Scoring Gun or Bow

The gun or bow used has considerable influence upon the the skill which is needed to harvest a whitetail. Most bows require considerable movement to shoot, which can give away the hunters location; especially a hunter on the ground. The limited range of bows and some firearms is also very much a factor.

Difference in range becomes less of a limiter once we get past 100 yards. (Many whitetail deer are taken within 100 yards.)

In some areas a long range rifle can be an advantage. In a dense forest a rifle which is capable to 300 yards or more, offers no real range advantage.

There are always exceptions to the gun or bow: Howard Hill made some fairly long shots with his bow, as does today's exhibition shooter Byron Fergson. Some archers, shooters, or specialized guns are non-typical.

The opposite is also true, some hunters don't have the knowledge or skill to properly use, or even to sight-in their rifle.

These are gun or bow range estimates and a few comments.
There are far too many variables involved to do much more.

The traditional/stick bow(long bow or recurve) most likely has the shortest range of any common gun or bow used today. An average of only 20-25 yards, but depending on the archers ability. It requires a great deal of movement for a shot. It may require the most initial practice, although some archers have more natural ability than others. It is very quiet, and a second arrow is a possibility.

The compound bow's advantage is that it is more consistently accurate, and it can have a little more range. About 25-40 yards, again depending upon the archers ability. It requires similar movement, but must be vertical to shoot well. It is a little slower with sights as the archer must pick the correct sight pin and aim. The sights can be difficult to see in poor light conditions. Some are quiet enough that a second arrow is a possibility.

The cross-bow has a similar range, but has an advantage in that it is pre-cocked and requires less movement to use. Most require a lot of movement to prepare for a second shot however.

The typical handgun can have considerably more range than any bow, but it depends heavily on both the gun and the shooter. The range is probably under 50 yards for most hunters. It requires much less movement than a bow, but open sights can be difficult to use in poor light.

The primitive muzzleloader requires some care and skill just make it fire. Its range is very limited for a rifle, but a rifle is easier to shoot accurately than a handgun for most hunters. Many factors are involved, but a typical range, with a round ball, may be only about 50 yards. Any single shot muzzleloader, especially the primitive guns, with primitive loads, require considerable movement, and time; to load a second shot.

The scoped handgun can be deadly accurate, some single shots are on par with the center-fire rifle at the gun range. They are more difficult to shoot accurately in the field however. The maximum range is hard to pinpoint, but under whitetail hunting conditions 100-150 yards seems reasonable.

The smoothbore shotgun with slugs can be good to almost 100 yards, but granddad's unsighted bird gun may not be good for half of that range. The average is more like 50-60 yards. It can have a fast second shot. It's easier to shoot than most handguns, but the open sights can be hard to use early of late in the day.

The typical muzzleloader today has more range than the typical smooth-bore shotgun with slugs. It will have a more dependable in-line ignition system the primitive guns don't have. It is only somewhat limited in capability. The quality of the guns and sights can vary widely, but it can have a range of more than 100 yards. Even the speed of loading a second shot has been simplified, but it still requires considerable movement.

The most modern muzzleloaders used with scopes are almost the equal of some center-fire single shot rifles. Some shooters who have worked on their loadings carefully would feel confident on whitetail near 200 yards.

The most modern rifled shotguns are also very capable today. Some special models with the best specialized slugs can shoot well at almost 200 yards. More typical guns would be good for 150 yards. Unlike the muzzleloader you can also have a quick second shot if needed.

The modern center-fire rifle has tremendous range and capability; it is very accurate, has a great scope, a good trigger, is powerful, and flat shooting. Carefully groomed with the correct whitetail loads, and a good shooter, it can take deer at very long range. A broadside deer, at 200 yards, from a steady position, not a problem. Some are taken at twice that range. We believe it takes more deer hunting skill, with any gun or bow to harvest a deer at ten yards, than at 500 yards.

Good hunting can be done with almost any reasonable gun or bow.

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