Author Topic: Western hunting (Read 2765 times)

Stuart C. · « **on:** June 21, 2011, 04:54:02 AM »

Just for kicks lets say you get the chance to hunt WY or MT for example for whitetail or mulie or antelope.

You can bring any singleshot(s) you want, whether you own it or not.

Nothing extravagant, in fact the lower cost the better. Something accurate, something with history/character, something that proves you don't need a high dollar rig to 'do it right'.

Which rifle, what sights, and which caliber? Which sling even (if you use one)?

S.E.Ak · « **Reply #1 on:** June 21, 2011, 07:18:32 AM »

My rifles are all 45/70 except for the 454.Ruger#3 and Handies have worked so far.

JW/OK · « **Reply #2 on:** June 21, 2011, 12:33:06 PM »

I've taken several antelope in South Dakota with a 23" Contender in 6.8 Rem SPC. Next trip will take a TCR 87 with a 7mm Rem Mag barrel.
We shoot more goats under 150 yards than beyond, so you don't have to have the latest ultra magnum to be sucessful.

JW

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #3 on:** June 21, 2011, 01:17:20 PM »

For western hunting.
Dream gun. Uberti Sharps Quigly in 45-70 with the long range sights, 405 grain lead cowboy loads. Hit the gym this thing is heavy.
Next option: Ruger No 1 S in 300 H&H with open sights but the ammo bill sighting in will make a house payment, not to mention the rifle. But I think the flat trajectory of the mag will allow you to reach out there for 200 + yard shots with open sights.
Cheaper option: H&R Handi in 308 or 30-06 with a 3-9X38 Weaver V-9 scope.
I like the larger holes for game.
308 and 30-06 offer a wide variety of loaded rounds and you do not need premium bullets for deer and smaller game so a box of Rem core lock in 150 to 180 grain would be perfect.
the Weaver V9 scope is the same quality as the leupold Var X II only 75 to 80% of the cost.

mechanic · « **Reply #4 on:** June 21, 2011, 01:58:20 PM »

My Handi in 280 Rem, with 162gr. reloads.

Ben

crash87 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 21, 2011, 03:39:06 PM »

I would take the same rifle I took the 1st time, all those years ago. Ruger No.1B / 270W.C.F. handloads with 140 gr. Hornady SPBT / 3X9 Redfield w/ Accutrac, remember those?
Crash87

Ethan · « **Reply #6 on:** June 21, 2011, 05:13:46 PM »

Dream gun. Uberti Sharps Quigly in 45-70 with the long range sights, 405 grain lead cowboy loads.

I agree 100% I would love to kill something with a sharps

I'm not a Sharps expert but isn't there a 45-110?

streak · « **Reply #7 on:** June 21, 2011, 06:19:22 PM »

Quote from: Ethan on June 21, 2011, 05:13:46 PM

Dream gun. Uberti Sharps Quigly in 45-70 with the long range sights, 405 grain lead cowboy loads.

I agree 100% I would love to kill something with a sharps

I'm not a Sharps expert but isn't there a 45-110?

Yep! And a 45-90, 45-120 also!!

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #8 on:** June 21, 2011, 06:22:14 PM »

I have an old CVA Plains rifle I believe they called it. Assembled it from a kit when I was 16. I would take that I suppose if I were so limited.

VT30-30 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 22, 2011, 02:24:32 AM »

I lived in Montana for 5 yrs, and my dream gun or guns were my T/C Encores in various barrels. My favorite was a 7mm-08. My wife
had a encore in 270 win. and shot quite a few deer and antelope with that barrel. In fact the only elk that I got was a cow and used
the 7-08. I like that caliber as it doesn't have bad recoil and really knocks game over. Steve

jedman · « **Reply #10 on:** June 22, 2011, 03:51:02 AM »

