Deer Rifle Recommendation?

[tanks]

...
The focus is now on ammo. I'm thinking I'd like to start fresh using lead-free for hunting since the writing is on the wall. Any suggestions on a premium lead-free .308 hunting cartridge?

http://www.federalpremium.com/products/details/rifle.aspx?id=978

[tanks]

Speaking of cost of ammo etc. one way to learn shooting fundamentals while keeping the cost of the ammo down is to use a .22LR rifle. The skills you learn and develop do scale up with the caliber.

[javalos]

I guess I will put in my input for all its worth. 270 or 308 is not a huge difference if your keeping your shots below 300 yards, both will kill effectively, but the .270 will always be ahead of the 308 in terms of energy, bullet drop, and range through the entire parabolic curve, as range increase, the difference becomes more apparent between the two. In terms of magnification, don't scrimp like some hunters do when they want to save a dollar, get a optic with quality glass that is bright and clear, a quality 3-9x40mm is sufficient. In my opinion a Tikka T-3 Lit is good, you can carry the rifle all day up and down hills and ravines and due to its light weight you won't get fatigued. I personally have a Tikka T-3 in .308 with a fixed 6x42mm scope, 6x is plenty to hunt with and it can still allow me to shoot out to 600 yards with no problem.

[kayaker]

I bought the Leupold VX-R Patrol 3-9x40mm:

http://www.leupold.com/tactical/scopes/vx-r-patrol/vx-r-patrol-3-9x40mm-30mm/

It was a toss up between that and the Vortex Viper PST 2.5-10x44 . The PST was attractive but I preferred lower profile turrets and the reticle is a little busy. If Leupold made that Patrol in 2.5-10x40, or the Vortex PST with standard mildot/center dot illumination, I'd have gone with that. I'm comfortable with MRAD so MIL/MIL was a natural choice. I'm a bit surprised mildots aren't more prevalent. Seemed there were much more MOA reticles in the lower/mid-level scopes and you have to pay a premium for mildot. I didn't want to put the extra cash down for FFP since any reticle ranging/windage I may do would be for 200+ yds (outside of MPBR) and I'd be at full magnification anyway.
I liked the idea of the illuminated center dot for the possible aid in a quick low-light or dense brush opportunity and for hogs. The scope was $600 and I'm not sure how much of a value deal that was for the add-ons of an illuminated dot and MIL reticle. Now that it's bought, you guys may commence with comments on why it was a bad idea and there were better deals to be had.

The focus is now on ammo. I'm thinking I'd like to start fresh using lead-free for hunting since the writing is on the wall. Any suggestions on a premium lead-free .308 hunting cartridge?

Do the turrets on the Patrol lock down? I've only had one tactical scope and I didn't like that the point of aim could be moved accidentally.
I prefer a hunting scope, dial it in and put the caps on.

[funk_drum]

Deer or smaller, .270. 7mm is good too, but more expensive ammo. I know guys who have taken elk with a .270, but I'd like a 30.06 or 308 for that.

[Citizen_B]

Do the turrets on the Patrol lock down? I've only had one tactical scope and I didn't like that the point of aim could be moved accidentally.
I prefer a hunting scope, dial it in and put the caps on.

The turrets don't lock down and are slightly tall. Would have also preferred if they were more hunting styled. It didn't seem popular to find hunting scopes in MIL/MIL with a clean mildot illuminated reticle. There's also no parallax adjustment.

I'm going to test the scope out without mounting it to see how it feels. I can always return it.

[gunafficionado]

Rem 700 in .308 & a Leupold VARI-XIII 2.5x8

[cherokeej]

This thread is hilarious! Everyone is so concerned with cartridge choice... '06, 308, 270...

No one has yet asked the poster "Under what conditions will you be hunting?"

Take a monster bolt action with the Hubble Space Telescope mounted on the back of it out into heavy woods, and the only meat you'll bring home will come from Safeway.

Match the cartridge and the bullet to the game, but match the rifle to the conditions. If you're in a place where the only shot you'll be taking is a 450+ yard poke at a big wall hanger, a long range bolt with a sniper scope might be the right choice. But if you find yourself in heavy woods, where the farthest you can see is 35 yards, you need a quick-pointing brush gun.

Match the tool to the job.

A few years ago, went to Idaho with some buddies from work. I called ahead to our host to ask what the conditions would be. Heavy woods. I was the only one to bring a short lever action. Everyone else showed up with big bolts equipped with big scopes.

Only one deer in camp that year.

And it was taken with one shot from a Winchester Trapper model 30-30.

[victor1echo]

Savage 99 in 308. Will be the only hunting rifle you will ever need for described needs.

[Dano3467]

+1 on 270

[elx144]

I'm picking up a .308 Win Tikka T3 lite stainless on Wednesday. I have one in .270 WSM already and I like the way it shoots. The only reason I got another one in .308 Win is so I can shoot it more with a less expensive caliber. It's getting an older Nikon Buckmasters 3-9x44 and I plan on shooting steel out to 440 yards, of course I wouldn't take a shot at an animal out that far. Since the Buckmasters scope line seems to have changed my next scope will probably be a Vortex.

[kayaker]

Rem 700 in .308 & a Leupold VARI-XIII 2.5x8

Good scope choice, that's all you need for hunting.


I have a .308 with an old Redfield 2-7 and a 30-06 with a Leupold 3-9. The 2-7 is smaller and lighter, the 3-9 virtually never gets turned up all the way. You'll appreciate the lower magnification in dense woods.

[Citizen_B]

The OP already bought a Weatherby Sporter in 308 (24" 1:10) and a VX-R Patrol 3-9x40.

I've only used a couple of other scopes so my experience is very limited, but playing with the Patrol, here's my thoughts. The glass is very clear without aberrations and has a generous eye relief. The single firedot is fantastic. Draws your eye right to the center with adjustable brightness. On dark targets the contrast is perfect. The mildot based reticle is clean though lines are a little on the thick side. I thought I would miss parallax adjustment but in this usage it doesn't feel that critical. 3-9x does seem like a good magnification range given practical target sizes/distances. The turrets are a little tall and don't lock down nor have caps. The turret grip space is generous and I could see no issue adjusting them with gloves on. The clicks are clean with a small amount of play. It doesn't take a lot of force to move them. I'm a little concerned of them getting bumped while slinged. I might keep a scope cover on it while slinged.

I picked up some 150gr and 168gr 308 TTSX along with a basket of target ammo to see what the rifle likes.

I'm going to spend some time practicing various firing positions. Any suggestions on bipods?

[Thanatos2203]

I'm going to spend some time practicing various firing positions. Any suggestions on bipods?

I wouldn't hunt with a bipod on because of the weight, but if you have to get one spend the extra money and get the Atlas. I have used all the features and leg positions of mine and prefer it over the Harris I previously had. Also recommend getting a skid plate from Triad Tactical (micro size) so you can shoot off trees, rocks, or whatever is available. For a hunting rifle I run just the skid plate (could carry shooting sticks too) and for my reach out and touch them rifle I have a shortened skid plate right behind the Atlas.

[Citizen_B]

The Atlas looks super slick but ouch it's pricey. I don't think I'm high speed enough to appreciate it yet. How about a knock-off for 1/10th the price for range bench use? Thinking sticks and pack rest for the field?