You guys are great as usual. I have read all the posts. I have pondered all the pros and cons. I have looked at all the options. I have even made a decision or two, just to have them change after a new thought or more recently experience with bullet performance guestions. Here is my delima.
I want a light gun that is accurate enough to take precise shots on small deer at up to 100yds in brush with open sights(probably a ghost ring). I want to drop the animal, right there. Our eastern pine deserts are too thick and trailing deer at night through briars on hands and knees in eastern diamondback country is not fun or smart. Now the delimma gets even more interesting. The only man I know that does this with unbelievable skill is a trained Marine marksman. He takes these small deer in the neck with a TAC round from Hornady in his .308 A-bolt. This is a 110 gr. ballistic tip round. Now of coarse he does this out to 200 yds and further over bait, which is legal in his area. He does not want an exit or just doesn't care about one because he wants all energy left in the neck. It works and he only loses the neck not both shoulders. I like that.
That was (achievable) Utopia. Now my REAL WORLD. I want a lever gun. This fits my requirement for light, repeater, and ghost ring sight availability. I am going to buy a new in the box gun probably because when I get ready to get it I will lay it away at the local shop and he may not have something used available in the make and model and caliber of my choice. Also he lets me pay alittle at a time as long as I want so it helps cash flow. So , WHAT CALIBER, WHAT MAKE, WHAT MODEL, WHAT BULLET????
I know everyone has an opinion but please stick to the above requirements and your own personal hunting experience. Remember, think back to actual events. You guys have a lot of experience and that is what I want. Bench rest and manual B.C. data don't cut it here.
Since starting gun hunting two years ago for these deer I have been very disappointed with terminal performance. Don't give me the shot placement argument. We all know what shot placement means. I am a seasoned bowhunter for these animals and right now a broadhead at a blistering 160 fps in the goody bow is a clear winner over any 30 cal round I have shot. And I mean by a long shot. The advantage is range and deer shot angle for the gun.
Now. I want a lever gun but don't limit to that. If a pump or auto is the option, so be it. I just think the lever may be the clear choice.
Good luck. To me.
I want a light gun that is accurate enough to take precise shots on small deer at up to 100yds in brush with open sights(probably a ghost ring). I want to drop the animal, right there. Our eastern pine deserts are too thick and trailing deer at night through briars on hands and knees in eastern diamondback country is not fun or smart. Now the delimma gets even more interesting. The only man I know that does this with unbelievable skill is a trained Marine marksman. He takes these small deer in the neck with a TAC round from Hornady in his .308 A-bolt. This is a 110 gr. ballistic tip round. Now of coarse he does this out to 200 yds and further over bait, which is legal in his area. He does not want an exit or just doesn't care about one because he wants all energy left in the neck. It works and he only loses the neck not both shoulders. I like that.
That was (achievable) Utopia. Now my REAL WORLD. I want a lever gun. This fits my requirement for light, repeater, and ghost ring sight availability. I am going to buy a new in the box gun probably because when I get ready to get it I will lay it away at the local shop and he may not have something used available in the make and model and caliber of my choice. Also he lets me pay alittle at a time as long as I want so it helps cash flow. So , WHAT CALIBER, WHAT MAKE, WHAT MODEL, WHAT BULLET????
I know everyone has an opinion but please stick to the above requirements and your own personal hunting experience. Remember, think back to actual events. You guys have a lot of experience and that is what I want. Bench rest and manual B.C. data don't cut it here.
Since starting gun hunting two years ago for these deer I have been very disappointed with terminal performance. Don't give me the shot placement argument. We all know what shot placement means. I am a seasoned bowhunter for these animals and right now a broadhead at a blistering 160 fps in the goody bow is a clear winner over any 30 cal round I have shot. And I mean by a long shot. The advantage is range and deer shot angle for the gun.
Now. I want a lever gun but don't limit to that. If a pump or auto is the option, so be it. I just think the lever may be the clear choice.
Good luck. To me.