new deer rifle suggestions
 

hello all- looking to upgrade my deer rifle. my remington 710 feels cheap- because it is- and the bolt release lever is a horrible design. I'll keep it as a backup beacuse its not worth anything anyways. anyway I want a bolt action in 30-06 , lightweight , would prefer a detachable magazine . i like the the accu trigger thing too but not a huge deal. less then a grand . I won't be shooting much over 200 yards. Let me know what you think thanks

https://www.browning.com/content/bro...alker-NDT.html

Ive found these browning rifles to be a good value, Id certainly consider one if I wanted a quality rifle at a decent price
obviously, shop carefully they have a fast 60 degree bolt and detachable magazine and can be had in synthetic or wood versions

https://www.sporting-rifle.com/revie...0fox%20control.


https://www.biggamehunt.net/reviews/...stalker-review

What caliber is your Rem 710? Also, there is a safety recall on them from back in 2002 or so for safety detent springs. You should be able to check on Remington's website to see if your rifle is affected or not. Do you have a budget for your new rifle? That would help with recommendations.

about any GOOD bolt action hunting rifle can be had for less than a grand
I'd suggest going to some larger gun shops that have a wide selection rifles and holding as many as you can and see what FITS YOU best!
as what I like and what fits me, may NOT be what fits you or you like

there are many rifles that have been about for a LONG time for a reason, rem, 700 line, Winchester model 70's and so on!
ALL them have now branched out into several configurations, to get YOU what you want

you can also search MFG's web sites to see model's, make a list of what you like and THEN again go shoulder them, work there actions, feel there safeties and dry fire them to see what you LIKE and fits you best

also maybe keep in mind if your looking for a light weight hunting rifle, maybe set down to a smaller caliber, less recoil shorter actions and will be lighter pending make model than a 30-06 will be!

I own several light weight rifles from factory to custom built in the 7mm08 caliber and been deer killing machine for me, as well as many other species of like sized game.
from up close and personal to past 400+ yards NO problem when I do my part!
but there are tons of great whitetail deer calibers out there that can be had in lighter weighting rifles without the recoil of a light weight 30-06,
lighter the rifle the more recoil will hit you!
so food for thought maybe!

MRBB makes a valid point , given the stated use Id have gone with a 25/06 synthetic stalker version,
I've seen several ELK killed very convincingly with a 257 roberts,
so a 25/06 ,is surely up to the task of dispatching deer with a precisely placed shot ,
made by someone familiar with deer anatomy

https://www.speer.com/bullets/rifle_...t/19-1415.html

The rifle I have now is a 30-06 and recoil is not an issue- I like the caliber - old school and does the job really well. just wondering what makes/models some other people have and what they like or dislike about them that might not be obvious when looking at them in a gun shop

Yes I got you have a 30-06 now, but when you go to a LIGHTER rifle in same caliber, your going to notice MORE recoil, due to the rifle being lighter,, its how rifles work!

as for specific ridfles to look at again
REm model 700's are the most copied action in the world, for many reasons
SO< they are a good rifle to look at
but also as stated, all the long time models have proven track records,
Win Model 70's, browning A bolts, Sako's 85's , and a whole bunch of newer guns that have many great features copied from the best of the one's mentioned!

but they all pretty much have different stock shapes, lengths of pull, trigger/pistol grips designs, different degree throws on bolts and so on
SO, honestly what I or anyone else likes, , it will still come down to what YOU like and what FITS you best
as a gun that fits YOU<> YOU will shot better than one that doesn't fit YOU, but fits me!, if you follow!

Most ALL good gun shops carry most of the most popular rifles, due to again there the main sellers
they also tend to have the most aftermarket support(hard to beat remington in this dept)
as this then makes adding or changing things easier
can also be cheaper to get parts/add ons for as well
as the more popular and longer running models, costs are cheaper to make parts for them due to they been around a LONG time and as such SO many make parts(scope mounts, triggers stocks, and assorted replacement parts or UPGRADED parts)
when more company's are into making same parts they tend to compete for business and as such prices tend to then be better or more options or??

SO again, A rem 700 would top my list here if you wanted an exact make model

I also would suggest you maybe learning some of the benefits of different calibers, if your wishing to have a smaller lighter rifle
Short action calibers make for less metal on receiver thus less weight, smaller calibers than your 30-06 will then have LESS recoil in a lighter / Smaller gun
there is NOTHING wrong with a 30-06, I own several
but they do have more recoil than is needed for deer hunting even in larger rifles, and I am NOT recoil shy, (I own many MUCH larger caliber rifles with 2-3+times the recoil of a 30-06)
but I do 100% fully appreciate the advantages of some slightly smaller calibers and there less recoil for deer hunting, making lighter rifles to carry as well as shorter one's(30-06's can be had in shorter versions too so NOT saying they cannot, but you will most times get more recoil again due to caliber)

a s for ME with dis likes on some rifles
and I mean NO disrespect to them or those that liek them
I have never been a fan of Ruger rifles that use ONLY ruger style scope mounts, way too limited on options IMO
Savage's, as accurate as so many I have shot and owned have been, I find them some what crude, even there higher end one's

