Budget Deer Rifle

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I am looking for a starter deer rifle. My budget is approximately $350, but there is a catch. I am a southpaw, so for the most part, bolt action is out of the question. I have been considering either a mossberg 464 lever in 30-30 or a SKS to eventually customize. I have hunted this particular game before, but i am getting sick of having to break my stance to operate the borrowed bolt action. I am not set on either of my options. so any advice is greatly appreciated.
 
I would look around for a good used 336 Marlin or Winchester 94(hard to find Winchesters cheap anymore). Maybe a Remington 760/7600 pump if you wanted something more than .30-30 power.
 
id get a marlin 336 or 30aw (cheap version) the .30-30 is great. people talk about it being weak but you need to remember people hunted elk to near extinction using the .30-30.

another great multi purpose gun is a 12 gauge pump. if you can find an 870 or 500 with a rifled barrel and a smooth barrel you are set for both bird and deer hunting for not much money used
 
My brother is lefty and still prefers a right handed bolt gun. He had a left handed bolt gun briefly but sold it and went back to the right handed guns because he was used to them.

If you choose a model with a tang safety such as Browning, Savage/Stevens, or the older Rugers it is no problem at all. You just work the bolt with the hand that would normally be on the forend.

If you don't want to go that route I'd look at an older Marlin or Winchester without the crossbolt safety. Don't forget about the Remington 7600 pumps. They can often be picked up used for very little and can be used equally well left or right handed.
 
The Mossberg 464 is a great rifle if you want to buy new. A used Marlin 336 would work equally well, or a Winchester 94 if you don't need to scope it. As far as the SKS, they will work ok as a deer gun, but are far more reliable in their original configuration, most problems arise after someone has "customized" them.
 
Marlin xl7 with a bargin scope.
Maverivk 88 12 gauge shotgun, stock with slugs. $175.00 this shotgun works great with 3" remington slugs. Just ask the 7 pointer that droppef on the spot.

Thete are a ton of options fot $350 or less.
 
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thanks

Thanks for all the feedback! I am leaning toward one of the marlins or the like as the better choice. At the ranges i took all my deer, it should be fine. I did use a right handed bolt for my first couple years, but it was just too awkward. I am sure that with much practice I could handle it, but why not spend the money on something that will work considerably easier for me. As too the pump action rifle, I just am not able to get my head around that idea at this point, so i think i would rather work with something i would feel confident with. As to slugs, I do have an 870 Express Magnum, (does that even work as a slug gun?) and the thought did cross my mind, but i have no idea how it would handle. As for sights, I was leaning towards aperature or maybe a low power fixed scope, probably no larger than 2-3x. What about mounting a low power pistol scope as a long eye relief on a marlin or the like?

Maybe I should just try and knock em dead with my Nagant pistol! :D :chuckle:
 
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Where do you live? In many places, the .30-30 will do fine, and left-handed operation is no hindrance. The Savage 99 and Browning BLR are also fine lefty choices, and they should give you more caliber choices, but a bit more spendy.

A good used left-handed bolt would pretty much be your only other option in the price range you mentioned. That Ruger 77 in .30-06 mentioned above would be a prime choice.

My brother hunts with a Savage left-handed bolt in .308. Loves the rifle, uses it for deer and elk.
 
I live in the east river portion of SD. I don't have the greatest accuracy as of yet, so being able to hit anything outside the range of a 30-30 is pretty unlikely anyway. The lever action style has always been a favorite of mine, so if I can find one I will probably snap it up. Thanks for the suggestions, i will look into those as well.
 
Do not listen to these other LH posters who are telling you to get a RH bolt... not good advice. Your better off starting out on a lever if you can't find/afford a LH. It took me years until I found a descent 700LH for a good price. I have a marlin 336 and a Redhawk for the very reason you posted. I think the Marlin 336 is a good choice for deer, with or without a scope.
 
