Ethang said:I killed a lot of deer using the Mossberg 500 I bought with lawn mowing money when I turned 14. I used it for 30 years until I switched to a rifled barrel 1100, then a TC Encore ML, but only hunted a few years with that one. Loved it, very accurate, much more so than the 500, and noticeably more than the 1100 shooting sabots.
That said, sounds like you live above the shotgun zone. Your shotgun will do fine, but why not get some soft point 30/06 and use that? Garands are still very capable rifles, just need a better bullet than FMJ.
I picked up a 350 Legend a couple years ago since the law has changed below the rifle line but have not taken a deer yet.
A.J. said:The Garands require a softer firing 30.06 cartridge. Using a modern 30.06 will,damage it. I'm sure somebody makes a soft point round that will work in a Garand. I just haven't found it yet. Ammo is in such short supply right now. I've pretty much given up with fancy ammo options.
Ethang said:A.J. said:The Garands require a softer firing 30.06 cartridge. Using a modern 30.06 will,damage it. I'm sure somebody makes a soft point round that will work in a Garand. I just haven't found it yet. Ammo is in such short supply right now. I've pretty much given up with fancy ammo options.
I am no expert on the matter but have done some research since getting a Garand. I think you will find numerous modern soft point 30/06 rounds that are completely safe in a Garand. Finding them in stock might take some hunting however...
A good bolt action rifle....scoped.......270 Win. fwiwI'm just getting into deer hunting. No luck yet. I don't yet own a dedicated deer rifle yet. Here are my current options. What would you hunt with?
1. Mossberg 500 shotgun with 24" smooth bore barrel and rifle sights. Foster slugs. (My current choice. Good out to 50 meters)
2. Ruger AR556 with 5 round magazine and expensive hollow points. Scope.
3. Mosin Nagant rifle with surplus FMJ 7.62x54r rounds. Iron sights.
4. M1 Garand CMP service grade with FMJ 30.06 surplus rounds. Iron sights.
All choices are legal in Michigan to hunt deer.