suggestion for first deer rifle

[grampster]

An associate of mine wants to buy a firearm for hunting white tails for her 19 year old son. Hunting in Michigan which will be oak forest, pines, brushy bottomland and small meadows and fields and along powerlines,gas lines and combination of all of the above.

I am opting for simplicity and ease of operation, ability to find ammo widely and inexpensively, lightweight, and accurate up to about 100 yds or so.

I would suggest a .30/.30 lever action Winchester or Marlin with a 4X scope.

Any suggestions?

grampster

 

[pytron]

Well, I'm a newbie (this is my second year hunting), but my first deer rifle was/is a .30-30 lever action with a 4x side-mounted scope.

I like the .30-30 because it doesn't have as much recoil as the .30-06 and it still works just fine on deer. I wouldn't mind having a bolt-action though, as it can be kind of difficult to find all the rounds after extracting them (I usually only use two or three, but still) when you are crossing a fence or other barrier. That's my only complaint though.

-Pytron

 

[nygunguy]

I've always been thankful that I started out PA deer hunting with a M94 in .30/.30 and a 20GA bolt action for NYS. My Dad wouldn't allow me to use a scope. This forced me to HUNT for the animals not just get in position for a shot. In my opinion your choice is a good one, but I'd forgo the scope.

Personally, my next deer rifle will probably be one of those new Marlin lever guns in .44MAG.

 

[Al Thompson]

What's her budget?

 

[ojibweindian]

Marlin or Winchester is a good choice.

A Handi-Rifle is another option, either in .243 or 7mm-08.

I use a Yugo M48A. A little heavy, but it mitigates stout loads rather well.

 

[ACP230]

There's nothing wrong with a lever 30:30, but I know a lot of hunters who have gone from them to some kind of bolt action in a caliber with more ranging ability.

What about one of those Savage 110 package deals? The price is a bit more, but a scope is included.

I'd be inclined to get one in .308 these days. Lots of cheap ammo around for practice, lots of brass if the kid takes up reloading, good bullets too.

 

[shaynster]

Another vote for a .308 bolt action.

 

[TargetShooter2]

deer rifle

Hello

I would say 308 or 270 as i have used both from heavy cover to long range
for myself the 270 with the 130 grn is hard to beat for a good all around rifle , this buck was took on 11-15-2003 at 125 yds with the Savage in 270 .

TS2

 

[Bob F.]

NICE deer! Probably vote for the Marlin lever, a little heavier to lessen thump, receiver sight or scout scope. Second choice .308 bolt. Nothing at all wrong with a .270 though, super round!

 

[OH25shooter]

For what you described, I would suggest you look at the Remington Model Seven in .243. Not much kick and it's carbine length. That's want I use for whitetail. Loaded with Federal 100 grain Sierra Gameking BTSP (P243C). Only had one out of six run off where I couldn't find it. And, mine is very accurate at your 100 yard suggested limit. Of course, you must still consider shot placement.

P.S. Targetshooter2, that is one of the best bucks I've seen. Nice shot!

 

[WYO]

My mentor always told me to carry a rifle that can handle the farthest shot I could make under the field conditions I may face. When I see the words "power lines" and "gas lines" I think of potential long shots. While a .30-30 is a great woods gun, it can be really disappointing to see something that you know you could reach if you had brought a different rifle. I know, because that happened to a lot of my hunting buddies who carried their Marlin and Winchester .30-30's religiously. I am a fan of the 7mm-08 for deer, but there are a lot of calibers that can do the job.

 

[keano44]

Don't mean to hijack the thread; but, Targetshooter2, that is an awesome buck! Please tell us more, I need details!

 

[muleshoe]

My Pa bought me my first big game rifle when I was 14, it was a .270 so I'm a bit partial. Some of the super mags can stretch the killing range a bit beyond, but I'd think you'd be hard pressed to find a better all around deer caliber than a .270winnie. And despite some contrary belief, the kid can easily step up to elk sized critters with that same rifle. Sounds as if it'll be his only big game rifle so I'd go thataway.

I've never owned one, but from what I've read that 7mm-08 sounds as if it'd be a nifty deer shooter also.

