[TrapperReady]

After not doing much rifle shooting for a number of years, I've gotten into it this year. While I'm mostly shooting HP and CMP, I've developed an urge to go deer hunting for the first time this fall.

I spent some time looking around today, and considering my options. Here's what my main choices are right this minute:

1) Do nothing and use my 1903A3.
2) Get a Winchester Model 94 in 30-30 (or equivalent Marlin rifle).
3) Get a Ruger No. 1 in 30-06.
4) Get a Remington 700 in .308.
(would also consider Browning A-Bolt or Winchester 70)
5) Get a Tikka or Sako, probably in .308.

I'd be hunting for whitetail deer in wooded areas and smaller open fields. Most shots would be taken at under 150 yards.

If I had to make a choice right this second, I'd probably go with the Ruger. Of course, by the time I hit "Submit New Thread" that's apt to change.

Given this list, what would you choose, and why?

[SelfProclaimedExpert]

I'd go with #1. Buying a gun to use for 2 days a year seems pointless.

But, given the range and quarry, almost anything above .357 would work. Be imaginative.

[BusMaster007]

I'd go with #1. Buying a gun to use for 2 days a year seems pointless.


...to whom? Not to me! Or countless others, I'm sure.:D

Who made the '03?
Would you want a new rifle in the same caliber by the same mfg.?
That would be kinda cool.

Can you hunt with an autoloader where you live?
For cost and simplicity, the Remington 7400 Carbine Synthetic would give you a nice, short, powerful rifle in .30-06.
Mine has been totally reliable and that's over 300 rounds so far.

Another choice would be the BAR Stalker, same caliber and it's matte black/synthetic; open sights OR with BOSS.
VERY NICE.

I like autoloaders and those two would be fine, short rifles.
A fixed 4-6X scope and it couldn't be more simple to work.

If I were to choose from my own suggestions, I'd pick the BAR w/BOSS and a 6X NIKON.

[JShirley]

No bad choices on your list. The '03 or '94 should fit your needs well, but so will the rest.

John

[TrapperReady]

SelfProclaimedExpert - I understand your argument, but... well, I'm not one to pass up an opportunity to get a new toy.

BM007 - The 03A3 is a Smith Corona. That makes getting a current production model out of the question. As far as autoloaders go, I'd like something different. I tend to like military autos, but the civilian (hunting) ones leave me cold.

I think it's probably a toss-up between the '94 and the Ruger. The only problem I have with the '94 is that I dislike the sights. Ideally, I'd have it retrofitted with ghost rings or maybe even a low-power scope.

The Ruger is in the lead for now because:

1) It's uncommon
2) I really like the way it looks
3) With a single shot, you can rag on your hunting buddies even more

Anyone have any experience using one for deer? If so, how do you like it?

[PJR]

My deer hunting rifle of choice is a Ruger #1A in .270 for all the reasons you mentioned and a couple more.

There was a thread awhile back on accuracy issues with them where several of us made some observations on the rifle.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=309814#post309814

Another issue with the rifle is scope mounting. A longer scope or one with long eye relief helps because the mounts are well forward of where they would be with a bolt action.

I never ragged my buddies about using a single shot but one day a hunting companion was declaring that his Remington semi-auto was a far superior rifle than mine for deer hunting. When we got out to the stand he discovered he had forgotten his magazine. That day we both ended up with "single shots" and as I recall I was the one who got the deer.

Besides as someone who is primarily a shotgunner, there is something very appealing about the top sliding safety and the way the #1 handles that makes it feel very much like a good double gun. They are very classy rifles.

Paul

[Dannyboy]

I'd go with #5. In fact, I intend to do just that as soon as I get promoted. I'm planning on a Sako 75 Hunter but I'm not sure of the chambering just yet.

[aerod1]

I got a Ruger #1 in 30-06, about a year ago. I plan on hunting with it this year. Last year I used my Custom Mauser 30-06 and also my Wichester model 70 Classic Sporter in 270.
I would say the Ruger would probably be a good choice but I will know more after this deer season.

