Hunting deer in TN: Rifle recommendations

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ComputerFlake

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Ok, here's the deal. I live in Tennessee and I have never hunted anything. I can shoot quite well. I want to buy a rifle (looking at the Remington 700 .308) for shooting at the range but in case I ever decide to shoot at a deer, I want one that I can also use for hunting.

Yeah, I know, I'm a total newb but how else does anyone learn? Have patience with me. I never have had the urge to shoot something when Publix is right down the street but I want to make sure I get a versitile rifle since I buying one. Walmart (stop laughing at me!) has a 700 .308 for a good price and I'm looking at the autoloading model. I don't want to spend $1000 right off the bat since I'm not sure I'll like it. Everyone I've talked to about it says I won't be disappointed no matter what Remington I buy but I'm picky. It's gonna be hard to give up my 9x scoped SKS for a Remington.

Ideas? Comments? Please remember that I'm new at hunting, etc. I've shot every single caliber rifle under the sun (except the .50...I really wanna do that sometime) so I'm not new to shooting. I just want to make sure that this purchase can be used for multiple purposes instead of sitting in the gun safe and rusting silently.

CF
 
What type of terrain.

I hunt in the South East, I have a few rifles.

For brush, pine thickets and clear cut where shots under 50yds are the norm, a lever action between 30-30 and 45-70 with iron sights or ghost rings. Shotguns are good here too.

Longer shots, in old hardwood stands or fields, a scoped bolt action like the .308 you mentioned would be great. I prefer 30-06.
 
And practice...

A box of 20 shells and three shots on a pie plate are not practice.

Shoot and shoot a lot at any varying distances your range allows.

Verify the dependibility of yourself and your rifle.

Read some of the threads about what to carry with you, toilet paper, matches, water, etc. Don't carry too much...but it can mean the difference between misery and a good hunt.

research clothes. I wear wool surplus clothes and a wool blanket poncho when it is really cold out. Don't spend a lot, but be comfortable.
 
I shoot on a TWRA range in Cheatham Co. so I get varying distances. I mostly want something to shoot over 300 yards. I'm not opposed to a bolt action rifle but the autoloading rifle would be more fun on the range.

As for terrain, since I've never been hunting for anything and I don't even know where'd I'd go, I'm unsure about it. I have several clients who hunt and they say it's a blast (pun intended) but I wouldn't even know where to begin. One is a turkey hunter but I have a shotgun in case I ever decide to try that. I'm mostly looking for something to take down big game and more importantly, have some fun at the range.

Versitility is a key here. I want something that can be used in both places that won't dissapoint. I've read several sniper books that swear by the Remington 700 at 30.06 or .308, but I'm also not wanting to look all over the southeast for a rifle. I just want to pick up something locally for a good price and enjoy it in most circumstances.

Thanks for the input!
 
Well, you likely will NOT be disappointed with a Rem 700 in .308 - excellent all purpose hunting and shooting choice - probably the best choice of caliber, and as good as any of rifle - the turnbolt will be more accurate, more durable, and less expensive than a 'sporting' autoloader such as a Rem 7400. But the autoloader works too. A ton of deer and other game have been taken with the .308. I'd say run with a chinaMart Rem 700, Savage 10/11, or Weatherby Vanguard - those 3 are usually in the case for cheap. You're on the right track. Don't get a combo deal (with scope). Get just the rifle, and then get a better scope and rings than come on the package deals. If you're gonna hunt in open country and take 300+ yard shots, then I'd look at a .270 win or .25-06 instead of .308 or .30-06 - better trajectory. If you're gonna shoot just in heavy timber, then you might opt for a .30-30 or .35 Rem levergun instead (or .44 mag, or .357 mag, or .45-70).
 
You knew exactly what I was after. I certainly appreciate your candid response. I'm considering the Rem 700 and an excellent aftermarket scope. I usually just blast the daylights out of clays at 100 yards but I'm wanting something that will work in case I ever go out in the woods with a friend after a deer. Still can't say for sure whether I can look Bambi in the eye and pull the trigger considering the fact I've never even tasted deer meat but it'd be nice to have the option.

Any other comments would be greatly appreciated. Happy hunting!
 