I live in Ohio where we cannot use centerfire rifles for deer or other large game here.
I have been on a single shot kick so to speak for the past 8 to 10 years and found my best bang for the buck is hunting Eastern Wyoming for antelope.
I have gone out every year now since 2001 and buy leftover doe / fawn antelope tags, your allowed 2 buck tags and up to 4 doe tags.
I use this yearly trip for testing my homemade wildcat cartridges and others in low cost H & R handi rifles and others that I have re barreled from single shot break action shotguns.
So far I have taken antelope with these calibers in single shot rifles,
270 cal. rimmed wildcat formed on 7 X 57 R brass
7 X 57 R
280 Rem.
30-30
308 Win.
.303 cal. wildcat similar to a 32-20
357 mag.
338 wildcat , rimmed cartridge , profile of the top 2" of a 340 Weatherby formed on 45-70 brass

The great thing about this type of hunting is, super plentiful game ( you see hundreds of antelope everyday ) low cost , non resident doe tags are $32.00 ea. and available over the counter , thousands of acres of state, trust, BLM, and walk on land to hunt with no fees or tresspass charges.

You can get shots from under 100 yards to as long as you want them, So you really can use just about any caliber to take antelope in Wyoming.
The law for centerfire cartridges is, caliber must be 23 cal. or larger ( no 22 centerfires ) and the OAL of the cartridge must be 2" min. otherwise you can use any cartridge that is 35 cal. or larger that develops a min. of 500 ft. lbs. of energy @ 100 yards, so pistol type cartridges are legal .
This year my plans are to take a antelope with a short 18" barreled handi rifle in 45 ACP,
another with a 375 cal. wildcat that I built on a Martini actioned shotgun, and if its completed in time I have a 50 cal. wildcat that I am building on a old H & A falling block shotgun.
I usually take 4 rifles out and take antelope with each one if I can, everyday is a different challenge because in the first week of October out there we have had many days in the hi 80's,
several snow storms blow in where you can get 6 " + of snow, and days where the wind blows so hard you can barely walk around in it.
Its still the yearly trip I plan to make until I am unable or theres no more game ( unlikely ) . Jed

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #11 on:** June 22, 2011, 05:33:54 AM »

Quote from: Ethan on June 21, 2011, 05:13:46 PM

Dream gun. Uberti Sharps Quigly in 45-70 with the long range sights, 405 grain lead cowboy loads.

I agree 100% I would love to kill something with a sharps

I'm not a Sharps expert but isn't there a 45-110?

Yes and 45-90 too. But just think that cowboy loads would be easy to find in almost any gun shop

pastorp · « **Reply #12 on:** June 25, 2011, 04:49:24 AM »

I think a handi chambered in 257weatherby mag. would be the cream of the crop for a economy, western single shot antelope rifle. JMO

Regards,

oldandslow · « **Reply #13 on:** June 25, 2011, 07:26:14 AM »

Why carry one of those little 45s? I would take my Remington Rolling Block replica in 50-140-550. Now that will make a hole. I'm just kidding as I would need one of those little cart thingies that golfers drag around with their clubs on just to take the heavy rascal with me.

Seriously I would opt for a Ruger #1 in 30-06.

mannyrock · « **Reply #14 on:** June 25, 2011, 07:32:29 AM »

Stuart,

You are asking for suggestions about a cheap rifle, in single shot, that has history and character. I can't think of a single one.

The only cheap single shot rifle is the Handi-Rifle, and it does not have history or western character.

I believe that the cheapest single shot rifles with history or character are going to be modern reproductions of the old plains rifles, and they are going to be in the $700 to $1,500 range.

These would include modern reproductions of the Sharps, the Browning Hi-Wall, and the Remington Rolling Block. I am sure that other folks on this board can provide additional examples.

Now, if you are willing to go black powder, then you can probably buy a modern reproduction of the .50 caliber Hawkin, plus a good set of peep sights, for under $500. But, you are limiting yourself to 150 yards or so, and hunting only in good weather.

The Ruger No. 1, in any of a dozen classic calibers, would also fill the need. But, I think you are again looking at $700 plus (used), and that doesn't include the peepsights or scope. The Ruger is not a classic single shot rifle, but it is a modern interpretation of the classic single shot, and can be an excellent rifle.

