A new deer rifle?

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sbwaters

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Hi, all . . . I have had a Model 94 Winchester in .32 Winchester Special and scope that I have used for decades for occasional deer hunting in northeastern woods. Not long range. I may have increased opportunity this year and someone suggested Ruger bolt action rifles as better built for the money.

Anyone have experience with a Ruger American Rifle with Vortex® Crossfire II 3-9 scope or a Ruger Hawkeye with perhaps a Leupold. I was thinking .308.

Suggestions about models or others to consider? Interested in quality without breaking the bank. I reload my own cartridges.
 
Mossberg Patriot is what I settled on. Great trigger out of the box that's user adjustable.

Ruger American is a good choice as well.

Can't go wrong with Savage 110 either.
 
If this increased opportunity you speak of involves 200 yards or less I would suggest that you stay with what you have.

Not a .32 Special shooter myself but those who are say that my .30-30 is nearly as good. ;)
 
Over 40+ years of hunting and shooting I've been able to acquire several hunting rifles. Some costing significantly more than the American. But I bought one of the Predator versions a few years ago as a knock around brush gun. It isn't as nicely finished, but shoots every bit as well. I'd highly recommend one, either the standard or Predator. And 308 is darn near ideal especially in a lighter rifle.

All of the scopes in the $200 range are acceptable and very comparable as to quality. Each has slightly different features such as the weight, eye relief, reticles etc. My favorite in the category is the Burris FF-II followed closely by Redfield Revolution or Leupold VX-1. Nothing wrong with the Vortex either. I just prefer the features on the others.

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Anyone have experience with a Ruger American Rifle with Vortex® Crossfire II 3-9 scope or a Ruger Hawkeye with perhaps a Leupold. I was thinking .308.
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Those are two very different price points. The Ruger American Rifle is their budget rifle and while accurate and good for the price the overall fit, finish, and quality of the Hawkeye will be much better and if you can afford it is what I would recommend you go with.

It seems like you already have a very nice rifle in a perfectly capable cartridge unless you want to shoot out farther. If you are not looking for increased distance than I would not bother with something like the Ruger American Rifle as it would be a downgrade from what you currently have. If you can afford the Hawkeye with a Leupold scope than that would be a great option. Another rifle to consider over the Hawkeye would be the Tikka T3x. Whatever rifle you end up getting though a Leupold scope on top would be my recommendation.
 
I have the same exact rifle as JMR. I absolutely love it- it is quite a bargain and a lot of gun for $400. As far as a scope, on this rifle a 3-9 bushnell with illuminated reticle meets my needs- shots on deer to max range of about 150 yards, but I know me and the rifle could easily push it to 300 or even further cause I've done it on the range.
 
If you have a Cabelas near you, they have the T/C Venture on sale this week, somewhere in the $380ish range? And T/C is offering a $75 rebate till the end if the year. You do the math.
 
I don't know about the "American", never shot one, but I've had good luck with the M77 series rifles. I've shoot the original and the MKIIs, haven't tried the Hawkeye yet (why didn't they just call it the MKIII?)

If you reload I'd consider 7mm-08 as well, or .257 Roberts (Ruger used to chamber rifles in .257 but I'm not sure if they still do)
 
or a Ruger Hawkeye with perhaps a Leupold. I was thinking .308.
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I've owned them all, and highly recommend this one. Good luck in your search and hunting!!
 
I have an American and several Model 77s and Hawkeyes. As much as I love my 77s and Hawkeyes, I'd say for your purposes an American is the way to go. Leupold has a $50 rebate on their VX1 scopes right now.
 
There's basically a pound difference between the Ruger American and Hawkeye. The Hawkeye action is nicer, but maybe not that much nicer.

For a light .308 that can still reach out a long ways, I like the 2nd gen Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle pretty well. It's ugly as sin, but accessorized with a Leupold scout scope and a Rhodesian sling (I've started making my own to get exactly what I want) and the 3 round box magazine it's a VERY fast and light setup.
 
I put a Leupold VX-1 on my Ruger American two years ago. It is a great budget lightweight hunting rifle. It's not the prettiest (IMHO) rifle, but it will shoot close to MOA with factory ammo, and better with hand loads.

I would recommend the Ruger and any of the $200ish scopes from Redfield, Nikon, Leupold, and Vortex.

-Jeff
 
Nothing is nicer than sitting with your feet propped up on general store stove with other people willing to share their experience.

Thank you!
 
Visited my local dealer. He had a used M77 with a nice scope in .243 for a very low price.

I see that it is an effective cartridge for deer.

I would consider it except that I am less confident in my own skill. I think a .308 would allow a larger margin of error to take the deer humanely.

Is that a sensible opinion or is a .243 okay.
 
.308 is the parent case of .243.

You get more velocity and a flatter trajectory with the lighter projectile.

It's a well proven affective round for whitetail, and is also very good at predator and varmint hunting.

You need confidence in your shot no matter what you choose. A gut shot deer will run forever regardless of the cartridge. A lung shot with either will provide a humane kill.
 
The 243 is my go-to for white tails. Flat shooting, low recoil, has never even come close to letting me down.
 
I'd recommend the Ruger M77. If you want to go a lil less expensive I'd say Mossberg patriot. I own Ruger American and Mossberg patriot. I'd go patriot over American by far. I love my patriot,,, like my American. Just my opinion
though.

Don't discount the 243 right off. 243 is not quite as "soft" as a lot of people think. It does good damage,,, smaller bullet at high velocity. 308 packs more punch yeah, but 95 or 100gr bullet in 243 does the job well also. Just my ¢2
 
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I've got both the American and a few of the new Hawkeyes .The hawkeye is hands down a better rifle for the long haul and my examples seem to be very accurate.

I haven't t shot the American much but it is light, fast, smooth, and pretty accurate as well.

Cdnn was running a deal recently for a 30-06 in a hogue stock for $429. Otherwise they have a synthetic 308 for $500.

The only other rifle I like as much as the hawkeye is the Howa/weatherby. Both are solid choices.
 
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The Ruger American and Amerian Predator models are hard to beat regarding price and most of them shoot more accurately than you would expect for the price you pay. The problem is the stock is pretty light and some report that the forend contacts the barrel if used on a bipod or a rest when the barrel is supposed to be free floated. I'm sure that the light weight would mean for a heavier felt recoil from all the calibers.

The Ruger Hawkeye has been around in various forms for many years. It's tried and trued, but what I consider to be a little too expensive for what you get when compared with other brands.

Tikka makes a great gun in their T3 line and prices are very reasonable.

Also Browning A-Bolt Hunter is another decent rifle for about the same price as the Ruger Hawkeye.
 
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