What Deer Rifle... I'm Going Nutz Ova Here!!

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HOLY CRAP!!!

That is a lot of research to do. The Ruger NO. 1 and TC Encore are cool suggestions, but I do like having a couple of extra rounds on tap.

The Swiss K31 is a neat option. I hadn't thought of it.

The Savage Hog Hunter is also a neat option but not quite as "svelte" as I would like.

@Cooldill: I am in process of building a 300Blk bolt action rifle off a Savage action. It'll be my backup to my backup. Neat gun. Thank you.

@Legionairre: I contacted a guy about a Mdl 7 and just missed it. Nice looking gun. It is on the mind. Thanks.

C
 
B!ngo said:
I am a bit of a Finnish rifle fanboy so adjusting for bias I'd still ask that you consider a Tikka T3 Lite in .308. If you prefer the appearance of a finer rifle, then the T3 Hunter in .308 might fill the bill.
In both cases you will get an action that is incredibly slick and durable and a gun that is perhaps more accurate than any that you've been considering. They are really excellent and reasonably priced.
B
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Your post compelled me to visit the Tikka website to take a gander at the T3 Hunter. Wow, what beautiful rifles! I'm thinkin' there's one in my future; in fact, I'm already starting to do extra chores around the house.
 
I would just like to second some other opinions. The TC Encore is a terrific deer rifle , and your just not going to get a more compact rifle. If capacity is important, the Savage Hog Hunter offers that in a compact size rifle with a quality Savage action and barrel. While not beautiful, it is service rifle tough and has good iron sights. It also has a threaded barrel. I kept the synthetic stock on mine because it's lighter and will still shoot MOA even for me. I'm quite certain it would shoot even better with someone more skilled and has more time too develop proper loads. I bought mine to replace a 30-30 lever gun, as it is close in size and weight, and I am very happy with it.
 
52ca449d-643e-4560-8cf7-e3cd903a24bd_zps3ac97918.jpg

mine has a 20 vartarg on it. the 6.5 creedmoor is put away for deer season. both go at .2"(20 vt) and .3"(6.5cm) at 100 yards for three shots.
 
Remember, the shorter the barrel, the more muzzle blast. Personally I don't want a barrel shorter than 22" on a hunting rifle. Too loud and you lose velocity on most calibers.

For something inexpensive, you might look into a Ruger American. If you really want svelte and can afford it, a Kimber Montana is very nice.
 
So, I think I have it narrowed down to the "Final Four". In no particular order:

Winchester M70 Featherweight Compact
Tikka T3 Hunter
Ruger M77 Hawkeye Standard
CZ 550 American

Additionally I have held and liked the Browning A-Bolt but don't know a lot about them and not one person on here has mentioned it. Seems like a really nice gun.

I'm not attracted to Savage rifles for some reason. They are great guns with a fairly rabid fan base. I think it's their utilitarian looks. They just don't do it for me.

Several have mentioned the Kimbers. They are beautiful but are just a bit too far out of my price range.

I like the TC's, however I want a few extra rounds on board. Nothing more than that against them, it's just my personal preference.

I have also decided to forgo Mil-Surp and pre-owned for the time being. This will most likely be my only hunting rifle, so I might as well go kinda big. Nice, new, shiny. Why not. Also, there are very few used rifles in my neck of the woods that would qualify. Buying over the WWW just isn't something that I want to take a chance on. Not this time around.

C
 
308 deer rifle

Seems all your choices are valid & solid ones, 308 is a great do-all round, I would opt for the most economical of the bunch and spend the rest on reloading,
however, kinda partial to Chester M-70 Featherweight's (they are pretty special arms):D Good luck; keep us posted
 
Does anyone have any feedback on the Browning X-Bolt Micro Hunter? Mighty pretty and pretty much meets all my "needs" in the rifle I'm looking for.

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What makes you want the compact in the model 70? IMHO all you are doing is getting is a slower bullet and a louder gun.
 
Too, the M70 Featherweight Compact has a reduced length of pull in the stock. They are intended for smaller framed people, such as youth.

Geno
 
I didn't even see that Geno. Good catch.

You really need to handle anything you are considering. IMHO the current FN production Winchesters are excellent but I would go with the FW Classic if I had to have wood and my top choice would be the Ultimate Shadow. I sometimes hunt in bad weather and the Weather Warrior stock wrist is thicker than I like.
 
Thanks Geno and R H Clark.

I'm looking at the compact rifles because I'm not all that big (5'8) and if I need to lengthen the stock, I can add a slip on recoil pad. Additionally, if a smaller statured friend wants to try the gun out, the pad can come off. I'm also fond of 20" barrels as they are a good compromise ballistically and aesthetically to me.

