Deer Rifle Recommendation?

[russ69]

30'06 is always the answer to that question.

[Thanatos2203]

Any value to a threaded barrel? I can't image a muzzle brake or flash hider would be useful on a rifle like this? Since suppressors are no-gos.

Not unless you want to wear ear pro while hunting or are shooting multiple, fast moving targets.

[icallshotgun88]

you're right, there are way too many options.

you'll get a million people recommending Tikkas, Winchester model 70, remington 700, and various Savages. I've owned a few and shot all of them and you can't go wrong with any of em.

But if I may recommend something a little different that will fit your needs perfectly...especially if you're looking to save weight

Look into the Kimber line of rifles, particularly the Kimber 84M Montana.

its super light weight, comes in various calibers, durable, accurate as heck and i'll say it again...SUPER lightweight

its 5 lbs. 6 ounces, but its built strong, durable and reliable.



as for optics, I've owned my share of Leupolds and i like them. in fact, my current deer rifle wears a Leupold, but out of all of my optics i'm always impressed with the quality you get from Vortex.
for the money you CAN NOT beat vortex.
in fact, I'm looking to sell my Leopold for another Vortex, but I'm happy with my Leupold and too lazy to find a buyer.

Look into the Vortex Viper line and you won't be disappointed.

caliber?

i won't get into that discussion.

between the two calibers you narrowed it down to, i'd choose the .308, but i don't want to start a caliber war.


any rifles mentioned above will be great, i just think you'll really like that lightweight kimber once you get it in your hands.

i don't have a need for a deer rifle now, but if i did i'd strongly consider it

[TMB 1]

Any value to a threaded barrel? I can't image a muzzle brake or flash hider would be useful on a rifle like this? Since suppressors are no-gos.

Muzzle brake will reduce recoil&muzzle rise.

[Cowboy T]

Well, as Col. Townsend Whelen put it, "the .30-06 is never a mistake." And he's right.

Turns out the .270 Win is never a mistake, either...nor is the .308 Win. This kind of question is like, "do you like Toyotas, Hondas, or Nissans?" All are good cars; it's personal preference. Likewise, any of these cartridges will do what you're asking.

As for rifles, you've got several fine choices. Several have been listed above. And don't overlook the used market. You can find some good deals there.

Let's look at optics. For the ranges you're describing, a 3-9x40 is more than sufficient, and a 2-7x33 would most certainly do the job. Remember that Gunny Hathcock was nailing enemy soldiers with his 8x Unertl at much longer distances. Ruger's American Rifle line now has an "American Revolution" version that comes with a Redfield Revolution 3-9x40 mounted on it. Before they started doing it, I had done it myself with my RAR in .308. This is a very good value.

Given that both Revolutions and Leupold VX-1's in 3-9x40 can be had for $199 from several vendors (shipping included), that's an awfully hard value proposition to say no to.

[RNE228]

308 would be a fine cartridge.

For what you mention, the first ones I would look at is nice lever action:
- used Savage 99 in 308
- Browning BLR in 308
Then I would look at bolt:
- Remington 7 or 700
- honestly any of the dozens of bolt rifles; get one that fits you nice.

For the distances you are talking a 1.5-5x or a 2-7x would be prefect. You dont need that much magnification for 300 yards or less. I keep my scopes turned down. Although I have shot at 400+ yards on antelope, I have been caught with my variable scope turned up and busted a buck at 50 yards. All I saw was bouncing fur.

[RNE228]

I should add, you can find some nice rifles on the used racks. Family member found a nice used Rem 700 7mag with scope etc for good price. Looked like it did not have more than a box of shells through it.

[Hunter47]

First. Any popular name brand rifle will do. They are reliable and stand behind their products. Also, there are plenty of good aftermarket products to semi-customize your rifle. From stocks to triggers.
Second. I assume you don't hand load. Pick a popular caliber. It doesn't matter for the hunting you describe. 6MM (.243) out to .35 is fine. But choose a caliber that is consistently available with lead free bullets.
Finally, RNE228 is correct. Don't be afraid of a used rifle. Go to a quality gun shop and look down the barrel. You should not see any rust or worn out rifling. Ask if they have inspected the trigger. Worse case you buy an aftermarket reliable trigger. They are easy to install.
Optics. Don't go cheap. Being able to see is important. Stay away from gimmicks in the field of view (unless you regularly practice year round with it). Buy a range finder if you got to know the range.

[ddestruel]

.270 win


i have 308 also and i stick my kids on it but I’ve killed elk, mule deer, pigs and black bear with my .270 on some pretty long shots 300-400 yards easily. though the .308 is effective i believe velocity over projectile size. both have served me well and both have killed a lot my winchester model 100 with peep sights is a .308 and is a lethal timber gun

the .308 may be a nice caliber but most shots i prefer the better knockdown results and flatter shooting that ive gotten out of my .270 (and id put 30-06 ahead of the .308).



