RE: New Deer Hunter Needs Help w/ Gun Purchase.
 

As you specified 'deer rifle'....the .270 Winchester has served the masses for decades faithfully, is reasonably flat shooting with adequate energy out to 400 yards with decent bullets, has light recoil, and is practically a quintessential whitetail caliber. (It would probably be so for midwestern mulies as well if it were not for the 7 mm Rem mag!)

RE: New Deer Hunter Needs Help w/ Gun Purchase.
 

I picked up a Savage 110 .30-06 combo with a Bushnell 3-9x32 scope for $369, they are $399 right now at the same place. With the $35 trigger adjustment that I will have done, and $200-$250 on a Leupold scope, I will have about $700 in that rifle. Not to count all of the money that has gone in ammo.

.243,.260,7mm-08,.308,.25-06,.270,.280,.30-06 will do fine for deer.

For bigger stuff, go with the .270,.280,.30-06.

RE: New Deer Hunter Needs Help w/ Gun Purchase.
 

I'd have to agree with the others, Savage is making good guns at great prices. I prefer the Winchester though! A Winchester Black Shadow is a good gun for the money too!
I'd say 25-06, .260, 7MM-08, .308, .270, .280 or 30-06 are all great deer calibers. Although I don't own one YET, my next "deer" gun will be a 7MM-08. This caliber has very impressive ballistics. I've seen 2 large Mouflons dropped in their tracks at 300 yards with the 7MM-08. Also it's not a heavy kicker and can probably take Elk at reasonable ranges too. Good luck!

Edited by - frank on 02/13/2002 15:23:32

RE: New Deer Hunter Needs Help w/ Gun Purchase.
 

Welcome to the board FreshTrax,Check out the Remington 700's ,Savages. You can get @Wal*Mart a Remington 700 ADL for under 400.00. Buy a decent scope with good rings and base.That should keep you within the high side of your budget.I RECOMMEND STAYING AWAY FROM A REMINGTON 710.I use a Rem 700 in 270 and it's plenty for whitetails.I like the Ruger Rifles but they would most likely be more then your budget. Used guns will save you a few dollars but you need to have it checked before you buy it if you don't know what to look for. Good luck finding your rifle and deer hunting next season. Ruger Redhawk

RE: New Deer Hunter Needs Help w/ Gun Purchase.
 

You might try investing in an Encore, and then, for very little money you can have any caliber you want including a muzzleloader. They shoot like a dream and handle even better. That is if you don't mind using single shots. I've been using them for years, started out with a contender. If you make a sure shot you never need a follow up anyway.

SOTHRDNK

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RE: New Deer Hunter Needs Help w/ Gun Purchase.
 

Hunting in Onslow County, and the surrounding area, I assume you'll be in a tree stand alongside a field. Get a 30-06 or 270. Zero the gun in at 200 yds. You can get either of these guns fairly cheap at WalMart, a sporting goods store, the classifieds, or a pawn shop. Use 150 gr. bullets in either gun.

I shot a really nice buck this past year in Pender County, NC at about 200 yds with my 45-70.

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RE: New Deer Hunter Needs Help w/ Gun Purchase.
 

Winchester Model 70 Black Shadow under 400.00 @ Wal-Mart. Get a 270, you won't be sorry!

RE: New Deer Hunter Needs Help w/ Gun Purchase.
 

I appreciate all of the input and am amazed by the responsiveness of everybody. Thank you.

So... from all I've heard I think that I am going to get a Rem 700 30-06. How bout the scope? Friend told me that a 3x9 is good and to avoid Tascos, but again, I don't know my um, armpit from elbow (?) when it comes to this. Suggestions? Thanks again...