1st Deer Rifle Advice??

[One of Many]

If you can find a used Savage 99 lever action in good shape, I would recommend it for hunting deer, as long as it is in a caliber that is readily available in your local area. They have not beem made for several years, and the really nice older ones have become collectors items, but the collectors disdain the more recent models with the detachable magazines. Mine shoots groups smaller than 1.5 inch at 100 yards with factory ammo, so the old myth about lever guns being inaccurate is just that - a myth.

For heavy brush areas where close shots in dim light are the norm, I recommend a Burris scope with the electro-dot reticle. Mine is in 1.5-6X with a duplex reticle, and the center of the crosshair can be illuminated.

Don't be afraid to spend more for a good scope than you do for the rifle. I think I spent close to $450 for the scope and mounts I installed on my Savage 99 - I spent $400 for the rifle.

Buy several boxes of ammo from the same lot number, so you have enough for sighting in and practice, with at least one complete box left for the hunt itself. Different lot numbers can result in a shift in the point of impact.

 

[mike83]

New England Firearms make a good cheap single shot. I would use a .243 or .270

 

[mustanger98]

Speaking of New England, those are marketed under two names- "New England" and "H&R 1871".

The HandiRifle models are good. I have the .45-70 and it's a cannon. They're available in .30-30 and .44magnum too.

The guy who owns the gun shop I go to... he says he got away from those because of ejection issues and having to send 'em back to the factory all the time. I think this is more of a problem with rimless cartridges. I've never heard of the ejection problems anywhere else and never seen it firshand. However, the way they're made, I know from experience they are quite dependable with rimmed cartridges so that's what I'd stick with.

http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Rifles/youth.aspx

 

[A_Swede_17_1911]

I would look at the Stevens 200 line of rifles they have short and long actions. I would maybe look at the 30-06 chambering, for you son you can always use the
Remington Managed recoil factory ammo if needed. Or look at a 25-06 or 243, which would work for ground hog/ rockchuck etc.


Another Idea is the Marlin 336 rifles in 30-30 or 35 Remington, would work great.
With the Hornady LeverEvolution line of ammo, you can be ready out to 200-300 yds. Which from what I understand will be about what you need. Anywere from 50-200 yds, so you would be good there. I just bought a brand new on for $314, and mounted a Leupold VxII 1-4x20 with low mounts and makes a sweet rifle. I shot a group today sighing in that was right at 1" at a 100yds from sand bags with 150 FP Federal Power-Shok, that stuff is under $10 a box of 20 here in Texas.


Those are some ideas which would get you 2 rifles for under $600 or just slightly over. Minus the cost of optics.

 

[aguyindallas]

I recently got a like new Savage 110 in .270 that came from the factory with an inexpensive Simmons scope setup on it. Savage made kits like this that I think were sold at Wal-Mart and other places. At any rate, I paid $275.00 shipped for it.

Other than needing some loctite on the scope mounts, its a GREAT gun. .270 is enough for deer, and most common game in north america.

Take a look at em.