Jim Hall

[goon]

To some, buying a gun that you will use for only a few days a year is pointless. To my dad and my grandfather, that was exactly what they bought their guns for. There are guns in my family that haven't seen the range ever. One is a Ortgies .32 ACP that my grandfather took off a German officer during WWII. I remember it being shot only once in my whole lifetime. But we still keep it around.
My contention is that you have an excuse to buy another gun. I personally would go with the Winchester. They are generally easily available, inexpensive and last a hell of a long time.
Also, just because you buy a gun to hunt with doesn't mean that you can only shoot it at deer. Most of my hunting guns have knocked off a lot more aluminum cans than they have deer or squirrels.
I would buy a gun.

[TrapperReady]

I just thought of one other cool thing about the Ruger No. 1.

If the incremental gun-banning continues and is succesful, I'd have at least one rifle that was WAY DOWN THE LIST. Of course, I can just see the list of "Evil Features" in 2030:

1) Pistol Grip
2) Flash Hider
3) Bayonet Lug
4) Folding Stock
5) Detachable Magazine
6) ...
178) Sling Swivels
179) Recoil Pad
180) Front Sight
181) Rear Sight
182) Barrel

[tasunkawitko]

for the situations and applications you mentioned, i would recommend the marlin m336 in .30-30 with a simmons 44mag 2-7x44mm (or comparable) scope. here's why -



the .30-30 is a death ray on whitetail in the cottonwoods, river bottoms, brush, and alfalfa fields where whitetails are found. the 2-7 magnification is ideal for the ranges at which whitetails are found, i.e., out to 200 yards, which is perfectly inside the range of the .30-30. finally, the 44mm objective allows for clear, crisp and bright vision at dawn and dusk, which is the time that i see the greatest majority of whitetails in the habitat described above.

i have heard good and bad about simmons, but when speaking of this scope (the simmons 44mag) three things cannot be denied. the first is that this scope has FULLY MULTICOATED lenses, not just coated lenses, not just multicoated lenses, and not just the ocular and objective lenses. this is a sign of good quality, for they would hardly take the time to fully multicoat their low-end line of scopes. the second is that simmons has a lifetime warranty, which makes it a reasonable buy and a good investment. the final thing is that this scope is made in the phillipines, not in china. i cannot overstate the fact that a chinese scope is junk. japan, usa and germany probably make the best, followed by the phillipines and korea. any of these are more than adequate for hunting. all-in-all, the simmons 44mag is an affordable option when looking for quality optics. sure, we would all love to put leupolds and swarovskis (did i spell that right?) on our rifles, but this is not always economically feasable.

the relative "weight" of this scope is not much compared to the benefits, especially on a gun that is already light and can afford a couple of extra ounces. i found this scope and rifle combination to be lightweight and with a little practice and a 200-yard zero, you will be good out to 230 yards within an 8-inch kill-zone using 150-grain remington core-lokts. you will be able to take any shot that you might encounter with confidence that comes from being able to see it clearly, which will improve your chances for a good shot and a clean kill.

http://www.baitshopboyz.com/forum/pics/mymarlin2.jpg http://www.baitshopboyz.com/forum/pics/mymarlin1.jpg

[scotjute]

You can never have too many guns!

[SelfProclaimedExpert]

TR,

Don't get me wrong. The key to my statement was the second sentence. What else would you possibly like to do with a new rifle?

If you just think a #1 is neat, that's cool.
If you've always wanted an SKS, well that would work, too.
So would a T/C Encore carbine.
Or a Franchi SPAS 12 riot gun with slugs.

So from your list, what do you want to do with said guns when not on the hunt?

[Sunray]

"My contention is that you have an excuse to buy another gun." It's not an excuse. It's a reason. If you decide on the lever, go with the Marlin. Only because I've never liked Win 94's. Even the one I had long ago. Too much felt recoil for the power of the cartridge.

[JShirley]

tasunkawitko,

Welcome to The High Road. Nice post.

