Dilemma on which rifle for field hunting deer

cote_b

cote_b

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Im hunting some corn fields this fall for the rifle deer hunt. I have a good 308 I already plannto use, but my friend who is joining me only has an open sighted Winchester 94. Not suitable for the long ranges we are going to encounter. I’ve offer him a loaner rifle, but I only have two that may fit the bill. I can either set him up with a ruger mini30 with a 3-9 scope, or a bolt action 223 with a fixed 10x.

For the ruger, I have 123 grain power point rounds to use. For the 223, several options but I think the best would be the 75 grain Hornady Steel Match hollow point or the Hornady 75 grain TAP FTX.

Would like something capable and ethical out to atleast 200 yards.

Which rifle should I offer my friend as a loaner?
 
The 223 is a great performer on deer, often beyond expectations. Those that know...
Shot placement, capability, and blah blah blah.
Just make sure you use a "hunting" bullet. Hornady makes a 70 grain GMX.

Put it where its supposed to go, and the 223 is more than capable.

R.
 
If it's a choice between those two, then I'd pick the .223 as well. The .30/30 is no slouch however, and should get him out to 150 yards even with open sights.
 
Any would do. No reason the Winchester 94 can't handle 200 yard shots. I'd have more faith in it than a Mini 30, scoped or not.
 
Whatever you choose, select the appropriate ammunition. Ammunition designed for deer, not targets, varmints or self defence. I wouldn't use the Hornady 75 gr match hollow points unless you have some advice that they work on medium sized game. The Hornady FTX is designed for defensive situations where penetration is to be limited. Target hollow points are not designed for hunting. I believe the jackets are typically too thin. My point is use ammunition that you know performs well on deer, and there is more too it than just weight. There likely is a 223 made for that purpose. Something with a controlled expansion, bonded jacket, partition, etc. You want expansion, penetration, weight retention.
 
200 meters? that 30-30 country. tell him to put the pin on it an let rip...... if he misses, he'll never forget it. the one that got away... if he gets it, well, eat up.
yo
 
Yes, let him stick to his 30-30; the rifle he knows! If he hasn't shot it out to 200 with open sights yet, a little range time is in order. With some practice, it will be just fine.
 
Brutus said:
Williams FP receiver sight is far superior to the factory buckhorn rear sight. People who do this simple modification, often tend to be rifle range very familiar with that firearm prior to open season.
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absolutely! i peeped my model 94 and whoooweee..... deers beware!
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I think I’ll source a box of heavy, quality hunting rounds for the 223 at this point. I would trust that package out to 200-300 yards more than an old 30-30 with irons.
 
cote_b said:
Im hunting some corn fields this fall for the rifle deer hunt. I have a good 308 I already plannto use, but my friend who is joining me only has an open sighted Winchester 94. Not suitable for the long ranges we are going to encounter. I’ve offer him a loaner rifle, but I only have two that may fit the bill. I can either set him up with a ruger mini30 with a 3-9 scope, or a bolt action 223 with a fixed 10x.

For the ruger, I have 123 grain power point rounds to use. For the 223, several options but I think the best would be the 75 grain Hornady Steel Match hollow point or the Hornady 75 grain TAP FTX.

Would like something capable and ethical out to atleast 200 yards.

Which rifle should I offer my friend as a loaner?
Click to expand...

Not big on loaners, however...
All three will work, but;
Your 223 is capable but you have the wrong ammo and scope. I could live with the scope but the ammo you have isn’t what you need for deer. The right ammo with your mini 30 scope on it would be a winner.
The 94 is more than capable if he has the eyesight, if not, perhaps he should trade it in for something with an optic?
The Mini30 is capable and just might fill the freezer.

Seems to me a LGS would make it easy for him to swap into an affordable package gun with a more desirable cartridge...
 
BlackRam said:
Yes, let him stick to his 30-30; the rifle he knows! If he hasn't shot it out to 200 with open sights yet, a little range time is in order. With some practice, it will be just fine.
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Totally agree on sticking with the 30-30 as it is his own.Definitely needs to do a fair bit of practice at 200 yards though to be able to confidently place shots on deer size game. A lot of shooters, myself included at one time, don't really appreciate how far 200 yards actually is until you start pacing it off or you are at a range with known yardage. Deer size animals can appear pretty small over iron sights at even that distance.
If he can't place shots in the boiler room with the 30-30 then go with the 223 with designed for deer size game bullets, but he will still need some range time with it as well to feel comfortable and confident with it.
 
If he loads, he could load up some 125gr accubond at respectable velocity, would be limited to one in the chamber and one in the tube, but that should be plenty.
 
with good eyesight a .30-30 with irons should do it even out to 200 yards but I normally hunt field edges and can get deer into bow range. a .30-30 in a Winchester 94 has probably taken more big game than anything else here in Canada .303 British most likely come in as a close second. the .223 with the right bullet and shot placement will do the job something like a barns tsx should do it
 
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