Help me decide on a hunting rifle!

[The Janitor]

Im very ultilitarian and minimalistic when it comes to firearms. I want maximum versatility and reliability in a minimally sized package. Ideally, I would only own 3 or 4 guns total that I could utilize for any practical purpose.

What it's primary uses will be:

• Coyotes/Varmint
• Deer
• *Possibly* Elk and Boar
• Possible SHTF Application

What my main options are:

• Browning BLR(.308win or 30-06)
• Remington 700 in one of the aforementioned calibers
• Lever-Action .357/.38 Carbine

Im open to suggestions of course, but those fit my criteria as far as budget/availability go. The carbine almost belongs in a different class of it's own, but since I own a .357 revolver and I stockpile lots of ammo, it seemed like a logical option to add. I wouldn't expect to kill any deer past 200 yards with it, if that. As you may have guessed, Im a bit partial to lever-actions, and Im torn between 308 and 30-06. Both are very effective, available(thus cheap), and versatile rounds.

 

[Legionnaire]

Minimalistic and utilitarian suggests a Remington 700 ADL in .30-06. The .30-06 is a classic cartridge, available in many different factory loadings, capable of taking game all the way from wood/rockchucks up through elk or black bear. The Remington 700 is also a classic, and the ADL is about the lowest cost version.

Personally, I also like the aesthetics of a firearm, so I'd look for a second-hand 700 BDL rather than an ADL. Nicer wood, and a hinged floor plate on the magazine. Found one last year that had sat in a safe for 12 years, never having been shot. Had a nice 3-9 Redfield scope mounted on it. Paid $450 for the whole setup.

 

[Hokkmike]

I wouldn't expect to kill any deer past 200 yards with it, if that.

I should say about HALF the distance. We need more minimalists in the world. I tend in that direction. In my case it is economy of gun money and literally most bang for the buck - but I like good quality brand name stuff that will last.

 

[MrBorland]

The carbine almost belongs in a different class of it's own, but since I own a .357 revolver and I stockpile lots of ammo, it seemed like a logical option to add.

The .357 carbine is a great versatile rifle and a joy to shoot, but IMHO, unless you're just plinking, any versatility stemming from sharing ammo with a revolver can easily get overrated, since the carbine and revolver would generally use different loads for their respective uses. In the end, it's very much like having 2 guns that use different rounds anyway. With this versatility out of the equation, it sounds to me like the .357 carbine isn't your best choice.

 

[Shawnee]

Browning BLR in 7mm/08. Hands down.

 

[Marshall]

Absolutely the BLR! Between the calibers I would go .308 in the lever gun. It's a great gun and a gun you'll be happy to hand your kid some day.

The .308 is considerably lighter than the '06 and a little shorter barrel is easier handling. You're not needing to take long shots anyway.

 

[Fumbler]

If I liked lever action rifles and needed a gun for less than 200 yards, I'd pick the BLR in 308Win. Or maybe a BLR in 7mm-08 or 260 Rem.
It'd be a little more compact than the 30-06, wouldn't recoil as much, and can push a big enough bullet for the elk.

Having said that, when I was looking for a deer gun I wanted something handy and accurate so I went with a Tikka T3 Lite in 308. That sucker is only 7lbs 3 oz with a 3-9x40 Leupold on it. That's still less than a Rem 700 without scope.

 

[woof]

I have a .357 carbine and consider it inadequate for deer at any range. If I were forced to hunt for food, then yes, it's a deer gun. But when I care about making clean quick kills, It just isn't enough. Plus it isn't legal for deer in many places for that reason. But I love the gun!

I would also pick the 7mm-08, or even the .260 Rem, but the 7mm is more widely available both in rifles and in ammo. Utilitarian made me think Stevens 200.

 

[ImARugerFan]

I'd get a Remington 700 BDL in .30-06. 30-06 is very versatile and can be gotten in so many different loads right off the shelf, this makes it perfect for all the applications you list. The 700 is a great firearm.

 

[csmkersh]

If you handload, then either the .308 or the .30-06, which ever you have the brass for. If you don't handload, I'd stay with the .30-06 as you have more factory choices in ammo. If you're really concerned about a SHTF scenario, get some sort of hand loading setup now.

As to rifles on your list, I'd go with the Remington 700 but an older gun, but make sure the bolt can be opened with the safety on. It's not a big deal to modify it yourself if you're handy with small tools. A Savage Weather Warrior, while not on your list of rifles, is an excellent gun for the money.

FWIW, I've Remingtons, Savages and Winchesters in both .308 and .30-06 calibers. Any will give you the service you're looking for.
​

 

[K3]

I vote for the Remmy 700 BDL.

.308 or .30-06? Flip a coin. Both will suffice for what you are wanting to do.

 

[rangerruck]

you got the lever right, but the wrong cal, I would do the lever in a
35 remmy , or even such as a 444 marlin. even a new made 405 winchester, would be
great. but for cheaper ammo, a 3030 should be okay , as a minimum.

 

[Avenger29]

.308 and .30-06 are extremely popular calibers. I'd go with .308, just because of the extremely large selection. And, I would not go with the .357. A rifle is just far more powerful.

Now, are you in a state that has restrictions on "assault weapons" or not?

You should also consider the Marlin 336 in .30-30. Also a popular caliber. Around $350-$400.

As far as SHTF, you might want to look into the Saiga in .308. It's basically a Russian AK in sporter configuration. Hi capacity US made magazines are available, as well as 8 round factory magazines, and I am sure 5 round magazines are available. The AK is a very durable rifle, of course, and Saigas are some of the most accurate AKs. Plus, they can be converted to evil configuration if you would like. The Saigas are under $500, I think.

