new deer rifle?

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Davek1977

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Ok, so I'm pondering adding another rifle to my inventory. Right now, as far as centerfire goes, I own an AR in 5.56, an AK and SKS in 7.62x39, and a Model 70 in 7mm Mag. I don't "need" a new rifle to do any of the sorts of hunting or shooting I typically do...but I WANT one!!!

Ultimately, I'm looking primarily for a long-range (4-500 yd max) capable, lightweight deer rifle in a rather mild recoiling round. I've shot many a deer successfully with the .243, and that's a consideration, but have been looking more towards the 6.5 Creedmoore, 7mm-08 6.5x55, 260 Rem etc. Not looking to spend a whole lot of money, as this rifle fills more of a "plaything" roll rather than filling any serious "need". Rifles I've been looking at include Howa, Ruger American, or some of the various Savage models. "Package" rifles could be a consideration, so long as the scope is of decent quality (such as the Redfields found paired with some Ruger Americans, or the Nikons found on many Savages). My 7mm has been everything I could ever ask a rifle to be, but as I get older, I've realized I can accomplish everything I need to do with much less noise, weight, and recoil. The rifle will be used almost exclusively for deer hunting (mule deer and whitetail) in SD, where shots from 25 yards to 400 yards are rather commonplace. Any input to help me make my decision?
 
Our of a variety of deer caliber rifles I have, my 7/08 Ruger seems to be the one I reach for most. I shoot a stainless/synthetic Ruger 77, and it is lightweight, very accurate and easy maintenance. It will shoot a 140 Sierra into a tight little group and I really enjoy shooting it. I have shot a lot of deer and hogs with it and would highly recommend it.
 
i like 6.5mm cartridges.. i think they offer the best balance between weight and aerodynamics.. as for the 6.5 creedmore vs .260 remington, a lot of people really like the 6.5 creedmore, but the longer shoulders of the .260 remington would lend itself to better feeding in an automatic

ive even considered rechambering my MAS 49/56 for one of these two
 
Interesting suggestions, but am leaning towards a basic bolt gun. I know that's rather "boring" but am looking for accuracy and economy both in this gun....not out of the ordoinary or "special" just highly functional and capable of serving the purpose I outlined. Other than rarely shooting some prairie dogs or coyotes (targets of opportunity more or less), it will be exclusively a medium to long range "deer rifle".
 
Can you tell us what lightweight is to you? It should help focus the discussion since lightweight means different things to different people.
 
I'm not sure what your budget is, but Tikka's would be worth considering for a lightweight, accurate rifle. I'd also add .270 to your list of possible calibers. It's less of a step down than some of the other listed calibers, but has excellent ballistics and is pretty easy for most people to shoot well.
 
I'm pretty familiar with the .270 as well, but, at least to me, thats getting closer to the area of my 7mm than I want to be. I think I'd prefer a short action rifle, aiming for under 8 lbs scoped and loaded. I've open to considering the Tikka or other rifles as well, but, would LIKE to keep this under $500 total, as again, its more of a toy, a way to play with a new caliber for awhile, than Id consider it an investment or something to pass on for generations. Realistically, experience has shown me a .243 will do anything I'm asking of this rifle, but I have access to one already I can shoot whenever I'd like, and just have a craving for something just a bit different.
 
In that case, it sounds like you're describing the Ruger American predator in 6.5 Creed. Don't have one myself, but folks that do seem to really like them. Alternatively, you might be able to find a regular RAR combo'd with a Redfield Revolution in the same caliber for right around your price range. They picked a good scope to include on combos, I have one on my .243 and think it's pretty tops for the price.
 
Davek1977 said:
I'm pretty familiar with the .270 as well, but, at least to me, thats getting closer to the area of my 7mm than I want to be. I think I'd prefer a short action rifle, aiming for under 8 lbs scoped and loaded. I've open to considering the Tikka or other rifles as well, but, would LIKE to keep this under $500 total, as again, its more of a toy, a way to play with a new caliber for awhile, than Id consider it an investment or something to pass on for generations. Realistically, experience has shown me a .243 will do anything I'm asking of this rifle, but I have access to one already I can shoot whenever I'd like, and just have a craving for something just a bit different.
Click to expand...
Well you want a short action rifle. You have a 7mm Remington Magnum and a 7.62 x 39 which is about like a 30-30 in that it's a 200 yard gun overall. A short action takes you out of the 30-06 spawns but leaves some pretty decent cartridges, like the spawns of the 308 Winchester. Cartridges like the 260 Remington, 7mm-08 Remington and 243 Winchester all come to mind and of course their parent cartridge, the 308 Winchester. There are also chamberings like the 6.5 x 55 Swede to consider. My choice would be a 260 Remington or call it a 6.5 - 08 ot the 7mm - 08 Remington. While none of these offer up the case volume of the 30-06 family they do offer the short action you mentioned. Looking at your price range? Maybe a Savage or Ruger will get you where you want to be.

