200+yard deer rifle quest . Barrel length ?

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marlinmonty

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As I has said Im not brand new to ML but Only stayed in the 100 yardish range and everything has worked fine with the Omega and PB's . I want to be able to take a 160lb deer at maybe 250 or less now .

So , here I am bugging you fellas for how do I go about this .

My next question is about barrel length . Is the gain in barrel length a good trade in FPS and energy down range ? Maybe I can back off the powder a tad and get same result with extra barrel ?

Not interested in heavy recoil anymore . Lots of things hurt now days without self inflicting it .

So , does a couple inches of barrel going to let me stay under max powder load or just not enough difference to justify the added weight and balance loss of the rifle ?

MM
 
Yes sir , I pretty well knew that but figured it was worth asking . Thought maybe an extra few yards of range and energy might come from it and Im sure it does but like you said , not enough to make a hoot .

MM
 
Not a significant difference IMO. If recoil is a factor some now have muzzlebrakes and/or better recoil pads or a bit of added weight in the stock.
 
If recoil bothers you get a nice Sims recoil pad they reduce recoil significantly.. the longer barrel is only going to gain a 100 fps which in the long run is negligible, Id rather have a gun that balances correctly then one that's barrel heavy and feels like it wants to pull out of your hand when at your shoulder. Kinda of hard to have a load that has the energy to do the deed at 200 yds or farther w/o incurring recoil as its a by product of energy produced by powder/bullet weight.
Most important thing for a 200 yd gun is a load that is consistently accurate at that range and that you put in the range time to be the same.
 
I personally like the feel and balance of my cva LR with it's 30" barrel. More even than the PR 28" but that is mostly the stock. And I have a safari sling that lets me carry comfortably all day hands free til i need to just grab it and pull it up to my shoulder. I wouldn't take a 200 yard shot off hand, or w/o a rest with anything im shooting tho. Who am i kidding, i won't take a 200 yard shot. Im just not that good and don't practice.
 
Hitting a target at 200+ yards is one thing....A bullet that performs as designed at that distance is another. The accuracy means nothing if the bullet has slowed enough that the bullet just pencils through.

It can be a frustrating and expensive game to play especially with sabots.
 
Hitting a target at 200+ yards is one thing....A bullet that performs as designed at that distance is another. The accuracy means nothing if the bullet has slowed enough that the bullet just pencils through.

It can be a frustrating and expensive game to play especially with sabots.
Boy thats the truth !!!
 
A heavy bullet will help with range. It seems backwards that a heavy bullet will be the better option for a longer shot but its true. I only shoot paper past 150 yards with a ml but at 200 yards my 300gr bullet hits better groups than my 250gr. I hit a decent buck at a Paste off 137 this year with a 300gr xtp and 80gr bh209. He took about 3 steps and down 2 holes and the lungs were unrecognizable.
 
Not saying it can’t done, practice, ranging & more practice is required. I’m content in the ‘150 yrd club’, with an ethical shot. This year I took a buck at 25-30, then a doe at 55-60 yrds.

Even in more open areas & field edges there are always preferred corners & pockets. Over the years I see to many wounded deer around the IL property I hunt.

Shooting at live game has variables unseen at the range.

A 45 cal offers a 250+ FPS gain, whatever that’s worth. To me, 26-28” barrel length is enough.
 
Not saying it can’t done, practice, ranging & more practice is required. I’m content in the ‘150 yrd club’, with an ethical shot. This year I took a buck at 25-30, then a doe at 55-60 yrds.

Even in more open areas & field edges there are always preferred corners & pockets. Over the years I see to many wounded deer around the IL property I hunt.

Shooting at live game has variables unseen at the range.

A 45 cal offers a 250+ FPS gain, whatever that’s worth. To me, 26-28” barrel length is enough.
It all starts adding up...
200fps from smaller caliber
100-200fps from a better ignition system
10-40fps from a longer barrel
Little bit more powder...
And now we are getting noticable results.
 
Just dropping down to a 40cal in the 250gr range can improve a lot in terms of down range energy without increasing recoil. You just need a 40cal or 45cal ML to do it more easily. It will retain far more energy that any 45cal 250gr bullet im aware of. Pittman even has a 225gr 40cal with a high BC but it is gunna require a 1-20 twist to shoot it. Fury has a 40cal 225gr but im guessing the BC is not much better than the 200gr SST. It may shoot though in a 50x40 sabot. I dont think its too long but ive never had great luck shooting any 50x40 with upper end loads.
 
All good stuff fellas and I surely do thank you for the advise and help with this quest . Im not a great shot , good as some I would say . I for sure will have a rest , shooting rail on our stands . I did pull of a neck shot on a little 8 at 108 yards , off hand , Marlin 336 in 35 Rem . My home rolled 200 grn. rem over 36 grns. H4895 . Son and SIL sdanding next to me when I did it . I aint saying It was a great shot but for me I was very happy . I have shot that rifle Mucho times with home rolled ammo and know exactly It should do . Neck is a small target , pretty much dead deer on the ground or a miss . I too believe in an ethical shot make no mistake .

