Whats the best rifle for hunting deer?

[Woodman]

??

[GSP]

Boy, you like starting arguments.
I will go with my 30-06, 7400 Rem, with a bushnell
scope, 180gr.Federal. I know there are bigger, smaller, slower, faster,flatter and prettier ones out there. But this one has been
paid for close to 25 years and no deer (75+) has gone over
5 yards, usually they go backwards.

[Woodman]

Yeah, you could argue all day just wanted to get this forum going! lol
I like my Rem 700 270 real well too.

[mossyhorns]

One that shoots.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

[Rob]

This question reminds me of the tests they used to give in school where there was no single correct answer because that is the case. It all depends on the person doing the hunting, the place being hunted, & the size of the deer, & what else you might want to hunt & how much you have to spend.

I have read that, for several years, the 5 most popular calibers in the Southern US have been the 30-06, .308, 30-30, .270, & .243. Gaining rapidly in popularity are the 7mm Mag & 300 Mag. My best advice is to stick with a caliber from the Big 5 since bullets are relatively inexpensive (a gun you can't afford to shoot might as well be a stick) & widely available (a Rem .260, 25-06 or 7mm-08 are great rounds but you probably won't find a box at your average country store).

Now, if the hunter is slight of build or small or young, they will need a gun they can shoot comfortably. Both the .243 & the 30-30 have easily tolerable recoil, the others less so.

Next, the terrain being hunted plays a role. If you expect to hunt dense woods or thick brush, where your max shot might be 150 yds, the 30-30 has been proven to be good & the .243 is probably a poor choice. On the other hand, if you will be hunting beanfields,where long, open shots are the norm, I would say the opposite.

Cost of the gun will usually be a consideration. A used Winchester or Marlin 30-30 lever action can frequently be had for $150 - $250 depending on if it has a scope & what kind, the condition of the gun, etc. The cost of a used bolt action will generally be more variable, say $250- $450, depending upon brand, caliber, condition, scope, etc. Most anything new will cost well over $250, the exception being those single shot New England Handi-Rifles, which can be had new for about $200.

The size of the deer won't be much of a consideration if you only hunt in KY or the surrounding states, but if you plan on hunting in Canada, Iowa, Kansas, Idaho, etc., where bucks can weigh 300#, I would stick with the 30-06, .308, or .270. Same is true if you plan to possibly hunt elk with the gun. On the other hand, if you plan to varmit hunt, which will give you a chance to shoot at live game all year long, I would only consider the .270 & .243.

Given the above, if I could only have one rifle to hunt all over KY, maybe varmit hunt a little, maybe hunt out West a couple of times, to hunt both brush & open country, & I didn't want to spend a fortune, I would choose a .270 bolt action, just like Woodman has. But, choosing a rifle is not unlike choosing a spouse: everyone wants the right one but you won't really know if that's the one you're getting until it's too late. (Don't tell my wife I said that!) Good luck!

Just my $02 worth,



Rob

[Marcus]

I have a lever-action .308 BAR Browning. It is rather short and my dad bought it for me 12 years ago when I first started deer hunting. I am partial to this gun. It has so much sentimental value and therefore I would say it is awesome. I will say that if something works well for you, stick with it. I will probably take very good care of it and give it to my son if he wants to deer hunt. I'll probably do like Rob said and start him out on something of a little less caliber. Something I have noticed though; I have never missed with the gun, but when I work the lever action after a shot, I find it difficult to get the scope back on the deer. I have decided to get a semi-auto rifle on the next purchase so I can keep the scope on or at least near the deer.

[Rawhide]

Do they make anything besides a .30-06 ?

Danny Roberts

[Woodman]

Well if they want to hit anything they should have? lol

[MrBowhunter]

A BOW?!!!! HAHAHA

[Bowcrazy]

Don't laugh, I think you're on to something !!!

[GSP]

I've read on this forum where a kid has done better with
a stick than I have with a rifle this year.

Life is too short to hunt with an ugly dog!

[P. Beyer]

gettin'funny.... The "stick" was a good laugh! I'll agree, they do make A BOW!!!! Keep the laughs coming, and a Happy New year to all!