WInchesters have a dis like maybe (sadly) due to they changed owners so many times and every time there were quality changes in there rifles
same as with Weatherby rifles
and in the 15-20 Weatherby rifles I have owned, I have NEVER owned one that shot very well, YES I know many that have tack drivers, I just was never able to BUY one of them and I TRIED for yrs, from german made to China to USA made one's!I just never had luck
and YES I DO STILL own some , but they don't be what I call very accurate rifles compared to others I have!

when you get into other brands, again, many are just plain harder to find parts for !

SO< for ME< rem WIns the rifle game!

and I am NOT saying other brands DON"T make GREAT files, many do
just if I was to suggest a out of box rifle, Rem 700's are hard to beat , for being quality rifles,(yes some have had recalls, but so have other brands), the fact there proven and there are SO many vendors making aftermarket parts for them,
and there normally very accurate rifles out of the box

WIN win win!
MY 2 cents

my rem 710 in synthetic stock is light- thats one thing I like about it- recoil not an issue. it just has a "cheap" kind of feel to it. and the bolt release is a total cluster@#$%..

Too bad you probably don’t live near me. My local store has a Weatherby Vanguard Synthetic S2 in 30-06 on the used rack for a good price. Maybe it’s because I grew up shooting a Vanguard, but they just feel right when you’re holding them shouldered. Haven’t held a rifle yet that could quite match the feel of it. The newer ones have a 3 position safety that allows you to unload the chamber while keeping it on “safe,” and they do make drop box magazine variants.

I think your missing my point here
a Rem model 710 is NOT considered a LIGHT weight rifle, its a full sized basic rifle(its close to a 7-1/2 lb rifle MINUS a scope sling , or loaded with ammo!

a TRUE light weight rifle will be much lighter by DESIGN(rem 700 mountain rifles, ruger mark II Ultra light, Savage ultra lights, Kimbers, and so on,, these are rifle designed to be LIGHT weight by, having special stocks that shave weight, thinner barrels, and trimmed metal off actions and where ever to enable the rifle to WEIGHT less!
many are well under 6 llbs, and many can be at about the 7 lb mark with a scope and some even loaded with ammo as well!

TRUE custom light weight rifles can cost however More than your 1000 dollar budget, but many factory one's can be had in your price range if you REALLY wanted a lightweight rifle
as you mentioned in your post !


SO, AGAIN, when you get into TRUE ultra light rifles, unless you add muzzle brakes to them, recoil increases, its science at work, NO way around it! its science at work, not opinions!

AND a TRUE ULTRA LIGHT 30/06 will have noticeable recoil over your 710 you have!
just saying, and replying based on the info you posted !

After reading all of the OP's posts in this topic, I'm wondering if he shouldn't just have a gunsmith go through his rifle with some work on the bolt and a trigger job. Maybe even a new stock if he doesn't like the one he's got. From what I can tell, he likes the caliber and accuracy.

Try out a savage 110 ....spend the rest on a vortex scope

I'm really surprised that no one mentioned Tikka rifles. I have rifles made by Rem, Win, Marlin, Savage, Browning and Tikka and my Tikka T3 Lite is my favorite. Mine is the synthetic/stainless version (and left hand too) in 30-06. I'm not saying its the best but it is very accurate, well made, and working the bolt is as slick as snot on a door knob!
Go to a gun shop that carries them and you'll see what I mean.

Ive always heard good things but never had one. Seems like it definitely meets the requirements here. You get 1 inch or less at 100 yards with it? The accutrigger is why I almost always go savage.....Its hard to beat out of the box.

Go to a gun shop. Check out the triggers. When I've done that I've found some that I was interested had the worst grintty triggers on the planet.

Triggers can be replaced on most anything now.

If it's something you really want. Good point though if you're just looking for a good shooter right off the shelf.

-Jake

I'm just a bit curious, as to the accuracy standard, your using,
now I own several Weatherby rifles,
and find all of them to work rather well for the purpose intended.
admittedly they are not target rifles', they are not meant to be,
they are all calibers 340, 378 416 and 375 H&H and yes I bought and use them for hunting.
and of course everyone has some personal idea as to what constitutes an accurate rifle
and I'm certainly not a great shot, and I don't shoot targets much more than to zero rifles,
but I do handload and do hunt rather often,
keep in mind most Weatherby rifles are used for hunting larger game,
and at least in my mind a rifle that maintains a consistent zero is a valuable trait.
most if not all my Weatherby rifles will place three shots at 100 yards ,
in a 1"-1.3" circle off a solid bench rest at 100 yards from a cold barrel.
maybe because I handload and take the time to find what the rifle likes,
and yes I've used acu-glass to re-bed those rifles that I felt would have benefited from it.,
now admittedly you'll never win bench rest target competition's with groups like that
but there has never yet been a mule deer or elk that was walking away laughing at my inability to place a lethal shot.
yeah I use a bi-pod, and a sling, and I might never come close to wining some bench rest completion,
but the rifles are a very consistent and reasonably accurate tool used for hunting.
Yes I freely admit most of the game I shoot has been at under 300 yards and Ill pass on anything over 600 yards,
and just hold off until I get into range for a dead certain hit to the vitals.
with that level of accuracy If I do my part even at 600 yards the bullets impact within 4-5 inches of the intended point of impact,
and I doubt any deer or elk will notice a minor discrepancy here!