Hard to imagine a more classic deer gun than a Marlin 336 or a Winchester 94. 30-30 should do the trick.
 
I have a soft spot for Remington M-141 pumps in .35 Rem for that kind of hunting. Light and fast handling, and cycles much faster than any lever.
 
Left handed lever

My 70's era Win 94 throws the empties out of the top and they land at my feet. My Rossi 92 threw them out over the muzzle. This makes me wonder if top eject is more left friendly. It is my personal opinion fhat putting a scope on a lever action is like putting a saddle on a hog.
 
I'm with Z71, I'd consider looking for a used Remington 760 or 7600. A left-handed bolt action would certainly be a great choice also, if you could find one used, but might be hard to find. I only recall ever seeing one or two used in the gun shops I regularly visit. My 760 in 3006 shoots more accurately than either my Marlin 336 or my Winchester 94 30-30's, shoots flatter/hits harder (of course) and is stocked in a manner that is more accommodated for scope usage (at least for me) than my Marlin. The 760 isn't perfect, it doesn't have the best trigger (but mine is tolerable) and some rattle a bit but it will do the job very well. The 336 and the 94 are both great guns within their range limits and have been getting the job done forever. But, if I was a lefty with $350 to spend on one deer rifle and especially if I hunted in an area where 200 or 250 yard shoots were a possibility, a used 760 would probably be the one. Oh, and by the way, as far as the SKS is concerned, it will certainly kill a deer, with the right bullet, out to a hundred yards or so but if I was seriously looking for a deer rifle and not a range plinker/zombie killer that could pass for a deer rifle in a pinch, I'd forget the SKS.
 
Oh, and by the way, as far as the SKS is concerned, it will certainly kill a deer, with the right bullet, out to a hundred yards or so but if I was seriously looking for a deer rifle and not a range plinker/zombie killer that could pass for a deer rifle in a pinch, I'd forget the SKS.
Click to expand...

Very good point.

35W
 
I'm a huge Ruger M77 fan and would strongly recomend that or another lefty bolt as the best option presented above. A Ruger #1 would be an outstanding choice as well, but not in the budget you have to work with.

Beyond that, I noticed you have a Remington 870 already so a Remington pump rifle should be a great choice as well.
 
My son in a lefty and has a savage left handed bolt action 270, if I remember correctly it was in that price range. Its been a good gun.
 
I am a left handed shooter. Get a used left handed bolt action or a new savage. Right handed rifles and most lever action have a right hand cast. You should be able to find something on gunbroker in your price range.
 
Here in the county that I live in in central New York, I have to use a slug gun, center fire rifles are not allowed. I've got an 870 express magnum with a rifled barrel, so basically I've got a .50 caliber rifle that is accurate out to about 100 yards with the right ammo (sabot slugs). Mine likes the Remington Copper Solids best. I put a red dot scope on it last year, but I shot with iron sights before that with success. A smooth bore deer barrel or even bird barrel with the right choke will work if you're shooting within 50 yards with rifled lead slugs. So basically you've already got the budget deer rifle. If I were in your position, I'd use the 870 until I could afford the "right" new or used rifle.

I bought a Thompson Center Icon in .308 this spring and I LOVE it. It's a very accurate weapon, but about 3 times the cost that you're looking at plus you'll need to put a scope on it. Now that said, if you can afford to spend $500, T/C makes another bolt gun they call "Venture" that also promises to deliver sub-MOA accuracy.

One friend of mine just bought a Rossi single shot, break action rifle that cost around $300 or so new. That was his answer to a budget deer rifle. It came stock with fiber optic iron sights, but he put a 3-9 x 40 scope on it.

Honestly I prefer to hunt with a rifle with friends that live where rifles are allowed because of the extra accuracy and range. If you can use a rifle that's the way to go. In my opinion the shotgun should only be used where it's the only lawful firearm allowed or if you can't afford to purchase a rifle.

Good hunting.
 
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