Dedicated Deer Gun?

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What if he could increase his budget by $100-200?
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Then I'd agree that the Win 70 Featherweight in 7mm-08 is perfect! :) Just want to make sure the man has plenty enough left for good rings, base, and a Nikon (Omega/Buckmaster) or Bushnell Elite (3200/4200) or similar quality, and shipping+FFL or tax!

But realistically, on second thought, I misspoke, because he could run with a Prostaff or Fullfield II or similar and still have a game killing mo-sheen within the budget (with a sub-$185 scope), even with a new Win 70 - I'd say that hits it out of the park, if he likes that chambering. Either that, or if he can find a good deal on a T/C Icon (Under $750-$775 OTD) in .243.

I would give my left [body part] for a new FN made Win 70 featherweight in .280 rem, with a 24" bbl. But it's a unicorn and will stay that way. Oooh, just thought of my new dream rifle: Titanium receiver Win 70 FW in .280 rem, with 24" stainless bbl and fiberglass stock! :eek: Wow, time to go do some drooling.
 
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He has a 30-06 that he can always step up to if need be, there really isn'y much a 270 can do that a 30-06 can't. If he wants a dedicated deer gun a 243 is the perfect cal IMO.
 
That's a good point - ballistically and recoil-wise, the 7mm-08 and .270 are really not that far from .30-06 in the grand scheme of things. So maybe a .257 Bob or .243 Win would fill the gap better - or a .260 Rem or .25-06.
 
That's a good point - ballistically and recoil-wise, the 7mm-08 and .270 are really not that far from .30-06 in the grand scheme of things.
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I disagree WRT the 7mm-08, the ballistics are close, but the 7mm-08 doesn't have near the recoil of the .30-'06 (or .270Win) IMO. I still prefer the .260Rem, but that is another story.

:)
 
Maverick223 said:
I disagree WRT the 7mm-08, the ballistics are close, but the 7mm-08 doesn't have near the recoil of the .30-'06 (or .270Win) IMO. I still prefer the .260Rem, but that is another story.

:)
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Chuck Hawks would seem to agree with you. His recoil chart shows that the .25-06 and the 7mm-08 are almost identical with regards to recoil, and both are closer to the .243 than they are to the .30-06, or even the .270.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm
 
Well, it looks like Amazon is selling Bushnell Elite 3200 2-7x32 scopes for $150 with free shipping right now. Anybody know of a better deal than that?

*Edit*

They also have the Elite 3200 3-10x40 Short Action for $139, also with free shipping.

Which of those two would you rather have? I notice that the 3-10 has the best eye relief of any of the Elite 3200 line.

*Edit 2*

Doh, I'm an idiot, the 3-10x40 is $197. $139 is how much you "save"
 
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So the great debate seems to close at .25-06 or 7mm-08, user reviews on both are excellent, so Bob go ahead and share your views after shooting one of the beauties. Win 70 Featherweight or Rem 700!!!:D
 
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Which of those two would you rather have?
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I'd choose the 3-10x for the larger objective and greater magnification. It is a better choice for the cartridges that you are considering IMO.

:)
 
I'm with MJR007. If you don't mind getting into reloading like you said, and you like your .30-06, just take the plunge and load it down. I'm not familiar with all of the manuals but I know the Speer has reduced recoil loads. If you don't want to handload, Remington sells them off the shelf.

Of course if you just want another rifle, well that's fine too. And you couldn't go wrong with the 7mm-08 you mentioned.
 
He did say he is open to reloading, so I am surprised more people didn't recommend going that route. That is instead of buying a new rifle handoading lighter recoiling .30-06 rounds for deer. $1000 could get you a pretty nice reloading setup, plus enough books to learn what you need to know to load safely.
 
Arkansas Paul said:
I'm with MJR007. If you don't mind getting into reloading like you said, and you like your .30-06, just take the plunge and load it down. I'm not familiar with all of the manuals but I know the Speer has reduced recoil loads. If you don't want to handload, Remington sells them off the shelf.

Of course if you just want another rifle, well that's fine too. And you couldn't go wrong with the 7mm-08 you mentioned.
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I've killed deer with that savage, and it's not like I can't stand to shoot the 06, it's just that now that I'm out of school I have the budget to shoot a gun that costs more than $400 if I want to.

When I bought that first rifle it really did have to be enough to do anything I'd get a chance to do, which is why I went with 30-06 instead of something more refined.
 
I have what you want.

Win Model 70, it's pre-bankrupcy ... if that means anything. 7mm-08 with Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x40. I got zeroed in for 200yds, and hit 2" high at 25yds. I can poke holes in paper plates from 100-300yds with no issues, it's everything I could ask for in a deer rifle. It's accurate off cold bore, and way more accurate then the shooter.

Did some wicked wound channel to a doe I dropped 3 years ago from 130 out, haven't killed anything since. It's a great rifle, good shooter, great finish. I'm not sure what prices are now, but I think all together it was < $1000.

