I'll be hunting (first time!) public lands in East Texas this year, and was wondering (if I am lucky to get a shot), how long the shots typically are.

I am comfortable with two guns - an 870 and a Rem 700 30-06. I am obviously much more comfortable with the 30-06 past 100 yards or so, and I am trying to figure out what to plan on using. I plan on hunting Caddo National Grasslands so I am pretty sure I could use either.

Any suggestions?

I am starting to think if I had labeled this question "Which gun should I use?" I would have had a firestorm of responses...

Use the 30-06 and you'll be covered on the most likely distances that you encounter. East Texas - I'm thinking under 200yds.

Never hunted out East, much less the place you mentioned... but Rem 700 is the way to go regardless. Your 870 is maybe good to 100 (right?), but that 30-06 is easily good to 300 (and well beyond, depending on your abilities).

Use the 30-06, it will work just as well at close range as it does at 200 or 300. Cannot say that for the shotgun

youll be looking in average 125 -200 yards and much more if you are comfortable with that shot of 200 250 275 and so on but start practicing that 200 yard shot with wind and with out at your local range good luck buddy hope you kill something and then post here

If you're in thick brush and pines in east Texas, the 870 with either a slug or "buckshot" loads will be the most effective, as your max range for a clear shot would be less than 50 yards.

If you are in less thick areas or in clearings such an old oil well site, then go with the .30-06 with a heavy bullet such as 180 grain.

That's kind of what I was thinking, jdickey. I am looking at satellite pics now and it looks pretty thick where I am headed. Of course this will depend on what I see when I am scouting, but I appreciate all the tips.

If I get my first deer this year I will have a lot of "thank you" messages to send out on this forum...

I have been out there before. Depends on where you set up, but you should be just fine with your 30-06.

Still go with the 30-06

If you get a chance to physically scout the area, you'll be able to make the decision a little better. If it were me, I'd take the '06 because there's almost no limitation on the short end but the shotgun is definitely limited on the long shots. Why not take both? If you're hunting out of a ground blind or natural cover, just haul both of them and decide once the opportunity arises. I went hog hunting once, and carried both my rifle and a .44 Mag revolver. Just my luck, though, didn't need either one....

Either way go with the rifle..all you gota do for close shots is adjust your scope.. too limited with the shotty imo

I do that in reverse, keep the scope on the lowest setting most of the time, if the shot is close adjusting the scope is more movement than I want, if the shot is longer and I want more magnification I can get it and at distance movement is less noticable

Very true

the .30-06 does a great job in brushy areas too. Lots of my relatives in Minnesoata use them in close quarters too.

Rifle>>>>>>>shotgun

It isn't even close. Practice shooting offhand, in a "blind," and from any position you see yourself getting into.

Shoot a lot. Most people put 6 rounds through their rifle once a year and call it good, and they wonder why they make terrible shots.

The shotgun is a poor idea. The rifle will do everything the shotgun will do and do it better. Plus it will do a whole lot more than the shotgun can do.

The shotgun is limited to 100 and less with good optics and slugs, 60 and less with shot; Unless restricted by law, or expecting close in moving shots, leave the shotty in the truck for social work.

The 06 is better in my opinion. Also, even in dense cover, there's the chance of lanes, pipeline or powerline clearings, and the THF favorite, fencelines.

Shoot a lot, from many different positions. If NF land, don't thing perm blinds are allowed, so decide on climbers, or brushy ground blinds, chair blinds, or pop-ups. All work, but shooting sticks or a great limb are big helpers...

Yep! Shotguns are for birds, rifles kill deer...IMHO

carry rifle first trip until
you can figure out the situation.

i've carried both before and worked
out good when a thick fog rolled in
at sunup.
got my deer at about 20 steps from
where i sat.

It sounds like the Rifle wins out. I have to admit I am a little happy - I inherited it from my Grandpa and have yet to shoot it at anything with a pulse.

Mostly 100-150 but I like long shots a lot!

Usually 100 yds. .... longest was 250-300 on a red fox

30-06 hands down

Unless the shotgun is a slug gun, use the 30-06