Where I live and hunt in SW Michigan we are limited in what we can use for firearms to hunt deer. In order to use a rifle we have to use a straight sided case (no bottle neck) of at least 35 caliber and the case can be no longer than 1.8". When I moved to Michigan from Washington state I brought along a Marlin 1895 SBL in 45/70. Initially I thought it would be illegal to use but after reading the regulations more closely I discovered that I could use it as long as I trimmed the cases shorter to 1.8". So that is what I am doing. I had to have my sizing die ground down shorter and I had to get a custom made Lee Factory Crimp Die but it is working well for me. I am using the Hornady 325 FTX bullet. So far I have only killed 2 whitetail does with this setup but the previous year I killed a whitetail doe with my scoped Ruger Bisley 45 Colt. That too worked quite well at 55 yards.
Heym SR-21 8x57IS. Mainly hunting for wild boar and roe deer in a mix of fields and forests, but it'll drop a red deer with ease, too. If I'm after something smaller, the Heym Bockdrilling comes with me. If I had to choose a caliber for it again, I'd go with the .30-06, though. At least with factory ammo I have noticed a significant advantage in shock and instant kills with the '06. Love the look of those Featherweight Model 70s, by the way.
Heym SR-21 8x57IS. Mainly hunting for wild boar and roe deer in a mix of fields and forests, but it'll drop a red deer with ease, too. If I'm after something smaller, the Heym Bockdrilling comes with me. If I had to choose a caliber for it again, I'd go with the .30-06, though. At least with factory ammo I have noticed a significant advantage in shock and instant kills with the '06. Love the look of those Featherweight Model 70s, by the way.
Not too familiar with Heym. Prompted me to look them up. Looks like a quality rifle. Watched a quick review on youtube (Heym SR 21 - Planete CHASSE). Didn't understand a word the guy said but the bolt seemed smooth to operate and the stock is a nice slim profile. Is the bottom of the magazine metal or polymer? The mag release button looks slightly recessed -- have you ever experienced an unintentional release while carrying? Guessing not.
So many rifles would work in my neck of the woods, but I've been using my BLR .358 Win the most lately. Plenty of punch, light to carry and quick into action if necessary. 20" barrel isn't too long to navigate through thick woods. Scope is a Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.5x32 but I would have put a Weaver V Classic 1-3x20 on it if I'd known its eye relief was 4" instead of the 3.1" they used to list it at. It would be a little lighter and trimmer mount, but the Bushnell has worked fine so far. I've been shooting Hornady 200 gr Interlocks (both RN and SP) handloaded with IMR-3031.
Nice buck and rifle. Especially in that chambering. The magazine is all metal. I don't recall the rifle having any plastic or synthetic parts, actually. The spring of the magazine release is fairly stiff, so the mag is only released when you press it like you mean it. USOG has a fairly good video on the Heym. I can fully agree with him on the fact that the true highlight is the stock.
Nice buck and rifle. Especially in that chambering. The magazine is all metal. I don't recall the rifle having any plastic or synthetic parts, actually. The spring of the magazine release is fairly stiff, so the mag is only released when you press it like you mean it. USOG has a fairly good video on the Heym. I can fully agree with him on the fact that the true highlight is the stock.
Welcome, boomer, good to see some input from germany!
I've used a couple dozen (more in my Lifetime) out here in Utah since 1990, just because I am a gun looney who won't accumulate, always trade/sell to try something different. Some were given away, some set aside as heirlooms for later. "Right now"...a Kimber 84L Classic (nice wood!) blue steel in .270; a Bergara B14 Hunter tricked out 300WM and a special little Kimber 8400 Classic ( stainless steel and gorgeous wood) 300 WSM. ha Each one is proving to be excellent shooters with "my favorite hunting bullets-Barnes TTSX". Over the years, I have used more Noslers and Barnes than any others, though I have used many Corlokts, Sierras and Hornadys. Also played with Hawk, Woodleigh, Swift AF/Scirocco. I also prefer the Light Sporter/Mountain Rifle type of bolt guns. I want it light & lively in my hands. I am also not a LRH, I've shot several head around 375-380, but don't care for it. I prefer 100-200 yds.
In the last fifteen years, it seems I usually hunt with a Tikka T3 regardless of home area or out of state. Current T3 is a stainless 22" barrel 30-06 with a Tract Turion 2-10x42 BDC scope with LimbSaver pad and stock painted with textured charcoal gray. Very accurate with 168 TTSX. Love it.
Nice buck and rifle. Especially in that chambering. The magazine is all metal. I don't recall the rifle having any plastic or synthetic parts, actually. The spring of the magazine release is fairly stiff, so the mag is only released when you press it like you mean it. USOG has a fairly good video on the Heym. I can fully agree with him on the fact that the true highlight is the stock.
USOG does great videos. Clearly he's a steel and walnut guy at heart, but he recognizes the good features in every thing he covers and appreciates utilitarian stuff like H&R single-shots.
Nice buck and rifle. Especially in that chambering. The magazine is all metal. I don't recall the rifle having any plastic or synthetic parts, actually. The spring of the magazine release is fairly stiff, so the mag is only released when you press it like you mean it. USOG has a fairly good video on the Heym. I can fully agree with him on the fact that the true highlight is the stock.
USOG does great videos. Clearly he's a steel and walnut guy at heart, but he recognizes the good features in every thing he covers and appreciates utilitarian stuff like H&R single-shots.
Remington 700 CDL 7mm Rem Mag. Pillar and glass bedded, barrel free floated to the lug, Timney trigger, Nikon Monarch3 3-12x42 in Leupold Dual Dovetail mounts. 160gr Accubonds at 3100fps or 175 Partitions at 2950fps
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy. Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. Winston Churchill.
"My Region" is mainly North & Central Florida and the Low Country of South Carolina. I enjoy hunting from climbers or stands off the beaten path where a deer can truly come from 360⁰. A 7mm-08 has been a favorite of mine for years. This is a 23 inch GAP that's about ideal for me.
This is a good outline of how I hunt.
3 deer are in the first pic. A hot doe crashed in, then I grunted out the buck.