Deerthug

Fed fusions in 270 at 150gr work really well in my son's Savage Axis. They Fly straight and true with tight groups. This was discovered after shooting the core lokts which did not fair so well.

iThanks! Unfortunately we had to leave yesterday morning for home. Had other obligations to attend to last night. My son's friend was receiving his Eagle Scout award last night and we had to be there in support.

Due to family and work obligations throughout October and half of November, the first time I had the opportunity to go hunting was on 11/21/15, opening day for firearm in southern zone. It was also the first time for my son going deer hunting. We drove up on Friday afternoon meeting my brother in laws and my inlaws at the house. My son and I went out to set up our blind on the edge of a cut corn field at the corner of our property. We got back to the cabin within 15 minutes of setting up as I did not want to spend unnecessary time in the field and did not want to spook any deer. Friday night started out with the traditional "opening day eve" dinner consisting of tripe sauteed in tomato sauce, garlic and vegetables. I never thought my 14 year old son would eat it but he ate everything and licked the bowl. Saturday morning (opening day) the alarm rings at 5:00AM. Coffee is brewed and after a couple of cups of coffee and a quick breakfast we suit up and head out making the long 400 yard trek to the blind. At 6:15AM we are settled in and wait. We sat there watching and listening to the woods wake up. There was no wind, and it was cool but not terribly cold. The skies were clear and the stars were out. As we sat there, at about 7:20 AM I noticed a deer come out from high thick brush across the cut corn field directly across from where we were sitting. This was about 50 yards or so. It starts walking along the edge of the brush toward our right stopping and sniffing the air every other step. I grab my binos and see that it is a small 6 pt. I whisper to my son get yourself ready. We watch this buck continue along toward our right and about to turn back into the brush, so I grab my grunt call and let out a few grunts. He stops dead in his tracks. I let out a few more grunts and he makes a 180 degree turn and starts walking toward us at an angle. He steps out into the cut corn field and stops at about 60 yards from us at a quartering away angle while looking in our direction. I whisper again to my son, if you feel ready take the shot. The buck stood there for about 20 secs presenting him a perfect shot. My son squeezes the trigger and the buck kicks and runs into the thick brush. I'm thinking it was not such a good shot as the deer just trotted away disappearing into the thicket. My son starts shaking at that point as we sit there a few minutes to let it sink in for him. He tells me that he panicked when the buck came out of the thicket but was able to calm down aimed small and took the shot. It was after he squeezed the trigger and the buck ran off that he got buck fever . . . go figure! Now given the fact that there were others in our group out there hunting and so as not to spook any chances of their taking a deer, we sat and waited. We continued to wait all the while I'm playing the scenario in my mind over and over again wondering if he got a good shot on him. Now we waited for about 1 1/4 hours. How did I keep him from running out after the deer you ask? Well, Iphone games of course. Finally at 8:45 my BIL comes down off the tree and walks to another stand closer to where the buck ran into the thicket and climbs up. Scopes the area to look for any other deer that may be in the thicket and waves us on to go search. My son and I grab our rifles and head out to the point where he was standing when he was shot. We see no sign of blood and I start to worry if my son connected. We find a well used trail heading into the thicket and we proceed to follow it. We start walking about 10 - 15 yards into the trail still not seeing blood when my son shouts out and points to a splatter of blood on our right. We take some more steps and find another area of more blood and then a few more steps and then off to our right we see the white belly of the deer. We walk up to and without saying a word my son kneels down and thanks God for the opportunity to take this fine animal. We take a few pictures and my brother in law comes down and helps us drag it into the corn field. We tag him and wait for my BIL to get the tractor so we can bring him back to the house for processing. After gutting and skinning him (and yes I made my son help me do it much to his dismay and with comments like "how can you hold its poop shoot like that?" and "How can you just stick your hands in his body and pull out the guts?") I told him that shooting it is the easy part and that this part of the hunt is showing respect for the animal so that we can use and consume it. He smiled and got his hands in there with me. Saturday afternoon's sit was not as successful as the morning hunt and we saw nothing moving. Sunday morning's sit was also uneventful given the fact that there was thick fog across the property and we could not see that far in front of us. Nevertheless, I would say it was a successful opening weekend for my son as no one else including myself connected opening weekend. I think the smile says it all. He's already asking to go back up this weekend! I think he's addicted! More importantly I may have created a monster and a hunting buddy for life!!