And having a bullet designed to do the job at the 200-250 yard range at the speeds that I can handle "Recoil " Is absolutely the key to this endeavor I believe . This is where I need the help of you fellas , and am getting . Thank you so much as I DO understand what goes into load development . But , Im just going to come out and say it lol , I just don't have the shooting passion I once did for some reason . I honestly love bow hunting again and dont see it getting , old or unchallenging . Honestly one of the reasons I got my first ever bolt action rifle last year .

I love Marlin lever guns mostly the lowely 35 Remington cartridge . Great round . But I don't stretch it out much past 100ish yards . Been my hunting rifle for 20 years . It honestly kind of lost its shine over time to me . Don't take this the wrong way but , its gotten too easy to bring home deer with it .

I have had the Omega for few years now but only taken 3 bucks with it and i will and have loan it out to youngsters to try to get some deer meat with . Some have and I am glad to keep youngsters interested in hunting .

I know it makes me a lazy butt asking others how to go about this quest I want to take on . But honestly , shooting sports , hunting deer , has become a little less exciting to me at 60 years young . And that bothers me It really does . I hope that filling the summer with shooting a ML with a few highly recommended loads that are up to cleanly taking a 150lb. deer at the range I want to will re kindle the passion for me . Yup , makes me a lazy butt , I admit that . LOL .

You fellas already helped me plenty and it hasn't been wasted to be sure .Thanks again .

MM
 
Just dropping down to a 40cal in the 250gr range can improve a lot in terms of down range energy without increasing recoil. You just need a 40cal or 45cal ML to do it more easily. It will retain far more energy that any 45cal 250gr bullet im aware of. Pittman even has a 225gr 40cal with a high BC but it is gunna require a 1-20 twist to shoot it. Fury has a 40cal 225gr but im guessing the BC is not much better than the 200gr SST. It may shoot though in a 50x40 sabot. I dont think its too long but ive never had great luck shooting any 50x40 with upper end loads.
40 cal might be an option in some places, but Idaho requires a minimum .45 for deer, and .50 for elk.
 
IMHO
Way to many guys out there do not shoot or I should say practice enough to take those long distance type of shots but they do it every season and end up wounding animals that suffer and are never found. Just like a lot of bow hunters they sight thier bows in a week or two before season and call it good then they wonder why they wound an animal and can't find it. SAD
If you are comfortable with a 125yd shot and closer then PLEASE be fair to the animals and your self and keep it at 125 and under you will have a lot less heartbreaking moments.
But again to each his own and this is just my opinion and my opinion only guys. :think::think::think:
 
IMHO
Way to many guys out there do not shoot or I should say practice enough to take those long distance type of shots but they do it every season and end up wounding animals that suffer and are never found. Just like a lot of bow hunters they sight thier bows in a week or two before season and call it good then they wonder why they wound an animal and can't find it. SAD
If you are comfortable with a 125yd shot and closer then PLEASE be fair to the animals and your self and keep it at 125 and under you will have a lot less heartbreaking moments.
But again to each his own and this is just my opinion and my opinion only guys. :think::think::think:

Agree 100 percent.
 
All good stuff fellas and I surely do thank you for the advise and help with this quest . Im not a great shot , good as some I would say . I for sure will have a rest , shooting rail on our stands . I did pull of a neck shot on a little 8 at 108 yards , off hand , Marlin 336 in 35 Rem . My home rolled 200 grn. rem over 36 grns. H4895 . Son and SIL sdanding next to me when I did it . I aint saying It was a great shot but for me I was very happy . I have shot that rifle Mucho times with home rolled ammo and know exactly It should do . Neck is a small target , pretty much dead deer on the ground or a miss . I too believe in an ethical shot make no mistake .

And having a bullet designed to do the job at the 200-250 yard range at the speeds that I can handle "Recoil " Is absolutely the key to this endeavor I believe . This is where I need the help of you fellas , and am getting . Thank you so much as I DO understand what goes into load development . But , Im just going to come out and say it lol , I just don't have the shooting passion I once did for some reason . I honestly love bow hunting again and dont see it getting , old or unchallenging . Honestly one of the reasons I got my first ever bolt action rifle last year .

I love Marlin lever guns mostly the lowely 35 Remington cartridge . Great round . But I don't stretch it out much past 100ish yards . Been my hunting rifle for 20 years . It honestly kind of lost its shine over time to me . Don't take this the wrong way but , its gotten too easy to bring home deer with it .

I have had the Omega for few years now but only taken 3 bucks with it and i will and have loan it out to youngsters to try to get some deer meat with . Some have and I am glad to keep youngsters interested in hunting .

