It's interesting to read how people have changed their "go to" I expected to see a bunch of tactical house clearing comments, glad this isn't. I've been giving a lot of thought to my 'deer rifle' selection this year, in a year that I'm not going hunting. I thought it was more a nostalgia thing with me lately, I've been a little choked up about skipping deer hunting this year... I've been a little emotional about it, and have actually sat down writing my memories about deer hunting with the three generations of men before me.
For years I used a 7400 .243 with a tasco 3-9x40. There's allot of story and sorrow with this rifle, I still have it but it doesn't get much use. I've taken many, many deer, fox, coon, coyote and assorted critters with it, love the rifle and it was my first, I'll keep it forever, but it may just sit in a pelican forever as well.
Went strong man tactical to a DMPS TAC-20 .308 (too heavy) love the rifle, it got caught in every branch and thicket, just not a "good" hunting rifle in my humble opinion.
Changed to a Remmy 700 PSS 26" .308 with a mil dot Nikon, in a custom traditional walnut stock (great target gun, too heavy still and not ideal for the thickets).
Changed to a Remmy 700 30-06 BDL 22" barrel with a detachable mag & bdc Nikon, which has suited me well and I have no reason to change... except I inherited a Ruger and a Winchester?
I used my Great Grandfathers Savage 30-06 for a few days, except I paid a great deal to have it refinished and spent more time guarding it from getting scratched by branches and buttons than actually looking for deer.
I'm considering my Fathers Ruger M77 .270 as next years deer rifle, some what for nostalgia and some what because I have my eyes set on another M77 .270 to use as a 'truck gun' after the current owner finishes his deer season with it. Kind of thinking a "light" close range and the other with a larger scope and bi-pod. I've had good luck with the .270 round from the bench and from across the fields and it seems to have stayed on the shelf at Walmart even through the 'ammo hording craze'. Having two of the same rifles set up just a little different seems like a good idea, little more option when hunting different terrain, keeps the same caliber and keeps the same 'feel'.
I inherited my Grandfathers Winchester pre-64 mod 70 a while back, in .270 and a book by Jack O'Conner... that turned me on to the .270 and the smooth action of the Ruger and Winchester pre-64's has me hooked.
Hopefully one of y'all understand this... my wife thinks I'm worse that a woman trying to pick out shoes.
For years I used a 7400 .243 with a tasco 3-9x40. There's allot of story and sorrow with this rifle, I still have it but it doesn't get much use. I've taken many, many deer, fox, coon, coyote and assorted critters with it, love the rifle and it was my first, I'll keep it forever, but it may just sit in a pelican forever as well.
Went strong man tactical to a DMPS TAC-20 .308 (too heavy) love the rifle, it got caught in every branch and thicket, just not a "good" hunting rifle in my humble opinion.
Changed to a Remmy 700 PSS 26" .308 with a mil dot Nikon, in a custom traditional walnut stock (great target gun, too heavy still and not ideal for the thickets).
Changed to a Remmy 700 30-06 BDL 22" barrel with a detachable mag & bdc Nikon, which has suited me well and I have no reason to change... except I inherited a Ruger and a Winchester?
I used my Great Grandfathers Savage 30-06 for a few days, except I paid a great deal to have it refinished and spent more time guarding it from getting scratched by branches and buttons than actually looking for deer.
I'm considering my Fathers Ruger M77 .270 as next years deer rifle, some what for nostalgia and some what because I have my eyes set on another M77 .270 to use as a 'truck gun' after the current owner finishes his deer season with it. Kind of thinking a "light" close range and the other with a larger scope and bi-pod. I've had good luck with the .270 round from the bench and from across the fields and it seems to have stayed on the shelf at Walmart even through the 'ammo hording craze'. Having two of the same rifles set up just a little different seems like a good idea, little more option when hunting different terrain, keeps the same caliber and keeps the same 'feel'.
I inherited my Grandfathers Winchester pre-64 mod 70 a while back, in .270 and a book by Jack O'Conner... that turned me on to the .270 and the smooth action of the Ruger and Winchester pre-64's has me hooked.
Hopefully one of y'all understand this... my wife thinks I'm worse that a woman trying to pick out shoes.
