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Still hunting tactics.

Thanks!

I did a quick glance at a 2020 thread on rokslide and phew that is an expensive rabbit hole. I could throw all my saddle gear into one gun.
 
five said:
Thanks!

I did a quick glance at a 2020 thread on rokslide and phew that is an expensive rabbit hole. I could throw all my saddle gear into one gun.
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I shoot long range Competition in the PRS series. My match rifle is stupid money. I could buy a loaded mathews bow for what I have in just the scope on that thing. 3" Groups at 1000 yards is not cheap. lol
 
Topdog said:
It’s a deep rabbit hole and I have been living in it a long time lol, a lot of guys like tikkas, they have light models and you can find them pretty reasonable on gunbroker, at least before the pandemic gun rush or whatever is causing it, everything I own is remington 700 stuff or custom stuff built off of 700 copies, pick a budget and if you need help let us know, I have a lot of experience with light mountain rifles and custom options.
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I will definitely agree with this custom rifles are awesome if you can afford them if not it is super hard to beat a Tikka!!
 
Topdog said:
It’s a deep rabbit hole and I have been living in it a long time lol, a lot of guys like tikkas, they have light models and you can find them pretty reasonable on gunbroker, at least before the pandemic gun rush or whatever is causing it, everything I own is remington 700 stuff or custom stuff built off of 700 copies, pick a budget and if you need help let us know, I have a lot of experience with light mountain rifles and custom options.
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I was looking at that superlite Tikka. I might just go with the Ruger American Compact in 308. About half the price, and I hardly ever gun hunt and have never shot past 200 yards on a deer (too thick where I hunt).
 
Topdog said:
I am thrifty and hunt for deals, I have never paid full retail, I am also left handed so that has helped me land a few deals, I have never owned a tikka but people that have sure love them, lots of good options out there!
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You are definitely lucky being left handed! There has been many times I wished I was so I could buy the rifle I was looking for and finally found only to have it be perfect price but left handed lol!! Which I can shoot either way just not as good! Kinda like baseball I was a switch hitter but my lefty averaged a bit lower haha!!
 
raisins said:
I was looking at that superlite Tikka. I might just go with the Ruger American Compact in 308. About half the price, and I hardly ever gun hunt and have never shot past 200 yards on a deer (too thick where I hunt).
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Nothing wrong with the Ruger either especially if you're not shooting longer ranges if you need to shoot longer go with the Tikka!
 
In the south where we have all these planted pines you should be able to do fairly well moving about on the pine straw after a rain. I snuck up one two bucks with my bow one time doing this but they had me pegged quickly once I hit the open woods. Almost got a shot on a nice 8pt.

I read a old bow hunting book from the 60s and they recommend sneakers over boots when still hunting. I tried this too and it’s a no brainer but you wouldn’t believe how much difference it makes. You feel lighter and definitely can be quieter. I have no patience though.

Good luck! Plenty of season left.
 
I held a Ruger American once and was impressed with it for the price point, definitely was a nice handling rifle
 
Tikka T3X series gives you the same barrel as the more refined Sako. Also, very customizable as you please, but shoot great out of the gate.

Tons of nice rifles out there, and custom build options abound for those interested too.

When I bought many years ago, I got a REM model 7 for my mountain/stalking rifle, 7mm-08. I enjoyed its lightness and it shoots great, despite lacking much refinement. The LPVO scope I have on it cost more than the rifle.

I have, as a gift, a much nicer rifle, but don‘t bring it hunting because it’s so nice. Good value in today’s guns can go far.
 
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five said:
More info on your rifle. I'm looking for a lightweight inexpensive one.
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I use a cva muzzleloader. Light,hardly any recoil. One shot only,but that's ok with me.
I bought it used with a scope for $100.
I can shoot to 150 easily but haven't yet at a deer. I have not needed a follow up shot either.
 
Tikka and Sako make some super nice rifles. Bergara are also super quality but I belive they are mostly heavy barrels. Bergara and CVA make a muzzle loader that groups 5" @ 500 Yards. Its the CVA paramount. I have one and its an amazing muzzle loader.

For the budget Light Weight hunting gun the Thompson Center Compass is a great rifle. They Guarantee 1MOA accuracy. I have one in 6.5cm and 300win. Wish I had one in 243.
 