I know it makes me a lazy butt asking others how to go about this quest I want to take on . But honestly , shooting sports , hunting deer , has become a little less exciting to me at 60 years young . And that bothers me It really does . I hope that filling the summer with shooting a ML with a few highly recommended loads that are up to cleanly taking a 150lb. deer at the range I want to will re kindle the passion for me . Yup , makes me a lazy butt , I admit that . LOL .

You fellas already helped me plenty and it hasn't been wasted to be sure .Thanks again .

MM
Marlinmonty looks like you and i are the same age . That in itself can be quite the challenge for keeping passions alive for many things !!! Damn recliner starts to look really good until getting out of it becomes a PROBLEM !!! Right about then i remind myself not too far off i will be layin around for a LONG TIME soon enough !!!! Life must be chased down from the word go or it slips away.......
This is a good move on your part to pursue more time with that mz i think . The pursuit of excellance i never grow tired of !!!! I dont blame you a bit for seeking out the best and latest ways to accomplish your goals . Momma pinched the heads off the dumb ones didnt she ???? Lol !!!! Keep tuned in and let some of our passion rub off on you . Learning stuff is always fun too !!!! You no doubt have more than you think to give back around here as well . Youll see . Thats pretty satisfying too . It really is a two way street !!!!
 
Couldn't agree more with you on this . Know your equipment ,period . If you feel good at 40 yards ,good on you . If you feel good at the other mountain , good on you . Everybody is different . I will add that "don't be afraid to test yourself " or push the limit . Feels good to surprise yourself . With todays ML 's , honestly a 100 yard clean kill shot with any Wallymart ammo and pellets is plenty doable . If not , know your limits and all is well .



IMHO
Way to many guys out there do not shoot or I should say practice enough to take those long distance type of shots but they do it every season and end up wounding animals that suffer and are never found. Just like a lot of bow hunters they sight thier bows in a week or two before season and call it good then they wonder why they wound an animal and can't find it. SAD
If you are comfortable with a 125yd shot and closer then PLEASE be fair to the animals and your self and keep it at 125 and under you will have a lot less heartbreaking moments.
But again to each his own and this is just my opinion and my opinion only guys. :think::think::think:
 
All good stuff fellas and I surely do thank you for the advise and help with this quest . Im not a great shot , good as some I would say . I for sure will have a rest , shooting rail on our stands . I did pull of a neck shot on a little 8 at 108 yards , off hand , Marlin 336 in 35 Rem . My home rolled 200 grn. rem over 36 grns. H4895 . Son and SIL sdanding next to me when I did it . I aint saying It was a great shot but for me I was very happy . I have shot that rifle Mucho times with home rolled ammo and know exactly It should do . Neck is a small target , pretty much dead deer on the ground or a miss . I too believe in an ethical shot make no mistake .

And having a bullet designed to do the job at the 200-250 yard range at the speeds that I can handle "Recoil " Is absolutely the key to this endeavor I believe . This is where I need the help of you fellas , and am getting . Thank you so much as I DO understand what goes into load development . But , Im just going to come out and say it lol , I just don't have the shooting passion I once did for some reason . I honestly love bow hunting again and dont see it getting , old or unchallenging . Honestly one of the reasons I got my first ever bolt action rifle last year .

I love Marlin lever guns mostly the lowely 35 Remington cartridge . Great round . But I don't stretch it out much past 100ish yards . Been my hunting rifle for 20 years . It honestly kind of lost its shine over time to me . Don't take this the wrong way but , its gotten too easy to bring home deer with it .

I have had the Omega for few years now but only taken 3 bucks with it and i will and have loan it out to youngsters to try to get some deer meat with . Some have and I am glad to keep youngsters interested in hunting .

I know it makes me a lazy butt asking others how to go about this quest I want to take on . But honestly , shooting sports , hunting deer , has become a little less exciting to me at 60 years young . And that bothers me It really does . I hope that filling the summer with shooting a ML with a few highly recommended loads that are up to cleanly taking a 150lb. deer at the range I want to will re kindle the passion for me . Yup , makes me a lazy butt , I admit that . LOL .

You fellas already helped me plenty and it hasn't been wasted to be sure .Thanks again .

MM
I hear you on the recoil issue for being able to handle that with heavy loads . I like recoil (sick man) but a few of my rifles also wear a Harrels Precision brake made for sabots . Works good . I also use a Kick--eze safari magnum butt pad thats about an 1 1/2" thick . Combine these two on that Omega and recoil becomes a thing of the past for a normal load . Put a really HOT blackhorn load in it (140grV) and youre almost the same as before those parts with a normal load . That Omega is fairly lite so the difference will be DRAMATIC !!!!! Cure that recoil issue and those longer shots will be a joy !!!
 
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