[Demon_Hunter]

Right now Im shopping for a rifle for deer hunting (I know its too late this season to do any hunting, but Im getting ready for next year, and I plan on doing some range shooting in the intermediary).

I know some people who are avid hunters, and they have sudgested something in a .308 or .30-06 (and even the .30-30 has come up, but Im not sure if I want to go that route, Ive heard bad things, plus, the other 2 are easier to find).

Though, Im not opposed to getting a shotgun, but it would have to be set up for taking slugs (most of the applications I would use it for would need slugs, not shot).

I know that winchester has the SX3 line of rifles, and the Cantalever Deer looks especially amazing, right now Im trying to find out if anyone I know has used one.

Also, Mossberg has a line of combo rifles, that come with a pre-attached scope, and they have it in all 3 calibers that I mentioned in the title (well, I cant remember if it had a .30-30, but I think they did).


Anyways, I was wondering if anyone else had any sudgestions that fit the parameters I set? It basically doesnt matter what type (Rifle, or Shotgun) as long as I can fire single projectile (slugs in the case of the latter) shots, and rail mounts would be preferable.

[wjarmusch]

I'm gonna move this to Outdoors, it seems like most of the hunting discussion goes on there.

[Iceman-bass14]

Im not sure.My dad uses a .270 and seems to do good.I use a .223 and although i havent shot one with it my dad says only 1 has ever run off with him using it.My brother used a .243 but it was ok.(Idk if this is what your looking for but i didnt really understand the post)

[spyrotheleo]

Its all preference, people around here like 30-06 and 7mm08, which are both really good calibers

[Demon_Hunter]

Originally Posted by Iceman-bass14

Im not sure.My dad uses a .270 and seems to do good.I use a .223 and although i havent shot one with it my dad says only 1 has ever run off with him using it.My brother used a .243 but it was ok.(Idk if this is what your looking for but i didnt really understand the post)

Im looking for a rifle, and wanting sudgestions.


I think I saw one at Acadamy that looks pretty good for a decent price (it wont break the bank, atleast).

Really, Im after bolt action rifles. Not semi-auto, or lever action (and, ive decided against a shot gun, for now).

[nate95366]

I deer hunt with a Remington model 760 pump-action rifle chambered in .270 Win. In my experience, it has been a very able deer hunting gun. Between .308 and .30-06, I like the '06 better, but I couldn't put a finger on why exactly. If you want way too much information about hunting rifles and cartridges, go over to the Chuck Hawks web page

www.chuckhawks.com

Like I said, waaaay too much information there, but I'm sure there's an article, if not 15 articles, comparing the calibers you're considering and there are a lot of opinions of "experts" from different areas.

Nate

[Jordy3738]

My brother killed many deer using a 308 he switched to a 270 and told me it was more accurate at long ranges but it didn't have the knock down power that the 308 had.

[rockin4theking]

If bolt action is what you want, a Ruger M77 (or whatever they call them now) in .270, .308, or .30-06 is probably the best bet. They are reliable, accurate, and are capable of taking whatever north American game you want.

I grew up shooting a Winchester bolt action .30-06, and have taken many deer with one.

[Big_al]

Remington model 7600.

[spyrotheleo]

Its all preference. Anything from .223 and up can take down a deer. You can even take elk down with a .243 if you place your shot right. If your goign to just be shooting deer, I would go for a .243 or a 7mm08. I have a 30-06 and it does really well for taking down deer. But it can be a little overkill and hurt your arms after a while. Whats your pricerange?

[Yolo Cowboy]

Demon Hunter, do you know what type of deer hunting you are going to do? The environment you are hunting will dictate a great deal about the right caliber and bolt action to choose.

If you are hunting in brush where you are more than likely going to be shooting whitetails at shorter ranges, 50 yards to 100 yards, any good deer caliber from 243 Winchester to the 30-06 will do fine. If you are likely to shoot at ranges out to 300 yards, I would choose a flatter shooting caliber, a 270 or 7MM Remington mag.

Here is my advise to any new deer hunter looking for a good rifle. Buy a Remington model 700 in 30-06 or 270. The great thing about the 30-06 is the versatility. You can buy 150 grain cartridges that shoot flat and will be effective on any deer size game. You can also buy cartridges with 180 or even 220 grain bullets for something like elk. You can do the same with the 270, load it with 130 grain bullets and it shoots very flat, load it with 150 grain bullets and you can still go after elk, but you better be a good shot.

Just like guitars, you do get what you pay for. There are a many good rifles out there, Ruger, Winchester, even the Stevens shoot very well, but it has been my experience there is not better, more accurate rifle right out of the box than the Remington 700. If you put a Leupold 2X7 or 3X9 on it, you will have all the rifle you will ever need. Take it from someone who has a safe full of them. If I had to take only one rifle to hunt here in North America, it would be my Remington 700 BLD in 30-06 with a Leupold 3X9.

Probably more info than you need, but hey, you asked!

Good luck.

[realsorefingers]

I too use a .270 for hunting and had used a 30.06. I like the ,270 the most. I would suggest that you get a Tikka T3 the trigger on my rifle is great. I found my rifle used at Cabella's it came with a leupold scope. the price that I paid for it was about the price that I would have paid for a new leupold scope. I know that newer "american" made rifles like the Ruger, Remington and Wincheaster will need some trigger work.

[Folk_guy]

Here in NY unless you're in the Adirondac Mountians you're required to use a shotgun for deerhunting (of course there is a bow, and black powder season also). I have a Winchester Ranger smooth bore 12 guage with interchangable chokes that I use. I use a rifled slug and get pretty accurate with it. It certainly isn't going to be as good as a rifle (especially as range to the target increases), but any shotgun will fire deer slugs. A shotgun is a good alternative if you ever want to hunt bird also, but if all you want is a deer hunting gun, and there are no restrictions against it, a rifle is probably the way you want to go.

[Preacher1011]

I'd go .30/06 myself. Most versatile caliber out there IMO. There's a bunch of people that have killed every game animal in North America with them. I'd look into the Remington 700. When I use my handloads in mine I can cover my group with a dime at 50 yards.