Rifles, Optics, Ammunition and You!

RIFLES, OPTICS, AMMUNITION AND YOU!

After years of personal experience and approaching a decade with Chaparral Hunting Adventures, some suggestions come to mind that might help you with the preparation and ultimate success of your hunt. Your mental preparation, as well as your choice of rifle, optics and ammunition are key to a successful hunt.

Historically, most of our opportunities occur at 150 yards or closer, and many occur inside of 100 yards. A fair number of opportunities occur in low to moderate light conditions, early and late in the day. Many of these opportunities arise at unaware mature bucks in early morning and in low light conditions and in heavy bush. You must be mentally prepared for these possibilities and adapt to the situation presented to be successful. Your rifle, optics, and ammunition should, as well, be prepared to meet this “any situation” criteria.

The rifle/cartridge combinationwill be key in your pursuit. Keeping in mind that the placement of the first shot is the single most critical element, your favorite current rifle might just be the one to bring. If you already own a rifle between a 270 Winchester on the light end, any of the various .30 caliber magnums, or even a .338 Winchester mounted with good to excellent optics, all that is required is finding appropriate ammunition. Bolt actions set the standard for reliability, strength, and accuracy, but any action type can be “any situation deer rifle” with preparation.

Good optics are a great aid to success. A superb fixed 4X or 6X scope with a plex reticle is adequate for most situations. A high end variable scope, in the mid range, say 3 x 10 magnification, can be helpful in a longer shot situation. Quality optics can be critical to your success, but keep things as simple as possible.

Considered to be the single most important item you bring, your ammunition for your chosen rifle is a key decision. In the end, after all has come together, it is the bullet that does the work. Whether hand loads or any of today’s quality factory ammunition, controlled expansion bullets are important on a large buck. As a rule, all polymer tipped bullets, whether bonded core or not, will exhibit immediate and violent expansion. On smaller game or totally broadside shots, they are devastating, but on less than perfect angles or on very close shots, they can’t be considered “all situation” criteria. Nosler Partitions are always good; the super premium bullets such as Swift-A-Frames, Trophy Bonded, or Barnes X/Triple Shock always work as advertised. Winchester, Remington, and Federal all use great bullets in their premium lines. Find out which one your rifle likes, and bring a fresh box from the same lot of ammunition you sighted in with at home.

As a general guide, here is what works: In 270 Winchester, 150 gr. Bullets; in the smaller 7 MM’s, 150 gr. Bullets; in 7 MM Remington Magnum and up, 160 to 175 gr. Bullets; in the small 30’s, 165 or 180 gr. Bullets; in the 300 Winchester Magnum and up, 180 or 200 gr. Bullets; the .338 caliber rifles work best with 210 or 225 gr. Bullets; the 35’s work well with 225 gr. Bullets; and the .375’s are great with 270 gr. Bullets. Not every cartridge and bullet combination can be discussed here, so, if you have a question about your choice, please ask.

If you prepare both yourself and your equipment with the above thoughts in mind, your chances of success are very good on your Chaparral hunt. You should have enough confidence in your rifle and be alert enough to make 70 yard – 150 yard shots under less than perfect conditions. Shoot your rifle as much as possible before you arrive. Make sure all the screws are tight at your last range session and bring the ammunition you sighted in with for your hunt. Bring the best optics and ammunition you can afford . . . either or both may just save your hunt!