Need deer rifle advice

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I fail to understand why anyone would cheap out on a scope when really, really good ones are available in the $300 range. There is a thread in the Optics forum about Leupold VX3’s in the $300 range.

I’ve had cheap ones fail during the hunt of a lifetime. Cost me a buck that was one of the two biggest ever killed in my state.

Really, what is $100 difference when you’re looking at something you may have 20, 30, 40 years? When my wife and I go out to dinner on Saturday night, it’s not uncommon to spend $50-75 for a dinner for two. And that’s just Texas Roadhouse or Red Lobster.
 
If you haven't shot many rifles in the past, start with a mild(er) recoiling caliber, anything from 243 upto 7mm-08. Flinching a 30-06 isn't going to be enjoyable to practice enough so you can humanely put meat in the freezer.
 
I fail to understand why anyone would cheap out on a scope when really, really good ones are available in the $300 range. There is a thread in the Optics forum about Leupold VX3’s in the $300 range.

Agree, the Leupold VX-Freedom (comes with extra freedom), Nikon Prostaff, Burris Fullfield, Bushnell Legend, Vortex Diamondback 3-9x40s and a bunch of others too are just $200 bucks give or take. I still often hear it but don't think the old "you should spend as much on the scope as you do on the rifle" need apply in 2018.
 
Thinking of folks who can't understand using budget scopes reminds me of one gun shop guy who got really mad at me because I wanted iron sights on my bolt action deer rifle. This was not very long ago, back when Savage still put open sights on the Model 11G. The only reason he was mad was because he didn't get to sell/install bases/rings and charge me an arm and a leg for a scope.
 
Well, thanks again for all the advice & suggestions. Went to a gun show today, and my buddy found a rifle he liked. At first, wasn't sure ( as neither of us know much about this ), so we left without buying. Once we got all the way back home ( about a 30 mile drive ), he decided he wanted it. So back he went. As promised, here are pics of what he finally got. You guys feel free to let us know if we screwed up. He got a used Weatherby Vanguard Deluxe in 270 Winchester. Came with a Burris 3x9/? scope ( not sure which model ). In one of the pics. it looks like there are scuffs on the stock. That is actually his reflection. The wood is just beautiful. No scratches or dings that I saw.
The trigger is fantastic. He paid $650

Tuckerdog1


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Should work fine.
My buddy got his 9 pointer this yr w a .270 win Parker Hale w old Leupold 2-7X.
He used factory 150's.........must have gotten a bunch on sale. Rifle likes em.
Deer was 165# dressed. Told him he might want to try 130's next yr.
 
Looks like a good deal with one really big caveat: please please please urge him to change the recoil pad. It will likely require a gunsmith on the Vanguard unless one of you is good with projects like this (it’s glued and screwed in place).

Anyway that solid pad can make a .270 feel like a much stouter caliber.
 
Nice wood. Nothing wrong with a .270 as such that I know of. Find a load... anything from 110gr to 150gr... this rifle performs with and stick with it.

I also agree with upgrading the recoil reduction. No need in beating yourself up at the range. Shooting guns is supposed to be enjoyable.
 
Deer Rifle = 30-30. For no scope
Deer Rifle = 30\06. Scoped
The are a hundred more that work but these 2 are deer rifles.
The others are just rifles that will also work .I like 45colt and 454casull and have matching revolvers.
Deer camp,Grandpa passing “THE RIFLE DOWN”. Whenever someone says deer rifle 30-30 or 30/06 will cover any hunting a person needs.They are the DEER RIFLE.
But most of us can’t stop there can we.
 
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Holy cannoli that's a beautiful rifle. I went to a show today and saw nothing that nice. Your friend did well.

At the price paid that leaves enough in the budget for ammo too.
 
I mention the recoil pad because of my “little” cousin. Yes he’s been bigger than me for some time. He’s broken more than two dozen bones earning 5 black belts in various martial arts. A few of those bones were his own. As you can see below he is not a small guy.

Long story short he inherited his father’s .308 from me and it too included a solid pad. He being an inexperienced shooter, I gave him some instruction at the range and fired a few rounds for demonstration. It was, in short, unnecessarily harsh and he was more than willing to concede part of his half of the box of ammo to me.

He wanted a nostalgic experience but instead got a harsh dose of reality. My lack of foresight in addressing that recoil pad was a mistake I hope others won’t make.

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Your friend did well. That gun should serve for many years. We'll be interested to hear how it shoots.
 
