Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!erb1!osnome!hunting From: wiggs@byron.u.washington.edu (James Wiggs) Newsgroups: rec.hunting Subject: Re: Gun Question Message-ID: <354@erb1.engr.wisc.edu> Date: 15 Mar 91 12:22:31 GMT References: <333@erb1.engr.wisc.edu> Sender: news@erb1.engr.wisc.edu Organization: University of Washington, Seattle Lines: 48 Approved: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu From: wiggs@byron.u.washington.edu (James Wiggs) In article <333@erb1.engr.wisc.edu> JJD118@PSUVM.PSU.EDU (John Donovan) writes: >From: John Donovan >I don't have alot of $$ to spend on a weapon but here is what I would like to >do: I would like to hunt deer ( I Live in PA) and would also like to do some >small game (not birds). Would my best bet be get a shotgun and use slugs >for the deer, or get a cheep deer gun like a used 30-30 or the like and then >get a .22 for the small game? Are there other options like a .223 or .243? >Or will a .2223 or .243 destroy too much meat? any suggestions will be >very helpfull. Post them here if they could be of group intrest or >else E-mail them to me. First, I have to ask you a question. Are you equipped to do any reloading? It seems unlikely, since you appear to be asking about buying a first weapon, but just in case... If you are set up to do any reloading, I would suggest buying the best gun you can afford in a caliber no smaller than .243--I own a 6mm Rem--and you will have no problems with deer. You can then load light loads for use on small game. For squirrels, rabbits, and the like, I use either a Lyman 85 gr cast bullet w/ gas check or the Sierra 85 gr hollow point boattail. This slug is built with a very thin jacket--it is meant for varmint shooting--so it will expand nicely even when downloaded. I don't have my loading manuals here, so I'm not going to quote the actual loads, but I will suggest that you can find good light loads for *jacketed* bullets in some back issues of American Rifleman or Guns&Ammo. Can anyone here remember the actual issues? They were in the summer of '90, as I recall... Any good loading manual will have loads for cast bullets. If you are not set up for reloading, I would suggest going with the shotgun and using slugs for deer. In PA, you aren't likely to be taking any really long shots, so this should be adequate. Unless you're really a crack shot or a very good stalker, a shotgun will improve your chances on the small game over a 22. Also, one good shotgun will cost less than buying both a high-power rifle and a 22, if they are going to be of any reasonable quality. > - John >JJD118@PSUVM >JJD118.PSUVM.PSU.EDU James Wiggs wiggs@chemc2.chem.washington.edu _or_ wiggs@milton.u.washington.edu #include "I guess we can't make fun of Burt's lifestyle anymore." - Valentine McKee