Looking for a new Deer Tracking Gun....

[jaker_cc]

I’ve got a Winchester model 94 in 44 mag that I’ve tracked and put down a few animals with. Does the job

[okrattler]

If you already have a Glock you could get an MCK micro conversion kit and slap a red dot sight on it. They're freakin awesome. Inside of 50 yards it'd be plenty good for a wounded deer. Probably even further than that. Just smoke it in the ear hole if all you have is a 9mm. They're an animal that regularly stands out in traffic. They're not that bright or hard to kill. In fact if we want to get technical with it, they're frickin stupid. Add a gimped up leg to one and you might as well be sneaking up on a blind guy. We've been discussing this like you're trying to track down ol Charlie ching chong or somethin.

Buying a 1,500 dollar gun to kill a low IQ animal that's wounded to boot.....nah.

[Chance Love]

If you already have a Glock you could get an MCK micro conversion kit and slap a red dot sight on it. They're freakin awesome. Inside of 50 yards it'd be plenty good for a wounded deer. Probably even further than that. Just smoke it in the ear hole if all you have is a 9mm. They're an animal that regularly stands out in traffic. They're not that bright or hard to kill. In fact if we want to get technical with it, they're frickin stupid. Add a gimped up leg to one and you might as well be sneaking up on a blind guy. We've been discussing this like you're trying to track down ol Charlie ching chong or somethin.

Buying a 1,500 dollar gun to kill a low IQ animal that's wounded to boot.....nah.

Ah. This is a joke I guess? Has to be. OR, you just haven’t been on any tracks with dogs. Which would make your statement understandable. In that case though, probably shouldn’t be offering advice for something you don’t have any experience with. There are some pretty experienced folks on this thread who have offered some good advice to the OP. These things can get western in a hurry.

All said with respect.

[okrattler]

Ah. This is a joke I guess? Has to be. OR, you just haven’t been on any tracks with dogs. Which would make your statement understandable. In that case though, probably shouldn’t be offering advice for something you don’t have any experience with. There are some pretty experienced folks on this thread who have offered some good advice to the OP. These things can get western in a hurry.

All said with respect.

Exactly, add dogs and that's less of a reason to go out and spend a crazy amount on a gun for finishing off a deer at close range. There's been who knows how many deer poached with nothing more than a .22 magnum throughout the years. So the question is, what wouldn't be a good gun to carry to finish off a deer? The job is finishing off a hurt deer. If we were talking about being dropped off in the jungles of Vietnam it might be a harder choice. Pretty much anything that you want to carry will kill a deer at 50 yards. So really, whatever you have in your gun safe and you like to carry. Put a bullet in it's head or neck and it's a done deal.

Finding it is the hard part. Once it's found, shoot it. Done. It's really that simple unless it's laying up under a bush with an RPG or somethin.

[Chance Love]

Exactly, add dogs and that's less of a reason to go out and spend a crazy amount on a gun for finishing off a deer at close range. There's been who knows how many deer poached with nothing more than a .22 magnum throughout the years. So the question is, what wouldn't be a good gun to carry to finish off a deer? The job is finishing off a hurt deer. If we were talking about being dropped off in the jungles of Vietnam it might be a harder choice. Pretty much anything that you want to carry will kill a deer at 50 yards. So really, whatever you have in your gun safe and you like to carry. Put a bullet in it's head or neck and it's a done deal.

Finding it is the hard part. Once it's found, shoot it. Done. It's really that simple unless it's laying up under a bush with an RPG or somethin.

Ok. So you weren’t joking. And definitely showing a lack of experience here. There were lots of guns mentioned here that would not be ideal. You’ve even mentioned a couple that wouldn’t work too well. I don’t think the OP was asking about an “expensive” gun, just a “good” gun for tracking. The odds of a wounded deer standing perfectly still, with dogs in his face, at 50 yards or less are pretty slim. Not to mention, it might be 100 yards, or 150. Or it might be 3 yards. And it’s not Vietnam, and it’s not two-legged critters. I think all of us would choose something different for that. I was trying to be nice in my last post, but you really need to go on some tracks (with a busy, experienced tracker). It’s not going down like you think. At all.

