Another noob with questions

[kazpilot25]

Like was said before, the best way to get to know coues deer is to watch them. Once you glass one up, whether it's a doe or a buck, just watch it for awhile. See what it does, how it acts, where it beds and what it looks like while it's bedded down. Look away for a few minutes then find it again. Helps you to understand what they do and how they move. I found that to be the most beneficial for me when I was just starting out glassing.

 

Another big thing, like said above is getting the best glass you can afford x 2. I started with a pair of $60 bushnell permafocus 10x42 binos and have upgraded every hunt until now I have a pair of Vortex Kaibabs and a pair of Minox 15x58s. I love them. Maybe one day I'll get some Swaros but for now I couldn't be happier. I've got a couple tripods, a slik sprint pro 2 and a culmann magnesit. I prefer the magnesit as it's higher quality and is sturdier, although it is heavier. Both are good and I can recommend them both for around $100.

 

If you have any specific questions about anything on here, let us know and we'll see what we can do to help you out.

[elkaholic]

you don't have to spend a lot - sure quality is better but for first tripod -go a little more inexpensive - try craigslist

[roninflag]

sell all your hunting gear now before its too late

 

Danny - they are small deer. hard to spot. the shots are almost always long. could i kill one with a 3x-9x on my 30-06 ? yes probably. but i like a longer range gun/scope combo. i feel this is a seriously weak part of that book.. the question is what size are your groups at 300 yards?? PM to be sent. roninflag

[Danny]

Right now in hitting about a 8" group at 300 yards. I definitely need additional practice for longer shots.

[roninflag]

Danny - if you scroll down there is a thread "dec 2012 video added" . it shows some shots and once you finish more come up you can select to get an idea. it is more a rifleman's game than antelope in my opinion. guns last a long long time. get a good one. i hunt with one that was made in 1967. roninflag

[PRDATR]

Right now in hitting about a 8" group at 300 yards. I definitely need additional practice for longer shots.

 

What kind of groups are you getting at 100 yards?

 

What caliber are you shootin?

 

Tell us about your scope.

 

What kind of rest are you shooting from?

[Danny]

Honestly most my shooting has been desert shooting, not at a range so I cant tell you exactly. Most my experience has been shooting clays (on the ground ) or balloons at different distances. I rarely shoot paper targets unless I'm just sighting in. You can blow up a balloon to what ever sizeyou want and it can help indicate wind a bit. I can tell you I can hit a 6" target every time at 200 yards or less. I can hit that 300 yard balloon most the time. That's laying prone, no rest.

[Danny]

Oh yeah, the rifle is a Remington 770 ( I know... ) with a Nikon prostaff 3x9

[Antmo23]

You might want a new scope, shoot paper at 100 yards and see what groupings you get. If you can't get the groupings down to 3 inchs at 100 yards, you might want to upgrade the scope.

[Danny]

I'm leaning toward a new scope and rifle before this hunt. That rifle is actually my brothers so I don't really want to mess with. Plus I really should get my own hunting rifle.

[Antmo23]

In that case, GAME ON! Whatcha thinking about getting? And be prepared for a debate on rifle/caliber/scope.....

[Danny]

I was looking at Remington 700 (not sure which model ), Tikka T3 Lite, or Savage 111. I'm a lefty, so Savage seems to have the most readily available guns for me. Lefty would be prefered,, but I have never even shot a left handed rifle so a standard would work too.

[Antmo23]

I shoot a Remington model 700 in 300 wm, but you don't have to go that high. .243, 25-05, .257, 270, .308, 7 mm Mag, 30-06, and a 300 wm are just some of the more common calibers that will cleanly take a coues out to 300 yards and much, much farther. I say go with a .270, it's very flat shooting, accurate, has a good bullet selection, and doesn't kick that much. Plus, it's got a great history hunting coues thanks to Jack O'Conner (read up on him if you haven't already). Look at cameralandny.com for a scope, they've got some great deals for good glass. And then, once you have your rifle and scope, SHOOT IT. A LOT.

[PRDATR]

I have not read of any accuracy problems with the 770 and did some digging around on them last week when my BIL decided to get into hunting and asked me about them.

After researching entry level rifles I recommended he get a Marlin XL7 and put the savings into a decent scope. He hasn't taken the plunge yet but he saw a Savage 116 combo that had a 3x9 Nikon BDC scope for $599 at Cabelas at the Grand Opening in Denver so I told him that would also be a good choice as Savage Rifles are known for great out of the box accuracy.

It was available in 30.06, 7mm Rem Mag and 300 Win Mag and is also stainless which would be good for the Elk Hunt we are planning next year in Colorado.

[Danny]

I hadn't looked at the Marlins yet. I've been reading reviews on the others i mentioned all day and still cant decide on brand or caliber yet.