I just picked up a couple weeks ago a Savage Model 12FVXP and I am thrilled with it so far. It only cost me $479 and it came with a decent Simmons 4-12X40 AO scope already mounted and bore sighted. I had it sighted in for me with only 5 rnds and am shooting 1/2" groups @ 100yds. You might want to consider that option as well. It's a varmit model (heavy barrel) bolt action, but as mentioned earlier in this thread, I believe you will see better accuracy out of the bolt action. Anyway, just my $ .02
 
Well I consider deer backstrap to be beyond excellent tasting - comparable to the best kobe beef, and other deer meat to be good to very good, depending on what they've been eating. In order to eliminate most any guilt, make darn sure you know your rifle (as it sounds like you would), have it zeroed, know your anatomy, distances/trajectories, and take only a good shot - that way you get a humane kill and won't need to track it (and thus risk losing it). Try to get one, eat it, and see how you feel. If you feel guilty, then don't hunt anymore - you've been there; done that. If you like it, then get your lifetime license. Some people are able to shoot turkeys with no problems, but can't shoot doe-eyed (literally) bambi - I understand - to each his own - nothing wrong with that at all.
 
I was looking at an absolutely beautiful 30-06 Ruger (Model 77, I guess) at a store in N GA for $400. I almost bought that rifle just for the wood.

You are on the right track in terms of a rifle. You might want to hit one of the gun shows in the Nashville area such as Bob Pope's show in Smyrna and Bill Goodman's shows at the fairgrounds in Nashville to look around. Those shows are coming up soon. Search the internet for dates (Tennessee gun shows). You can always go to wally world and buy the Remington Model 700.

The 308 is a fine caliber and the Remington Model 700 a suitable fine rifle. I use a 270 Model 700 as my primary deer rifle. I don't know about you, but I don't do that much high power plinking at the range. You have the AK for that already.

If you like the outdoors and you aren't a Sierra Club/Greens Peace type, you will likely love hunting. Lots of deer in your neck of the woods. If you just want to go and get your feet wet, look at the paper company lands west of Nashville where you pay a few bucks for a "permit" and can go just about anywhere on their property. I believe this stuff is on the TWRA web site.
 
I'm a fairly new member of this forum (which is excellent and full of knowledgeable members) but I've hunted a bit in my day. Your initial thought of selecting a Rem 700 is an excellent start; the thing is, you can easily be overwhelmed by the variety of options. One thing first -- you mentioned the option of choosing an autoloader because it would be fun to shoot on the range. I personally have no bias against autoloaders, but I have never been impressed with their accuracy. And if you were to try a 300-yard shot (also referred to in your post), I don't think I would have great confidence in an autoloader. In my own experience, the best accuracy I have seen in an autoloader is in the Browning BAR, but you're talking about more money in terms of purchase price.

The Rem 700 is a fine start. Also, consider a Tikka (a division of Sako, now the both are owned by Beretta.) Tikka is built with most all of the components and manufacturing standards of the much more expensive Sako, but at a fraction of the cost. Today, I completed a transaction on gunbroker.net, where I bought a new in the box Tikka lite in 7mm-08 for $435 with free shipping. And I believe that most of the members of this forum that praise the ballistics of the .308 Win will acknowledge that the ballistic co-efficient and inherent accuracy potential of the 7mm-08 is pretty much equal to the .308.

I hope you find a rifle that you are happy with on the first try, but if you don't, I hope you will discover (as I have) that looking for that next rifle is a lot of fun in its own right.

By the way, if you have any qualms about shooting that deer when the time comes, keep in mind that they're rude to one another, they fight over each other's women, and they tear up the front of hundreds of automobiles.

Mark
 
CF,

If you'd like, we can hit the range together some time and I'll let you try my Remington 700P.

I work weekends, as I'm a chef, but I'm sure we can work out something. In fact, if you're not busy Wednesday, I'm planning to go out to Owl Hollow for awhile with a friend. It's south of Nashville, off of I-65, near exit 61. If you can't make that, I might be able to make it out to Cheatham on Saturday for awhile. I plan to hit the gunshow at the fairgrounds first thing in the morning, and don't have to be at work in Franklin until 5. I might be able to squeeze in some range time between 12 and 2-ish.

Frank
 
Geez, you guys rock. I appreciate all of the exceptional information.

I'm going to browse a few gun shops this week (in between service calls at work...I love my job) and "feel" a few Remingtons. I certainly would like to fire your 700, Vet. I was actually planning on going to the gun show to pick up some ammo for the SKS before going out to the Cheatham Range about the same time you mentioned. I'll be the guy wearing the gray Predators shirt and jeans. Come over and say hi. My name is Greg.

I also shoot with a few friends like mwithers so you'll get to meet a few other shooters as well, providing Mark can stop by. Maybe someone can give me some insight into hunting. I've seen the trophies and heard the stories but no one has ever taken the time to explain it to me. I have no problem killing for food but the intricacies have always eluded me. My dad never hunted but he owned plenty of revolvers and taught us to shoot when we were young. I just never got the chance to take the next step and where does a person begin? It's not like learning to ride a bike.