 

[Schleprok62]

I thought Remington quit making the ADL in favor of the SPS synthetic as their "entry level" offering.

Taking that into consideration, Look at the Stevens model 200. Good accuracy, solid action, decent trigger, available in both short and long action versions with plenty of caliber selection in each. .308 and 30-06 are available. Around $300 new, add some decent glass and you're still in under $500.

 

[Avenger29]

I thought Remington quit making the ADL in favor of the SPS synthetic as their "entry level" offering.

Taking that into consideration, Look at the Stevens model 200. Good accuracy, solid action, decent trigger, available in both short and long action versions with plenty of caliber selection in each. .308 and 30-06 are available. Around $300 new, add some decent glass and you're still in under $500.

Remington has stopped producing the ADL line. But you can still find them at dealers.

The Stevens is a great option for a budget hunting rifle, as are the Savages. The Stevens is the same rifle as a Savage, but without the accutrigger.

 

[Legionnaire]

Should have included in my earlier post, if you're looking for a carbine-length rifle, I'd take a look at the Remington Model Seven in .308. The .308 is a close match to the .30-06 except in the heaviest loadings, and the short action carbine length is a joy in the woods. I should know--the Model Seven in .308 is my preferred deer rifle.

 

[sarduy]

What my main options are:

Browning BLR(.308win or 30-06)
Remington 700 in one of the aforementioned calibers
Lever-Action .357/.38 Carbine

i would recommend the Remington 700 SPS 30-06 or 700 Tactical in .308



and also a Saiga .308 with a 16'' bbl with the skeleton stock.

 

[csmkersh]

Reminbton 700

Savage 110

Winchester M70 With BOSS​

 

[Shawnee]

If you are like most shooters, many, many more of your shots will be at varmints than at deer (or larger). That fact works to the favor of lesser diameter calibers, for a utilitarian hunter.
The lightest of the .30 caliber bullets - even available to handloaders - can hardly be called "varmint" bullets and their ballistic coefficients are gruesome.
Factory .30 caliber ammo in lighter weight bullets is not so common. And the typical .30 caliber 100-grainer if zero'd at 250yds. will drop about 8" at 300yds.

The 7mm/08 I recommended above does a bit better though bullets lighter than 120grs. are a handload proposition and factory ammo in the lightweights can be hard to find too. In its' favor, the 120gr. Hornady Vmax can be sighted in at 250yds and drop only about 4+" at 300 - and that's about a 50% improvement over the .30 calibers with better ballistic coefficient too.

The BLR also comes in .243 and that is truly a deer/varmint cartridge. Compare the trajectories above with Hornady's .243 VMax 58gr varmint bullet which can be zero'd at 250yds. and be only 2.5" low at 300, and 12" low at 400yds.
Yet you can stoke it with 87gr. BTHPs or 100gr SPs, have a better trajectory than the bigger calibers, and take any deer that ever walked.

No .30 caliber or 7mm caliber can get anywhere near that with a bullet appropriate for varmints. They will provide more blast and recoil though.

One of my sons has used a BLR .243 for at least 12 years and, between he and his brother and neighbor and I, we've taken a trainload of coyotes, wild hogs, and Whitetails with it.

No, the .243 really isn't an Elk gun. How many Elk do you think you will shoot?

 

[Organdonor]

I'd go with the Remington in .308.

Or a Howa.

 

[Gunsby_Blazen]

Seems like you like lever guns. If you like lever guns get the lever gun. the rifle you get is about bringing you pleasure, so get the one you want most and will have the most fun with. anyway, thats how I look at it. I have always wanted one of those BLR rifles in 30-06. But, that 700 is an amazingly accurate rifle... Its really a tough choice. I dont know where all of those guns are made but i heard the BLR isnt made in the USA... dont know if thats important to you or not but it might interest you.

 

[Inspector3711]

If you reload take a good hard look at the .25-06. Deer out to 350-400 yards, Elk out to 150-200 if you are good and varmints out to 600 without worrying so much about wind like you do with the .20 and .22 cartridges. I'm not up to hunting elk with it but it has and can be done. I like Remington and Savage but my .25-06 is an old commercial Mauser that shoots 3/4" groups. I'm varminting in June so I'll be bringing my .223 for closer shots and the .25-06 for the really long ones. Who knows... I may outshoot my dad and his .22-250. This same old rifle has taken many deer and antelope and more than one elk. I'll use 117 and 120 grain on big game and 75 grain vmax along with 87 grain sierra varminters on varmints.

 

[32winspl]

When my Dad's vision began "going", he quit using his Mod 94 and bought a BLR in .308 and scoped it with a Leopold Vari-X ll 2x7x32. If you like leverguns, it's a really nice rifle. Shoots great, and with the detatchable box magazine, you can load it with pointy-pointy rounds without worrying about the possibility of bullet nose-to-primer detonation.
Had a big shooting day at a friend's place one day a number of years ago. 3 tables of guns for folks to try. 50 neighbors and friends came by throughout the day. Of everything laid out, the most requested was a Rossi pump-action .357 carbine. Men, women, kids; everybody seemed to like that one.
Robb

 

[HM2PAC]

For utilitarian work stick with the .308 or .30-06.

If you plan on reloading, I would go with the -06. There just isn't another caliber around that gives the reloader as many options.

BLR or Remy 700.

 

[monwa]

Some kind of '06.