Some of the old pads were more for keeping the gun from sliding on the shoulder, not much for helping w recoil.
I find the old Remington magnum BDL pads to work well for me.
Do not care for the new R3 (or whatever its called) soft cell pads. They might help more with recoil but feel squishy and look cheap.
A Pachmayr decelerator is a good looking pad that works well enough.

I shoot Rem 760 in .30-06 w a buttplate and T shirt. It aint bad at all. 150's.
Buddy's hot rodded .270 BDL gave me a bit of a click, but it too had a butt plate, no pad at all.
I wasn't used to shooting bigger centerfires then but acclimated rather quickly.

I'm about 185#, almost 6 ft tall. Standard stuff from Big Green fits me well.
Being on the thinner side (used to be, adding a few as yrs go)...........I don't have as much meat or fat on my shoulder.
Guns stay put.
I don't have an "intermediate sliding surface".

Coworker got a 300 winmag 77MK2. Claimed it a thumper. After load development and shooting for a couple months he declared it no big deal.
He got his elk w one good shot too.
You can get used to stuff, as long as you ease into it.
Cheek busting and scope brow are the worst.
Shoulders can take some bump.
Proper bench form goes a ways into reducing felt recoil too.
Plus they make absorbers that you can put between you and the gun (Past shield).

BTW, when hunting there probably will be some added clothing to help act as a recoil pad.
And when shooting at critters the recoil just makes the scope move ;)
 
Personally, I'd shoot that rifle w 130 and see how it does, how it feels.
It may not need any modification.
Having a pad installed, last I checked (couple yrs ago) was pad and fitting, about 90 bucks.
He might be able to buy a used factory synth stock for that off an auction site (maybe w better pad).
 
https://www.savagearms.com/firearms/centerfire/model-110/110-apex-hunter-xp Keeping it simple. This rifle package is complete, ready to go. I'd go with .243, 6.5Creedmore or .270, depending on his recoil tolerance. All common calibers these days, plenty of power for deer with lots of ammunition choices. Quality scope ready to go. A good tool for a first deer rifle. All business that will do the job with no frills, and well within the stated budget.
^^^I like these toughts..A good used rifle will also fill the need. For me, with this hunting location/size of game, I would go with .243 to .308 calibers. Watch the used rifle market around your area..YES, you DO want to inspect a used rifle!!
Hard to beat (and usually easy to find) a good used Remington 700, or Savage 110/112 series rifle in this caliber range. I would pay $400.00-$500.00 for rifle, and then add a GOOD quality Leopold or Vortex NEW scope that fits the shooter/area to be hunted..Just my thoughts..Their worth what you paid for them...Bill.
 
He saved about $200 on the rifle , from buying new and then add in the savings of scope and rings . I think he did good , if that is what he really wanted . The .270 is an excellent deer caliber .
 
^^I like these toughts..A good used rifle will also fill the need. For me, with this hunting location/size of game, I would go with .243 to .308 calibers. Watch the used rifle market around your area..YES, you DO want to inspect a used rifle!!
You do realize he already bought a rifle?

Looks like a nice rig. .270 should be adequate for whatever he’s gonna Hunt.

About the recoil pad....I used to shoot groundhogs with my uncles .270 when I was in high school. He had it loaded real hot, and the recoil was unpleasant to say the least. I put a Pachmyer on a .45-70 lever gun and it really tamed recoil.

My current deer rifle is a 7 Mag, which should have considerably more recoil than yours. It has a really squishy foam pad from the factory and recoil is quite tolerable
 
I have a 7mm Remington Browning BLR that is just downright unpleasant to shoot off of anything but a Lead Sled. It has a pretty squishy recoil pad, but it still hurts.
 
Great buy :thumbup:

My father in law hunts with a vanguard delux in 270 win just like that. His is a superb shooting rifle. He’s killed over 100 deer with it.
 
Have always had neck issues/headaches.
Older and more frail, I can shoot boomers but they make me cranky.
I'd proly draw the line at 7 mag now.
And then only if going after elk.
Dunno why, but I like short action cartridges/rifles.
But may end up getting a .30-06 for my out west rig.
.270/.30-06..............boring old cartridges that just work.
 
.30-06...have had three, a 760 and two 742's.
Shooting 150's they were all comfy (even the buttplate 760).
I have an old 760 in .35 rem so am not looking for a 30 cal in same (unless maybe a .300 savage).
If a 7400 in .30-06 comes along, or a Model Four ;)...........might go that route.
Heck I dunno, aint that picky.
Bad headache today, did not go north to rifle shop.
 
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