Ron
 
I like all the 308-derived options (7mm-08, .243, .260) as well as the 6.5 Creedmoor.

You can get Savage model 11s with a Nikon scope for about 500. I'd probably get the .260 or 6.5 Creedmoor for your application because I'm just not a fan of 7mms with less than a 1:9 twist barrel or 6mms with less than a 1:8 twist. On the 6.5mms, Savage does a 1:8 twist which is sensible.

Long range generally benefits from a heavy, high-BC bullet and that means a fast twist rate. In the 6.5mm options, I'd target the 140gr accubond if you want a premium bullet, and the 140 Sierra game king if you want a conventional bullet.
 
Incidentally, if you don't reload the .260 has a substantial advantage in terms of hunting ammo over the 6.5 Creedmoor. Pretty much Hornady is the only one supporting the 6.5 Creedmoor for some reason.
 
With what you already have, I would suggest something along the lines of a bolt action .243 Win or .257 Roberts.

You have the small caliber covered with the .223 and the magnum covered with the 7-mag. The 7.62x39 is about on par with a .30-30 so I think the .243 or similar powered round is what I would go for next.
 
Right now, due to the Ruger American not being available in .260 Rem, the Savage in .260 is looking like quite a contender at the moment. I don't "own" a .243 already, but have access to one anytime I want it, in my father's 70's vintage 700 BDL.
 
Choice of cartridge has a great deal to do with where you are.
One commercial hunting rifle is pretty much the same as the next. Look at ballistics charts and pick the flattest shooting deer cartridge.
 
The .260 is an excellent choice in that power range as well.
I've never had any personal experience with it but I've never once heard anyone who owns one have a single complaint.
 
I have a model Seven in 7-08 that would do what your asking also have a few 308 rifles that would as well and everyone should have at least one 308.
 
Davek1977;

I'll suggest taking a good long look at the 6.5 Swede. There are several good modern rifles available in the cartridge these days, although I don't think any of the bargain-basement offerings are. It's one of the original Mauser designs & one of the best IMHO. I hunt elk with mine every year & don't think I'm under-gunned.

900F
 
I shoot a 270 and some years back I bought a .260 Ruger 77 for my boys to hunt with. I load 120 grain Gamekings at about 2950 fps. That rifle is gentle to shoot, accurate, and kills the crap out of big mule deer, I mean really does a job on them. And I just love that it doesn't boot the heck out of you. If somehow my .270 was lost, I'd get a .260 or 7mm-08. Great round. Buddy of mine bought his daughter a 7-08 and they've taken a couple elk with it, no problem.

My son with his .260 put this one down, one shot at 360 yards.

DSCN1724.jpg
 
Becoming more and more enamored with the .260 idea. I'm not a reloader, and it DOES seem that 7mm-08 ammo is, on average, more economical. However, realistically, a dedicated "deer rifle" isn't going to be seeing thousands of rounds downrange, so I'm trying not to let that be a major factor in my decision process. Looks like if I act fairly quick, I can snag a SAvage with the Nikon package at about $500, which doesn't include a $50 rebate.
 
Ruger American. I like the Predator version and it is offered in 6.5 Creedmore, basically the same as 260.

For game deer size you don't NEED anything larger than 243 and it is readily available and cheaper than the 6.5's or 7-08. If you hand load or don't mind working a bit to find ammo either will work.

Don't forget 308. It is another good choice with readily available, reasonably priced ammo.

My 308 Predator and a 200 yard target. It is relatively lightweight, 7 lbs as shown. The rifle was $400.

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My 10 year old shot his first dear this year with my kimber 270 WSM. One shot kills on every deer so far for us at ranges from 30 yd to 400+. Load is 130 gr. Sierra RL19 powder. This rifle is a short action, scoped and loaded is light enough that my 10 year old preferred it over a 16" lightweight delton middy. The recoil seems pretty light to me, and my son, being used to his 20 ga shotgun agrees. The only downside is the rifle only holds four. I have been hunting and shooting for 33 years, and in that time owned probly over 50 firearms. For bolt action I prefer my Kimber 270 WSM over anything I have tried. Mine is a Classic. Not a select.
 
Given that you don't reload, I'd consider the 243 over the 260. I know 243 is not as exciting as 260, but there are a lot more varieties of ammo available (53 for the 243 vs 19 for the 260 vs 7 for the 6.5 Creedmoor based on Midway's website), it cost less, it's easier to sell if you decide you don't want the rifle one day, and it should kill deer just as dead. People often overlook sell-ability when buying new, because you assume you'll never sell it (why else would you be buying it right?) But, I have fallen out of love with a few of my rifles, and I'm happy that they are chambered in 223, 7.62x39, or 308 Winchester. Selling those at a gun show would be easy; I'm not so sure how easy it would be if they were chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5x55, or 7x57.
 
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