Bowmanmike said:
I use a cva muzzleloader. Light,hardly any recoil. One shot only,but that's ok with me.
I bought it used with a scope for $100.
I can shoot to 150 easily but haven't yet at a deer. I have not needed a follow up shot either.
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My brother has a CVA, don’t know the model, but it’s been reliable and accurate. Definitely a challenge when still hunting or stalking if you bust one out, though any moving target is hard and shots must be taken responsibly.

Growing up, the Benoits had my attention. Larry’s book is fabulous as are the others featuring his sons. They always used pump action Rem 760s / 7600s, for close in shooting on bucks they tracked down.

Of course I have one, but I prefer a nimbler mtn rifle...also, I can’t track or shoot quiet like they can.

Not that a bolt is a disadvantage. Check out Wild Boar Fever, and watch Prince Franz-Albrecht and the others work a bolt as fast as anything. Then add in a straight pull action, lightning fast.
 
Topdog said:
I am thrifty and hunt for deals, I have never paid full retail, I am also left handed so that has helped me land a few deals, I have never owned a tikka but people that have sure love them, lots of good options out there!
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?? I am lefty also, and I have always had the opposite experience -- I can never find left handed stuff (bows or guns) and they always seem to be more... How do you do that?
 
Bowmanmike said:
I use a cva muzzleloader. Light,hardly any recoil. One shot only,but that's ok with me.
I bought it used with a scope for $100.
I can shoot to 150 easily but haven't yet at a deer. I have not needed a follow up shot either.
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I am looking at the wolf or the optima -- which one do you have?
 
jerry_d said:
I am looking at the wolf or the optima -- which one do you have?
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This wasn't directed at me but I happen to have the optima and bought my son the wolf as his first muzzleloader. The optima is a little heavier gun and seems to be more accurate beyond 100 yards. The wolf is a great little light, cheaper gun that is plenty accurate out to 100 yds but not quite as accurate as the optima.
 
I have a CVA accura mountain rifle and the thing is a hammer, black horn 209 is awesome!
 
Topdog said:
I have a CVA accura mountain rifle and the thing is a hammer, black horn 209 is awesome!
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Yes. Accura = bergara barrels.

I have a V2 plains rifle..shot at the range once. Quite accurate on that day, but no actual hunting experience yet.

These will all get the job done on most deer hunted this style, but the extra precision could come into play if you had some open terrain, like large clear cuts, grass fields, swale bottoms, or ponds.

Honestly, most of my gun bucks have been within bow range. Someone else’s specific hunting scenario could differ, buy accordingly...or to your fancy.

The only muzzleloader deer I’ve taken have been with patch and ball flintlocks.
 
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n6dlh said:
Tikka and Sako make some super nice rifles. Bergara are also super quality but I belive they are mostly heavy barrels. Bergara and CVA make a muzzle loader that groups 5" @ 500 Yards. Its the CVA paramount. I have one and its an amazing muzzle loader.

For the budget Light Weight hunting gun the Thompson Center Compass is a great rifle. They Guarantee 1MOA accuracy. I have one in 6.5cm and 300win. Wish I had one in 243.
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And yes the Thompson Center Compass is an awesome rifle that I totally forgot about and like @n6dlh said it is a budget friendly gun that is plenty accurate enough for most hunting ranges and I have an Encore and love it even though it is a single shot! Plus all you have to do is buy a barrel and you have a different caliber gun so if I only had one gun this or one of the other rifles you can swap barrels on would be the way to go imo plus being single shots they are fairly light weight!
 
With out reading all the posts, I'd add a couple things stalking a deer that you know is there or can see is "easier" than stalking to a bedding area area that might have deer. I say easier for lack of better terms, it's not, you can just somewhat focus more in one location vs always being concerned with area visibility. If your approaching a bedding area, if possible try to approach perpendicular to the wind, as deer tend to bed with wind advantage so they can watch their downwind approach. Meaning they'll typically be gone before you knew they were there.
You'll learn that there are conditions that lends themselves to stalking. My favorite days to stalk are rainy days with a lite constant wind, or gusty days if its drier out and the leaves are crunchy! You learn to use the conditions to your advantage!
On a final note: just go try it. Have fun with it, it's a completely different feeling stalking in on one and taking it. I dont know why, atlesst I feel more accomplished when I do. Good luck, happy hunting.
 
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