Whats the best rifle for hunting deer?

Woodman · #1 12-22-2001, 07:03 PM

??

GSP · #2 12-22-2001, 08:07 PM

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 · #3 12-22-2001, 11:51 PM

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

mossyhorns · #4 12-23-2001, 09:49 AM

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

Rob · #5 12-23-2001, 10:08 PM

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 · #6 12-25-2001, 03:02 PM

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.