[GSP]

Anybody here have any experiance with Savage rifles?
I'm thinking of getting one and I could use some
feedback on them. I know they have been around for a
long time and they are priced very good. Any comments?
Thanks

[Fur and Feather]

As far as Savages go, you can take the old proverb "you get what you pay for" and chunk it out the window. Savage Arms Co. deals in volume, and uses Walmart as their number one outlet for sales. If you look into gun tests, you will find that Savage bolt actions outperform many higher priced rifles. They shoot more consistantly and flatter than the Remington 700, and have many options. Lately, their combo Rifle/Scopes have been getting alot of attention due to their price. What you get for under $400.00 is a heck of a nice shooting rifle and a so-so Simmons scope. Keep in mind that this rifle is nothing to display in a case that costs more than the rifle and you can't loose. I was given one this season (rifle/scope combo) as an early Christmas present from my wife and love it. Quarter size patterns at 100 yards is all I need for deer hunting in a .308. What I would do if I were you and had some more money to spend in hindsight is to buy yourself a Savage and purchase a Leupold Var X II. That would be a great combination for the money and will be all you need to hunt deer the remainder of your years. Good luck.

[GSP]

Thanks for the feedback F&F.



Life is too short to hunt with an ugly dog!

[dgibson]

GSP, I'll second what F&F says. They're known for their accuracy and reliability. If you're looking for a nice piece of wood and fancy checkering and all, go elsewhere; but if you want a good working gun that will go bang when you pull the trigger, Savage is hard to beat. Also, I see that Midway ( http://www.midwayusa.com ) is starting to offer additional barrels for Savages (they're relatively easy to change when compared to other brands), so the gunsmith-handy types will be able to get multiple calibers for not so much $. <img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>

[Rawhide]

I'm still stickin' with my .06 .

Danny Roberts

[45 Caliber]

Personally I like a 243...

GSP,

my brother has a 270 savage that he absolutely loves...he bought the gun new in the early 80's and still hunts with it to this day. The gun is nothing fancy but it performs well. He has harvested several bucks over the years with this rifle. I would receommend a Charles Daily 3X9 scope. They are tuff and durable.

Happy Hunting!

[2506TEX]

My son has A Savage 243. Opening morning this year he shot A good 8 point.The deer ran and he tried to shoot again but the empty had not ejected. I got the empty out with A stick went about 50 yards and found the deer.He wasn't dead so my son finished him with another round quickly. This round would not eject eather.I haven't checked it out yet any ideas?

Tex Ball

[GSP]

If the brass was staying stuck in the chamber with no mark on the rim, you have a broken ejector spring. If there is a rip in the rim of the brass where the ejector pulled through it, you have a chamber problem (dirty, rusty or undersized)

[raktrakr]

i only hunt with bow,but if i had to choose it would be a 30-30

[WI Hunter]

I just got a 7mm mag. I shot my first deer with it this year and it puts them down fast! I use a 150gr. and it is a little wider that the 30-06 and about the same length. It is a good long range gun as well has shorter. either way it puts them down. + you dont have to be the best shot to use one. lol

[MR300WM]

I believe that the 270Win in a bolt gun is about as good as it gets for deer. I use a 300Win Mag. Also that Savage gun won't make any bullet fly any flatter than any other gun.

[flintman]

I harvested my first deer with a 30-30. The next 38 was with a .270 cal. I know like the .260cal. I firmly believe the best one is the one you can shoot the best. Good Hunting!

[Jman]

Rawhide is right. The .06 has got to win the prize. They're hard to beat, especially using the Winchester/Nosler ballistic tip. I've never seen anything like it. It literally melts 'em where they stand!

[shogan]

You know an .06 will flat knock them off their feet and and can reach out their and grab them.

A 30-30 is a nice knock em down gun with very little recoil and good up to 150 yards easy.

But I've been thinking an AR10 in 308 yep I'm thinking thats the deer gun to get.

I'm not into using them varmit loads that start with 2 somthing.[:o)]

[pearsonbowhunter]

i just got me a 30-06 savage
on the 25th of this month
it seem,s to be a good gun
they sell at the pawn shop,s
for $300.00 dollars,,
mine has the wood stock
on it ,looks like brand new
i gave $250.00 for it ,,,

John

[ky hunter]

savage 30-06 with simmons scope.

[greenskeeter]

I love my Remington 700BDL in .270!

[Boss Gobbler]

I have 2 savages 270 and 3006, like them so much I went out and bought another one in 300WSM.

