Help me pick a new deer rifle
05-05-2007, 12:02 AM
#41
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location:
Posts: 1,785
RE: Help me pick a new deer rifle
ORIGINAL: ButchA
Hey there... I need some opinions on a new deer rifle.
I mean there's like, 9000 different varieties of deer rifles in all flavors for deer hunting. I want a light, quick, bolt action with a 3x9 scope.
I hunt in the thick heavy woods of the Nat'l Forest of Virginia with a trusty old Marlin 30-30 which I love using. It's got plain open sights and is real quick to bring up on target. I won't part with it... I am just looking for something to accompany the 30-30.
Recoil sometimes is not an issue, but a heavy loaded 30-06 would be probably the same (or more) as a 12GA with a slug. I'm not a wuss, but my shoulder doesn't appreciate the bash and smash of a high recoil rifle or shotgun after a few rounds of practice/sighting in.
Facts:
- I still plan on hunting the thick woods with the 30-30 but will also hunt a farm field from time to time and need something with a 3x9 scope that will be double the range of a 30-30, and still be light and quick to aquire the target.
- I'm not planning on going to Colorado and knockinga Bighorn Ram off a rocky ledge at 600 yards, nor flying to Alaska to take down a Grizzly. (no offense to big game hunters...)
- I'm somewhat of an old-school traditionalist with firearms (hence my love for an open sighted old 30-30).
- Primary use for the lightweight bolt action rifle is whitetail deer overlooking a farm field. Maximum shot could be 150-200 yards at best.
My personal thoughts: I am looking at short action bolts, like a .308 or maybe a .243. All my rifle cleaning supplies, rods, patches, bore snakes, etc... is for .30 cal rifles. What is the general opinion of the .308 rifle?
Thanks.
Butch A.
Hey there... I need some opinions on a new deer rifle.
I mean there's like, 9000 different varieties of deer rifles in all flavors for deer hunting. I want a light, quick, bolt action with a 3x9 scope.
I hunt in the thick heavy woods of the Nat'l Forest of Virginia with a trusty old Marlin 30-30 which I love using. It's got plain open sights and is real quick to bring up on target. I won't part with it... I am just looking for something to accompany the 30-30.
Recoil sometimes is not an issue, but a heavy loaded 30-06 would be probably the same (or more) as a 12GA with a slug. I'm not a wuss, but my shoulder doesn't appreciate the bash and smash of a high recoil rifle or shotgun after a few rounds of practice/sighting in.
Facts:
- I still plan on hunting the thick woods with the 30-30 but will also hunt a farm field from time to time and need something with a 3x9 scope that will be double the range of a 30-30, and still be light and quick to aquire the target.
- I'm not planning on going to Colorado and knockinga Bighorn Ram off a rocky ledge at 600 yards, nor flying to Alaska to take down a Grizzly. (no offense to big game hunters...)
- I'm somewhat of an old-school traditionalist with firearms (hence my love for an open sighted old 30-30).
- Primary use for the lightweight bolt action rifle is whitetail deer overlooking a farm field. Maximum shot could be 150-200 yards at best.
My personal thoughts: I am looking at short action bolts, like a .308 or maybe a .243. All my rifle cleaning supplies, rods, patches, bore snakes, etc... is for .30 cal rifles. What is the general opinion of the .308 rifle?
Thanks.
Butch A.
I will say up front that I have not read the 4 pages of replies to this topic, but I am going to offer my 2 cents.
Like you, I am a huge fan of a 30-30 (I killed 4 deer and 2 hogs with mine this season). If I were you, I would consider scoping up my 30-30 and using the LeverEvolution ammo which would easily give you a 150 yard gun in a package that you are already familiar with.
Since you mention a 308, my second gun of choice is my Blaser R-93 "tracker" in 308. The gun is light weight and 37 inches long from the butt pad to the end of the barrel. I have it scoped with a light weight Swarovski 3-9x36mm in a set of quick release mounts, and the barrel does have sights and is equally accurate either way. The limiting factor on the Blaser is the price (if you want to know PM me).
If it were me though, I would go the scoped 30-30 route with the LeverEv ammo.
05-05-2007, 06:21 AM
#42
RE: Help me pick a new deer rifle
Thanks guys... Yeah, Retrieverman, I LOVE my ol' .30-30 and will never get rid of it. It's got the historical and traditional "vibe"going for it. I know what you say about scoping it. I originally had an old Glenfield 4x32 scope on it. But I got a wild hair and took it off along with the weaver base too. Popped in a few filler screws and said, "Yeah, now we're talking..." Most people scope their 30-30's. I wentthe other direction and went back to plain open sights. Honest, my Marlin 30-30 is the only rifle where I can sit there, close my eyes, shoulder the rifle, open my eyes, and I'm looking right down the open sights - each and every time. It just works... So, I want to keep the 30-30 as is, but get something scoped that will be better than the 30-30, but still be in that family of quick, snappy, short action, type of caliber.
Anyway.... I have picked up and held these rifles, so far:
Ruger 77 --- Very nice. Excellent quality. But it just didn't feel right. It was nice, but it didn't spark my interest.
[/align]An old used Winchester model 70 in a .270 --- OMG... I died and went to heaven. This rifle was sweet. It just felt right. There was a magical spark there, you know? But, sadly, this rifle was beat to sh**. It was dinged and scratched all to hell, and it had raised up scope rings but no scope.
Later on today, I willget out there and look at the various gun stores and see what I see and what feels right. To me, it's like how I am with a guitar in a music store... You just know it when you pick it up. You can feel it. It "speaks" to you... Something happens that you can't control, and it comes home with you...
[8D]
Butch A.[/align][/align]
Anyway.... I have picked up and held these rifles, so far:
Ruger 77 --- Very nice. Excellent quality. But it just didn't feel right. It was nice, but it didn't spark my interest.
[/align]An old used Winchester model 70 in a .270 --- OMG... I died and went to heaven. This rifle was sweet. It just felt right. There was a magical spark there, you know? But, sadly, this rifle was beat to sh**. It was dinged and scratched all to hell, and it had raised up scope rings but no scope.
Later on today, I willget out there and look at the various gun stores and see what I see and what feels right. To me, it's like how I am with a guitar in a music store... You just know it when you pick it up. You can feel it. It "speaks" to you... Something happens that you can't control, and it comes home with you...
[8D]Butch A.[/align][/align]
05-05-2007, 10:02 AM
#43
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location:
Posts: 1,785
RE: Help me pick a new deer rifle
Just a suggestion, but since you really seem to have "connected" with the Model 70, why not buy it and restock it (if the stock is the only problem)? I personally don't have a problem with a "well used" gun as long as it feels and shoots good. You also mentioned "raised up scope rings", and I am not exactly sure what you mean by this. But again, scope mounts and rings can easily be replaced to suit your fancy.
I guess I am kind of into "fixer upper" guns and am always looking for a new "project".
And by the way, you couldn't ask for a better caliber than 270 in my opinion.
I guess I am kind of into "fixer upper" guns and am always looking for a new "project".
And by the way, you couldn't ask for a better caliber than 270 in my opinion.
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