What's Your Deer Rifle?

[Yellowtail3]

What's my deer rifle? At one point it was a 30-06; then it was a .270 (both Savages).

Nowadays, my rifle is a Marlin 336 in 30-30, and I have Arrived. It is pretty, it is accurate, and it is absolutely lethal on whitetail - drops them just as fast as the 270 ever did. It is easy on the shoulder and ears, and ammo is cheaper than the aforementioned cartridges. Should have bought one twenty-five years ago, but back then I was hung up on paper numbers - but now I hunt.

 

[stownsend]

I have a Winchester Model 70 in 300 Win Mag and a Remington 700 in 243. I like them equally for deer. The 243 also doubles as a coyote killer once the deer are in the cooler.
The 270 falls in between these two cartridges so that's probably a good choice if you are going for one rifle.

 

[jkingrph]

Pre 64 Winchester Mod 70, 30-06 , featherweight, which Dad gave me for high school graduation present, or a Ruger #1 light rifle in 7x57

 

[rickyford2]

Thanks for alll the post.

Ricky

 

[Grizzly Adams]

I favorites are the following, usually in this order:

1) Rem 700 BDL Classic in 6.5 X 55 Swedish Mauser
2) Rem 788 LH 308 (Custom)
3) Marlin 336C 30/30
4) Rem 700 BDL LH 30.06

 

[JohnRov]

Sako 75 Grey Wolf in .308 w/Bushnell Elite 4200 2.5-10

 

[High Planes Drifter]

Remington 700 in .30-06. I have it sighted in with 165gr. Cor Lokts and have had perfect results.

 

[Terrierman]

I have two that I am fond of.

A one owner Ruger M-77 RL tang safety in .270 (it is the ultra light model with 20" bbl.). I glass bedded the action and free floated the barrel and it is now very accurate.

A Remington 760 in .30-06. It is very handy when you are moving around a lot in a vehicle due to the box magazine.

If I could only have one it would be the Ruger.

Mark me down as a person who thinks the rifle you choose makes a lot more difference than the caliber. You need to find one that fits you well that has controls and ergonomics that you like. There REALLY IS A DIFFERENCE - it's not at all about which rifle will shoot the smallest groups off the bench, it's about what YOU are comfortable with and can hit with in the field.

As to caliber, any chambering from .243 on up will do the job on deer with decent ammunition and a decent shot. Nothing you can do will change a ham shot into a heart shot.

 

[mljdeckard]

Through an amusing if expensive coincidence, my dad wound up with two 1985 vintage S&W Model 1500s in 270. He gave me one, and we match. We also have a variety of other '06s, 22-250s, etc, and we always take backups, but these are the main ones we use.

But when I am in nasty brush, the rifle we fight over is a Remington 760 in 257 Roberts, with peep-through rings. I'm seriously considering getting one in .243 or .308., shorter barrel. It's nicer to have a shorter rifle when you can't see more than 100 feet.

 

[GCW5]

I've been shooting a Model 70 in 270 for 30+ years, but they're hard to find under $500 anymore.

I have a CZ550 that is a damned fine rifle, I'd look into one of them if I was going to get another bolt action.

 

[J_L_A]

My deer rifle is the Mosin 91/30 with scope. It does just fine.

 

[pdh]

T/C Encore....30-06AI
M77(tang saftey)....30-06 Spring

 

[Harve Curry]

Last 17 years it's been a 1881 Marlin 45-70. Each time I use it I come home with a deer. I shoot more on the range then at game. I'm working on using a 56-50 Spencer and give the Marlin a rest.

 

[omcjf]

For Minnesota hunting it's a Model 94 Winchester, my favorite rifle on earth. When I go out to Wyoming and South Dakota I shoot a custom built .270. My uncle built it for me from the ground up and gave it to me shortly before he died. That makes it really special to me. It shoots very nicely too.

 

[homers]

Ruger M77, 7x57 == bang, one shot, dear drops in tracks

 

[dstark]

Savage model 110 .270

 

[UnTainted]

An old school Sako 30-06. I use 150 grains on deer, with my favorite load the federal fusion bullet with the nice pressure formed core for a great center of gravity.

 

[marksman13]

I have a few that I am quite fond of. My go to rifle is a Remington Model 700 in 243. I also have a Browning A Bolt in .308, and when the shooting is going to be a fast paced deal, I pick up a trusty old Remington Model 742 in 30-06.

 

[texastony]

Winch M70 Coyote in .308
Savage 16 Weather Warrior in .308
Marlin 1894 CB in .44 mag

 

[ckay]

Winchester M70 30-06
Marlin 336 30-30

 

[Ford]

Savage Model 110 30-06
Nothing fancy. Just kills deer.
Im like you as to where I hunt. I go from hunting in thick timber to wide open fields. I like the versatility of the .30-06 for this.
I keep looking to buy a "Nicer" deer rifle but the Savage has a good trigger and is accurate as you can get. Hard to beat for the money.
Heck it still has the factory scope on it. Guess the reason is my money tends to go to other guns since I shoot this one only a couple times a year. Havent missed a deer with it yet

 

[DJR]

Lets see... deer rifle, 20-350 yds., no scope, ~$500...hmmm.

[sounds of computer whirring and thinking]

Answer is... Marlin 308MX.

Thank me later.

DJR

 

[Sulaco]

Any modern bolt action rifle lends itself well to what you need. Go with the one that fits you the best since they all differ a little bit. I like Rugers, Remingtons and CZ's. I also like Weatherby Vanguards (Howa's) and one or two others. If I could have only one, it'd be a CZ 550 American chambered for 30-06. I'd love to find a deal on a used Ruger in that caliber because it'd be more affordable. But right now, nothing is affordable so I shoot my Marlin 336C.

 

[04JRB]

Nowadays Im using a Remington 700 sps. Ive used Savage models too, all were .270. Cant go wrong with either for a budget (<$500) deer rifle.

 

[Shawnee]

When I used a rifle, it was a standard Ruger #1 in .243 with a 2x7 Redfield Widefield.