Deer Guns & Loads Archives

15 01, 2025

Is Old Ammunition Safe to Shoot?

Clay Hanback2025-01-15T10:23:22-05:00January 15th, 2025|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Guns & Loads, Deer Hunting, Deer Management, Hornady, Shed Hunting|0 Comments

Can you shoot a deer with 5--year-old cartridges? Or 10 years old, or 20 years? Is old ammunition safe? Generally, yes. If factory cartridges are stored in a dry, cool place with low humidity, preferably in an airtight container, they can have an amazingly long shelf life. Many ballistics experts that have shot tens of thousands of rounds over the years report shooting 20- to 50-year-old ammo with no problems. Notice I said factory ammunition from the likes of Federal, Hornady and Remington, which is manufactured using premium components and exacting specifications that extend the shelf life of cartridges. I do not advise shooting old reloads. If you can’t find new ammo and need to hunt with rounds you have [...]

3 01, 2025

Here’s How to Store Your Gear After Hunting Season

Clay Hanback2025-01-03T08:45:06-05:00January 3rd, 2025|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Bowhunting, Deer Guns & Loads, Deer Hunting, Deer Management, Hornady, Hunting News, Shed Hunting, trijicon|0 Comments

I've taken a little time off to recuperate from a tough deer season and to enjoy the holidays with family. Now back at f0r 2025.--MH After the last deer hunt of the season in December or January, many of you toss your clothes, pack and other stuff in a heap in a backroom and don’t think twice about it for another seven or eight months, until it’s time to scout and bow hunt again. I used to do that too, but I’m more organized now. This week I’m spreading out my gear on the basement floor, and giving it a good once over while last season’s hunts are still fresh in my mind. Out with the Old Did you like [...]

2 09, 2024

18 Hunting Questions Answered

Clay Hanback2024-09-02T14:32:47-04:00September 2nd, 2024|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Bowhunting, Deer Guns & Loads, Deer Hunting, whitetail deer|Comments Off on 18 Hunting Questions Answered

I've answered thousands of questions from people who read my articles and blog over the years, here's a random sampling" What are pheromones? Pheromones are chemical substances in the urine and glandular secretions of deer. They serve as stimuli to other deer for behavioral responses. Many biologists believe that pheromones emitted by does trigger the peak of the rut and throw bucks into major breeding mode. I’ve got one buck tag and 2 days left to hunt. What is my best tactic? First, find what deer are eating right now. A patch of standing corn or a pocket of late-falling acorns is nirvana. And re-check a harvested grain field or food plot where you hunted early in season. Even though [...]

28 07, 2024

Shooting a Deer at 250 Yards is Easier Than You Think

Clay Hanback2024-07-27T12:26:55-04:00July 28th, 2024|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Guns & Loads, Deer Hunting, whitetail deer|1 Comment

I went back and thought about 10 random bucks I’ve shot in recent years: Sask. 30 yards OK 90 IA 70 Sask. 130 WY 150 AL 80 MS 90 VA 60 WY 140 TX 120 Average kill distance: 96 yards. I love shots inside 100 yards (and set a lot of my blinds where I think I might get an easy shot on my TV show) because you can dispatch a deer cleanly and confidently, but there [...]

7 05, 2024

Deer Rifle Sight-In Tips

Clay Hanback2024-04-25T08:27:26-04:00May 7th, 2024|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Guns & Loads, Deer Hunting, whitetail deer|Comments Off on Deer Rifle Sight-In Tips

Don’t get so wrapped up in shooting and practicing with your bow this spring and summer that you put off sighting-in and shooting your rifle and muzzleloader. A few random thoughts on that: I think the old-school way is still the best way. Sight your .270, 6.5, .30-06 or whatever to print the target’s bulls-eye two inches high at 100 yards, which will put you dead-on or thereabouts out to 200 to 250 yards, depending on caliber and load. You’ll shoot 95% of your bucks inside that range anyhow. Sight-in your rifle/scope/load for the tightest 3-shot groups you can get, but if you get 2-inch groups, that is fine for deer hunting. Most modern rifles and factory loads will ground [...]