Almost an hour since legal shooting time and nothing moving whatsoever. Fog is thick and can't see beyond 50 yds. Ugh! Many shots before legal time and few after but quiet since with few dogs yelping. - Deerthug

6:25 and already shots. are you freeking kidding me???? - Deerthug

45 degrees wet humid and all sweaty. Ugh. All set with my son for round 2! Bring on the big boys.!!!!! - Deerthug

You look like a "deer" thug! Lol - Deerthug

Back in the blind with my boy. Hoping for a nice buck for me and a doe for him. Eerily quiet but for a chainsaw going. Too warm this afternoon. Ugh! No wind. - Deerthug

First buck down for my son! - Deerthug

My son just shot at his first 6pt. Looked like a good hit. Making him sit and wait till 9 is going to kill him. - Deerthug

Woods are waking up in Germantown. Cool and crisp morning. Sitting in ground blind in edge of cut corn field with my son. - Deerthug

Good luck Burt! Heading up today myself with my son today at noon for the first time all season. Hoping we connect. Be safe!

Thanks Grampy. For the first time in 3 years my son said that he can't wait to go hunting with me and spend this weekend in the woods than sitting at home playing video games. I love it!

Pretty much ready with the guns. Need to wash clothes tonight and pack our bags. Heading up Friday morning to set up new blind on edge of cut corn field where I will be sitting with my son for his first time.

Ground blinds for me and my son this year being his first. I stick the blind in the woods just off the edge of a cut corn field. No treestands this year. Two comfy swivel chairs and a Mr Heater in case it's too cold and a thermos of hot coffee and sandwiches.

Today I went to Campsite and saw the Marlin 336ss in stainless steel with a brushed steel barrel in 30-30. It is such a hot looking gun. But it was $800 without a scope. A bit steep for a lever action. I decided to think about it and left. I went down the road to Dicks as I needed a few things. While I was there I went over to the fire arms section. They had the Marlin 336W in black but not in stainless steel. It's the same exact gun except for the steel. After holding it for a while it felt good in my hands. They also had a Henry Golden Boy. So I looked at that one. It too is a hot looking gun but I could see myself in the gold plating on the action. I went back and forth between the two and I finally decided on the Marlin in black chambered in 30-30 as I realized that the stainless or gold plating would not be practical while hunting and I would be afraid of scratching it up. So here it is.... Unfortunately it did not come with a scope which is ok for now since I'm going to be in a blind this season with my son with at most 50 yds of opening. I also love to shoot with iron sites on my muzzy so I will give this one a shot so to speak. Bottom line cost was $485 including taxes and a sling which came with it. Maybe for my birthday I'll hit to my wife to get me a nice scope, perhaps a good Leupold optic. Until then I can't wait to shoot my new toy this weekend. [emoji2] - Deerthug

Ok so after all the discussion, research and what not, I really wanted the old AR15 and because they are no longer available in NY, I decided on a Marlin 336ss lever action chambered in 30-30. I know, I know its not a semi auto but I shot my BiL older Marlin and love it. The SS version is stainless steel action and barrel. Cant wait to pick it up today.

My trusty Rem 710 in 30-06 shooting Federal Fusion 180g. I will have my son for company for the first time with his new Savage Axis in .270 shooting Fed Fusion 130g. We will be in a ground blind with our Mr Heater, and thermos of coffee and a few sangweeches.

Sorry that was a duh moment on my part. I guess i meant to ask does it shoot like a 30-06, 30-30 or 308?

Incidentally what tyoe of rounds does the mini 30 shoot?

Thanks for all the suggestions and comments from all of you. Much appreciated. I think I decided on the Mini 30. Did some more research on it and read mostly positive reviews. Campsite in huntington has it for $749 in black synthetic stock with a stainless steel barrel. Im going to take a look at it tomorrow.

Ok so i looked up the mini 14 and realize now its a Ruger. After browsing through the site i kind of like this one..... http://www.ruger.com/products/mini14TacticalRifle/models.html Not an AR by any means but it looks like a fun gun to shoot.

Ok we've again established that it is a somewhat ugly gun that some feel performs well and we also learned about the Mini 14 which I don't have a clue what it is, but that's just me. And we all know the Fuhrer has screwed us NYers royally without vaseline in doing away with all the fun bells and whistles on an AR-15. So any other alternatives for a semi i can use at the range and perhaps for yote hunting this winter? I am already set for deer hunting with my Remy 710 in 30-06 and my son's Savage .270 both of which are as Marisa Tomei once said "Dead on balls accurate". Thanks, DT

Ok so we've established that this is an ugly rifle. Any other suggestions on what rifle to get that is similar to the original AR 15's??

Yes it is pretty ugly looking but from the reviews I read, it shoots pretty much like a standard AR-15 with pistol grip and all the other bells and whistles which our Fuhrer deemed to be deadly.