Looking to get a new rifle
 

I was just wondering what yalls opinions were on a good deer hunting gun. Caliber, Maker, Model all that stuff. I am on the budget of a college student but I have been saving up some money. I just wnat some input form all of you guys.
thanks for yalls help

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

I got a $400 savage combo rifle, it is a .308 with a 3-9X10 scope. One of my friends got one just like in 30-06. We are both very happy and we both tagged a deer this year with them.

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

308 sav if you can get a old 99c lever, the best you will ever have

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

For a budget deer rifle of high quality, I would say it is hard to beat a Weatherby Vangaurd in any of the popular calibers chambered to it, Good Luck!!!

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

Savage package deal ,Winchester black shadow deal ,Remington or even Vanguard can all be bought for under $ 400 . any one of them will work .

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

Savage is a good deal. The scope is junk.

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

i bought a howa 1500 in 308 for $328 and put a $150 scope on it and i am very happy with it!;)

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

Buy a nice gun and put a scope of higher value on it.

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

Amen, I'd rather have a 100 dollar rifle with a 300 dollar scope than 350 dollar gun with a 50 dollar scope. Which is what you will get with those package deals. Hell I don't think some of those combo scopes are worth 50 dollars.

Savage makes some accurate yet fairly inexpensive bolt action rifles. If I were on a budget thats what I would get. They may not be the prettiest girl at the dance but they have it were it counts. Good barrels and a good trigger.

Caliber? This is a matter of preference really. Are you recoil sensitive? If so a 243, 7mm-08 would be your best bet. If recoil is not a problem for you them it's hard to beat a 270 or 30-06. Ammo is cheap and available everywhere on earth with many many different types and grain weights available to choose from. I personally don't feel the big magnums are necessary for deer hunting but then thats just my opinion. I also feel that 243 is the minimum for deer.

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

I use and love my Winchester Model 70 - 270 with a 4 X 8 Bushnel I bought used for $325 a Few years back. Think used direct from a person so you can get a good idea of its condition.

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

i have been thinking about a 7mm. I will probably get one this summer. I don't know what it is about them that i like so much.

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

If your on a budget I'd look at these. H&R single shot, they can be had for about 200 dollars. Come in all popular calibers.

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

Can't beat the savage combo. I got a package deal 7mm-07 with 3x9 scope and sling for under $400.. very accurate as well.

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

If you get the Savage make sure you get the accu-trigger....it is an excellent trigger. Be prepared to replace the scope, bases and rings as the ones on the package guns leave quite a bit to be desired.

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

zrexpilot is right. the h&r single shot is a nice gun. i have a couple of them. one is a ultra light- handi rifle the other is a ultra varmint and boy they both shoot real well. i have remingtons 700's, winchesters,rugers, and savages. the h&r usually shoots the pants of the others. it is nothing to fancy but they are deadly. when you only have one shot you tend to make a better shot. no garbage shots like a lot of guys take. 243, 30-30 or 308 are more than enough for a deer. even the 30-30 is good for a couple hundreds yards. anything bigger than those and you are just wasting your money. i have shot many deer with an old caplock muzzel loader that i have and it does not have a scope. alot depends on where you are going to hunt open fields or wood areas and how much you shoot. most guys that do not shoot much like the scopes. open field you may want a scope but in the woods the scopes are not needed. now varmints and predator are a differant story we are talking about deer here. just my thoughts :)

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

I like the 7mm but the case in point is that when somebody throughs a scope in with the package that is pretty much what you are getting is a throw in>Better to have a decent rifle and a great scope than vice versa.

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

Have a 25-06 synthetic handi. Just bought .243 with 22 inch barrel. I really like the 25-06, but I think the .243 will be a blast, 4 inches shorter. A lot of people don't realize Handis are so short. My 26 inch barrel 25-06 is the same length as a short action bolt action with 22 inch barrel. This new one will be like a short action bolt with 18 inch barrel. LOL! $200 is a good deal for these, lots of fun and great to hunt with IMO.

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

I don't much like my .223 superlite barrel. It is so short and light it is hard to settle down for offhand shots. I like a gun to be a little more muzzle heavy.

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

LOL, you are right, I have a vx-1 on my 25-06 handi. The scope cost almost as much as the gun.

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

i use the .223 super-light for coyote hunting with a pair of shooting stick they do pretty good. what i liked was the weight. it only weights 5 pounds. when i go for dogs i may walk for 8 or 9 hours that's when i really like the 5 pound thing.:)

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

You can't beat the Handi rifle if you are on a budget. They sell for about 200-210 dollars and come in many good deer calibers including 270,280 30-30, 30-06 , 44 Mag, 308,7mm-08 and other options if you wish to add extra barrels which are also cheaper than dirt. For price you can't even come close. Not even with a used rifle as a rule.

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

Got the .243 today. With the 22 inch barrel, it is nicely balanced. Also, it is about 1 inch longer than my Ruger 10/22. Should be fun. The 25-06 has been a blast.

