For those of you who hunt deer with a rifle, what is the typical engagement range? With our mix of rifle vs shotgun only counties I'm trying to determine whether it would be most efficient to go for a rifle or a bolt action slug gun. I would prefer a rifle but if a majority of situations are inside 200 yds I think a bolt slug gun might offer more opportunities.
Shot Distances for Rifle Hunting
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It depends where you hunt in the state. On the Eastern Shore, they have distances where you can shoot at 200 yards or more. In the Western part of the state you might be able to do that on private lands. In the middle part of the State, you are in 100 yards or less (mostly less) country. If you own a Lever or Bolt action rifle (cal 243 thru .308) and a 12ga shotgun with rifled, choked and ML barrels, you can pretty much shoot anywhere you want in Maryland.
- Jul 29, 2014
- 50,071
My bolt slug gun is every bit a accurate inside 150 yds. as any of my bolt rifles including my Weatherby. Makes bigger holes too.
Jerry M
Ultimate Member
I don't think you are looking at the situation properly. If you're hunting property is in Talbot County you use shotgun, if hunting in Dorchester County use a rifle. If you are hunting a cornfield in Talbot a 400 yard shot is not feasible with a shotgun, whereas it could be possible in Dorchester with a rifle. I know there are some long range shotguns out there, but if I had access to property in a rifle county, I'd take a rifle every time.
Good luck
Jerry
Good luck
Jerry
- Jul 29, 2014
- 50,071
That's no problem as long as the hunter is capable of making a humane kill at that distance.
Rifle is my choice, anytime and anywhere legal. But with that said, there's a lot of Maryland you can't deer hunt with centerfire rifle. And be aware that "shotgun only" restrictions aren't limited to Maryland either. In the nearby states of Pennsylvania and Virginia, there are counties and other "special areas" of shotgun only. Delaware as well, and MAY be the whole state if I recall correctly, though I may be wrong about their laws as I've never hunted the state of Delaware.
The good news is that shotgun and slug technology has grown leaps and bounds just in my lifetime, and largely since the 1980's. The better and best news is that I'm willing to bet that you'll find that the vast majority of your opportunities on deer will prove to be well within the capabilities and the effective range of a good slug gun. So you're not nearly as limited as you'd have been years ago.
The good news is that shotgun and slug technology has grown leaps and bounds just in my lifetime, and largely since the 1980's. The better and best news is that I'm willing to bet that you'll find that the vast majority of your opportunities on deer will prove to be well within the capabilities and the effective range of a good slug gun. So you're not nearly as limited as you'd have been years ago.
Sewer Rat
Ultimate Member
dump firearms and use a longbow 
It is all dependent on the situation. When I hunt NYS, if its in the cornfields, I am using my rifle with scope; if its in the cedar swamps, the 30-30 or slug gun comes out.
Here, I mostly hunt southern fredneck, and use my handguns, because they are legal but my rifles are not... even though they are the same caliber..
Long shots, rifle (where allowed); close in(under 150 yds), shotgun or handgun.
It is all dependent on the situation. When I hunt NYS, if its in the cornfields, I am using my rifle with scope; if its in the cedar swamps, the 30-30 or slug gun comes out.
Here, I mostly hunt southern fredneck, and use my handguns, because they are legal but my rifles are not... even though they are the same caliber..
Long shots, rifle (where allowed); close in(under 150 yds), shotgun or handgun.
Yeah this is the approach that I was going with. If 80-90% of the time the shots are inside 200 yds then I can live with a weapon that will trade off 10-20% of possible shots but is legal to hunt with everywhere. I'm not in a position to have both at the moment so I'd like to go with the most flexible option and slowly fill in the capability gap in the future.
It ain't always about the arrow.
It's mostly about the Indian.
Get in the woods, hunt hard, and Good Luck!
BossmanPJ
Ultimate Member
Gotta love them Savages! Guess I'm not spoiled, both my new property and my old place to hunt offer 50-75 yard shots max. Thick woods everywhere.
Biggfoot44
Ultimate Member
- Aug 2, 2009
- 33,295
OP set his own Parameters, and answered his own question in post #8 .
At this point your only question is pump with interchangable rifled and field bbl for really max versatility, or a dedicated bolt action.
At this point your only question is pump with interchangable rifled and field bbl for really max versatility, or a dedicated bolt action.
Pale Ryder
Ultimate Member
Bolt action scoped shotgun would do very well in almost every part of Maryland. The only place it may come up short is flat farm fields on the ES. In that case get in the woods. I have not shot any deer beyond 100 yds.
SummitCnty
Ultimate Member
I have never shot a deer out past 100 yards. I've hunted farm land, mountains, and "suburban areas".
Never needed any more than a 30-30. I'm sighted in an inch high at 100 yards. Like other have said, farm land you might need to stretch it out a bit but my 30-30 has never had problems.
Never needed any more than a 30-30. I'm sighted in an inch high at 100 yards. Like other have said, farm land you might need to stretch it out a bit but my 30-30 has never had problems.
I'm really just looking for the average ranges people have killed deer at. I assume in most of MD the case is under 200 most of the time, but I don't have enough experience hunting deer to validate that assumption. Hoping folks here with more time in the woods than me can help with that.
.
MikeTF
Ultimate Member
Modern Black Powder rifles are a valid consideration too. You get an extended season out of them and they can be used during shotgun and rifle seasons.
Biggfoot44
Ultimate Member
- Aug 2, 2009
- 33,295
To more directly address the OP's question:
Shots over 200yds would primarily occur IF you were delibertly seeking a long shot ie positioning yourself for a shot to the far side of a large field, or along the length of a power line right of way.
If you are hunting inside the woods, even fairly open woods, or hunting an edge area along the same side of a field or clearing, it would be unusual to see a deer much over 125yds .
Back in the day before rifled shotguns were common, a typical self-imposed limit was 75yds with a smoothbore. We hunted with that in mind, and there were only a few occasions when I had to pass up deer who were out of range at aprox 100yds.
There have been occasions I have hunted in the GWNF ( not Md, but similar conditions) , using Marlin 512 12ga in a rifle area, and did not feel handicapped.
Shots over 200yds would primarily occur IF you were delibertly seeking a long shot ie positioning yourself for a shot to the far side of a large field, or along the length of a power line right of way.
If you are hunting inside the woods, even fairly open woods, or hunting an edge area along the same side of a field or clearing, it would be unusual to see a deer much over 125yds .
Back in the day before rifled shotguns were common, a typical self-imposed limit was 75yds with a smoothbore. We hunted with that in mind, and there were only a few occasions when I had to pass up deer who were out of range at aprox 100yds.
There have been occasions I have hunted in the GWNF ( not Md, but similar conditions) , using Marlin 512 12ga in a rifle area, and did not feel handicapped.
This is something I'd like to explore once I get a little more time. I've been shooting a while but I don't know a thing about muzzle loaders.
Czechnologist
Concerned Citizen
- Mar 9, 2016
- 6,531
rgramjet
Ultimate Member
Last 5 deer Ive shot were inside of 60 yards. Longest was ~120.
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