Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: MacMan99 on September 02, 2008, 07:03:04 AM

Title: Guns for Washington
Post by: MacMan99 on September 02, 2008, 07:03:04 AM: First, let me apolgize right off the bat, because I'm pretty sure no one here wants to talk about guns again... ;)

As a recap to my intro post awhile back, I have not really hunted (other than a couple of weekend trips to Maine) since I was 18. When I DID hunt, we hunted whitetails that seem pretty small compared to the game available out here.

I've read through some of the "best gun" threads and don't want to reinvent the wheel, but was wondering if either of my two rifles would be effective on deer or elk here in WA. I currently own a .35 Marlin lever gun and a Remington Woodsmaster .308 semi-auto.

Both are kind of "standard" rifles for where I grew up and many people use them, but I don't want to be underpowered when I finally get a chance to hunt here in WA. Plus, I would not be sad at all to have to buy a new rifle :).

So, anyone hunt out here with either of these rifles? Pluses or minuses?

Thanks all!

Eric
Title: Re: Guns for Washington
Post by: GoldTip on September 02, 2008, 07:10:00 AM: I don't personally hunt with either of those rifles. But I can tell you this, there is NO animal in this state, at reasonable ranges, for which you would be undergunned when packing that woodsmaster loaded with good quality bullets. :twocents:
Title: Re: Guns for Washington
Post by: DeKuma on September 02, 2008, 08:00:36 AM: I have used a .308 for everything in this state for the last 20 years with absolutely no reserve. I have taken elk, beer, and all species of deer with this rifle.
Mount up a good scope, get some good shooting bullets, and knock them dead.
Title: Re: Guns for Washington
Post by: huntnphool on September 02, 2008, 08:53:01 AM: Quote from: DeKuma on September 02, 2008, 08:00:36 AM
I have used a .308 for everything in this state for the last 20 years with absolutely no reserve. I have taken elk, beer, and all species of deer with this rifle.
Mount up a good scope, get some good shooting bullets, and knock them dead.

Same goes for me but with a 7mm. If I cant get close enough for an archery shot I will drop my moose this year with one as well.
Title: Re: Guns for Washington
Post by: Bofire on September 02, 2008, 07:32:53 PM: I am sorry but there is a vague law that says 35 rems cant be used except by old gray haired farts like me so if ya'll just send it to me.....

:chuckle: Your guns are fine for here. Welcome!!
Carl ;)
Title: Re: Guns for Washington
Post by: MacMan99 on September 04, 2008, 06:23:59 AM: Thanks for the replies, guys!

As much as I wouldn't be sad to have to buy another gun, I like the fact that I can keep using the ones I have - the .308 especially - for sentimental reasons. My grandmother bought it for my grandfather back in the 50's or 60's, with the old S&H Green Stamps (remember those?). He passed it down to my uncle, who was the oldest, who then pawned it. My dad found out about the pawn, called him a dumba$$, and promptly went down to the pawn shop and bought it back. I got it from my dad, with the condition that I can never sell it - not like I want to.

Always shot iron sights and no scopes. Anything I should look for or stay away from where a scope is concerned?

Thanks again for the input!

Eric
Title: Re: Guns for Washington
Post by: DeKuma on September 04, 2008, 06:46:30 AM: You should be able to use about any scope you wish on it.
You will not be sorry for sticking with the 308. The only reason I am not using mine is that it is a Remington Model 600, so it is short enough for the wife to use, so I had to go out and buy a new one. Opted for the 300WSM for the power and longer range shots on muleys. Though, since having it, have not shot anything past 60 yards........
Title: Re: Guns for Washington
Post by: andrew_12gauge on September 04, 2008, 11:27:16 AM: if youre looking for a high quality scope without spending a lotta dough look at the nikon pro staff series, $160 plus rings and bases for about $40 and youll be ready to go.
Title: Re: Guns for Washington
Post by: addicted on September 04, 2008, 11:47:32 AM: Quote from: andrew_12gauge on September 04, 2008, 11:27:16 AM
nikon pro staff series,

:yeah: and you can get them with the BDC reticle. very cool and ive seen it work first hand.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=452405&kwtid=231282
Title: Re: Guns for Washington
Post by: MooseStock on September 04, 2008, 04:04:51 PM: A 7mm Rem Mag is an awesome caliber that is totally capable of putting down pretty much anything this state has to offer. I have had one serving me well for many Elk, Deer and Bear for the last 37 years...............Les
Title: Re: Guns for Washington
Post by: littletoes on September 06, 2008, 08:56:58 AM: Somebody should mention the fact that deer in Maine are actually bigger than what we have in this state.

