The best rifle for deer?
 

Well I know its been asked about 3 million times or more. What is the best deer gun? Ive been reading and reading and reading about deer rifles, when I thought I have found a good caliber. I did research on the caliber. I am wondering what would be the best deer rifle for me?

I hunt the Catskill Mountains in New York. I hunt atleast everyday in the season. My shots are about 15 to about say about 400 yards away, and im a real good marksmen and know alot about guns so im wondering what the best gun would be for me?

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

What rifle do you have? Most any centerfire rifle with a good cartridge will kill a deer. I like a .270. I would invest in the best scope that you can get.

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

400 yards in the Catskills is extremely rare. Most of my kills there were 50 - 100 yards. Any 25 - 30 caliber gun in that range is more than adequate at dealing out death to bambi. 25-06, .270, .308, 30-30, 30-06....they will all GET ER DONE.

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

i said 400 yards just going high incase it did happen I dont think it will but anythings possible so i added it

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

Any of those that Zoomer listed would be good. Along with any of another couple of dozen that fall between the .25 and .30 caliber territory!
The 25-06, 7MM-08 and .260 are three really good choices for flat shooting, and low recoil!

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

I've always shot a .243 and never had any problems, but will be purchasing a new Browning .25 WSSM this summer. I still love my .243's, but that WSSM is awfully sweet! It doesn't take a .300 Ultra Mag or 7mm to drop a whitetail. Put all your choices in a hat and draw one....you can't go wrong.

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

Your right this has been asked a million times,and will continue to be discussed on message boards and around campfires for ever.The only real answer is a caliber that is suitable for deer (.270,.308,30-06..300's are only a few) in a rifle that you like and are comfortable with,and most important, a rifle that shoots and that you can shoot,accuratly!
A .300 superduper Rem-chester does not do you any good if you can't hit anything.

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

i think the 303 british is the best lol well its the only gun I have so thats why lol

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

.303 British............Canadian EH ???....LOL;)

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

Well opinions are just like belly buttons everyone has one bUT I am partial to the 7mm08 ...I hunt North Alabama and Southern Tennessee where the average buck weighs about 150lbs and our average shot is 100 yards .. and this cal. is great for these animals BUT with that being said I have taken 3 Canadian Whitetails one weighed in at 337lbs on the hoof and I shot him at about 200 yards through the right read hip. I shoot a 139 Nossiler Balistic Tip and it works great for me.


Doc

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

270 pump Remington. Or 30-06. I like the Remington pump because of its quick follow up shot if needed yet the ones I have had give up very little in accuracy to a good bolt gun. I have had four or five of them and have never had a malfunction of any kind with feeding or extracting. Good all around deer rifle.

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

I like any of the standard "deer sized" calibers, some favs of mine are 7mm-08, 260 rem, 308 win, 30-06, 8x57 mauser, 270 and 280.

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

For making consistant 400 yard kills on deer,three components are required:

1)a cartridge with sufficient energy to reliably kill a deer at 400 yards

2)a rifle and load combination that is accurate to 400 yards

3)a hunter that can consistantly place a bullet in the vitals at 400 yards

The first two are fairly easy to find but the third component is usually the difficult one. Most people simply will not spend the time and ammunition necessary to develop and maintain the skills necessary to be consistantly accurate at 400 yards.

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

30-06 all the way

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

So true. I've noticed they'll also sight those rifles in on a nice calm warm day and think they're ready for deer season.

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

the .06 if ya dont bowhunt

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

My favorite is a Remington 700 in 308 Win. I'm fortunate to have a decent selection of firearms to chose from. When traveling on a hunt I will normally take two firearms. My 308 is always one of the two that I will carry. The other is often a 7mm Rem. Mag.;)

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

I like the .25-06. I also use the .243 for this purpose, but think the .25-06 is a little better, more forgiving of a marginal shot.

Notwithstanding, there are just a lot of good deer cartridges including the .270, .30-06, .280, 7 mm mag, .308, .30-30, and many others.

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

Nothin drops a deer dead in its tracks like a go ol' 30-06

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

I live and hunt in the catskills and you can't much go wrong with the old standard's,30-06,270,.308 etc..The 30-06 is arguably the most versatile with the wide range of bullet selection.If I only had one rifle it would probably be a 30-06.I would not be concerned about 400 yard shots.If you are mountain hunting 95% of your shots will be within 100 yards.

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

a 243 would be nice but a Calenge at 400 hundred yards!

