- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
I've carried a '94 Winchester in 30-30 for deer and even moose for over 40 years. It's also taken grouse and rabbit with no problems, and minimal damage.
No need to down load from the power of the factory 170 grain (I prefer to handload to that power level). I try to use head shots on rabbits and grouse, but body shots on rabbits don't destroy too much.
Seriously you can use just about any cartridge following the above advise, even cartridges like the 30-06, or the 45-70.
There are other considerations however.
Brush busting? Deflection is possible with ANY bullet, regardless of power, or size. Best choose one that will still have the stuff to finish the job if it connects with game after deflection. I think that effectively rules out most bullets under about 150 grains for 100 yard shooting.
Scopes. It's true that a scope is as fast, or faster than a lot of iron sights, (about equal to peep sights IMO) and that you can see your game better through one in low light conditions.
But, they have their detractions as well.
The theory that you can see branches you couldn't with irons is only half way there. The line of sight on a scope is higher than that of irons, so that branch you see at the crosshairs may not be on the bullets flight path.
They add expense, and weight to your rifle, and particularly with lever guns, make them unwieldy.
I've yet to find a scope cover that actually works in serious bad weather like wet snow, or freezing rain. Yeah, the weather that grounds all but the serious hunters. This means that with out covers, you are doomed to walk about with your scope under your arm pit to keep the weather off the lenses under bad conditions. Get a second rifle with irons, a removable scope, tip off, or see through mounts..
No need to down load from the power of the factory 170 grain (I prefer to handload to that power level). I try to use head shots on rabbits and grouse, but body shots on rabbits don't destroy too much.
Seriously you can use just about any cartridge following the above advise, even cartridges like the 30-06, or the 45-70.
There are other considerations however.
Brush busting? Deflection is possible with ANY bullet, regardless of power, or size. Best choose one that will still have the stuff to finish the job if it connects with game after deflection. I think that effectively rules out most bullets under about 150 grains for 100 yard shooting.
Scopes. It's true that a scope is as fast, or faster than a lot of iron sights, (about equal to peep sights IMO) and that you can see your game better through one in low light conditions.
But, they have their detractions as well.
The theory that you can see branches you couldn't with irons is only half way there. The line of sight on a scope is higher than that of irons, so that branch you see at the crosshairs may not be on the bullets flight path.
They add expense, and weight to your rifle, and particularly with lever guns, make them unwieldy.
I've yet to find a scope cover that actually works in serious bad weather like wet snow, or freezing rain. Yeah, the weather that grounds all but the serious hunters. This means that with out covers, you are doomed to walk about with your scope under your arm pit to keep the weather off the lenses under bad conditions. Get a second rifle with irons, a removable scope, tip off, or see through mounts..