The Browning is a 13 3/16" stock LOP. It may head to the top of the list.

I like handy, light, pretty guns.

C
 
+1 for the M70 Ultimate Shadow, that can had NIB for about $600 to $650. I have two.

Geno
 
Winchester M70 Featherweight Compact
Tikka T3 Hunter
Ruger M77 Hawkeye Standard
CZ 550 American
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Of these four, this is the exact order I would put them, based on my preference. The Winchester M70 definitely gets first pick. The Tikka is a fine gun, never heard anything bad about them from anyone, anywhere. The Ruger M77 is a bit of a wash. I've seen some great and some poor reviews, and when handling one, nothing about it really blew me away. Comfort was mediocre, for me. And the CZ550 is more obscure. I've never been able to find one at any local shop.

If you want to throw the Browning X-Bolt in there, I'd put it between the Tikka T3 and the Ruger M77. Browning rifles seem to have a very small fan base compared to other major players in the rifle game. I would imagine (maybe incorrectly) that there's a reason for that. Even if the rifles are quality and it's just that there are better values out there, that's reason enough for me to never buy one.
 
So, Change of "heart" on the Winnie..

I've narrowed it down to 2:

Winchester M70 Featherweight- Standard model with 22" barrel
Browning X-Bolt Micro Hunter

Both are awesome via reviews. I would imagine that the Winnie will hold value better and be an easier sell if it comes to that. However the Browning has some really awesome features (Glass bedded, 60* bolt throw) that might give it a touch of an edge over the Winchester from a technical standpoint. However the Winchester is just so damn... pretty.

Help.

C
 
You can probably strip the bolt easier on the Winchester 70 than the Browning X Bolt.

Watch a Youtube video and see how easy it is to strip the Win 70 bolt. I am not sure it is a downside or not but I don't think you can directly drop a round in the chamber of a Win 70, since it is controlled round feeding. You may have to pop it in the box magazine first.
 
Handle both. The X Bolts don't fit me at all. I can't put one to my shoulder and get my cheek on the stock without putting it much higher on my shoulder than I want.

Personally I prefer the Model 70 in every way. I have one with a Leupold VX2 2-7 mounted in extra low Leupold rings and bases. It sits very low yet I have no problem with bolt lift.

I would get one of the new FN production guns with the CRF and claw extractor. Excellent rifle and excellent platform if you ever want to customize.
 
That Featherweight also will come from the factory glass bedded. 8^) The three-position safety is great for post-hunt unloading safely, and as noted, breaking down the bolt for cleaning and lubricating is simple. I also agree, if you ever needed to sell it, the M70 has a long history behind it, and should hold more value.

Geno
 
Another Winchester Featherweight vote. Want one really badly to replace a Remington 700 Mountain Rifle I traded a few years ago, the only gun I've ever regretted getting rid of.

One comment regarding LOP and height. Unless you're particularly stumpy-limbed at 5' 8", I can't imagine any factory full-size rifle NOT fitting you. I'm exactly your height and if anything, most factory rifles could use an additional 1/2" of LOP in my opinion. It would require checking the stated measurements but I doubt the stock on the Featherweight is any longer than a Mountain Rifle.

Oh, and post pictures when it arrives! :D
 
I certainly will post pics when it arrives, of this one:

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?fid=023B&cid=035&tid=215

I went against the collective wisdom of the forum at large. I think the combination of the 60* throw, detachable mag, beautiful stock and reputed accuracy got to me. Plus, I tend to side with the underdog.

L.O.P. on this rifle is 13 1//4" which puts is right where I would want it. Although I am of average stature and can certainly be comfortable with a "full sized" stock, this one should have a touch more wiggle room for younger shooters if they want to give it a go. Additionally, the 20" barrel that is on this gun is, to me, the perfect compromise of handy, velocity, and aesthetics. I'm pretty sold on it.

Thanks to all that offered their opinions. I do appreciate all the time that so many took to coach me through this process.

C
 
I have two M70s ( Featherweight and Ultimate Shadow SS) and a full size SS X-Bolt. I can't comment on the fit of the Micro because I haven't held one, but the ergos were what drew me to the X-Bolt, that rifle fits me like glove. I also really like the short bolt rotation and safety setup. The X-Bolt series are very light, but have a good recoil pad. My hunting and practice loads for the X-Bolt are both good for 5 shot .75" groups. I love my Winchesters too they are superb rifles, but I just wanted to throw in some info on the X-Bolt since it was kind of under represented in this thread.
 
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