Deer Hunting - Newbie Gun Question...
 

I grew up hunting dove and rabbit with a shotgun...currently own two pistols but never a rifle.

Could someone please give me some information about guns (type, size, what I should be looking for, expected cost, etc.) that are typically used for deer hunting...but could possibly used for other types of hunting as well?

My son (soon to be 7) really wants to learn how to shoot a bow and arrow (so he's getting a set for his birthday) but I'm more of a gun man...although I may end up getting a used/cheap bow so I can learn with him.

Thanks for any and all help.

TripleB

are you looking to shoot long range?? if so id say a 30-06 or 7mm or somthing like that if you are not shooting real far a 30-30 or a shotgun.

Having experience hunting with a SG for small game, you at least have already had an introduction to recoil forces associated with typical moderate rifles' recoil forces. Knowing the area of the country where you'll be hunting would help with giving suggestions. I'd suggest some moderate cartridges ranging from a .243 through .308 as ones you might want to consider. If your area will be typical deer cover with shots of 25-150 yards or so, there's nothing wrong with the tried & true 30-30 (or similar) in a lever gun. Lots of those around for decent prices, both new & used.

A decent entry level bolt rifle such as a Ruger American or Marlin X7 can be purchased and topped with a decent quality scope for about $500 or so. Cartridges to look at in those rifles would include .243, 25/06, 7/08 and .308. These type cartridges open up your chances at longer ranges than the venerable 30-30, but longer ranges are seen more in "theory" than they are in actual hunting situations, IMO.

A lot of new hunters think high magnification is the way to go looking for a scope. In reality, a 2-7 or 3-9 will do pretty much anything needed for the deer hunting area, allowing for good FOV (Field Of View) at short ranges and plenty of magnification to reach the MPBR (Max Point Blank Range) of these type cartridges. Best thing to do is to get out and try to handle a good number of firearms finding those that feel "right" to you. It's not always best to pick something because someone else says it's a good deal or a good "fit" for you. Good Luck!

There's a wide variety of cartridges well suited for whitetail deer. Any of them TN said are excellent choices, as would be the 30-06 or the .270. Ammo for most of these would be (relatively) cheap and easy to find (25-06 and 7-08 might be a little harder than the others).
It would help to know where you plan on hunting and what sort of ranges you expect to be shooting. Also, you mention hunting other species, and for that, it really depends on what else you see yourself hunting. If your are talking about coyotes, stay toward the smaller end; elk & moose? stay larger (maybe larger than what's been mentioned here); black bear or hogs? somewhere in between.

To be honest, at this point, I do not know. I would say something that may be versatile.

I'll more than likely be hunting the western part of North Carolina (mountains and foothills).

So I should expect to buy something with a little better quality than say a Mossberg 100 ATR 30-06 Bolt Action Rifle with Scope for $299 or a Remington 770 30-06 (or .270) for Springfield Bolt Action Rifle with Scope for $299?

Thanks for the information!!!

TripleB

I would suggest you stay away from the Rem M770. A very good hunting Buddy bought one on a whim at Wally World one day and sold it shortly thereafter. Remington has already added another entry level rifle the model 783. Any of the scopes that come on a $300. package rifle are going to be of questionable quality, pretty much a crap shoot (no pun intended) as to whether they might even last a season. Linked below is a comparison review of several entry level rifles.

I'd suggest looking to a Nikon Prostaff as a good entry level scope. Finding one in 2-7x32 for a good deal would work as would finding great close-out deals (as linked below). Natchez and SWFA are known to have some great close-out bargains. My suggestion would be to steer clear of ballistics reticles (reticles having multiple aiming points) when looking for a scope. It's easy to get confused if not well acquainted with them.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/compared_b...omy_rifles.htm

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm...4563&src=tpCtg

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm...6420&src=tpCtg

From your reply to other's advice, I am ssuming that you re trying to keep your initial purchase expenses a reasonable as practical. For sure it will be hard to be the oldie, but goodie 30.06 Springfield. Factory ammo is as readily available , and as reasonably priced for the 30.06 as about any these days.

A bolt action would be my choice beacause the it a is simple and reliable design, and usually a bolt action is going to be accurate.

As to the question of Manufacturer and Model. Depends somewhat on your budget. If you are wanting to stay at the "economy" end of the price range, do not expect any more than a Plain-Jane look, acceptable machining and a so-so trigger. But you should end up with good accuracy and a rifle that can last a life time with proper care and maintenance.

