What would you select?

cruiserdan · 05-17-08, 10:04 PM

I have drawn out for a limited-entry hunt in southern Utah along with my wife's dad and her sister.

We will be going after trophy Mule Deer and I have a safe full of rifles to pick from.

I am leaning toward my .300WSM Model 70 Featherweight (with a Leuopold 3-9 scope) but I shoot 2,000+ rounds a year in Various M1-configured rifles.

I can operate the M1 in my sleep and I regularly shoot it out to 500 yards with open sights.

My match rifle weighs ~11 lbs and the Winny is ~8 lbs and my 50-year-old ass will be on the hoof.

What would you do?

84CRUISER · 05-17-08, 10:50 PM

buy a bow

good luck bro, bring whatever you are most comfortable with, they will all do the job.

bigndn · 05-18-08, 07:01 AM

Take the winny. You'll thank yourself later.

Landpimp · 05-18-08, 08:31 AM

hire someone to pack your M1

Cruiserdrew · 05-18-08, 08:38 AM

Real men would club the deer to death an eat the liver raw.

Knowing you though, I would take your lightest rifle.

I'd bet a sixer of Keystone you could not hit a deer sized target with open sights at 500 yards. You obviously have this activity confused with fishing.

phatairman · 05-18-08, 10:06 AM

Take the Winny. Open sights at 300 yards might be difficult to determine the larger buck side by side. I realize that you will have binos but you can't go wrong with more optics.

And it could be a good back-up rifle for your family should their rifle be dropped or whatever. M1 not so much.

phrogg4evr · 05-18-08, 10:28 AM

Go with the M1, that way you can use the bayonet to finish the bugger off.

Or if you don't want to go with the irons, I'm sure you have a fully configured M1D in the stockpile

Cattledog · 05-18-08, 11:24 AM

Winny and get a padded sling or backpack that will hold the rifle. see link

I would pick the pack if walking would be over 5 miles a day. What will the land be like? The more difficult the land the pack will be better.

Anyone make a minimalist rifle/hydration pack?

MARLIN375 · 05-18-08, 12:27 PM

Take the lighter WSM.
A box of 165gr handloads that make "one ragged hole" @ 100yrds (I'm sure you have these figured out already)
and decent range finder.............looking forward to the pics.

photogod · 05-18-08, 12:46 PM

I'm not a huge fan of short mags but it would be a lot easier carrying that over your M1, as well as being more accurate at distance being scoped. One shot one kill, for the deer's sake. Go sight in your scope for 300 yds and calculate rise and fall of the projectile. General duty hunting application the 300 WSM with 180's sighted 2" high at 100 yds will put you about 7" low at 300 yds. Since most shots will be 20-200 yds that puts your POI very close to POA. Just hold on the upper furry part out a ways. Good luck.

And as a sideline... I think most hunting loads are to hot for the Garand. Do you load your own Dan?

inthewall · 05-18-08, 05:14 PM

Definately the 300. Unless you know of an alfalfa field you can stake out. What unit did you draw?

Fly Rod · 05-18-08, 10:27 PM

As cool as it would be to take a trophy MD with an M1 I might go for the 300. I guess it boils down to you. Is this a once in a life time hunt? Have you tagged a few big mulies? Are you feeling strong? As you know, a great hunt is the result of a great experience. That is why I started bow hunting. Shooting a big mulie with an M1 definitely fits the great experience defenition.

Your call......

e9999 · 05-18-08, 11:31 PM

you're 50...?

darn, I thought you were

49...!

and you can still

use iron sights.....?

flintknapper · 05-18-08, 11:44 PM

I'd take the 300.

If you are really "hoofing it" most of the day, you'll have binoculars, a day pack, etc...already loading you down, so the lighter rifle will be much appreciated.

Too, the scoped rifle can't hurt anything. I know you can hit a mulie with your M1...but you might have to shoot in low light conditions or into shadows (bedded deer), you just never know. The scope would be a big help under those conditions.

Should be a fun hunt either way.

Atticus · 05-19-08, 07:09 AM

Take the Model 70. You will miss the magnification provided by the optics if you take your Garand.

Besides, we all know that this is just a thread to brag on your new tag, jerk.

brian · 05-19-08, 07:14 AM

you don't have a ''C'' or ''D'' you could take??

cruiserdan · 05-19-08, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atticus

Besides, we all know that this is just a thread to brag on your new tag, jerk.

Um,

That's Mr Jerk Sir............

cruiserdan · 05-19-08, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian

you don't have a ''C'' or ''D'' you could take??

No, I don't. Since I'm a lefty it's a bit akward to lean over the top of the rifle to see out the tube.....

But, on the other hand, I could take the 03-A4...

cruiserdan · 05-19-08, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fly Rod

As cool as it would be to take a trophy MD with an M1 I might go for the 300. I guess it boils down to you. Is this a once in a life time hunt? Have you tagged a few big mulies? Are you feeling strong? As you know, a great hunt is the result of a great experience. That is why I started bow hunting. Shooting a big mulie with an M1 definitely fits the great experience defenition.

