Sight Gauge

Recommendations for what gun to use for first day of buck?

alright let me first describe where im hunting the first day it is a small patch of woods with 2 houses about 200 yards away on one side a road about 175 yards away on another side and the other 2 sides are all woods i of course will have my back to the houses and road and be shooting into the woods the woods go back about 7 miles or so so there is no problem there. but the layout of the place im hunting is kind of complicated it is fairly brushy in certain areas and had a few 60-70 yard shooting lanes. i will be sitting in a tree stand but only about 5 feet off of the ground because im hunting in a revine type of setting that is not very level and i wont go higher than 5 ft (i have broken way too many bones so im not taking the chance of falling more than 5 feet) but my question now is should i use a 20 gauge ithaca feather weight with only bead sight and slugs or should i use my 30-30 with a see through scope so i can use iron sights or the scope and 150 grain silver tips? my farthest shot will be maybe 50-75 yards 75 being the max and as close as 15 yards. there is a beautiful 10 pt running around in this area and i need some recommendations on what would be a better choice for the area any help would be appreciated thanks :) @ tahoeguy- i might be getting the 37 in 12 gauge i saw one for sale for a great price last week hopefully the guy selling it still has it i mean im comfortable with the accuracy with the 20 gauge but i havent shot it over 50 yards so still not sure now im leaning twards the 30-30. would 150 gr silver tips be too much for closer ranges or not?

Public Comments

1. well you could either go for the sure thing and use the .30-30 with Iron sights. [you mentioned you were on the other side of the state so the SE restriction shouldn't apply] but if your like me and want a challenge then the 20 gauge would be an okay choice you just have to worry about shot placement. so if it was me I would use the .30-30 because I want a buck on my first day.
2. Well, I would go with a 12 Ga with a slug barrel. The itica is a great gun, too bad you dont have a 37 in 12ga. The .30-30 is fine, but there is risk with houses and a road so close. If you are confident in your ability with your 20 ga, its a better option to me, especially at the ranges you describe.
3. for the 15 yard shot, the 20 ga. slug would do wonders, but when u get out to the 50-75 yard shot you talked about, you might as well throw rocks as that "beautiful 10" strides by. The 30-30 is and all around good "brush gun", and would be perfect up to about 150yds., and with the high scope mounts, you can use your iron sights for a closer shot.
4. You simply can not go wrong with a .30-30 at those distances. The Silver Tips should do fine....
5. Judge, go with that Featherlight you have. 20ga. will work wonderfully. Oh yeah, and you better pick up that 12ga. 37 you saw... before I find out where it is and buy it! Long Live Ithaca Gun!!! (.30-30 will do it no doubt, but it's not as fun!)
6. I aint real sure how a 20 gauge slug will do at 75 yds.go with 30-30 and watch your firing lanes be sure clear of houses