Ammo's on the pricey side ($26 for Core-Lokt, to $50 for Cor-Bon) ... not sure what 30-06 goes for. I'm going to be reloading the same 150gr BTHP bullet for 7mm Mag and 7mm-08, if that's a selling point at all.
 
Alright, for scopes it looks like I need to choose between the following:

Nikon Buckmasters 3-9x40 - $184
Bushnell Elite 3200 3-10x40 short action - $197
Bushnell Elite 4200 3-9x40 - $239

Others that I've heard, but that I don't have prices for are the Burris Fullfield II, Vortex Viper, and Leupold VX-II
 
Vortex Viper is about $250-300.00, of what you have listed, I would go for the Bushnell E-4200 or Vortex Viper.

:)
 
Am I right in assuming that I would need the STD 70 RVF/R Leupold bases and the STD low Leupold Rings for one of the new Model 70's?
 
Dr. Tad,

How about the (soon to be coming?) Kimber 84L in .280AI? I believe it will have a 24" barrel. I was thinking about saving up for an 84M Montana in 7mm-08, but a .280AI sounds very interesting. I'd definitely have to start handloading!

SqueegeeBob,

.25-06 really needs a 24" or longer barrel to be a .25-06, otherwise its a .257 Roberts with more recoil. Get the 7mm-08 in the M70 Featherweight. It will reach its potential velocity better in the 22" barrel and as a short action cartridge, the rifle will be lighter. The 7mm-08 has significantly less recoil than a 30-06 and in the past when I did some calculations I believe it has around 20-25% less recoil than a .270. Depends on the load, weight of rifle, etc. of course, but you get the idea. Its a more than sufficiently powerful cartridge for deer that is relatively pleasant to shoot.

WRT the scope, Leupolds will usually be lighter, more compact and have better eye relief than the competition. Also, the warranty is rock solid. They're worth the extra $$ IMO.
 
Am I right in assuming that I would need the STD 70 RVF/R Leupold bases and the STD low Leupold Rings for one of the new Model 70's?
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I believe so, but I would go with the DD (dual dovetail) version if available. Also you will almost certainly need Med. height rings for the 40mm objective.

:)
 
Well, I talked to the boss (aka wife) last night and got the go-ahead to stretch my budget a little.

Looking around this morning has resulted in my considering getting a Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x36 scope and the Dual Dovetail mount and rings.

It looks like the whole package (with a model 70) will set me back about $1,250

I notice that the model 70's have glossy barrels, and that the scope and mounts are available with a glossy finish as well. Does that sound like the way to go? Or should I just get the matte finish instead?
 
The only reason I own a Leupold (VX-3) is because of the gloss finish that they offer. It is a good scope but overpriced IMO. FWIW, I think gloss would look good on that rifle.

:)
 
SqeegeeBob,

I really like that VX-3 2.5-8x36mm Leupold. I have two of them. Its nice and light, compact, nice glass, works very well in low light conditions. I think that if the rifle bluing is gloss, I'd get the scope in gloss as well. I think a new Featherweight short action with that scope will rock!:D

Oh, look into the Alumina Lens Covers. I use them on my Leupold scopes and really like them. Enjoy!
 
Well, it looks like Amazon is selling Bushnell Elite 3200 2-7x32 scopes for $150 with free shipping right now. Anybody know of a better deal than that?
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In my opinion, most scopes are over-powered with overly-large objective lenses. This is great for bench shooting, not so good for hunting. In more than 50 years of deer hunting, I have never used a variable power at any setting other than the lowest -- except once, when I had to poke a bullet through a tiny hole in the brush.

Low powers just work better for hunting -- they allow you to acquire targets quicker and don't show so much wobble when shooting from field positions.

The key factor in low-light conditions (other than coatings) is the exit pupil -- the spot of light the scope transmits to your eye. The pupil of your eye can dilate to a maximum of 7mm. Calculate exit pupil by dividing the objective lens diameter by the power. This shows us that the 2-7x32 scope will give you all the exit pupil you can use, up to about 4 1/2 power.

And the smaller objective lens will allow mounting the scope lower on the rifle.
 
I am a practical kind of guy so I would opt for a 270 win.
Reasons are as follows:
270 can fill in for the 06 on most hunts if ya have to.
270 ammo is in every small town gas station that carries ammo.
Recoil is milder than the 06.
Its known to be an accurate round.

I got the GF a nice Rem 798 with leupold for under $800 Decent woodgrain she shoots Rem managed recoil rounds 110Gr psp and groups them at less than an inch at 100. BTW the action of the old 98 is as pretty bullet proof action.

Chuck has some good words on this round that makes sense to me. http://www.chuckhawks.com/accurate_rifle_cartridges.htm
 
BTW the 798 isnt manufactured anymore but you can still find them new on the shelf for a discounted rate that why I opted for that.
 
Chuck has some good words on this round that makes sense to me.
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Chuck is full of it with is "inherently accurate" BS. Keep in mind that both 6.5mm and 7mm have better bullets available. Why go for the one in the middle, when it can be exceeded by the .280Rem., the best of the bunch IMO.

:)
 
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