TS2, that's a mighty fine buck!! I hope to find one like that up in my neighborhood this winter. I'd guess in the 160-170 point range?

 

[Coltdriver]

I would suggest that you check the Michigan DNR web page.

I just read that the Michigan DNR limits the rifle type in different parts of the state. You may be limited to shotguns and or black powder guns depending on where you want to hunt in Michigan.

 

[MeekandMild]

Between your two choices I would pick the Marlin. If you want another caliber you might consider the Marlin in a 35 Remington, which will knock the socks off a whitetail at 100 yards range with its 200 gr bullet.

Considering other caliber suggestions already made I'd vote for a .243 or a .270 Win, using a Savage bolt action.

One warning, make sure that if she gets a .270 it is a real .270 and not the short magnum. I have a friend whose not a gunny who recently bought a .270 WSM (didn't know it was a short magnum) and found he couldn't chamber a .270 cartridge. He sent the gun back to the factory for repairs and got a polite note back saying it was in perfect working order and an explanation about its caliber...

 

[SteveS]

Coltdriver beat me to it. Rifles are ok in the U.P. and the northern part of the L.P., but you'll have to use a shotgun or muzzleloader in the southern part. The DNR site has a map that shows this. As for a .30-.30, I read somewhere that this round has killed more deer in MI than any other. I don't know how true this is, but I see a lot of .30-.30's at various hunting camps I visit during deer season.

 

[marineman227]

270

My first gone was a .270 winchester and i have to say that when i was 14 it was perfect for me. Now i'm 18 and it's still perfect for me. It has enough power for deer and pretty good range as well. It also has less kick than some of the other guns i've shot (especially daddy's 30-06) very good overall gun for the beginner shooter and hunter

 

[P95Carry]

Plenty of suggestions already but ..... would suggest also consideration of .....

Remington Gamemaster 760 ... 4 shot mag, pump. I have one in .308 as #1 deer rifle ... and a buddy at club has the .270 version.

Forget the 7600 .. I don't think it is as good ... and tho the 760 was brought out way back (60's IIRC) .... there are some around on the used market and IMO well worth trying to get.

Mine has a Bushnell 3 - 9x on it and shoots remarkably well .. plus, it is a light enough gun to tote all day.

 

[Tommy Gunn]

.30-30 Winchester = Deer Rifle.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Sooo tired...

I'm keeping this short. Cuz it's late. .308 bolt rifle. Both my younger brother and I got those for first deer rifles. Me, Remington 700ADL (package ~$600). Him, Savage...something (package ~$430). Both good rifles. Mine has two deer to it's credit already. Both one shot, one kill at about 150 yards. His has none, but that's cuz he hasn't seen anything. .308 is very comfortable to shoot and will be a good general purpose round. MY exhausted, incoherent $2*10^-2...

 

[Slingster]

My standard recommendation for a first deer rifle is a .260 Remington in a compact, lightweight carbine, topped with a fixed 2.5X or 4X compact scope, depending on expected normal hunting ranges: short action, low recoil, ample range, easy to tote, and 140-grain factory loads are deadly on deer.

With handloading, 100 or 125-grain Nosler Partitions will kill deer very efficiently with low meat damage. Very versatile with lighter bullets available for varmints, and heavier bullets up to 160 grains for game up to moose. Even match bullets are available if one leans toward target shooting between hunting seasons.

 

[stevelyn]

Another vote for the .30-30 and lose the scope.

 

[MeekandMild]

Another vote for the .30-30 and lose the scope.

Marlin model 336 is a side ejector, so scope with see-through rings does well. Rings have an added bonus of acting like a zero power scope if you are in a hurry, shooting at running critters. Try it, you'll like it!

 

[docglock]

fisher

I'm old fashion. I have never had any complaints about my Remington 700 in 30-06 for use in Vermont where the typical shot is 50-200 yards. One inch groups at 100 yards, same hole at 50 yards. But the 30-30 and .243 are great deer guns as well.

 

[grampster]

Thanks for all the info, guys and gals. Digesting same and will help her make this decision.

grampster