. Probably get 45 colt lever too at some point but really thinkin I would like lightweight short barrel carbine. Don't know what I'll end up doing but it is always fun to think about this stuff!

And it is easy to social distance in the woods and no mask needed.

-Ed-
One of my favorites is a '75 Marlin in 35 Rem. that a friend chopped down to 16.5".
Carries well and as a accurate as ever.
20190211_093652.jpg
20190211_093652.jpg (172.18 KiB) Viewed 3534 times
Here it is with a another 35.

RP
0 x
Monte Walsh "You have No idea how little I care". :lol:

Ain't No Apologies for My Temperament :shock:
Si vis pacem, para bellum
H001, H006, H012

Team Roper
Cowhand
Posts: 437
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2020 5:16 am
Location: N.E. Ohio
United States of America

Re: Choosing The Best Deer Rifle

Post by Team Roper » Tue Aug 11, 2020 8:02 pm

bdbrown66 wrote:
Tue Aug 11, 2020 4:19 pm
Team Roper wrote:
Mon Aug 10, 2020 5:17 am
You have some nice rifles there. I have three levers that I hunt deer with depending on how I feel the morning I open the safe to get ready to go. At 74 I have to give it a lot of thought. I have an 1895 Guide Gun 45-70 but even it gets heavy, not bad if hunting from a blind or tree stand. I have a Henry BBS in 44 mag with a 20 inch bbl. that could stand to lose a few pounds, and a 1894 in 45 Colt with 20 inch bbl. The Marlin 45 Colt is the lighter of the three. I haven't hunted the Marlin 45 Colt yet but it's going to happen this year. The 20 inch bbl is my choice over shorter bbls. cause I want all the velocity that I can muster out of the bore. Even at that, I, myself, feel that 75 yards is max for the 45 Colt because of the energy loss after 75 yards. The 44 mag has taken deer at 90 yards while the 45-70 has taken them up to 150 yards. I have a JM model Marlin 30-30 and a JM model 35 Remington collecting dust because Ohio has a straight wall cartridge law for deer hunting otherwise one of them would be my go to hunting rifle. Especially the 35 Remington.
If you reload, you can make that 45 Colt plenty strong enough for 100-125 yards, no problem. My handloads for my Henry 45 Colt have a MV of 1600-1700fps with a 250gr bullet. It's still has plenty of thump at 100 yards. Took a doe and this buck here in KY last year, and expecting to use it again this fall.

IMG_20191111_173334.jpg
Humm, My 45 Colt loads of 9 grains of Unique pushing my Cast 255 gr. Keith SWC is only yielding me on an average of 1140 fps which is over max as is and my 10.7 grains of HS-6 , which is also over max is giving me an average of 1150 fps.
0 x
Army Paratrooper
173 rd Airborne Brigade, 2nd/503 rd. Airborne Infantry, Vietnam 66-67, point man, tunnel rat
combat jump 2/67
82 nd Airborne Div. 1st/505th Airborne Infantry, Vietnam, 68, Sniper
jumped with the Army Parachute Team, The Golden Knights.

User avatar
Vaquero
Ranch Boss
Posts: 10255
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2016 12:56 am
Location: Somewhere between Memphis & Nashville
United States of America

Re: Choosing The Best Deer Rifle

Post by Vaquero » Tue Aug 11, 2020 8:40 pm

Don't have a chrony, but I have shot quite a few 255's pushed by 10.0 grs of Unique through my Marlin Cowboy.
The load as suggested by a Henry owner and friend of mine.
Had another buddy that said he used the said load in his Henry.
I have since, backed off of that a bit, without checking my notes,
I don't recall at the moment.

RP
0 x
Monte Walsh "You have No idea how little I care". :lol:

Ain't No Apologies for My Temperament :shock:
Si vis pacem, para bellum
H001, H006, H012

User avatar
bdbrown66
Cowhand
Posts: 191
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2016 7:57 am
United States of America

