First Deer Rifle, Veterans please give advice

[HOWARD J]

If money is an issue--I would buy a used Winchester 94 in 30/30
I don't think you will find a used Marlin lever gun.
They are a great little brush gun out to 100/150 yds.
Easy to shoot & easy on the body.
Find ammo anywhere.
Later on you can advance to a better weapon
Have fun.......................

 

[THIRTYYACHTSIX]

I like the 30-06 hence the SN lol I bought mine years ago with no regrets, great knock down power with a wide range of grains to choose from. Plus where I live its an easy to find round for $20........ happy hunting

on a side note I know money is tight but remember if you save up and buy something nice it will last you forever and you'll spend way more money on the rounds you put through it

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

stevens 200 in 7mm-08, redfield scope. should be a reliable tackdriver for less than $500

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Of the rifle's you mentioned, I would go with the Savage. I also agree with looking at used stuff first. Check your classifieds in the local paper too.
Any of the calibers you mentioned will be fine for deer hunting. There's certainly nothing wrong with sticking by the old favorites like .30-06, .308, or .270. Personally I'm a fan of the '06, but any of them will work great.

 

[grtwhthntr]

I would pass on the 770, the Edge, and the Mossberg. A savage with accu-trigger is a great low priced rifle. I would also consider the marlin XS7 or XL7 (depending on caliber), and the best rifle in your price range (IMHO) is the T/C Venture. My personal favorite deer caliber is .308, but anything from .243 on up will work fine provided you can hit where you're aiming. I haven't shot a Marlin, but have heard awesome reviews both online and from friends who have them. I have experience with both the Venture and the Savage. Both are great guns with great triggers, but I like the Venture slightly more and it's actually cheaper than the Savage. It has a 1 MOA guarantee and a lifetime warranty. Hard to beat for the price.

 

[[email protected]]

Howdy all, My options: Savage Edge, Mossberg ATR. Remington 770 was one of my options, but I've learned it's a POS. Additionally, what caliber should I go with? My shoulder isn't the concern, my accuracy is. Options: .30-06, .270, .308, .243, and 7mm-08 in the savage. I like the 7mm's ballistics, but ammunition isn't as plentiful and more expensive around here. Thank you all.

Don't know if you bought a rifle yet, but I just got the ATR in 243 3/4" 100 yd. Group factory ammo.No recoil. I wouldn't want to be on the business end of it. Kinda light for mulies ,eastern whitetails should take notice,but chances are their choice-making will be history by the time it becomes an issue to them. My son got the rem. 700 30/06 for $650. With a scope. Our friend got savage for $350 but had to replace the scope.put a Burris on it for $200. Does't shoot as good as the other two.my cousin won weather by vanguard 270 around 400. If you buy it. Throw a good scope on it with rings & base for another $250. Same price range shoots MOA . Get something that you can practice with. 30/06 ammo less than 243 but the 30/06 will go anywhere in North America by changing bullet weight. Just I love 308 family 243 7-08 308 I have an 06 Remington pump that I shoot Rem.125 reduced recoil thru that I would not hesitate to use on anything east of the Mississippi under 200 yards. Good shopping,good shooting.

 

[[email protected]]

I like the versatility of the 06 but then I reload for it. Really all the calibers you mention are good. While the .243 will also double as a fine varmint cartridge it may be a bit small for large mulies. As for the rifle, I'm a solid believer in buying a good used rifle, you can generally pick up a good scoped mid grade rifle for less than a bare new economy grade rifle. There are plenty of nice lightly used Remingtons, Winchesters, Savages, and even Browning BAR MKIIs in the $4-600 range with decent glass.

I was in the market about a year ago and got a nice Winchester M70 .30-06 with a Leupold 3x9 for $425

You stole it for a fee!

 

[[email protected]]

$500+ is past my 15 year old paycheck

Used marlin 30/30

 

[stsimons]

I would look really hard at the Marlin XL/XS guns. I have an XS7 in 7mm-08 and for the money (paid about $300) it is, IMO, the best thing going in the budget rifle segment. The Savage Stevens 200 is also a solid buy, and it can grow with you. I have seen some amazing builds based on the basic Stevens action.

 

[winchester1886]

When I was a young man back in the70's my father in law told me he would take me deer hunting if I had a rifle. I didn't have a rifle so I ask around.I also had just started a family and I couldn't afford very much. An older gentleman told me if you can only own 1 rifle buy a 30-06.You choices are almost unlimited. a 55gr. from Remington 110,125,150,165,180.200.even 220gr. It will take almost anything in North America,

 

[country boy marksman]

You're 15? So am I! All of these choices are good/excellent, and I am buying a Winchester M70 in .308 soon. I have my own reasons (ammo availability, versatility of the cartridge, reliability of the new m70, etc.), but also because it is a very affordable and good choice as a deer rifle.

Marksman

 

[Dr T]

If you are 15 yrs old and have not done much shooting, get the 243. While the 308 and 30-06 are ultimately more versatile, if you have not done much shooting, you have a very good chance of developing a bad flinch if you start out with one of those. The 270 kicks more than the 243, but less than the 308. I would put it as a second choice if you are comfortable with your ability to handle recoil (If you are learning to shoot a high power rifle, you do not do yourself any favors by trying to be macho). You can't hunt if you can't hit the target.

I learned my lesson on this one nearly 40 years ago. I used a 30-06 when I was 15-18 and ended up flinching so badly I could not hit the broadside of a barn. I bought a 6 mm Rem when I was a sophomore in college in about 1971 and re-learned how to shoot.

I personally think that a Savage with an accu trigger is probably your best buy.

 

[country boy marksman]

my dad shoots a savage with an accutrigger and loves it! That's probably a better choice for a beginner. As to recoil, I suggested .308 because recoil doesn't bother me much, I'm used to it, but yes, a 243 would be better in the area of recoil!

 

[ruger700]

Academy Sports has the Remington 700 ADL in various calibers for 350 plus tax. Excellent rifle at an excellent price. I recommend the 308 due to the availabliliy of ammo and the excellent performance in the field.

 

[txhoghunter]

I would recommend a .270, .308, or a 30-06. All are great calibers with a ride range of ammunition available and are capable of taking most any North American big game with limited recoil (if you get one and it recoils too much throw a limbsaver on and you will be right back in your comfort zone).

The .243 is a great little round, but as has been stated, it will not hit quite as hard as the others.

If you put a limbsaver on the others they will recoil about the same as a .243

 

[Art Eatman]

The OP may well have made a decision by now...