[Smart]

Finding it is the hard part. Once it's found, shoot it. Done. It's really that simple unless it's laying up under a bush with an RPG or somethin.

Folks please don't listen to this guy.

[okrattler]

Ok. So you weren’t joking. And definitely showing a lack of experience here. There were lots of guns mentioned here that would not be ideal. You’ve even mentioned a couple that wouldn’t work too well. I don’t think the OP was asking about an “expensive” gun, just a “good” gun for tracking. The odds of a wounded deer standing perfectly still, with dogs in his face, at 50 yards or less are pretty slim. Not to mention, it might be 100 yards, or 150. Or it might be 3 yards. And it’s not Vietnam, and it’s not two-legged critters. I think all of us would choose something different for that. I was trying to be nice in my last post, but you really need to go on some tracks (with a busy, experienced tracker). It’s not going down like you think. At all.

Based off of the OP's original post and what he's looking for which is a gun that'll kill a deer at 50 yards or closer, literally every cartridge and gun mentioned would kill a deer from that close. Moving or not.

If we're throwing other variables in like dogs chasing it at 150 yards I'd say......well..... I'd probably say don't shoot.

[Dale Moser]

The variables have already been mentioned.

[Atfulldraw]

357 lever action ... I may be a bit partial because that same ammo also fits my revolver that I carry around with me,

which also gets used from time to time on wounded deer.

[breadman]

; need some more popcorn and a beer , this is thread is getting about as confusing as fathers day in the hood .

[Sackett]

To be fair, I think we’re all assuming different scenarios and reasons for the op needing a “deer tracking gun” here, but truth be told, the op never did mention what, how or why they needed the gun. Logically, because of the OP’s avatar and the specie of dog in it, I assumed they meant “with dogs” and possibly as a side gig for hire, but a lot of members (Especially the older-aged ones) may have simply thought this “guy” simply wants to put down a wounded deer asap.

Moral of the story, be specific in your questions and give some background on the what, how and why you’re looking for advice on something or it will spiral into a cacophony of directions

[Voodoo]

When this type of thread hits Grizzly Bears, its all down hill from there 🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[Chance Love]

To be fair, I think we’re all assuming different scenarios and reasons for the op needing a “deer tracking gun” here, but truth be told, the op never did mention what, how or why they needed the gun. Logically, because of the OP’s avatar and the specie of dog in it, I assumed they meant “with dogs” and possibly as a side gig for hire, but a lot of members (Especially the older-aged ones) may have simply thought this “guy” simply wants to put down a wounded deer asap.

Moral of the story, be specific in your questions and give some background on the what, how and why you’re looking for advice on something or it will spiral into a cacophony of directions

I agree with this. Sounded to me like the OP is wanting to track wounded deer with dogs. If that is the case then there has been some very sound advice given by some knowledgeable folks on here. Now if it’s just a “hey if I wound a deer and need to go find it and kill it” type thing, then just grab any gun and go. There is a HUGE difference. And apparently some just can’t make that connection.

[txhunter90]

Wow without Tapatalk I do not get notifications so I am just now seeing this lol.

Thanks to all that have responded with advice.

I guess I need to spell out everything. I track wounded deer for the public with my dogs. I need a weapon that is good for under 50 years, light weight that is not a pistol.

Yes I could pick one myself, but what fun is that if I do not bring the green screen along....

Yall dont get to worked.

[bentstick]

Needing some help on deciding on a deer tracking gun.

Usually dispatching animals within 50 yards in brush.

Not interested in a hand pistol

Needs:

Lighter the better

More Compact the better

Plenty of knock down in brush.


From looking there are alot of good calibers. I have thought about a few guns which would be the Keltec sub 2000 Gen 3 in 9mm, the SW FPC in 9mm, Short light 6.8 SPC AR Pistol, Lever Action 30-30 with a 16" barrel.

I have also looked at buying a gun and shooting sub sonic out of them as some of the velocity is close to a pistol round used. I have steered away from the pistol rounds because I have .223 and ..30 Cal suppressors.

Open to all opinions on calibers and brands. Wanting to hear the Green screen and see what would work well in my situation.

In brush at that range its hard to beat a double barrel with buckshot, or a pump for a little less weight and an extra round.