RE: Help me pick a new deer rifle
 

I hunt with a Model 700 Mountain Rifle in 270. I know that would be a good choice for you.

RE: Help me pick a new deer rifle
 

Now THAT is a nice looking rifle! [8D] I wish it wasn't a stainless barrel though. I like wood stocks and blue barrels. It's an old-school thing...

Butch A.

RE: Help me pick a new deer rifle
 

i'm in va. too . i started shopping for a light weight weather proof deer rifle after last season. i wanted a rifle that wouldn't rust easily and wouldn't scratch easily. most of my shots are from 40-150yds but some out to 400yds.

here's what i think was the best bang for the buck.

tikka t3 stainless synthetic stock in 270 win. i topped it with a swift 4x12x 40. its shooting 3/8-1/2in grps at 100yds. it has the best trigger ,i think on a factory gun . weighs in at 6 3/8 lb. total price was 704.00 with the scope,rings came with the gun. oh, mine is a lefty.

RE: Help me pick a new deer rifle
 

270, 6.5x55 or 7mm-08. All perfect deer rifles. Throw in the 308 as well. There are many more but you can't go wrong with any of these. With todays excellent bullets these cartridges could easy hunt most all NA game.

RE: Help me pick a new deer rifle
 

Really, I think caliber is the last thing you need to worry about...deer and black bear are relatively easy to kill inside of 200 yds, as long as you can hit your target.

I'd look for the best deal you can find on a quality, used rifle. You'll get your best deal this way. And if it comes with a scope, that's a nice bonus.

Once you find a rifle that fits you well and is a good price, then as long as it is a 243 or more, you'll be in great shape. Don't worry about cleaning supplies $...that doesn't cost much.

Good Luck Hunting!

RE: Help me pick a new deer rifle
 

Great rifle, anything with the remington stamp i think is good. (with the exception of the 740/7400's) Any one i have ever shot hit true and will hold a inch or less with factroy ammo. Reloading for them is even better. I have an ADL in 7mm Rem Mag and i will put one hole in the paper at 100 yds. (3 shoot grouping) And i have tested the gun out to 400 yds and hold 1/2 moa.

As for the cartridge, any 30-06 or 308 based rounds seem to work well. I like the regular .308 win and/or the 7mm/.08. I really like the 7mm projetiles and the hold great energy at slighly higher speed. Also, the 25.06 is one bad boy as well. And never count out the 30.06. With todays recoil compesation, shooting heavy recoiling guns is much easier and more pleasurable. My 7 mag loaded with 68 gr of imr 4831 is not too bad at all to shoot with the recoil pad.



Final note; If i was in the market for another deer rifle, especially the area/type of hunting you are looking for, i would get this exact set up:


Rifle: Remington 700 SPS
Cartridge: 7mm.08
Scope: Nikon Prostaff 3-9X50mm LOWER BUDGET


Rifle: Remington 700 CDL or Mountain variant
Cartridge: 7mm.08
Scope: Nikon Monarch 4-16X42 HIGHER BUDGET

RE: Help me pick a new deer rifle
 

I would get a ruger m-77 .270win ,with a nikon monarch 3x9x40 scope and learn to shoot it.

RE: Help me pick a new deer rifle
 

Butch,

Any of the mid level rounds will serve you well. That being said, I would tend to lean to the .308 or the .270 as both will give you plenty of stopping power for even large game, both are inherently accurate rounds, both have mild recoil, both have ammo readily available in many different weights and with both you will have a wider variety of firearms to choose from.

RE: Help me pick a new deer rifle
 

Lots of good advice already on a handy bolt action.

I am just wondering why you want to go to a bolt action when you have used a lever a lot? A browning lever in .308 would be a good choice for you. Or a Savage 99 or a Win. 88. I have a Savage 99 in .300 savage that I use for my in the bush 30 to 130 yard gun. I've had it a couple of years and shot a cuple deer a moose and two wolves with it.

Handy fire power has its advantages for close range bush work.



Robin in Rocky

RE: Help me pick a new deer rifle
 

+1!

If you feel the .30-'06 would have too much recoil for you, the .308 will probably fall off your list, as the recoil is likely to be substantially the same.

7mm-08 = short action, .25-06 = long action: take your pick. They're both wonderful whitetail cartridges! (As are the .260, and 6.5 x 55, and...)

Go to a well-stocked gun store, & handle lots of rifles. One is bound to fit you better than the others, and to be available in this range of calibers. Then get a good scope, and have at it!

I was actually close to getting a Remington mountain rifle (blued) in 7mm-08, and I still may end up with one. I think they've got one of the sexiest stocks out there.

Good luck,

FC