John

[tasunkawitko]

john -

thanks for the welcome. i was referred by a couple of mutual friends, and am pleased to see that they were correct in saying that this looks like a great site!:)

looking forward to offering my experiences whenever i can, and also looking forward to learning a few things as well....

[goon]

I owned a Marlin and my brother has a Winchester.
I went with the Winchester because it fits my shoulder better and the action seems to cycle faster than a Marlin.
But my brother's Winchester is about half worn out.
That could explain the smooth action, huh?

[ReadyontheRight]

Any of your options seem like they would work well.

From your list I'd choose the Remington 700 first and the Tikka second. Either in .308.

Some more options:

1. I really like my Encore carbine 209x50 Magnum. I will eventually get a regular rifle barrel for it. It's very nice to carry and nice pointing.

2. Check out Savage. Pretty inexpensive and reportedly very accurate.

3. Marlin Guide Gun in 45/70 would be fun for your hunting situation.

4. Complement your 1903 nicely with a Garand. www.odcmp.com

What a great country! So many excellent choices!

[one-shot-one]

browning a-bolt in .308
because i don't have one but would like one
(but probably in .270 or 7mm for me)

[TrapperReady]

OK. Spent some more time on this, and looked at some different options. Until this evening, I was just about to order a Ruger No. 1 in 30-06.

HOWEVER, I have found a 1952 Winchester 94 30-30 which is in very decent shape. The bluing looks better than most guns of that vintage, although there are some slightly worn spots from carrying.

The action is slick (as you might expect), and the trigger is very nice indeed. No creep and a nice crisp break I'd bet around 5 lbs.

Everything looks solid and well-cared-for, and the bore is in extremely good shape. It appears absolutely bone-stock original.

Now, I'm thinking that I simply need to get this, pick up a bunch of ammo, practice a bunch and turn myself into a real rifleman.

Whaddayathink? I'd plan to keep it "stock" and not add any optics, as I'm an iron-sight kind of guy and wouldn't want to mess with it much.

Are there any red-flags when evaluating old '94s? What sort of accuracy could/should I expect out of a piece like this? With irons, would I be limited to shots 100 yards and less (which would frankly be fine around here)?

---------------

ROTR - Don't worry about the 03A3 not having a friend. It was an "add-on" to my CMP order for a SA/SG M1.

Goon - What, specifically, are you talking about when you say your brother's rifle is about half worn-out?

---------------

BTW, thanks to all who are participating. I really appreciate your comments!

[Art Eatman]

The rifle itself is probably capable of two MOA. The main problem is the sights, insofar as staying inside three MOA, as well as the skill of the shooter in getting uniform sight pictures.

I don't know of any "red flags".

Power-wise, I've always thought of the .30-30 as a 150-yard gun, but that's based more on the sights and trajectory than the energy of the bullet. That round-nosed 170 really starts slowing down and dropping after 200 yards, compared to the hotter stuff. However, this shouldn't be any problem at all for you.

Practice and get good from the offhand position or from a hasty-rest position...

And enjoy.

:), Art

[goon]

Trapper- The gun he has looks like someone tried to wear it out. It looks as though they took a reciever from an old gun and rebulit the rest of the gun around it. It has several new parts such as the bolt and some other internals that have bluing on them. The rest of the gun doesn't.
Still, the gun works well and is very smooth.
And since it isn't pretty, he doesn't have a problem with really using it.
Despite its less than perfect appearance, it is still a pretty good gun.
I would like to have a Winchester myself, but there are other things on the list above it. My only real stipulation is that it has to be pre-safety.

[lostdog]

I have taken whitail with a lot of guns, and for some reason, nothing kills quite like my steyr pro hunter mountain in .308....use good ammo and it will shot into 1/2" at 100yds. Jeff cooper was right...thease are great guns

[Mike Irwin]

Another option.

Buy a .243 or a .250 Savage and use it, but in the off season, use it to hunt groundhogs to stay in shape for deer season.