Thanks for the info, gang, and for being patient with a newbie.
 
Check out the gun show at Nashville fairgrounds this weekend and Smyrna gun show next weekend. The second one is the larger. I won't be there: I will be in the Peoples State of California.

Drakejake
Nashville
[email protected]
 
I know Mark. We've been shooting together quite a few times. He owns a couple of guns which were once mine.

Maybe I'll run into at the show Saturday. If not, I'll see you at the range.

Frank
 
Thought I would add a few things. I will probably go to the Bob Pope show. Basically look at the rifle that you are comfortable with and for maximum flexibility look at the standard calibers such as 270 win, 30-06, 308 win, and perhaps a 7mm although a tad big. Skip the new short magnums and anything that has the word "magnum" as part of the caliber name. 7mm-08 is a good caliber too. Don't go any smaller than a 243 if you are leaning toward a smaller caliber.

You might also look at some diagrams on bullet placement on deer although I would expect that you know all of that stuff.

Begining to hunt for the first time can be a little over whelming. Don't get too hung up on the rifle, but I suggest bolt actions. You won't go wrong with the standard calibers mentioned above. The hard part is finding a place to go if you don't have friends that hunt. Look at the paper company land. Some is leased up to clubs such as Bowater land. Get yourself a Tennessee Atlas & Gazetteer and start going to some of these areas and walk around looking for deer sign, deer, trails, etc. Once you have the area reduced to something managable, get topographic maps to help you learn the lay of the land better and potential hunting spots. The important thing is to take the plunge in an area that has some deer (hence potential for success). Have your hunter orange ready... Cabela's has a really nice vest with a back game pocket (for bulky junk) and side pockets to wear over your regular coat, jacket or whatever. Bass Pro probably has something similar; just sneak over to Opryland area and be prepared to spend some money in that "candy store". I like Cabela's better overall. Guess I'm still a kid and like to get packages in the mail!

Be prepared to deal with the meat once you get one... freezer, give it away, donate it to the needy, and find a butcher who processes deer in your area so you don't have to waste time after you score and risk meat spoilage. I get most of the meat ground into hamburger (mixed with beef or pork fat)... a regular butcher has access to this stuff. Some people that simply process deer don't have the fat to blend with the meat. The ka-bobs are good as are having it made into chopped steak for easy pan frying. Alot of people like the deer sausage.

Have fun.
 
Computerflake, I live down the road in Murfreesboro. The 30-30 is hard to beat for the woods. My hunting area has quite a few open fields. The 243 or 257 Roberts is a good choice. I reload the 257 with Hornady 117 grain Sp.The factory Hornady's are very good factory loads. Byron
 
I want to buy a rifle (looking at the Remington 700 .308) for shooting at the range but in case I ever decide to shoot at a deer, I want one that I can also use for hunting.
Click to expand...

Excellent choice. Good for black bear, mule deer, elk and pronghorn, too, should you take a yen to hunt them.
 
I deer hunt here in North Georgia mand East TN. Lots of deer are taken here every year with 30-30's and 7mm-08's. I deer hunt with a .44 revolver and sometimes a 30-06.
IMHO - the .308 is a Fine choice. Your not going to go wrong with it.

There is a Big Gunshow up in Knoxville this weekend, if you can get up there.
 
300 yards is an exceptionally long shot in East Tn with most whitetail taken under 100 yards (less than 50 commonly) because of the brush. Therefore most everyone I know uses a 30-30 or 270. I do know a couple of guys that use .308 and while it's more gun than you need for whitetail it's very good for heavier game. Be sure to focus on a handy good pointing rifle regardless of what you select or you'll be cussing that lovely long barrel the first time in the woods.
 
Do people actually hunt black bear?

I don't plan on making any deer hunting shots at 300 yards. Those type shots would be for target practice. I still haven't made up my mind about killing an animal yet. It was recommended that I go to Bass Pro Shops (or the like) and get a few books on hunting. I could certainly use the information before I make up my mind.

It sounds like everyone thinks the Remington 700 is a good idea even if no one can agree on the caliber. I guess that will be personal preference. Thanks for the info, gang. This was much more insight than I ever expected.

CF
 
Where do you hunt something like that? Up north? Aren't they protected in TN?

How in the world would you haul something like that out of the woods? Sheesh! :)
 
computer flake PM me and I will get you started sometimes hunting with someone who knows what they are doing can help and I will get you pointed in the right direction half of TN's hunters are over gunned.
 
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