I bought a new browning blr 30:06 last season. Love it. I a so happy with that purchase. Great gun . Very smooth and accurate

sorry on not seeding this sooner
some how missed it till now

But I consider a rifle to be accurate by a basic 1 MOA of accuracy
and I am a guy that likes accurate rifles, and do my part in always trying to find a load they like

NONE of the weatherby's i bought for myself , was I ever able to get to shoot well or accurate to be in the 1 Moa or better standard I want in my rifles

were they good ENOUGH to kill deer and like animals, YES, not saying they wouldn't do such!
but that doesn't mean I would call them accurate
I personally owned a few dozen of them , but none shot that well IMO!

I HAVE seem some that shot VERY well
so I know some do!
I just never had one of them!

I just got back from a trip to the local; outdoor 100 yard rifle range, where I sighted in a couple of my "go-too", hunting rifles
I checked the zero on my browning BLR in caliber 450 marlin with its preferred load of a remington 405 grain bullet over 50 grains of IMR 3031,
and my ruger #1 in caliber 270 win with its speer 150 grain, over 53 grains of WW760 , both loads, use a federal 215 primer.
both rifles are sighted in to impact 3.5" high at 100 yards over a center hold on a 1/2" orange paste on dot,
this allows a very useful center of chest hold on any game out to about 250 yards without having to calculate anything,
and its very useful as I rarely have the opportunity or need to shoot at ranges exceeding 200 yards in the areas I hunt.
after using the bench and sandbags to verify the rifles zero was dead on, I spent a great deal of time and effort ,
carefully placing shots from a siting position with the sling resting my elbows inside my knees, as you might on a hunt.
sometimes with my harris bi-pod and at times without the 13.5"-27" bi-pod
Harris S-25C Bipod Sling Swivel Stud Mount 13-1/2 to 27 Kryptek (midwayusa.com)

the range officer stopped to chat, and he mentioned how rare it was to see anyone not using the bench to sight in his rifle.
I mentioned the extreme lack of concrete benches in the correct location when they are required in the field while hunting and we both had too laugh\
because most of the guys shooting those bragging size groups off the bench would be seriously challenged to hit a 6" orange dot at 100 yards.
if they were shooting from a rapidly acquired field position.
yeah, its rather interesting to see how much the group size increases once the bench is no longer used or available to steady the rifle,



in fact the guy on the next bench over though I was wrong, so I challenged him to a friendly bet,
of $5 that on the next relay ID place a 3" orange dot on the target backer, at 100 yards range,
and if he could hit it on his first shot using his rifle from a sitting position,
he had won, $5 from me, if not I won $5 from him
he was close but the sticky dot remained pristine and I got $5, so I purchased us three, people, (he, the range officer and I ) a couple cokes, out of the vending machine

I agree ONLY shooting from a bench and rests doesn't do much in teaching shooting skills when actually hunting afield and there are no benches or sand bags about to use!

BUT for me, range s and benches are just there to show me what my rifles can do and what they like,as in loads

as without this info
just randomly getting ammo and trying to hit targets as if hunting, isn;t going to get anyone any added skills in shooting !!

and trust me after decades of doing range work, and teaching shooters and just being a shooting range so often, I about seen it all
from folks using wrong ammo, to guns exploding to shooting wrong targets and NOT knowing it, to???
it can be a scary place to be at times

I can recall MANY times when at a PUBLIC range,
seeing folks checking targets and idiots shooting at targets 20-30 ft away from those checking there targets
and the shooters NOT believing there doing anything wrong when confronted about it!
some of the arguments I have witnessed, were mind blowing on the reasons they still shot at targets!

SO, not seeing many shooting from, hunting positions
YUP that's common, but I;'ll take that any day of the week over other ways I seen folks shot at ranges!

I just recently bought a Tikka T3 Hunter great shooter in 7mm-08

I've been using a Savage 110 in .270 for many years. Never steered me wrong. I'm taking shots from 100-200 yards and this rifle is very accurate. Just make sure to get a good scope with low light transmission

25-06
 

I have several rifles in 25-06 I love them it's a round round. Have killed alot of deer and ton of hogs. Going to Wyoming in Oct my wife will use hers for Antelope and Mule deer.
I like Sako 85 the best.