my first rifle was a 1972 Winchester m94 in 30-30. it killed my first buck and first doe. it went kill many more deer and then the m94 was put in my safe and i just forgot about her. then about 4 years ago, i sent the m94 to JES Reboring and he did a fabulous job reboring her to 35/30-30. i put on a Williams FP aperture sight because my eyes ain't what they used to be. i use 200gr RCBS FN GC with 2400/tuft of Dacron that goes 1726fps. i've killed two does and one buck. last year, i didn't hunt , i was scheduled for a heart cath. i'd say that i luv the m94.
my second choice is a Husqvarna m46 in 9.3x57 and a 2-7x Leopold scope. it uses 275gr WFN GC and IMR4895 that goes about 1800-1900fps (i forgot to chrony it). it is a sweet rifle, and it thumps deer with authority.
my third choice is one that came down to me. it was used by great grandpap, pappy, Dad (RIP), late uncle and finally by me. it will be passed on by my sons. it is a sporterized 1898 Springfield Armory in 30-40 Krag. i put on a Redfield 102K aperture sight. it uses a 165gr Ranch Dog with H4198 and it goes 1926fps. i killed my first cast bullet deer with the Krag. i then added 8 or 9 deer and my oldest son also added 5 or 6 deer.
my fourth choice is a TC Encore with a 23" MGM heavy factory barrel in 444 Marlin and a 2-7x Leopold. i've shot many deer with 255gr Kieth -type bullets, 275gr Ranch Dog, 280gr WFN GC, 280gr LFN GC, 300gr SAECO FN GC and 265gr Hornady FN. the fps is anywhere between 1600 - 2300fps. the one bullet i liked best is 280gr WFN GC with Reloder 7 that goes 1937fps.
this year i'll use my TC Contender in a 10" barrel in 30 Herrett and a 2-7x Swift with 130gr Speer HP and Reloder 7 (i still have to chrony it) but it will go 1700 - 1800fps. i also bought another 10" barrel in 357 Herrett but i'm not going use that for a couple years. when i do, i'll be sure to use cast bullets.
the place that i mostly go to, 60 yards is considered a long shot. depending on the deer, my shots can go either 10 or 12 feet oy 60 something yards. most of the time, it is around 25+/- yards.
i shot deer through the 22-250AI, 243, 25-06, 6.5 Creedmoor, 270 Win, 7-08, 7x57, 30-30, 30-40 Krag, 308, '06, 7.65x53, 8x57, 35/30-30, 9.3x57, 44 Special, 44 Rem mag, 444 Marlin, 45-70 and a bunch of other calibers.
I'd like to see your 9.3x57 set up. I have the same rifle and have debated getting it drilled and tapped for optics or at least for a peep sight.
