heftigrat

So, I'm new to hunting deer, as in I have never hunted before, nor do I know anyone who does well enough to have had a conversation about it. I am assuming any rifle designed to chamber a round .308 or above will do the job, but any expert advice would be appreciated. I need to start saving up for the appropriate rig, and here are two rifles I have found that seem to be adequate:

Beretta Tikka T3 Tactical (.308 Win)
http://www.berettausa.com/product/ri...rrentseries=27

Remington 700 XCR Tactical Long Range (.308 or .300 Win Mag)
http://www.remington.com/tactical/tactical_rifles.asp

And of course the proper scope and rangefinder combo, but for now I'm just interested in rifle selection. What do you guys/gals think of the rifles above, and can you think of something better?

P.S. I am an avid target shooter, have been since I was a kid, so recommendations based on the "starter gun" idea are appreciated, but NOT necessary. Thanks!

curth83

well first off welcome to the forums.

now to the gun. i wouldnt recommend using a tactical rifle, simply because you dont need it. but it wont hurt you if you do choose to buy it. i use the remington 700 that shoots a .270 win, and it does a great job. good luck on your gun purchase.

Tikka 30-06

Check out the other tikkas, because a tactical is really not needed. I shoot a T3 Lite (sythentic) in 30-06 and I am yet to find a gun that has a smoother action or that I like more. For some more info check out there website (plz dont get me in trouble) at www.tikka.fi

BigTiny

Those tactical rifles are fun to shoot but they usually come with a good deal of extra weight. I would personally get tired of lugging it around. If you have your heart set on tactical, give the Savage a look. I don't know about the other makes nowadays, but the Savage was the last one I used and it performed well. Keep in mind any round that can perforate both lungs will kill the deer. I took my first buck with a .223 last year.

millerhunter13

well i would choose remington out of the 2, but i would try and find a winchester model 70 good rifle to buy

doubleA

Heftigrat...... While a tactical rifle would'nt be my first choice as a hunting rifle, if you feel the need for one you can take it up a notch by looking at the Sako TRG 22/42. They are available in 308 Win, 300 Win Mag and 338 Lapua Mag. I recently got one in the 338 Lapua and it's a great rifle to say the least.

If the hunting part doesnt work out you will still have a heck of a target gun!

http://www.sako.fi/images/trg/trg-42_green_phos.jpg

Aught Six

I have a thing for the Remington 700 LTR in .308, but it's just not necessary for hunting. Light, compact, andclose totwice the price of my good ol' 700 ADL in .30-06 that I shoot1.25 MOA groups with out of the box.

younggun308

How much did that rifle cost, doubleA?
Let me guess, around $1,200?

doubleA

The basic TRG new, is between $2500-$3000 depending on color/finish and with a few accessories can put one over $4K. Add another $1200-$2500 for base/rings and good tactical scope.

PaJack

I have been a big fan of the 700 for many years...