Whitetail Rifle?

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joejoeshooter

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I have about a dozen long guns. Probably have a deer rifle in this inventory.

However, I'd like a nice dedicated, big game, deer rifle.

I'll be hunting in the south on farmland, so doesn't need to be something that kills at 500 yards.

Oh - I'd kind of like to keep it under $300 because I could see myself only using it once or twice a year.

Suggestions?

Thanks,

jjs
 
Hello friends and neighbors // I've picked up Remington 760 Gamemasters in 30-06 and 35rem. for under $300.

Also a Marlin 36AS 30-30 w/ scope can be had for close to if not under $300. I paid $475OTD for mine including a Remington 870 Express youth 20ga with VR/choke barrel and a 21" rifle sighted barrel. (both pawn shop buys) I can't say how he priced them but I was thinking $325 for the rifle and $150 for the shotgun and extra barrel.

If you do not need a scope a Mosin for $100, might do for a twice a year, 100 yard rifle.

Good luck finding what works for you.
 
Any of the bolt guns listed are fine. I would add the budget Savage "Stevens" combo in .30-06. I would stick with the 06' if I were only using a rifle a couple of times per year. Ammo is avaialble anywhere, and it will do the trick for anything you put in fron ot it.

I would also consider the H&R Handi break-open single shots. They are very trim, and for me a bit more interesting that the ubiquitis bolt guns. I have one with a Nikon scope. It took awhile to break in the barrel & find a suitable factory load, but now it really shoots.
 
A $300 Dollar rifle will not be making reliable hits at 500 yards. thats not an easy thing to do. and if you dont shoot the gun much you probably wont be able to do it, just because you wont feel a comfort with a rifle. why not get a nice rifle that will shoot well, and use it for deer. I have a Howa 1500 I paid a little over 550 for. with an alright free scope package thing.
It's not even ready for 500 yards.
for what you are asking you will need a scope that has Mils. or range estimating marks. and be able to hold over well.
Remington has several nice sporter barrel'd rifles.
for this use I reccomend .308 or .300 winchester magnum.
You probably dont want to hunt with a heavy barrel, so scratch that out. But a sporter barrel is Just as good until it gets hot.
and I use a sporter only so far.
 
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Cost has nothing to do with it...don't let anyone tell you that a $300 dollar rifle won't make reliable hits at 500... I shoot a Marlin Xs7 in 7mm-08 and my buddy has a Stevens in the same caliber... I don't consider myself any kind of marksman but I can hit the 12 inch gong at 400 meters every time and so can my friend. Now precision shooting at that distance is is another animal entirely, but for hunting purposes you will be fine with minute of bambi accuracy from Marlin, Savage, Howa, Stevens, etc...
 
I do not know of a single sub $300 gun I'd recommend. The Marlin XL series are selling for around $330 as is the Stevens 200. One of those are what I'd suggest. Both are solid accurate rifles, but I prefer the Marlin.
 
The problem with these kinds of questions is that “I'll be hunting in the south on farmland”. That’s not descriptive enough. The other thing is people start talking range such as 12” gong at 400yds can hit it all the time. Excuse my skepticism. What is never talked about is competency and by that I mean what is the individual skill level.

I am certain there is economical rifles that exhibit excellent accuracy. One example would be the long out of production Remington 788. Optics you get what you pay for. I can’t afford cheap applies.

I’m in the South. The people I allow to hunt on the property mostly hunt the hardwoods we have and position themselves in tree stands. The shooting distances are close. Open fields the distance can be and is often long. I have a stipulation shots fired must equal deer taken or you are no longer welcome to hunt here.

This year the allowance is (6) deer per license (2) Buck and (4) Doe. One may purchase extra tags that allow deer to be taken but those must be all Doe’s.
 
Hangingrock nailed it. What is your maximun shot? What is your typical shot likely to be?
if it's:
200,75 a .30-30
250,100 a .243, .270, 7mm-08, or a .30-06 bolt action
275-125 a .260, .270, .280, .30-06 bolt action.

you get the idea. Buy used if you can, most any rifle can shoot minute of deer if you take the time to get good with it, maximize its potential with ammo it likes, and mount it with decent optics.
 
Look at Stevens, Marlin, and Mossberg. For additional savings, stick to calibers that are popular for deer hunting - .243, 7mm08, .270, .308, .30-06 - and make sure to get some practice.
 
that mossberg ATR 270 should make hits at 500 yards if you handload and do your part. I have one and shot a one hole group at 100 yards with a 9X scope. Mine likes the older barnes bullets, if you can find any.
 
ive owned the cheap mossberg and savage rifles and they shoot just fine but if it were me id save another 150 bucks and go to walmart. they have camo synthetic rem 700s for less then 450.
 
I own lots of rifles, usually cant decide which ones come out of the safe and I always take at least 2 and a big bore revolver. we have small and big deer in Texas depending on where you hunt but right now my 2 favorite are a Ruger #1 in .22-250 (legal here) and a Sako 6.5 x 55 but my go to cheap rifle for my pickup is a Stevens 200 in 7-08, shoots dime groups all day, big hogs at 300-400 yards, no problem, great price and dependable.
 
Look at an H&R single shot rifle. Probably your best bet for sub $300. Lots of calibers available, although I would choose something lighter recoiling through the skinny H&R.
 
Problem is, the OP didn't list the 12 he has in inventory. That would be a good starting point. He may already have a good dedicated-rifle candidate.

Geno
 
Look for a used JC Higgins model 50 in 270 win. See video below of guy knocking the bejabbers out of a steel gong at 420 yards. These rifles sell for less than $500 and they are way better than new manufacture bolt guns. I got one of these, and after comparing to guys Howas, Winchesters, Remingtons, Mossbergs, etc, at the range.....I wouldn't trade mine for one of each of every new bolt gun on the market.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDb23E8gnnM
 
30-30. With LeverEvolution ammo, they are a 250 yard deer rifle

Look for a used Marlin 30AS, 336A, Glenfield or Westernfield (those are marlins made for hardware stores in the past). Rifles are the economy version with a birch stock. These models have the fore end cap instead of the band that goes around the fore end and barrel. They tend to be more accurate than the ones with the fore end band.

Expect 1.5 to 2MOA accuracy (plenty accurate for 200 yards and minute of deer). Groups can be tightened with a little fiddling.

Great farm / woods gun. Fast handling too.
 
quietman said:
30-30. With LeverEvolution ammo, they are a 250 yard deer rifle

Look for a used Marlin 30AS, 336A, Glenfield or Westernfield (those are marlins made for hardware stores in the past). Rifles are the economy version with a birch stock. These models have the fore end cap instead of the band that goes around the fore end and barrel. They tend to be more accurate than the ones with the fore end band.

Expect 1.5 to 2MOA accuracy (plenty accurate for 200 yards and minute of deer). Groups can be tightened with a little fiddling.

Great farm / woods gun. Fast handling too.
Click to expand...
X2, this is what I use. Plenty of power, plenty accurate, and it won't hurt your shoulder or your wallet when you shoot. Walmart has a new 336W for $369 so a used one should be well under $300. Ammo is $14 a box.
 
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