Your call......

I have taken several Mule deer, none that were big trophys and almost all of them with a bow.

I agree, the combination of a large buck, taken with an M1, really would be a great experience.

I expect that I will bring both rifles with me and decide which one to use when I take the field. Since I'm driving up the extra cargo is no big deal.

cruiserdan · 05-19-08, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photogod

I'm not a huge fan of short mags but it would be a lot easier carrying that over your M1, as well as being more accurate at distance being scoped. One shot one kill, for the deer's sake. Go sight in your scope for 300 yds and calculate rise and fall of the projectile. General duty hunting application the 300 WSM with 180's sighted 2" high at 100 yds will put you about 7" low at 300 yds. Since most shots will be 20-200 yds that puts your POI very close to POA. Just hold on the upper furry part out a ways. Good luck.

And as a sideline... I think most hunting loads are to hot for the Garand. Do you load your own Dan?

I do load my own and absolutely the Garand would be wrecked by a hot commercial load. The burn rates and pressure curves are way wrong for the gas system. My .300 WSM load is 66 grains of IMR4831 with a Barnes 180 grain Tripple Shock. My Current zero is 200 yards.
Th Garand is 46 grains of IMR 4895 with a Sierra Gameking 180 grain spitzer boattail. That load just about duplicates the military match load and will not hurt the rifle. I have a repeatable 200 yard zero and can easily run the sight up for 300. I would not be comfortable taking shots much longer than that. I do not want to make a mess.

Atticus · 05-19-08, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruiserdan

Um,

That's Mr Jerk Sir............

That Shaman stuff doesn't work on the law-yar.

cruiserdan · 05-19-08, 05:50 PM

Okey doke.

Sorry about yer radiator........

Atticus · 05-19-08, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruiserdan

Okey doke.

Sorry about yer radiator........

Take it to chat.

cruiserdan · 05-19-08, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atticus

Take it to chat.

No way, you'd kill me over there........

Atticus · 05-19-08, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruiserdan

No way, you'd kill me over there........

Come on. You can bring BOFE your rifles.

05-17-08, 10:04 PM	#1
cruiserdan Parts Shaman (per Romer) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Pounding out dents Posts: 13,546	What would you select? I have drawn out for a limited-entry hunt in southern Utah along with my wife's dad and her sister. We will be going after trophy Mule Deer and I have a safe full of rifles to pick from. I am leaning toward my .300WSM Model 70 Featherweight (with a Leuopold 3-9 scope) but I shoot 2,000+ rounds a year in Various M1-configured rifles. I can operate the M1 in my sleep and I regularly shoot it out to 500 yards with open sights. My match rifle weighs ~11 lbs and the Winny is ~8 lbs and my 50-year-old ass will be on the hoof. What would you do? __________________ Original owner 93 FZJ80,locked,blown,water/methanol injected(like a WWII fighter aircraft),lifted,winched,snorkeled,slidered,Sleeed ,moneypit. Balanced on a pin head. 95 FZJ80 trail truck (hers), 94 FZJ80 320K with a knock and a lumpy old Dodge car.

05-17-08, 10:50 PM	#2
84CRUISER Me is good Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: COLORADO Posts: 355	buy a bow good luck bro, bring whatever you are most comfortable with, they will all do the job. __________________ Jeep this! Castle Rock Crippled Cruisers 1984 fj60, aal rearch, 3"+shackles. TBI, 33's 1986 fj60, SOA.

05-18-08, 08:38 AM	#5
Cruiserdrew KI6MIE Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA TLCA# 11734 Posts: 6,476	Real men would club the deer to death an eat the liver raw. Knowing you though, I would take your lightest rifle. I'd bet a sixer of Keystone you could not hit a deer sized target with open sights at 500 yards. You obviously have this activity confused with fishing. __________________ Andrew 1971 FJ-40 Rubicon tested 1976 FJ40 RIP 1984 FJ-60 H55f, 4.11, OME, Daily Driver 1997 FZJ-80 Factory sub-tank, and other tricks Last edited by Cruiserdrew; 05-18-08 at 10:07 AM.

05-18-08, 10:06 AM	#6
phatairman IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Hot Atlanta Posts: 265	Take the Winny. Open sights at 300 yards might be difficult to determine the larger buck side by side. I realize that you will have binos but you can't go wrong with more optics. And it could be a good back-up rifle for your family should their rifle be dropped or whatever. M1 not so much. __________________ 1995 FZJ80 - 252K, ARB front, OME 851/860, 33 BFG MTs.

05-18-08, 11:24 AM	#8
Cattledog IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Portsmouth NH Posts: 493	Winny and get a padded sling or backpack that will hold the rifle. see link I would pick the pack if walking would be over 5 miles a day. What will the land be like? The more difficult the land the pack will be better. Anyone make a minimalist rifle/hydration pack? __________________ 96 lx 450 stock, with 285's and R.B. MAF housing. 2006 Sienna LE 8 passanger, 3 kids and Room to spare!