Re: Choosing The Best Deer Rifle

Post by bdbrown66 » Tue Aug 11, 2020 10:49 pm

Team Roper wrote:
Tue Aug 11, 2020 8:02 pm
bdbrown66 wrote:
Tue Aug 11, 2020 4:19 pm
Team Roper wrote:
Mon Aug 10, 2020 5:17 am
You have some nice rifles there. I have three levers that I hunt deer with depending on how I feel the morning I open the safe to get ready to go. At 74 I have to give it a lot of thought. I have an 1895 Guide Gun 45-70 but even it gets heavy, not bad if hunting from a blind or tree stand. I have a Henry BBS in 44 mag with a 20 inch bbl. that could stand to lose a few pounds, and a 1894 in 45 Colt with 20 inch bbl. The Marlin 45 Colt is the lighter of the three. I haven't hunted the Marlin 45 Colt yet but it's going to happen this year. The 20 inch bbl is my choice over shorter bbls. cause I want all the velocity that I can muster out of the bore. Even at that, I, myself, feel that 75 yards is max for the 45 Colt because of the energy loss after 75 yards. The 44 mag has taken deer at 90 yards while the 45-70 has taken them up to 150 yards. I have a JM model Marlin 30-30 and a JM model 35 Remington collecting dust because Ohio has a straight wall cartridge law for deer hunting otherwise one of them would be my go to hunting rifle. Especially the 35 Remington.
If you reload, you can make that 45 Colt plenty strong enough for 100-125 yards, no problem. My handloads for my Henry 45 Colt have a MV of 1600-1700fps with a 250gr bullet. It's still has plenty of thump at 100 yards. Took a doe and this buck here in KY last year, and expecting to use it again this fall.

IMG_20191111_173334.jpg
Humm, My 45 Colt loads of 9 grains of Unique pushing my Cast 255 gr. Keith SWC is only yielding me on an average of 1140 fps which is over max as is and my 10.7 grains of HS-6 , which is also over max is giving me an average of 1150 fps.
You need a better recipe. Check the Western Powder load data for "30k PSI" 45 Colt loads. Your Henry will handle them just fine, as will a Marlin 1894, Ruger Blackhawk, etc. But not to be used in the older/weaker actions.

I'm using Accurate #9 powder, about a grain below the listed max for 250gr bullets. It is quite a bit warmer than your Unique load. Puts you right on par with a 44 mag. Again, only in newer/stronger actions.
1 x

Team Roper
Cowhand
Posts: 437
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2020 5:16 am
Location: N.E. Ohio
United States of America

Re: Choosing The Best Deer Rifle

Post by Team Roper » Wed Aug 12, 2020 6:15 am

bdbrown66 wrote:
Tue Aug 11, 2020 10:49 pm
Team Roper wrote:
Tue Aug 11, 2020 8:02 pm
bdbrown66 wrote:
Tue Aug 11, 2020 4:19 pm


If you reload, you can make that 45 Colt plenty strong enough for 100-125 yards, no problem. My handloads for my Henry 45 Colt have a MV of 1600-1700fps with a 250gr bullet. It's still has plenty of thump at 100 yards. Took a doe and this buck here in KY last year, and expecting to use it again this fall.

IMG_20191111_173334.jpg
Humm, My 45 Colt loads of 9 grains of Unique pushing my Cast 255 gr. Keith SWC is only yielding me on an average of 1140 fps which is over max as is and my 10.7 grains of HS-6 , which is also over max is giving me an average of 1150 fps.
You need a better recipe. Check the Western Powder load data for "30k PSI" 45 Colt loads. Your Henry will handle them just fine, as will a Marlin 1894, Ruger Blackhawk, etc. But not to be used in the older/weaker actions.

I'm using Accurate #9 powder, about a grain below the listed max for 250gr bullets. It is quite a bit warmer than your Unique load. Puts you right on par with a 44 mag. Again, only in newer/stronger actions.
One more thing also. I have to keep my velocities somewhat at bay because I am shooting plain base bullets and not gas checks.
0 x
Army Paratrooper
173 rd Airborne Brigade, 2nd/503 rd. Airborne Infantry, Vietnam 66-67, point man, tunnel rat
combat jump 2/67
82 nd Airborne Div. 1st/505th Airborne Infantry, Vietnam, 68, Sniper
jumped with the Army Parachute Team, The Golden Knights.

User avatar
bdbrown66
Cowhand
Posts: 191
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2016 7:57 am
United States of America

Re: Choosing The Best Deer Rifle

Post by bdbrown66 » Wed Aug 12, 2020 7:55 am

Team Roper wrote:
Wed Aug 12, 2020 6:15 am
bdbrown66 wrote:
Tue Aug 11, 2020 10:49 pm
Team Roper wrote:
Tue Aug 11, 2020 8:02 pm

Humm, My 45 Colt loads of 9 grains of Unique pushing my Cast 255 gr. Keith SWC is only yielding me on an average of 1140 fps which is over max as is and my 10.7 grains of HS-6 , which is also over max is giving me an average of 1150 fps.
You need a better recipe. Check the Western Powder load data for "30k PSI" 45 Colt loads. Your Henry will handle them just fine, as will a Marlin 1894, Ruger Blackhawk, etc. But not to be used in the older/weaker actions.

I'm using Accurate #9 powder, about a grain below the listed max for 250gr bullets. It is quite a bit warmer than your Unique load. Puts you right on par with a 44 mag. Again, only in newer/stronger actions.
One more thing also. I have to keep my velocities somewhat at bay because I am shooting plain base bullets and not gas checks.
That's definitely a consideration. Can't push plain lead bullets that fast. I'm using JHP's. Gas check bullets would work, too.
1 x

Post Reply