Looking for a rifle for hunting deer, moose, bear in Maine
#11
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Washburn Wi
Posts: 7
RE: Looking for a rifle for hunting deer, moose, bear in Maine
I don't think the Marlin 45-70 is dumb at all. I use a 300 win. mag for the local deer and like the knock down power but is not a great brush gun. So I picked up a 336 Marlin 30-30. Fast pointing easy to carry and a safety button to prevent death. ( a good idea IMO) . I'm not satisfied with the knock down power of the 30-30 . It clearly works but I always have to trail a hit deer with a 30-30. Sometimes I don't even get an exit wound.
I too have been drooling over the 1895 in 45-70. The guide gun may be the ultimate Brush gun. The 45-70 is very versatile according to what I read. I'd go with a 45-70. IMO
Chris
Washburn Wi
I too have been drooling over the 1895 in 45-70. The guide gun may be the ultimate Brush gun. The 45-70 is very versatile according to what I read. I'd go with a 45-70. IMO
Chris
Washburn Wi
#12
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Hamden,CT
Posts: 4
RE: Looking for a rifle for hunting deer, moose, bear in Maine
If I get the 30-06 and reload, which I plan to start doing because of the price of ammunition, will the 200grn Sierra bullet be my optimum choice? I hear it is one of the best for re-loading the 06...
#14
RE: Looking for a rifle for hunting deer, moose, bear in Maine
My first question is, "How far are the shots?" As one poster indicated, Maine hunting is pretty close in due to heavy forrage. So I'd vote for the 30-30 also. A moose will drop like a wet card table at 100 yards or less. I'm not a big fan of "150 grain for this, and 170 grain for that". I've tried it, and all you end up doing is trying to remember where to hold the sights depending on what bullet you got in the gun. Besides, the 180 grain out of my .300 WM doesn't tear up an Antelope any more than a deer orelk. That to me is an old wives tale! In fact, the bigggest exit hole I ever saw was the 150 grain 30-30 that took down a mule deer.
#15
RE: Looking for a rifle for hunting deer, moose, bear in Maine
Both calibers are excellent, but I wouldrecommend the 30:06 due to the availabilityand wide selection of factory loaded ammo to fit just about any hunting situation and game.