I have a couple of .270's in ruger m77's one is a hawkeye and the other a tang safty model. both do great shooting 130 gn bullets

another tid bit is I have the exact same drop out to 500 yards as my .300 win mag and a few of my other rifles so in the world of bad habits ........that added similarity serves me well when making longer shots.


but at the end of the day i preffer my remington 700's. i like the location of the safety much like a howa 1500 it just is right where my thumb is looking for it. where as the hawkeye m77's i like the added safety of the 3 settings but dont care for the way my hand has to rotate up and away from the trigger when setting in on a shot.

each gun to the application my .308 works on all CA deer as does my .270. I’ve had better results with my .270. less animals to chase. who knows 30+ years of hunting the two and carrying the two side by side i take the .270.

that said while i lived in montana and when i went to alaska shot placement mean s little with larger predatory game like griz they stalk you like you stalk them. shot placement and time isn’t always an option. our guide carried a sawed off shotgun with slugs and i saw him use it for another individual on the griz hunt. the bear charged them from behind some brush and had three chest shots with a 30-06 and 180 grain bullets and was still moving on adrenalin before two slugs at less than 30 yards from the sawed off 12 gauge dropped him

it all comes down to preference and opinions. elk, griz, and larger game i prefer my .300 win mag or my .338 in the case of CA deer in the timber i’ll take my .308 short barrel model 100 but on 90% of my hunts around here i prefer my .270 which also has successfully killed elk numerous years.... .308 three different times I’ve been on hunts in idaho and mt where guys bring .308 for elk or make a crappy shot on a big mulie and then we spend the better part of a a few days tracking a recovering. some calibers will do the job others are better at finishing the job.... so CA black bear and black tail or mule deer .308 works heck I’ve killed a blacktail with my .220 swift and likewise with a black bear but its picking the right tool for the job. these days my ,270 is more versatile than my .308. the .308 is fine for critters under 250 lbs but after that it worth further analysis beyond the bias and paper punching. the energy and weight of the bullet is as important as velocity. look at the old discussions regarding the .270 in the day the 150 grain came about to increase knock down and reduce flesh damage upon impact. but the 130 grain has survived as a better performer on an assortment of north american game

there isn’t a one size fits all rifle but there are some that fall in the middle and do an alright job of most north american game. since you don’t specify CA only. in that case a very versatile round that gets beyond the limitations of the slow but steady .308 is the 30-06 or my case a necked down 30-06 using a .270 projectile... little flatter still good power. .308 is great and consistent but i tend to believe now that better options have evolved int eh game taking realm even when dealing with CA deer.

[WyattandDoc]

Tikka T3 in SS either 30-06 or 270 would be my choice. Spend some money on a good scope too. That rig will outlast your kid's kid's.

This +10.............I'm into my Tikka SS Lite 30-06 with a Vortex 4x12x40 (BDC reticle) scope for a grand. Perfect set up. Mine likes the 165 grain over the 150-180 just FYI.

[Calif Hunter]

Tikka T-3 Lite in either .270 or .30-06 and don't look back. Best value, best out of the box accuracy and a great trigger out of the box. I prefer the .30-06 or .270 over the .308 as a hunting round. Lead-free ammo cost between the 3 rounds will be about the same.

[FishnHunt]

243, 7-08 or 270 are my choices for deer. IF you want deer and elk. then the 7-08 or 270. They are more than enough gun. Maybe Not for the size queens, but more then plenty with your distance of 300 yards. Its all about shot placement anyways.
Scope Id go with monarch 2.5-10. That's what I have on my tikka lite stainless 30/06 for deer/elk rifle. When you get in the thick stuff you will be happy for the 2.5. when you get into big clearings you'll be happy with the 10 power up to any comfortable shooting distance.
My 270 is Thomspon center venture with Nikon 3-9. Sub MOA to 400 yards. Thats as far as Ive shot.

[spamsucker]

honestly it just doesn't matter. Most off the shelf rifles available are perfectly serviceable hunting rifles. Avoid .22 cal and otherwise whatever is clever. Spend at least as much on the scope as you do the rifle. Double would be better.

[Divernhunter]

Tikka T-3 Lite in 308win with Limbsaver direct replacement recoil pad and Claw sling.
Leupold 3X9X40 VX-2 or 3.5X10X40 VX-3 in the rings which come with the rifle. NO NEED to get other rings.

I have 2 Tikka T-3 Lites and many rounds thru them. Great hunting rifles.

If you want a long range hunting rifle a Weatherby Vanguard or Mark V in 257Weatherby with the above scopes/sling is the cats meow. Shoots with less recoil than a 270, shoots like a laser and will put down any game you are thinking about with the proper bullets.

Proper bullets are the key to any hunting cartridge.

[ElvenSoul]

Sometimes I think I'm the only Quaterbore Shooter on here.

The Old .25-06 and .257 Roberts where beloved for generations as the one all cartridge.

Flat shooting to 500yds and available in 50gr on up to 125gr. You could shoot gofers, bunnies, yotes, deer, and even elk with the quarterbore.