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

My wife and I use handi rifles. I have a 7mm 08 and she has a youth 243. Both are very accurate and easy to carry. I have more expensive rifles that can't shoot with them. I love them,and there cheap. I do how ever use a quality scope and rings.

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

clearanceman. I had the 243 Ultra with the cinamin stock. Nice gun and it shot very well with lighter bullets. I tried the Barnes X bullets in it and it would not shoot them. Anyway I got to many Irons in the fire and ended up trading it off. I will probably get a 243 barrel for my 44 Mag synthetic.

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

I'm not going to suggest a particular gun, just a few things to consider. First, you need to decide what caliber and type of action you want. This should mostly be based on the predominent conditions you will hunt in. Will it be heavily wooded areas or wide open spaces? Then you need to make a trip to the local gun dealer and check out all the different manufacturers rifles that fit the bill. Which gun feels the most comfortable when you shoulder it? Does it come up quick and smooth? Consider bringing your hunting coat with you when you go. Years ago I bought a rifle during the summer. It came up real smooth when I was wearing a T-shirt, but when hunting season rolled around and I was wearing a heavy coat the butt of the stock would always catch on my coat when I shouldered it. It might sound petty, but it was always in the back of my mind. I don't like having distractions at the moment of truth and that gun was history at the end of the season.
You'll know the gun for you. It will just feel right, like it was made just for you. Then all you need to do is shoot, shoot, shoot, and then shoot some more until that rifle feels like and extension of yourself and it's all second nature. Good Luck shopping!

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

Can you slap a custom barrel on those handy single shot rifles??

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

I don't know, the factory barrels are fine and dirt cheap. They have lots of choices. The guns are just a lot of fun. Well balanced, triggers are ok. Accurate enough, cheap reliable. The kind of gun you can take out hunting in the snow and rain and say who cares. But more than that. Still can't figure out why my .308 Abolt medallion stays at home and the 25-06 handirifle goes out more. Part of it is I like 25-06, but maybe the other part has to do with the challenge of single shot and the balance and handling of the rifle. I don't know, I like the muzzleloader too. Something about one shot is neat to me. Can't explain that either. :D

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

I agree. I think it's the "one shot, one kill" attitude. If one doesn't hit the mark, you don't deserve the kill. Makes one a bit more patient for that "better shot" I bet.

I'm assuming if the barrel is attached to the receiver in the same way other barrels are attached, then I guess you could get a custom one. I like the simplicity of the single shot! No bells and whistles! But, I like bells and whistles too!

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

A good, cheap rifle for deer, IMHO, is a Marlin 30/30. That was the first rifle I ever bought. With a decent 3-9x40 scope (which will cost as much as the gun), it is about as deadly as anything. Its easy to carry, ammo is cheap, and recoil is moderate. It won't make any spectacular long range kills, but when used within its limits, it is very effective.

If your looking for a longer range option a 25-06 or .270 would be up to the task. I have a 25-06, and have shot .270's. Most any brand of bolt action rifle will provide you with satisfactory accuracy as long as it is floated correctly. I haven't ever shot any of the single shot rifles, so I can't comment on them. Just keep in mind that topping your rifle off with a good scope will cost $$$.

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

JMO. . . . ..270 or 30-06. As for a brand name. . . .find one that feels good to you. Check balance, trigger, weight, length etc. Looks of reasonable guns but each one will fit slightly different.

Also, check out your local pawn shops you may be supprised what you can find if your not in a hurry. You may save 40/50% off list price for a used gun a real nice shape. I have picked up a few guns this way. Just take your time inspect closely and build a relationship with the guy at the store so if after going to the range your not happy you can return it.

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

Well thanks yall for all yalls input. I think that i will be rather picky now the when i get the chance to add to the old collection. oh and tiger

WAR DAMN EAGLE!
lol just wanted to say that good to see another Auburn fan on here.
are you enrolled at auburn now or alumni?

thanks to all for yalls help

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

I transferred from The Citadel to Auburn in the fall of '89 to play football! Joined a frat and it all went down hill after that. Lived in the fraternity house for six years and my parents said "enough!" I'm 34, married, and have a youngin' and one on the way. I came back to school last year and will finish this summer!! Paying your own tuition has a way of putting things into perspective!

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

Yeah buddy i know what you mean thast what I have been doing :-)
hey if you ever wanna get together for a hunt just shout me a holler

RE: Looking to get a new rifle
 

I agree with the advise on the Savage. It's a good rifle for the money. However, the advise on a .243 is misplaced. The .243 is a good round in capable hands. Unfortunately,
it is primarily used by youth and women or inexperienced hunters. It is for this reason that the .243 is known as a "deer crippler". I've killed keer with this caliber and have a friend of mine has killed elk with it. However, it does not have enough "knock down power" to correct an off shot. If the vitals are missed or the neck isn't broken you will have a wounded deer on your hands.
For this reason I recommend a .308, 30-06 or something close to it for rookie hunters. Buy what you are comfortable with, get the best optics you can afford and practice....a lot.