Stainless? * Deer?

WCI

Up till now I have always deer hunted with my various bolt guns. Granted most of the time my shots have been in feet instead of hundreds of yards. I am really looking hard at the Marlin in 45-70 I know it is way more round than you need to drop a two hundred pound deer. I am leaning at the Stainless Guide, Does anyone have any experience with stainless rifles spooking game?

260

i havent noticed my ss rifle spooking game in my situation.

Wehrmacht_45

I think polished stainless COULD, but otherwise I see no issue.

allen griggs

I think it could.
I shot a 250 pound eight pointer two years ago. He was 40 yards away, and I was sitting on a bucket on the ground, because I had a broken knee, and could not get into the stand.
He was looking right at me. I swung my rifle on him and fired real quick. I nailed him with a lung shot, I must say, it was the most difficult 40 yard shot I have ever taken, and I have killed about 50 deer at that range. This was the biggest deer I have ever shot.
I have a blued rifle with dark green plastic stock.
I made a good shot, but, I could see in that situation the deer spooking on account of a stainless barrel.
But I have never owned a stainless rifle so I don't really know.

Topkick

Should never be a problem. I have several stainless rifles BTW.

Camo and dark colors are to catch the hunter's eye!

Deer are more likely to spot movement than anything else.

You should read my past dissertation on cover scents![;)]


You will fall in love with a 45 70- just so you know.

JustC

I have taken deer at under 10yds with a bright stainless rifle. Your movement under those circumstances makes the difference. NICE and SLOW[^]

tsr1965

The majority of my hunting rifles are all stainless. I have killed anywhere from 10 or 15 feet out to 535 yards. I believe it is the texture of the finish, not the color that would * deer. High polish blue or stainless could, but most ate dull or matte finished.

It has alos been my experince, that when/if a deer ever catches me in a stand, that it is already way to late for him to do anything about it, as their backstraps would have been close to being on the grill already.

I have seen them look up at the reflection from my binoculars.

You will like the 45-70, but the Guide Gun is going to punish you badly. I suggest the full sized 1895, or the 1895 cowboy gun. You can actually find some nice Winchester repro's of the 1886 on the auction side too. I have a 1999 vintage takedown and love it! I just got an 1885 BPCR too.


Best

garanch

If the deer spots the stainless gun, he has already spotted you. I have seen guys hunt in street clothes, while others camo up from head to toe. Movement and scent are your biggest enemies.

mrbruce

Wouldn't seem like it would be any different than a shiny wet branch, or glint off of a rock.
As long as movement is not sudden, it wouldn't matter if it was neon red, or San Francisco camo...... (pink)

ATHOMSON

I would rather have matte stainless than a nice shiney blue. The only thing that could get you is a reflection. I just try to keep it all matte or dull.

He Dog

I have hunted a lot with a highly polished blued rifle, and with matte stainless. My hunting partners tell me both reflect sunlight in the mountains and desert like mirrors. If they can see it deer, elk, javelina and pronghorn can. The question is what happens after the image hits the brain. Again, experience suggests scent and movement are more important, but if you are concerned a little camo cover is easy and cheap enough for peace of mind.