Just my thoughts.

Mannyrock

S.E.Ak · « **Reply #15 on:** June 25, 2011, 07:52:38 AM »

Mannyrock there is a pic with Geronimo holding one and if that ain't history or western I don't know what it.

Stuart C. · « **Reply #16 on:** June 25, 2011, 11:57:43 AM »

Thanks for all the responses.

Quote from: S.E.Ak on June 25, 2011, 07:52:38 AM

there is a pic with Geronimo holding one

One what?

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #17 on:** June 25, 2011, 12:10:45 PM »

Quote from: Stuart C. on June 25, 2011, 11:57:43 AM

Thanks for all the responses.

Quote from: S.E.Ak on June 25, 2011, 07:52:38 AM
there is a pic with Geronimo holding one

One what?

1873 trapdoor carbine.

Stuart C. · « **Reply #18 on:** June 25, 2011, 12:21:09 PM »

Thanks. I also see a pic of him with an 1873 Trapdoor Infantry Rifle.

I think the closest I can come to anything as described (sharps, rolling block) within a budget will be a used Pedersoli or such.

Then again, I can swing the H&R Buffalo Classic. No wonder they're so popular; lowest price and American made.

Ranch13 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 25, 2011, 12:23:49 PM »

Living here in the "west" I always get sort of a chuckle out of guns for western hunting.

Here's a couple I use.

S.E.Ak · « **Reply #20 on:** June 26, 2011, 07:34:02 AM »

The pic showed him holding a Wesson&Harrington single shot,the start of what became H&R

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #21 on:** June 27, 2011, 05:36:04 AM »

Quote from: Ranch13 on June 25, 2011, 12:23:49 PM

Living here in the "west" I always get sort of a chuckle out of guns for western hunting.
Here's a couple I use.

Can't show two rifles that have multiple calibers and not tell.
What are the sharps and the 1895 chambered in?

pastorp · « **Reply #22 on:** June 27, 2011, 06:00:22 AM »

Bet the 1895 winchester is chambered in 30/40 kraig.

Regards,

streak · « **Reply #23 on:** June 27, 2011, 06:50:01 AM »

Quote from: pastorp on June 27, 2011, 06:00:22 AM

Bet the 1895 winchester is chambered in 30/40 kraig.

Regards,

I say a 405 Win!

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #24 on:** June 27, 2011, 08:12:36 AM »

Quote from: streak on June 27, 2011, 06:50:01 AM

Quote from: pastorp on June 27, 2011, 06:00:22 AM
Bet the 1895 winchester is chambered in 30/40 kraig.

Regards,
I say a 405 Win!

My guess was 30-06. the gold on it made me think it was a Browning re issue.

james · « **Reply #25 on:** June 27, 2011, 08:40:51 AM »

My daughter and I have taken several antelope with an Encore in 6.5x55 out to 385 yards. It does have a Leupold scope with target turrets.

Ranch13 · « **Reply #26 on:** June 27, 2011, 10:06:35 AM »

The 95 is a 405

streak · « **Reply #27 on:** June 27, 2011, 11:39:24 AM »

Quote from: Ranch13 on June 27, 2011, 10:06:35 AM

The 95 is a 405

Thanks for the update on the caliber!
I figured it was a 405 Win to go along with that Sharps!
That 405 Win is a great round for elk size critters. What was the range that you took that elk?

Ranch13 · « **Reply #28 on:** June 27, 2011, 01:33:58 PM »

The range finder said 151 yds when I commenced firing. Hit him in the lungs the first time, second shot he was facing me and it went low left thru the front leg and the 3rd shot he turned back broadside and I shot him in the neck. That's the last time I'll use Hornady bullets in that rifle for hunting. the biggest chunk of shrapnel I got back was 130 grs

streak · « **Reply #29 on:** June 27, 2011, 06:37:14 PM »

Pretty good shooting with iron sights at 151 yards! Especially the last shot in the neck.
What type of bullet are you thinking of changing too for your next elk encounter?