05-18-08, 08:31 AM	#4
Landpimp IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Gig Harbor WA TLCA# 5506 Posts: 11,259	hire someone to pack your M1

05-18-08, 12:27 PM	#9
MARLIN375 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kelowna, B.C. Posts: 474	Take the lighter WSM. A box of 165gr handloads that make "one ragged hole" @ 100yrds (I'm sure you have these figured out already) and decent range finder.............looking forward to the pics. __________________ "Stupid things, happen to smart people that are affraid to ask stupid questions" 93 FZJ80 Full Load w/lockers, 2.5 OME, #7pin/CDL, Custom Bumper w/M8274, 315 MTZs 78 FJ40 Retired.....never left me, not once. 81LJ, 89JLX, 01Vitara SUZUKI wifemobiles (the only other 4X4 to own) 76 Chevy PU 292 6cyl, Restored w/collector plates

05-18-08, 12:46 PM	#10
photogod I'm really very humble Join Date: May 2004 Location: MN Posts: 1,252	I'm not a huge fan of short mags but it would be a lot easier carrying that over your M1, as well as being more accurate at distance being scoped. One shot one kill, for the deer's sake. Go sight in your scope for 300 yds and calculate rise and fall of the projectile. General duty hunting application the 300 WSM with 180's sighted 2" high at 100 yds will put you about 7" low at 300 yds. Since most shots will be 20-200 yds that puts your POI very close to POA. Just hold on the upper furry part out a ways. Good luck. And as a sideline... I think most hunting loads are to hot for the Garand. Do you load your own Dan? __________________ 94 FZJ80, factory locked with mods worth more than the truck.

05-18-08, 05:14 PM	#11
inthewall IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Elko, Nevada Posts: 352	Definately the 300. Unless you know of an alfalfa field you can stake out. What unit did you draw? __________________ 68 Fj40 M101 Trailer 05Tundra 07 Fj

05-18-08, 10:27 PM	#12
Fly Rod IH8MUD Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ashland, OR Posts: 962	As cool as it would be to take a trophy MD with an M1 I might go for the 300. I guess it boils down to you. Is this a once in a life time hunt? Have you tagged a few big mulies? Are you feeling strong? As you know, a great hunt is the result of a great experience. That is why I started bow hunting. Shooting a big mulie with an M1 definitely fits the great experience defenition. Your call...... __________________ Fly Rod 95 FZJ80, Factory locked, 7 pin mod, 285/75/16 Revo's, Extended diff breathers, Fully synthetic fluids, OME Mediums, Georges LED's, JD HIR, Slee Light Harness, silicone phh, dual sony dvd's for the munchkins, more to come? I have a double handed rod...

05-18-08, 11:31 PM	#13
e9999 You want to do what...? Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: PRK Posts: 10,135	you're 50...? darn, I thought you were 49...! and you can still use iron sights.....? __________________ '97: 88K, 3xlock, Custom HD roo bar for sale, 285 MT/Rs on steelies, Hanna sliders, 851+1.5"/863/N73/N74E/SD24, ARB bull with M12, Kaymar with duals, Kaymar rack, Slee TC skid, 2m/440, more stuff, loose nut behind the wheel!) '03: 99K, the better half's... DD and souped up DR650

05-18-08, 11:44 PM	#14
flintknapper IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: May 2004 Location: Deep East Texas Posts: 1,620	I'd take the 300. If you are really "hoofing it" most of the day, you'll have binoculars, a day pack, etc...already loading you down, so the lighter rifle will be much appreciated. Too, the scoped rifle can't hurt anything. I know you can hit a mulie with your M1...but you might have to shoot in low light conditions or into shadows (bedded deer), you just never know. The scope would be a big help under those conditions. Should be a fun hunt either way. __________________ Flintknapper: '97 Land Cruiser, Moonglow Pearl Chocolate Lab (Kota), I miss you. ΜOΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ (come and take them)

05-19-08, 07:09 AM	#15
Atticus IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Birmingham, Alabama Posts: 618	Take the Model 70. You will miss the magnification provided by the optics if you take your Garand. Besides, we all know that this is just a thread to brag on your new tag, jerk. __________________ "It was a blend from italy, not cheap, and absolutely superb!" - Judge Smails.

05-19-08, 07:14 AM	#16
brian springfield user Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: lebanon,pa TLCA# 6955 Posts: 2,311	you don't have a ''C'' or ''D'' you could take?? __________________ it's only metal, we can out think it. 77-fj40 20th anniversary edition 87-fj60 216K mile DDer 93-fzj80 mall crawler toyota material distribution center. your source for Factory Service Manuals. they're alot cheaper than you think. 1-800-622-2033

05-19-08, 05:50 PM	#22
cruiserdan Parts Shaman (per Romer) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Pounding out dents Posts: 13,546	Okey doke. Sorry about yer radiator........ __________________ Original owner 93 FZJ80,locked,blown,water/methanol injected(like a WWII fighter aircraft),lifted,winched,snorkeled,slidered,Sleeed ,moneypit. Balanced on a pin head. 95 FZJ80 trail truck (hers), 94 FZJ80 320K with a knock and a lumpy old Dodge car.