The 30-30 thread prompted this. I’m talking close cover, 75 yards or less. What do you use? In the past I’ve used what I had, from 30-30 to 375 H&H. Now that I have a bit more selection I use a 45 Colt and a 35 Remington.

75 yards or less in thick woods I am reaching for a slow big bullet every time. 444, 45-70, 375 Win, 356 Win, 35 Rem. Anything along those lines. I tend to lean towards the 444 the most.

357 Mag or 44 Mag most of the time, have nice rifles in both and they work very well. Those are my guns of choice if the range is going to be less than 125 yards. Oh thro in the 38-55 Winchester

44, 30-30, 454 casull, 308 with a 1-4 scope

Growing up in Mississippi hunted thick woods mostly and my old favorite rifle was a Ruger No1 in 7x57mm..... until that seemed too easy then went to Black Widow recurve.

I don't think I ever posted pics of my buck from last year but I took him with a Marlin 444P Outfitter. I had missed a really big buck during bow season from this stand and knew I wanted to hunt that same area in rifle season. The cover around that stand is super dense so I wanted something that would put a deer on his rear end quick. The 444 did just that. He is a heavy horned main frame 8 with a kicker off his right G2. I usually like a exit wound but with the big slow flat bullets I like them to dump all their energy inside the animal.

Excellent deer.

Yes, some rifles just seem to have deer slayer written all over them.

45 Colt, 454 Casull, 460 S&W & my absolute favorite, Remington #4 Rolling Block 45-70.

I hunt with 45 colt, 357 mag, 30-30 and 38-55 with open sights. I carry a scoped rifle as well to be able to shoot early and late. When in the woods, I carry an o/s gun for targets of opportunity. The 45 Colt and 30-30 Winchester trapper get carried the most.

I think I’m at the point I want two more 45 Colt levers. I have a 1894 Marlin, I want a 92 Rossi, and a 94 Winchester. I had a 92 Rossi and I loved it, unfortunately I divorced it since I had bought it for her.

Benelli Super Nova or Remington 870 loaded with Brenneke Slugs or Dixie Slugs Tri-Ball Buckshot (Three .60 caliber round balls moving 1100 fps).

If I do what I am supposed to do at least 2 of the 3 round balls of the Tri-Ball Buckshot will be inside the deer vitals at 75 yards. I have put all three inside a paper plate at 75 yards, but it does not happen every single time. If one ball hits the vitals it is going down. Incredible Stuff.

The .444 Marlin is a stomper.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

You old timer.

My first East Texas buck, a young spike, was taken with a Remington 1100 12-gauge loaded with 00 buck. I didn't even own a center-fire rifle at the time.

I just use my .270. Been working pretty good so far

In the interest of “you can’t have enough guns”, you should look into a lever like the 92 or 94. I read your comments on the 30-30 thread and understand. There just something about fast handling rifles that you don’t mind beating up that brings a smile to your face. Open sights or a low mag scope Is stupid fast on close moving animals.

On another note I would never take a lever if there was any chance of a shot over 100 yards. They have their place.

Back in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma, this was my choice. Rarely had a shot over 50 yards.

I’ve owned both a model 94 and a 336.

Hunting thick areas where shots were relatively close is ideal, but on any properties I hunt there are areas that can present a longer shot so I hedge my bets.

A rifle like a model 7 in 7mm-08 is a jewel to carry into thicker woods but can still reach out much further than a lever action 30-30. My son has a howa 1500 compact and it’s a great little woods gun

I also like a trim scope like a 2x7 over a peep or set of irons due to low light conditions

Yep, I switched my peeps to scopes a while back. It was a major detractor to the lines of a lever but the eyes said it was time.

I had a model 7 in 7-08, wish I still had it.

I use what I have as well. My land is heavily wooded and I’ll be using a 16” 6.8 SPC bolt gun this year.

I don’t shoot long, read charts, check the baramic pressure, whatever...

Anytime under 100 and I know this a 100 and under deal, I want big and slow

.450 Bushmaster is what I use.

It’ll hunt

In most parts of East Texas, you still don't need a centerfire rifle. Some older than me old timers say all you need is a .22

Just my Istilllovetheshotgun .02,
LeonCarr

I too have a 444 and love it. Have stretched it out a few times to 275 yards including one big axis buck. On whitetails, they just drop. I always have one of my SA 45 colts with me as well. Have never used a shotgun on deer but want to. I tend to rotate my rifles so the sleek and the fat all get their time.

A big hunk of lead is reassuring at close range to I usually take my Marlin in 45/70. Sometimes I take my Savage 99 in 300 Savage just because it feels retro classy.

Was it tied by the back leg when you shot it?

Nice deer!

Same as I use for hitting animals farther, a 162 gr 7mm

Or a .308 with 155's

Or a 6.5 Creedmoor with 143's

Or a 7 Rem Mag with 180's

They kill far away, and they kill up close. Now, if I'm walking heavy timber, creek bottoms, .30-30 with irons.

My default that is a Mini 14 in 6.8 spc. Light and compact as well.