[VinVega]

I have a Savage .270, shoots great. I suggest buying a good recoil pad, as the rifle doesn't come with much of one. You just can't beat Savage in price to quality ratio. Oh, and the case not ejecting...is it bolt action? Because I noticed mine (the first time) didn't want to eject the shell, but I hadn't cocked it all the way, so it wasn't sealed and hadn't ever been shot so that might have made a difference. Every single time since, it had performed like a dream. We'll have to see how it does on deer, because I don't know yet.

[cbs]

I just wanted to add, that I started In these forums with
"CHOOSING MY FIRST RILE" with lots of help in deciding what caliber
to choose, And my next question Is what rifle to buy,

So after researching rifles as best I could and reading everything I can, I was leaning towords getting a savage bolt in 30-06, But I was
alittle afraid of the external barrel nut...setup, (the ugly gun)

But all I have found out about this gun is, ugly but a "great, reliable shooter" at a good PRICE, Im on a budget and also want All
the RCBS goodies, Im going to take my first hog with a handload come hell or high water!! and yes I know I need to know alot to get there!

Please write back about this and other rifles, I want to hear from you all! AND THANKS AGAIN TO ALL WHO WROTE BACK, HUNTERS ARE THE BEST!

WOW, now after reading about all the complaints on the 710 I feel even better!

[flathead]

personally i shoot a 280 i nicknamed it at&t because it reaches out and will touch you.
flathead

[ksp965]

Lord knows that I love all guns! But when the chips are down; when it absolutely, positively has to be there on time and in the right spot, I'll take the '06 first time, last time and all times in the middle! Friday, I bought my box of Remington, 180 grain Core Loks and it cost me $10.00 bucks. The guy beside of me bought his 20 and it costs him $25.00 bucks. The .06 went up in my opinion one more notch.

[Jack]

Remington ADL .270 with a trigger job. Shooting Winchester 150 gr Highvelocity Powerpoint plus, did a great job on a big black bear this June in NW Quebec. One shot and he piled up at about 30 yards. I'm hunting deer now with the same load. I got a nice 7 pount with my .308 165 gr soft point boat tail on opening morning. It blew a hole through the deer big enough to throw a cat through. .243, .25-06, .270, .308. 30-06, 7mm rem mag. I like this new .300 WSM too. It comes in a 700ADL at Walmart for $383 without scope.

[VinVega]

Here's an idea. The best gun to hunt deer with is one that will kill them humanely in one shot. There are very many, and they are all the best.

[aceoky]

Anything .243 or larger is a good deer rifle. Can you lose deer with a .243 yes; can you lose deer with a .338 mag yes!!!

One thing to remember is:if a gun kicks so much(or is too expensive) to shoot: don't buy it! A rifle you don't or won't or can't shoot(because you can't find or afford ammo for it..or it causes YOU to flinch...don't try to be too "macho" it's not fair to you and certainly not to the game you're hunting) is best left in the store.[:D]

Also FWIW; a 7mm is slightly SMALLER than a 30 cal(7mm compared to 7.62...the military designation for the .308 cal is 7.62 NATO) or .284/.308
(the 30/06 uses a .308 CAL bullet)

As for Savage rifles; you can't beat them for the $$$$$ they are reliable, dependable and very accurate IMHO . In fact IF my son keeps his algebra grade up he's getting a Savage in .308 this spring!!!! (with the new "accu trigger") [:D](hehe make him work for it a little)[:)]

My choice is the 30/06 since I can cleanly take any game in North America(short of Polar Bear) which I'm hoping to NEVER meet![:D]Ammo is cheap, readily available, and those help to practice more: and has been mentioned YOU have to be able to hit with YOUR rifle for it to be of any use; find a good one, practice practice then practice some more; you'll be glad you did(and the game will be too!)



"If guns kill people; ALL of mine are defective"----&gt;Ted Nugent

<hr noshade size="1">
I'd rather be lucky than good any day!!

Reloaders Haul Brass!

[muzzymike7]

308..best all around gun

mike

[DeerFearMe]

I like the 300 Ultra Mag, Its got all the power an distance you handle.lol I took a Deer with it last year an I didnt even have to field dress it, it rocked that deers world, not to mention the bruise an welt on my shoulder afterwards.

