Medium range deer rifle

[.452browning]

I just recently got serious into deer hunting. I just took my first deer less than 2 weeks ago with a TC Muzzle loader.

I am looking into a dedicated deer rifle. I am a paraplegic so the spots I hunt from are more limited than most. I want to be able to accurately reach out to 200 yds with a max of 300. I already have an AR15 so I'm looking into a .450 bushmaster upper. However, $800 for an upper minus scope is salty right now. I like the muzzle loader but would prefer a cartridge. Ballistically the 450 looks great out to 200-250.

Im also thinking of a bolt rifle converted to 358 Hoosier.

any other good ideas? I have plenty of time till next season, but the sooner I prepare the better.

 

[Mgderf]

Try looking at a Thompson Center Contender or Encore in a pistol platform.
I have a Contender that I have several different barrels to fit, for different applications.

For deer it wears either a .357mag (10" barrel), .44mag(10" barrel), .30/30 Winchester("Super 14" 14" barrel), or a .45/70govt ("Super 16 16" barrel).
The 30/30 should do nicely out to 250 yards or a little more.

 

[Niles Coyote]

I will second a Contender or Encore... I have used a 357 and 44 mag on the contender to take deer configered as a pistol and use a 20" muzzleloader on my Encore to do the same. Match grade Machine Custom Thompson Center Encore, Contender, G2 barrels, and Pro Hunter - MGM makes custom barrels and Thompson Center Arms at EABCO - TC Encore, Contender, G2, Barrels, Stocks, and Accessories. also has a good supply of barrels and parts.

 

[JMWetzel89]

I like the T/C route. Order a barrel cut for a 358 diameter, and a case length of 1.795. Use 308 brass as it is not to hard to find in bulk. This is a run down, quick version. I know I'm missing steps, but I'm on my phone at work so if anyone wants to fill in the blanks feel free. I have. I model 70 243 wssm converted to the 1.6 358 and its a deer slayer out to 400 with enough practice. But the route above is a little less expensive I believe.

 

[Harleyrider_50]

I just recently got serious into deer hunting. I just took my first deer less than 2 weeks ago with a TC Muzzle loader.

I am looking into a dedicated deer rifle. I am a paraplegic so the spots I hunt from are more limited than most. I want to be able to accurately reach out to 200 yds with a max of 300. I already have an AR15 so I'm looking into a .450 bushmaster upper. However, $800 for an upper minus scope is salty right now. I like the muzzle loader but would prefer a cartridge. Ballistically the 450 looks great out to 200-250.

Im also thinking of a bolt rifle converted to 358 Hoosier.

any other good ideas? I have plenty of time till next season, but the sooner I prepare the better.

Hunt on private ground?.......

.270........7mmMag.......... .308 ..........300WinMag.........etc..........

 

[Airwolf]

Even on private ground you have to abide by the game laws for equipment use.

 

[42769vette]

If you think 800 before the scope is salty, I dont think you can get a bolt action hoosier for less than that.

Keep in mind that ANY legal Indiana rifle wont be the kind you can walk out the door and ethically take a 300 yd shot without a good bit of practice.

 

[roadrunner681]

358 hoosier ammo is also very expensive as well, and very hard to get theirs a 358 hooiser for sale in anderson at gunslingers you might give them a call if your interested i think its a 700 action i couldn't tell you how it is. i think a custom tc barrel in 460 Smith would be a option as well

 

[10mmfan]

If you take the T/c encore route you could get an.358 wssm barrel at a number of places but brass supply will be an issue so the .358 Hoosier might better since it's got a common parent case. My 200 yard deer rifle is a rock river .458 socom upper. It has a bit more range than my Marlin 1894 I used to use but it's still not a long range rifle in any way whatsoever. I know a few people who hunt with encore pistols in rifle calibers like .243 or .270 but it takes a lot of practice to get proficient with one of those things.

 

[Harleyrider_50]

Even on private ground you have to abide by the game laws for equipment use.

......An' I betch'a ya always stood at attention,an' never spoke unless spoken to in school,huh dude ?.............If ya think dudes don' use these calibers......prolly ought'r git out'na fields more dure'n gun season.....'specially North o' me......where it a looooooonnng azz way 'cross a cut corn field....

If you take the T/c encore route you could get an.358 wssm barrel at a number of places but brass supply will be an issue so the .358 Hoosier might better since it's got a common parent case. My 200 yard deer rifle is a rock river .458 socom upper. It has a bit more range than my Marlin 1894 I used to use but it's still not a long range rifle in any way whatsoever. I know a few people who hunt with encore pistols in rifle calibers like .243 or .270 but it takes a lot of practice to get proficient with one of those things.

......HAD 1.......chamber'd in .308......got from Kiesler b'fore the Orion dudes took over.....ANYways......got ta where could keep 5 out'a 5 centerways in'a drywall bucket lid @ 250 yds.......IF did'n breath hard.......LOL!......

 

[Hookeye]

You meet some of the nicest people on a Honda

 

[Hookeye]

Current deer rig is a TC Contender carbine in .35 Rem.
Figure it a 200yd max rig.
Doesn't matter, aint seen anything with antlers all season LOL.

 

[remauto1187]

Current deer rig is a TC Contender carbine in .35 Rem.
Figure it a 200yd max rig.
Doesn't matter, aint seen anything with antlers all season LOL.

Im right there with ya not including the monster 3pt that came underneath me while bowhunting! Im gonna go with the .35rem in 2014. Should give me plenty of time to work some loads up, acquire a Marlin .35rem and trim down some shells.

 

[Hookeye]

I've gotten 5 shots under an inch at 100 yds, but once in a great while get a wicked flyer (aint me), so will try one of these:
Bullberry Barrel Works - Hanger System

 

[Airwolf]

......An' I betch'a ya always stood at attention,an' never spoke unless spoken to in school,huh dude ?.............If ya think dudes don' use these calibers......prolly ought'r git out'na fields more dure'n gun season.....'specially North o' me......where it a looooooonnng azz way 'cross a cut corn field....



......HAD 1.......chamber'd in .308......got from Kiesler b'fore the Orion dudes took over.....ANYways......got ta where could keep 5 out'a 5 centerways in'a drywall bucket lid @ 250 yds.......IF did'n breath hard.......LOL!......

Sound like a bunch of poachers to me.

 

[sportsman223]

I have G2 Contenders in 357 Maximum and 35rem trimmed to 1.780 both very good shooters barrles were built by MatchGradeMachine.
That's all we use then switch them out with .45cal muzzlerloader barrles. In the summer they get 22 long for summer plinking

 

[Harleyrider_50]

Sound like a bunch of poachers to me.

?.......Prolly ought'a chek you hear'n , then...........

 

[nipprdog]

If you think 800 before the scope is salty, I dont think you can get a bolt action hoosier for less than that.

Keep in mind that ANY legal Indiana rifle wont be the kind you can walk out the door and ethically take a 300 yd shot without a good bit of practice.

The voice of reason.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

How much would a T/C Super with a ~15" bbl, in .308, + appropriate scope cost?

 

[sportsman223]

That depends on what scope you would call appropriate scope, my self all I use are Leupold VX II or better and some older Burris
As far as the frame goes there out there used for 350.00 or under and if you look on MatchGradeMachines site they will offer a stub sale on most calibers barrels under 16inches there price's in the past were around 200.00 per barrel. then add good bases and rings I would say somewhere around 800.00 ballpark