Texas Summer Safari arsenal question

[awp101]

OK, I sent my deposit in for the Texas Summer Safari. I'm doing the meat hunt but haven't decided if I want to go for a deer or hog.

Right now, I'm pondering exactly what I want to use. Yeah, I'm already amped up over this...

My options right now are:
Win 94 .30-30 - used it for years growing up but only took one deer with it.

Marlin 1894C .357 - my current favorite, set up with a 2X scout scope.

Puma .45 Colt - haven't spent the time with it I need to, still working out the POA/POI with open sights.

Marlin 1889 .38-40 - needs a new front sight, probably won't happen before the hunt but then again, it might.

I might have a .45-70 by that time but it's far from a sure thing right now.

Of course I could always use the Garand. I even thought about bringing the .45-120. My buddy wasn't impressed with my argument of hogs being small buffalo....

[wm]

Two thoughts....

Which one do you shoot best?

And always take two rifles on a hunt.....you never know when something might break.

Wm

[rjohns94]

I sent my deposit already. Going for a meat Bison, a catalina ram and maybe a hog. Taking the .45-90 1877 Sharps, and perhaps the 50 shiloh three band sharps, will have the 45-70 1886 with me (loaded with BP loads) and the .45 LC pistol (also loaded with BP).

For deer, any of the rifles you mentioned will do a great job. I love the 45-70 but certainly the 30-30, .357 or .45 will harvest the game you are after. Take two or three and decide when you get there.

blessings

[Griff]

My suggestion would be:

Win 94 .30-30 - used it for years growing up but only took one deer with it.

Puma .45 Colt - haven't spent the time with it I need to, still working out the POA/POI with open sights.

With the 94, get some good loads wrung out to 150yards. Either the 150 or 170 grainers, whichever your rifle likes best.

For the Puma .45 Colt, work up some nice 265 - 300 grainers that'll THUMP out at 100yards. The Hornady 300 XTP-MAG would be my first choice on hogs over a stout load.

Mind you, I haven't taken a hog with either, but have taken enough deer and read enough from others on hogs to know that both will work if you do your part. The reason I suggest these, is that they're proven performers. The .357 would be great on deer, but... I'm not ready to suggest it for hogs at more than handgun distances; AND I think the .45 Colt is better.

I might amend that if you get the .45-70 in time to do some load development in your rifle and get it dialed in.

[RKrodle]

I agree with Griff, the 30-30 or 45 Colt will work good. 150 yards on this place would be a long shot. It's pretty thick stuff with roads cut threw it. Visibility can be very limited in places, some places are a little more open. It will also amaze you how tough some of these animals are, they can take multiple hits and still make you work tracking them.

[86er]

I like the 45 Colt with 300 grain bullets if you can group them into around 3" at 100 yards.

[86er]

While revisiting your list it occurred to me that the 45 Colt throwing 300gr bullets at 1500+ fps would get my blessing for anything on the ranch (in the event that you get Piller-itis and switch from a meat hunt to a buffalo).

Any of the other choices are great for the deer species, especially from the blind. In the summer, there are more opportunities for long shots if we spot and stalk so 150 yards is not out of the question. However if your only gun is in 357 mag you won't be shooting my buffalo with it unless you don't mind a barage of follow up shots from my gun. Now a 30-30 or something we might consider a head shot at real close range under the right circumstances. Nilgai require a huge amount of penetration and the 45 Colt with a cast bullet would likely get the job done. The others are risky and much more dependent on bullet type and range when it comes to hard-to-put-down game.

The 45 Colt is most versatile. The 30-30 has been used countless times with few problems. I would love to see the 38-40 take something just because I haven't seen game taken with it.

Make your decision based on 1) accuracy 2) confidence 3) speed of follow-up 4) familiarity.

[awp101]

Thanks for the advice so far, keep it coming!

For the time being I'm going to be limited to factory fodder. What's a good factory load for the .45 Colt then? I'm not as comfortable with open sights as I used to be since I went to glasses. Looks like I'll just have to spend more time with it.

Same questions for the .38-40. This may be the impetus I need to get the front sight sorted out and I'll probably need to know what factory load will be used to get it properly regulated.

No buff this time, strictly deer or hog.

[RKrodle]

If you don't reload your choices for 45 colt, at the size and speeds that 86er and Griff are speaking of, are limited. Check the links below.

http://www.grizzlycartridge.com/-strse- ... gories.bok

http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/d ... htm#45colt

[86er]

I strongly prefer the Grizzly Cartridge 300gr WLFNGC. If you call Mike to order, you can receive a 10% discount as one of our clients. (503) 556-3006. Also available through Midway and Cabelas.

[piller]

With 86er backing you up, don't worry. He won't let you get too stupid, and besides, I had way too much fun getting that buffalo. The adrenalin rush was like the time I walked off the tailgate of a C-130 at 30,000 feet wearing arctic gear and having a 6 second static line. It was total fun.

[Griff]

... The adrenalin rush was like the time I walked off the tailgate of a C-130 at 30,000 feet wearing arctic gear and having a 6 second static line. It was total fun.

Silly man, never volunteer to leave a still operational airplane!

[piller]

Those military airplanes probably couldn't be called operational under the best of circumstances. I was in one once when three of the four engines caught fire during the flight. Everyone but the Pilot, CoPilot, and Navigator immediately stood up, hooked up, and headed for the door. The plane landed at the airfield and the fourth engine exploded. With maintenance like that, who needs anyone shooting at you?

[awp101]

Thanks all!

I had enough sense to stay in the aircraft. I figured 37 hours in a Cessna 150/152 qualified me to land ANYTHING as long as all the parts were still attached. OTOH when it came to helos, they kept giving me this neato keen rope to slide down...

[Tumbleweeds]

Factory ammo for the .38-40 is loaded to black powder pressures and performance, and I would feel undergunned on a hog hunt. Better ammo for modern rifles (of which the 1889 is one) was commercially loaded 100 years ago, but no more.

[awp101]

Factory ammo for the .38-40 is loaded to black powder pressures and performance

Would that include Winchester Super X 180g? I ask because the shop that will probably do the front sight for me has it in stock.