My expereince with the Rem. 770 is not good enough for me to recommend it. However when it comes to the Ruger American and Savage Axis ... I can. I have shot numerous of these two. The factory trigger is not all that swift on either, but it'll do. In fact I was so impressed with the Axis for the $$$ that I bought my grand kids each one. Both in 243 Win. Both grouped great with several factory loads I tried.

When it comes to a scope, just don't scrimp. Whatever your scope budget is, spend it all so that you get the best that you can afford. My expereince with low end scopes has been so poor that I recommend you avoid these like the plague. A good , economical scope .... Leupold, Vortex & Nikon offer decent scopes in the $200 range. I lean towards Leupold.

If you have the budget, a great buy in my book for a value scope is the Ziess Conquest. If I have read your hunting correctly anything in a 1.5-6 to 3-9 x 40 mm variable would be a good choice.

Take a look at these;


http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/ruge...-p-127532.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/weat...-p-121954.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/marl...-p-117249.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/ruge...h-p-99578.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/tikk...h-p-90826.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/remi...h-p-86358.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/howa...h-p-99595.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/sava...m-p-86703.html


http://www.remington.com/product-fam...model-783.aspx

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/thom...-p-121934.html

.270 or 30-06...walmart has a Remington 700 for around $400 brand new

With a young one who is already showing a interest in hunting with a bow and may want to rifle hunt since dad is I recommend a 243 or 7MM08 and a Savage rifle. Low recoil with either of th4e above and ammo isn't to hard or expensive for either.
Savage bolt action rifles are about the most out of the box accrete one you can buy today and the quality isn't to bad either.

:D Al

Thanks for the advice and for getting me to think about the future for my son.

I love the cost of that 243 Savage and it seems to get awesome reviews. Quick question...any scope recommendation to go with it?

I appreciate everyone's input so far.

TripleB

I'd look at the Savage model 11 package with the Nikon scope.

DO NOT BUY THE 770. Remington has really cheapened out on they're guns lately and I know some guys personally that own 770's and hate them. its a shame but Remington is no longer the company it once was. on the other hand the Mossberg 100 ATR is a much better gun than most people think. a few of my huntin buddys have bought an ATR the last few years and love them. ive shot them a little as well and have never had any problems with them.

If you want to save a few $$, there's some Nikon Prostaff's and Redfields on the SWFA sample list. Also check Cameralandny for demo units.

I'd also recommend figuring out the complete setup before you buy anything.

For example the savage axis is about $300 and then you buy a Nikon prostaff 3x9 for $160 then you have $460 in an axis when you could have had a savage model 11 for about $500 with the same scope.

you can get a remington 700 ald for around $450-480 with a scope. Wal-Mart is the cheapest place to get one if their is a Wal-Mart by you that sales guns. if not basspro, dicks, cabelas, or gandermountain has them.

You can but the scope is junk. Pretty good gun though

I agree the scope on the rem combo is the same as the 770 a bushnell banner. I would take it off and put a leupold on it then you have a good rifle.

I love my T/C Venture in the .308 Shot an 8 pointer at 225 yards with no drop in the bullet. Accurate gun out of the box and sells for $500 new and has a $75 rebate. They have had a couple of recalls but have the bugs worked out. Great customer service. My brother just purchased the same gun in the 7mm 08. Can't wait to see his reaction in the shot group. He'll be excited.

Any of the rifles I recommended will do the job.

The scope is the most important aspect to shooting well.

........Other than, your marksmanship ( nothing beats experience ) !!!

The rifle needs a few tricks; barrel hand lapped & free floated ( if not done by the manufacturer ), trigger job ( or drop-in trigger), bedding of the action & stock, lastly a hand full of different ammo "brands" (in different weights) appropriate for the twist in that particular caliber.

If I had only one deer rifle, it would be a .270 Win.

I have only one deer rifle, it's a .243... ;)

Go with a Leupold V-II, 3x9x40...The heavy duplex is really nice,
especially in low light conditions...

Sorry to hear that,my 710 in 30-06 is a great rifle.It's accurate out to 300 yards,the guy behind the trigger might not be,lol.

i to can vouch for the atr i love that gun i have one in a 30 06 i gave it a facelift a month ago with a tiger stripe stock and od green barrel its an awsome deer gun and the atr comes in a few different cal like 270 308 ect... as far as rifle choice for deer hunting if you dont think you will shoot far go with a 30 06 and you will also be able to take elk and moose later on if you feel the need and the 06 is a solid 350 yard on gun to if you are able to shoot that far

if you are going to use the rifle to hunt one or two days a year and not shot a whole lot with it the rem 770 is ok. want to shoot a lot and hunt hard look at the rem 700 adl.