Jump shooting blacktails, weapon of choice for Capital Forest

[a-dawg]

Hello everyone,
Newer to the state and I live in Olympia now, I grew up hunting in N. NV and spent a decade in Central AK but this is a bit different.  What is your tool of choice for modern rifle blacktails? I planed on glassing Capital Forest as I found a few spots I liked during my limited time scouting, but I might switch to getting in deep and jump shooting deer based off of what I am reading on other forums. I was considering a 12Ga with slugs for this.

I would love to read some of your thoughts on tools and tactics for western WA blacktail.
Cheers,

[h2ofowlr]

Buck shot was always my choice when jump shooting deer from thickets.  If you had decent shooting lanes, a lever action with open sights was my second choice, usually in 30-30.

[fowl smacker]

30-30 with a red dot has treated me well.

[LDennis24]

Lever action, used a .444 Marlin one time in some vine maple to shoot a spike! Tried for the head but hit him in the throat. Couldn't see him anywhere so assumed he ran away. Went up to the logging rd he was looking down off of and he was laying up the bank about 20 feet. A little too much gun but it shot right through that brush like a dream! Lots of lever action options though.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

I grew up hunting Capital Forest. In those days I used a model 94 in a 25-35. Worked fine. Also sometimes used a 12 gauge with double aught buckshot. It also worked for up close work. With my old eyes, I use an aught six with a 2x6 scope.  Can be a pain on wet days, but it is what it is.

[Jeeper]

Remington 7600  Pump.  30-06 synth stock - 18 1/2 Barrel!

180 Grain round nose Cor lokt  1-5 Lupy scope.

I don't  understand why I dont see many pumps out their.

12 bulls and 20 blacktals in 22 years. Wicked fast and easy to haul thru the brush!

[pianoman9701]

I grew up hunting Capital Forest. In those days I used a model 94 in a 25-35. Worked fine. Also sometimes used a 12 gauge with double aught buckshot. It also worked for up close work. With my old eyes, I use an aught six with a 2x6 scope.  Can be a pain on wet days, but it is what it is.

Octagonal barrel? Nice piece.

[boneaddict]

Could you really go wrong with a 25-35, 30-30, or a 32 winny.   Short, lightweight, quick to the shoulder, get a bead, boom!

[bigmacc]

To this day I bring 2rifles to camp, have for decades. I only hunt eastern Washington muleys but depending on mood or necessity I hunt open/semi open terrain or deep and dark thick stuff. A 270 for one and a 30-30 with a 4 power scope for the other.

[metlhead]

Pack a .270 so you can kick em out of their bed and the shotgun for when they stare at you 100yds out. Not an easy task. Best gun is anything you are very familiar with and can instinct shoot.

[elksnout]

Remington 7600  Pump.  30-06 synth stock - 18 1/2 Barrel!

180 Grain round nose Cor lokt  1-5 Lupy scope.

I don't  understand why I dont see many pumps out their.

12 bulls and 20 blacktals in 22 years. Wicked fast and easy to haul thru the brush!

Amen.

elksnout

[BigGoonTuna]

Remington 7600  Pump.  30-06 synth stock - 18 1/2 Barrel!

180 Grain round nose Cor lokt  1-5 Lupy scope.

I don't  understand why I dont see many pumps out their.

12 bulls and 20 blacktals in 22 years. Wicked fast and easy to haul thru the brush!

I’ve always loved the idea of a pump rifle but I can never get used to the balance. Maybe if I ran across a carbine I’d like it better.

My preference is my savage 99 in .358 with a 1.5-5 scope for the close in stuff.

[riverrun]

Another A+ to the Remington 760/7600 rifle. Fast action and quick to point! Also the winchester model 88!

[blackveltbowhunter]

I second pump or lever guns. I have used both, 30/30 94, and 7600 3006 with variable scope, both did great. Fast pointing guns, that can track and reload smoothly at the shoulder. Not a big fan of buckshot for BT for several reasons. But I am sure others use it with great success. FWIW, regardless of weapon, make sure you practice and understand shooting moving game. Its an art and one i think is mostly lost and that includes myself. I have never shot at a "flushed" buck, but have taken a few that flushed then slowed to a pausing walk or fern slink

[jeffro]

AR-10
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