Gator 45/70
Well-Known Member
Pearl River is very similar to where I hunt. I also know the Pearl River well because I too used to hunt there quite often.
You should consider a scope regardless of the confidence level in that 30-30. Why, you ask? Because as stated, you should want to verify the sex (and age IMHO), of the deer BEFORE you shoot at it. Even if you are just going for meat, shot placement should be important.
So, what I used to use as a religion was a BAR 30-06 with a nice, early edition Nikon scope (actually bought it when Nikon first started into hunting optics). My bullet preference was factory Winchester Super X in 130gr. It is/was a deer stacker. I was switching them off instantly with neck shots. Why, you ask? Least amount of blood and gore, and no meat carnage! But mostly for no busted gut bags. I can't stand messing with a deer with a busted gut bag, or shattered legs and bones.
As you say for you, so for me; most shots less than 100yds.
Last year I took it up a notch. Tikka T3x Stainless in .308, with a SIG Whiskey 5 and a can! Why, you ask? For even more precise shot placement.
I have that thing shooting groups of 3 at 100yds where there are only 2 holes in the paper, sometimes 1 1/2. So my plan is to take out does at the Axis bone (on the spine) or C2. That's about 1-2 inches under the skull for you laymen. No muss! No fuss! No running!
Some would say that is overkill for a simple deer rifle. I would say so too, but I am not simply deer hunting! I am killing!
As for a buck that meets my criteria? Heart shot for the win! If he meets my criteria for killing, I ain't taking a chance! Call me crazy!
Oh, that Tikka loves Federal Premium Big Game factory loads in......, you guessed it; 130gr.
The 308 is an excellent skull caper!!
Bang bang!