Main has what is referred to as "Northern Whitetail's" which are a larger species than what is found in Washington, the deer found over there can easily have body weights over 200 lbs on average.

Either way, your rifles should be fine!
Good Luck!
Title: Re: Guns for Washington
Post by: Guy on September 06, 2008, 04:33:11 PM: Eric - your .308, assuming decent accuracy, is plenty of gun for hunting Washington. If you're going to stretch the range, of course one of the flatter-shooting cartridges has an advantage. I'd scope it for sure, especially if you're going to hunt the wide-open spaces of eastern Washington. I've been a Leupold user since 1974, and they've done well for me. I'd think something like a 2-7x Leupold would be a good match for your .308 rifle.

The .35 Marlin? Do tell... A lever gun... Hmmm... Yeah, I use one time to time too!

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi87.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk129%2FGuyMiner%2Fhunting%2520photos%2Fequipment%2FIMG_0147.jpg&hash=957e6c71e208f2a71067f5bb535978b4f46d4fe6)

Mine is a little bigger, a .45/70, but yes I have hunted with it a bit and have taken a mulie with it. That's a little 2.5x compact Leupold on it by the way, plenty of scope for modest ranges.

Regards, Guy
Title: Re: Guns for Washington
Post by: bobcat on September 06, 2008, 04:41:43 PM: As others have said, your 308 will work great. Only condition is that it needs to be capable of good accuracy, if you're planning on using it for longer shots, like 250 yards and beyond. And yes, a scope would be a good thing to have as well. I'd go with a Leupold VX-II in a 3-9x40 for $299. If you don't want to spend that much get a Burris Fullfield II for about $100 less, or of course the Nikons are good for the money as well. That Marlin 35 Rem. would be awesome for blacktails in the brush, and elk too, if you're not shooting much past 150 yards. I sure don't think you NEED another rifle, but if you do want to spend the money, get a good bolt action in 30/06 and you'll be set for life.
Title: Re: Guns for Washington
Post by: littletoes on September 06, 2008, 04:47:08 PM: Guy, what kind of bullets you using in that beastie? They look kinda "silvery" to me! :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Guns for Washington
Post by: jackelope on September 06, 2008, 08:17:47 PM: i've got a set of 1" high-height look through rings for your 742 woodsmaster if you want them...you can have them...send me a pm with your address and they are yours. they are nice because you can still shoot your iron sights, or your scope if you want...but honestly i really don't like the high height of them. i started hunting in wa. from back east with one of my woodsmasters and have since upgraded to a bolt action, but still have 2 woodsmasters. love those guns.
Title: Re: Guns for Washington
Post by: Guy on September 07, 2008, 02:08:27 AM: Littletoes - those are some cast 325 gr bullets from Squaw Saddle munitions - made here in Wenatchee and sold through One Shot Firearms. They're well made and shoot nicely. I have some 425's on order too.
Title: Re: Guns for Washington
Post by: MacMan99 on September 09, 2008, 07:06:43 AM: Hey guys - awesome feedback!

So now I get to go shopping for gun stuff: poor, pitiful me. Sounds like it might be time to burn up my $200+ in Cabela's points :tup:

I may or may not get to hunt this season because of work travel, but now I have plenty of time to plan for next year, gear up, scout, etc. I may also be moving away from this craphole known as the West Side (no offense to those who live here and like it, but it ain't me) and relocating to the Spokane area, so that'll certainly help.

BTW - though I have hunted in Maine, I haven't killed anything there. The vast majority of my hunting has been as a kid, in my home state of VT where - as my dad used to tell it - "fugging flatlanders" from NY and MA have pretty much flooded the woods with idiots (!) and chased all the big deer into NH, ME and Quebec :).

Guy - I love lever guns. I bought the .35 in an antique store in Roanoke VA in 2002. It was hanging on the wall and still had the orginial tag attached: someone had bought it, put it in his closet, then died and the store got the rifle as part of the estate sale. I want to say it was a 1991 or 92 model, but I'm not sure. I paid $125.00 for it!

Seriously, thanks again guys!

Eric