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

.243 thru the 30-06 are all capable of covering and produce enough knock down power out 200 yards. The most important question to ask yourself when purchasing a gun is are you comfortable with that caliper. The next important thing is to shoot it enough to where you have confidence in yourself and the gun to take the shot that is presented to you, even if its 50 yards or 250 yards out.

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

They say it's bad to be narrow minded which sometimes I think I am but it's 30-06 for me.

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

go with the 7mm mag. It's a little big for whitetails but if you ever want to hunt elk, bear or other larger game your all set. Its better to have to much gun than not enough. I had a 270 for 10 years then purchased the rem. 7mm mag. and love it. Ohh make sure you wear ear plugs when you shoot the 7mm. TRUST ME, MY EAR STILL RINGS 3 YEARS LATTER

SKILLET

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

If I was going to a rifle I'd get one that will take anything from elk to deer. A little more gun is better than not enough . 280 Rem. would be the one for me.

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

The best rifle for deer is what ever you are most comfortable with. Caliber doesnt matter as long as its within your states legal diameter.

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

I've got an '06, a .308, and I've used my father's .30-30 at times, based on the terrain I've been hunting at the time. For NY's Southern Zone, the '06. For NY's Northern Zone, near Willsboro, I've gone with the other two. I've thought about a .260 (ostensibly for my wife ;) ), but I've got other things to spend my money on . . . like a GPS . . . and scent control clothing . . .

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

By far the best rifle for deer hunting is the rifle that you can shoot well and have confidence in. Being happy and sure of what your rifle will do is a big part of the hunt and the most fun too. Any of the popular deer calibers will work just fine with practice and patience. Good Luck

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

My choice would be the 25.06 but my opimion could be a little bias because that happens to be my favorite caliber. It's a fast flat shooting andaccurate caliberthat hits the target hard and also has mild recoil. It's pure deer poison!:D

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

Well, I've never been to the Catskills, but I do hunt the mountains of NW Arkansas and just went through this "pick a gun" thing this spring. I chose a Rem 700 Mountian LSS in 7MM-08. The stainless barrel & action and laminated stock are perfect for incliment weather and in my opinion the 7MM-08 has the perfect combination of light recoil and plenty of punch for deer sized game out to 300Yds.

A 400 Yd shot would be streaching the 7MM-08 a little, but I don't think I'd ever see a 400 Yd shot opportunity here in the Ozarks and wouldn't take the shot if I did. Right now I'm comfortable out to 200 Yds and practicing to extend that on out to 300YDs even though the vast majority of shots here are well under 200YDs.

firstshot
--------------------------------------------
Make your first shot count!

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

I'm partial to the .270, but most of the others listed will do a fine job. Whatever you get, practice a lot. Also, it would be smart to invest almost as much in your scope as you spend on the rifle. If you can't see it you sure can't hit it. Best of Luck.

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

All those calibers mentioned work and work well..
I like the 30-06..For the areas that I hunt..
More important is shot placement and bullet selection..
The Bullet is what does the work..
Personally I like a bullet that will pass through 2 or 3 tree trunks
before it hits the deer knocking it down..:D:D:D

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

Go with a .270. It has less kick than a 30-06 and excellent long range trajectory and energy for deer. It is also a fairly versatile gun as it will take out almost any North American animal cleanly from a well placed shot.

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

I went with a Remington bolt 30-06. Easy to find ammunition and versatility to go after bigger game....if I should ever be so lucky.

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

It ain't luck, it's planning. Drive an old car and make payments to your hunt fund. ;)

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

In the scenario you outlined initially, consider a lever action such as the Marlin 336 in 35 Remington - good to 200 yards. I wouldn't worry about 400 yard shots as how often are you going to get such an opportunity that you won't be able to hunt closer? It is a fast handling rifle and hard hitting cartridge that is good for deer and any black bear you may meet. I use the same here in Alberta and have no problems with it.

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

Winchester Model 70 in the venerable 30 naught 6 caliber .....:D

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

There is no perfect caliber for deer or any game. Its all in your personal preferance and what you are comfortable with.

I like the .300 Win Mag and .308, both will kill anything in north america. They arent for everyone since different people have different recoil tolerances but they are what I like.

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

Slamfire: Of course you are right about that. I do plan on going up to Canada or Alaska some day. Got to feel good about the retirement war chest first. ;-)

RE: The best rifle for deer?
 

I would choose a .270 Weatherby mag in an Ultra Light Weight Model. The other would be my old favorite 7mm Remington Mag. It does not kick much, shoots great, short or long range, and kills what it hits. Good luck