What's Your Deer Rifle?

[def4pos8]

I have several rifles, of mundane chamberings, suitable for whitetail and have enjoyed success with most of 'em. However, my favorite is a Ruger 1H in .375 Hollands' Magnum. There's a 220gr or so Nosler Partition that works wonderfully when loaded to about 2700fps.

My hunting time is precious. I hunt in Wisconsin, across the river from Iron Mountain, Michigan. I DON'T like tracking. . . .

Waidmannsheil!

 

[_N4Z_]

One of my x54r m39's would be extend my range, but I'm going to say the 336 in 30-30.

 

[Yosemite**Sam]

I have many hunting rifles in various calibers .243 to 338 win mag. The caliber that you have chosen (270 Win) is plenty flat shooting for your type of hunting.

If I had to pick a single rifle for hunting deer I would go with the 30-06. There are several reasons for the 30-06 as a universal caliber. First off it has a wide variety of bullets available 110 to 250 grns. Second you can use mil-surplus ammo for practice and it's alot cheaper than .270 for practice. Some of the Greek surplus ammo is extremely accurate and I've bought it for less than 28 cents a round delivered on 8 round Garand clips.

Like others have said, find a rifle that fits you.

My personal favorite hunting rifle is a Winchester Model 88 in .308. It's a lever action, quick handling and very accurate. Good luck in your search for the perfect rifle. When you find it you can stop buying.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I use a Remington 700 BDL C/D in .25-06.

.25-06, .260 Rem, 6.5x55mm, .270, 7x57mm, .280, .308, .30-06-all great deer rifle cartridges.

 

[jpwilly]

For an inexpensive rifle the Mossberg ATR is underrated and only $249 at Wal Mart! I have the 30-06 and it's a shooter!

 

[don]

I use a winchester model 70 .270W caliber and prefer it to the Remington 700
which I used to own for one reason-it has a three position safety which allows me to unload without putting the safety in the fire position.

 

[lev83]

I can not say enough good things about Rugers Model 77. Guess that is why I own one in .243, .270, and 7 mm.

 

[Pat S]

jaholder1971 wrote: 'Might give the Stevens 200 rifles a look. They're basically a Savage short the Accutrigger. I've got one in .223 and it rocks for $300."


+1

Get a Leupold 3X9 Rifleman to top it off and that should get you a good servicable rifle for your $500. Or look around for a good used gun.

 

[Rokman]

Remington 700 ADL in .25-06, or Ruger 77MKII in .30-06.

 

[strangelittleman]

Sprigfield M1903A3 w/ Iron sights (peep sights, of course)

 

[Educated Hillbilly]

Started out with a Winchester Model 70 in 30-06. Found that it did quite a bit of damage to the meet, so switched to a Ruger #1 in 25-06. Yeah I know, I could have used a lighter bullet in the 30-06, but made a good excuse to bo buy a new gun.

 

[Geno]

My present deer rifles are:

Wea Mark V .300 Win Mag
DPMS AP4 .308

Doc2005

 

[tinygnat219]

.270 is enough for deer hunting and then some.

I use a Remington 721 30.06 with a 4X Tasco scope.

I also picked up a CZ 527 in 7.62X39. It's one SWEET shooting rifle.

I think your cartridge selection is fine, I'd look at a used Remington, or Winchester to save some cash. You can get a fine deal on bolt action hunting rifles in your gun store's used rack.

 

[aguyindallas]

I bought an "as new, but used" Savage Accu-Trigger .270 for about $285.00 shipped. GREAT GUN. Its one of those packaged with a cheap scope and it works well also.

I have since built an AR in Rem. 6.8SPC and I love it. Granted....yet to make a kill with it, but its really a neat round to shoot.

 

[Jeff F]

I have a few really nice bolt actions but I always seem to go and get one of the Enfields when its time to put meat on the table. The .303 British does a top notch job on elk and mule deer.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

I like the 30-06 or .308 just because you can get inexpensive FMJ surplus ammo to do a lot of shooting. .270 is a fine choice if you reload or if you only plan to shoot enough for deer season.

I'll throw in the suggestion of a used Browning BBR or A-Bolt.

 

[mainebear]

Well I guess I'll join the group. Remington 700LH in 30-06. Like a couple of other posters said, you can find these for your target price if you're patient and careful. Wonderful firearm. I don't believe that you would ever regret purchasing one. Lots of different loads, great for plinking with 110 gr., good target rifle, and one heck of a deer/bear stopper. Go Remington!

 

[Wolfgang2000]

Browning BLR in 308. It's a handy little rifle that handles well in the woods, but with the beef for open ranges.

 

[5x5]

Remington 700 Mountain Guide in .308. Leupold VX III 2.5-8x36. Talley light weight rings and an Uncle Mike's mountain sling.
Use what ever floats your boat. Deer aren't built like tanks and most rifles are good to go out of the box. For your needs though, look at a Savage or a Stevens in .260 through 30-06.

 

[tnieto2004]

Savage 110 in 7mm-08

 

[opd743]

Browning BAR in .308 is what I use. I have owned several .270 rifles and they all put deer down fast. I just like the .308 better. A good rifle to look at is the HOWA Prohunter. It is a great rifle. I got one in 7mm Mag about four years ago for $380. Then I traded it on the .308. We do alot of man drives and I wanted an auto for the follow up shots. Still wish I had that rifle.

 

[retrieverman]

I have been killing deer with a 270 for 25 years and have accumulated a 100+ animal body count. I started out with a tang safety Ruger M77 "ultralite" and now have a Sauer 202 Outback. Since the Sauer is way out of your price range, I will recommend a Ruger M77. My brother has one, and it is a very good shooter.

 

[LeonCarr]

Remington 700VS (heavy barrel) in .308. It is a heavy beast (about 13 pounds loaded with 4-12 Leupold Vari-X II and Harris Bipod), but it is very accurate and easy to shoot. What else do you need?

Mr. Retrieverman, nice buck.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[jpwilly]

Awe...poor deer. Sure would be a lot easier if they just morphed into summer sausage! YUM!

I love animals - They taste great!

 

[Snapping Twig]

My buddy just bought a Savage 16 in .270 and he loves it. The CZ is underpriced for what you get too!

Unless you reload, .270 is going to cost you some $$.

I'm a big fan of the 7mm-08 - low recoil, excellent bullet selection and great performance.

The 30-06 is the most reasonable round to purchase and you'll find it everywhere - food for thought.

I hunt with a Remington 700 in 6.5-06 and I also have a Remington 740 in 30-06 which is pretty nice, love that semi auto follow up shot.