Deer Hunting With Milsurps 2014 Edition

[jmoore]

Attachment 56927I will probably use this................And it is .303..............LOL

That ought to do. Might as well get it doing it's "re-purposed" task.

I sort of bungled my way into a 9 or 10 point buck last thursday, hence the somewhat extended absence from the forums. Did lots of things that I don't do. Including humping two rifles out to a big open spot. The rifle that did the deed is a M40a1 clone that I've been around for well over ten years. Does have a contract overrun Unertl base, so it's got at least one "real" part. Friend later lasered the shot right at 200m, so at least there was a "little" challenge...Not mechanical accuracy-wise though! Had butt on top of shoulder whilst all contorted about, brush blocking view most of the time, etc., etc. One of the things that did resister was the throaty roar of the rifle. Sounded altogether different away from the usual range structures. One of the few times I've really enjoyed the sound of a shot going down range.

Forgot camera, so pictures to follow tomorrow.

[vintage hunter]

Peanut and cotton harvesting is in full swing now so my hunts have been limited short trips of about 30 minutes duration once or twice a week. Managed to get 2 grade A meat bucks though. The first one with my 5.56mm AR carbine about 3 weeks ago, More or less by accident. I stopped off on my way in from work to do a bit of scouting and we blundered into one another at the intersection of some old logging roads. He bolted into the brush headed in the direction I'd just come from so I ran back around the corner and a few seconds later he crossed the road about 50 yards down. I let go with 2 quick shots and the second got him in the backbone above the shoulder.
The second I got Friday with my 6.8 AR. Spotted him feeding amongst some tall weeds along the wood line. I took a swag and reckoned him to be around 200 yards down. All I could see was his head when he'd poke it up to have a look see. This was gonna be tough. Had to get the timing just right. The 5th time he poked it up I put a 110gr Hornady flat base hollow point right through it. Did'nt bother to lug the range finder with me but after getting him loaded up I checked the distance. 198Yds. Didn't have the camera along either so had to snap a shot with the cell phone then take a shot of it with the camera.

[303tom]

That ought to do. Might as well get it doing it's "re-purposed" task.

I sort of bungled my way into a 9 or 10 point buck last thursday, hence the somewhat extended absence from the forums. Did lots of things that I don't do. Including humping two rifles out to a big open spot. The rifle that did the deed is a M40a1 clone that I've been around for well over ten years. Does have a contract overrun Unertl base, so it's got at least one "real" part. Friend later lasered the shot right at 200m, so at least there was a "little" challenge...Not mechanical accuracy-wise though! Had butt on top of shoulder whilst all contorted about, brush blocking view most of the time, etc., etc. One of the things that did resister was the throaty roar of the rifle. Sounded altogether different away from the usual range structures. One of the few times I've really enjoyed the sound of a shot going down range.

Forgot camera, so pictures to follow tomorrow.

Yeah when I found that rifle it had no wood what so ever & the bayonet lugs had been cut off............What else could I do ? Heck I only gave 20 bucks for it & it shoots great, I`ve killed several White-tail with it !..................

[jmoore]

I'd actually brought the big rifle to get some practical inputs as to where the best spots for setting target frames up after the season would be. After a bit of that business, I just went north a spell with both and found a low spot on a minor ridge face. The deer would eventually appear coming southish at the ridgeline that seems to be near the top of the "M40a1"'s forward lens cover.





Took the shot as the deer was traveling down a small draw to the right, and again on the ridgeline after he reversed course. Upside to having such a big fat freefloated barreled rifle is that having it sit on top of your shoulder as opposed to the usual "butt on face of shoulder" upsets it's POI just about not at all at such short range. (200m)

[vintage hunter]

Congratulations JM, that's a good one.

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

Well done!

[lboos]

It doesn't take a very smart man to out smart a dumb wild animal who is just looking for food, esp. if the brave hunter [sniper] is hiding in a tree with his modern weapon and has put out food to draw animal in closer to him. if you want to be fair, why not hunt with a bow and arrow, or a spear, or a hunting knife ?.....are you just to lazy, or to old for the hunt .

Now tell me how the world would be over run with deer if it was not for you brave hunters,
That's getting a little old .

Please tell me your sad story [Rambo with his BDU's and a rag on your head].

Nothing personal, I fell this way about all great white hunters .

[vintage hunter]

It doesn't take a very smart man to out smart a dumb wild animal who is just looking for food,

Oh yeah? I'm just glad they don't have guns or I woulda been a dead duck 35 years ago.

put out food to draw animal in closer

Lots do where it's legal. I'm all for wildlife conservation so our future generations that choose to participate can enjoy the hunt. I manage habitat and plant food plots for the wildlife on my farm but I don't hunt over bait even though it's legal to do so here. No sport or challenge in that. I prefer to match wits with them. They win more than I do in spite of my modern weapons.

why not hunt with a bow and arrow

I have in the past, rotator cuff issues put an end to that.

or a spear, or a hunting knife

Done that too when I was after wild pigs

?.....are you just to lazy, or to old for the hunt

Too lazy, No. Getting old, yes. But not that old.

Now tell me how the world would be over run with deer if it was not for you brave hunters

It would be for a while, until CWD or some other disease wiped them out completely in a few years. A small herd is a healthy herd.
I probably should've just ignored you but unfortunately my self control didn't get the better of me.
Nothing personal, I feel this way about all self righteous members of the tree hugging nuts and berries tribe.

[jmoore]

How very strange! These implements aren't made for growing plants...Plowshare site is elsewhere.

As for myself, I only kill what I'll eat or can donate to family or charities which are more than happy for the meat. It's also a far better way than range time to learn the weapon. How it handles. whether it can do well in tight quarters. Whether your wrist and fingers go numb after carrying it all day. How ergonomic are the controls in the cold or awkward positions. 99.99% of the time there's no killing going on.

Besides, how is it morally better to use this?

Or this?


Used to good effect, once at a distance of about 20 feet! But neither are milsurps, so...

Which I have.


And have happily carried this one the woods a bit even though the trigger was never pulled. See previous years threads for much more in depth version.

I find arrows don't kill quickly. Seems worse than making a quick job of it!

[jmoore]

Whilst on about ergonomics, the lightweight AR has benefited from it's diet. Less wrist strain and easier to hold steady for very prolonged periods. Had a staring contest the same day last week with a doe. She was suspicious, but I made like a tree and just stood there scoping her out. She finally had enough and wandered off after 8-10 minutes. Even a 6 1/2 lb. rifle gets hard to keep steady for that long!

Also liking the 60 degree throw safety recently installed on same. Would prefer long arms on both sides, but it's a tiny beef.