[KYhunter79]

Here's my setup:

Savage Model III 30-06
Tasco Scope
Winchester 165 grain power points.

[gun hunter]

Most of the people on here have it right.The best gun is one you can handle and shoot well.The perfect gun varies for everyone.Also in consideration to taste and budget.I hunted with a 30-30 Winchester for years and decided to buy something for long range.After alot of shopping I went with a Browning BLR 270.Love the lever action and ammo is available at Walmart.With a Simmons 4x12 and Winchester Ballistic Silvertip I shoot less than 1 inch groups at 100 yds.Alot of people think the 270 is not for long range but its good well past 300 yds and recoil isnt that bad.And unlike some guns it wont bruise your shoulder when shooting.But thats my opinion.And opinions are like a@#holes,everybody has one.

[buckdroppings]

My wife and father got together last year and bought me a Savage 3006 fo rChristmas, and I love it. Distance and power, you can't beat it. I have taken three deer with it. All three have dropped within 30 yards of where I shot them.

[glenmorebuckman]

I use a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in 30-06 and have taken many a deer with it. I've never had to fire more than once, and never had to track one down .

[Eagle85]

I shoot a Winchester model 94AE 30-30 and a model 70 Sporter 30-06. I like them both, but prefer to deer hunt with the 30-30. The 30-30 is lighter to pack and I shoot a tighter pattern with it.

Either one will drop a deer at 100 yards, which is as far as I care to shoot. Both have been successful, and I have never had to track one down like I do when I use the bow!

Both deer I took during modern gun this year were with the 30-30. Using Remington core-lock 185gr., one went 15 feet, the other made it about 30.

Everyone has a favorite rifle... use the one that works for you...

[hardwoods hunter]

I have a Remington 710 in .270 which I love. It shoots great and has never given me any problems. I shot a doe this year and she only went 5 yards. I use Remington Core-Lokt sp 150 grain.

A bad day hunting is better than a good day at work.

[AlaskaMauserFan]

As long as the caliber is reasonable, WHATEVER YOU SHOOT BEST! My personal preference, that I use for everything up here in Alaska, is a Model 98 Mauser, chambered for the 8x57mm; responsible reloads, my favorite one, pushes a 190 gr. BTSP at just over an honest 2700 fps. Groups, at 100 yards, a ragged hole, at 200 yards, less than 2 inches, and at 300 yards, 5-6 inches, depending on the wind and how much my nose itches. The rifle/load simply does the job, as long as I do my part!

[steelslinger]

I know there are alot of 06 fans in here, but look at the competition shooters....all the large bore shooters are using .308. The .308 is historicaly proven to be more accurate, but how many in here would actully shoot 1000yrds. My rifle is a .308, my wifes rifle is a .308, and my sons rifle is a 7mm-08 (wal mart now carrys 7mm-08 ammo). Lots of guns, lots of choices, for ky deer, a bolt action in .308 and a good scope with good mounts would be my suggestion to anyone.

[Hunting_Medic]

I bought a NEF Handi-Rifle, .280 REM a few years ago. I have taken 5 deer with it, and they all have dropped in their tracks. I would not hunt with anything else. Flatshooting and dead on.

[pick104]

Is savage better then remington, and is the semi automatic really less accurate than the bolt action?

[AlaskaMauserFan]

As to whether Savage is better than Remington, or vice versa, there's probably as many opinions as there are shooters; as to whether a bolt-action is more accurate than a semi-automatic, well...there's a LOT of variables in that equation. Overall, the odds are slanted in favor of the bolt action. Fact is, I know a guy that has a Remington semi-auto, chambered for the venerable 30-06, that gets groups at 200 yards that I can only get at 100 yards-a ragged hole. Go figure. Thing is, when you're hunting, there's so much to consider besides "group size" that you get at the range, you're best off with something you know and understand, (I think, just my opinion!), than any other single factor. Meat on the table is what it is, fellow hunter. If you put a properly constructed bullet where it's supposed to go when it's time to do so, there it is. All the rest, it's just details. Good Hunting!

[pick104]

Thanks for the input.

[headhunter155]

I love Browning rifles and my favorite caliber is 300 win mag! I have killed around 50 deer with it hunting in 7 different states. It shoots well for me and my type of deer hunting! But to each his own!