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Message
Recommendations for deer hunting rifle/caliber
Posted on 9/10/16 at 9:45 pm
Posted on 9/10/16 at 9:45 pm
Hey all. Looking to pick up a new rifle after having to return my father's to him. Don't have any brand preferences. Only feature that would be a plus would be a threaded barrel for suppressor. TIA
12
Posted on 9/10/16 at 10:05 pm to ScottyB
For deer only I think 270 is a very good option because of how flat shooting it is. As an all around do everything gun a 308 win is a great option. It's great for deer and is still a solid option for elk out to 300 yards. Kicks about 15% less than 30-06 and has marginal velocity difference in the 150-165gr range of bullet which is ideal for deer and the 165 will work on much bigger game as well like elk.
My preference and one that this board will agree with is a tikka t3 rifle. They have plenty of options stainless or blued, synthetic or wood and they even have options for factory threads. Just sighted in a buddies brand new 308 tikka lite with nosler trophy grade 165gr accubond it just .75-1.00 inch at 100 yards. Great gun, light as hell, has options for upgrades, doesn't kick much, and reasonably priced for what you get at 750 dollars for a stainless version.
My preference and one that this board will agree with is a tikka t3 rifle. They have plenty of options stainless or blued, synthetic or wood and they even have options for factory threads. Just sighted in a buddies brand new 308 tikka lite with nosler trophy grade 165gr accubond it just .75-1.00 inch at 100 yards. Great gun, light as hell, has options for upgrades, doesn't kick much, and reasonably priced for what you get at 750 dollars for a stainless version.
This post was edited on 9/10/16 at 10:23 pm
Posted on 9/10/16 at 10:39 pm to ScottyB
7mm08
perfect deer rifle caliber
perfect deer rifle caliber
Posted on 9/10/16 at 10:46 pm to KillTheGophers
It is a good round because it honestly doesn't take much to put down a whitetail. Upsides are it recoils nice and light. Downsides are if you are not a reloader finding ammo can really be a pain and it's just not as flat shooting as the 270 since the 7mm08 will be flying about 2700 fps whereas the 270 will be about 3000 fps
This post was edited on 9/10/16 at 10:48 pm
Posted on 9/11/16 at 12:20 am to ScottyB
Scotty B,
Deer hunters are really fortunate these days w/ a myriad of good guns to choose from. I'd suggest one of the following bolt actions: Ruger American, Savage, Winchester Model 70, Remington Model 700 or Browning; I don't have a Tikka, but I've read good reviews and they have a strong following on the OB; I've got a Marlin that I've been very pleased w/, but not everyone's had the same experience.
As far as caliber, I'd suggest one of the following: 25-06, 6.5X55, 260 Rem, 270 Win, 7-08, 7X57 Mauser, 280 Rem, 308 Win or 30-06. Nothing wrong w/ a lever for deer hunting inside 150-200 yards, but in short time you'll want to have the capability to hunt at longer distances; go ahead and buy the bolt action now. Keep in mind the availability of ammo at your local stores. For example, my local WM doesn't carry 7-08 ammo. If you're recoil sensitive, shoot some managed recoil loads in your deer rifle before you start using full power loads. You don't need a magnum, short, long, ultra____, or whatever. Go to some stores and handle different guns to find which one(s) handle the best for YOU. Buy a decent scope in the 3-9X range. You don't need to spend $600 on the scope. Use a one piece Weaver base and Burris Signature Z rings (the ones w/ the plastic inserts) to attach the scope. Try different types of ammo before settling on which one to hunt w/.
Keep us updated w/ your choice.
Deer hunters are really fortunate these days w/ a myriad of good guns to choose from. I'd suggest one of the following bolt actions: Ruger American, Savage, Winchester Model 70, Remington Model 700 or Browning; I don't have a Tikka, but I've read good reviews and they have a strong following on the OB; I've got a Marlin that I've been very pleased w/, but not everyone's had the same experience.
As far as caliber, I'd suggest one of the following: 25-06, 6.5X55, 260 Rem, 270 Win, 7-08, 7X57 Mauser, 280 Rem, 308 Win or 30-06. Nothing wrong w/ a lever for deer hunting inside 150-200 yards, but in short time you'll want to have the capability to hunt at longer distances; go ahead and buy the bolt action now. Keep in mind the availability of ammo at your local stores. For example, my local WM doesn't carry 7-08 ammo. If you're recoil sensitive, shoot some managed recoil loads in your deer rifle before you start using full power loads. You don't need a magnum, short, long, ultra____, or whatever. Go to some stores and handle different guns to find which one(s) handle the best for YOU. Buy a decent scope in the 3-9X range. You don't need to spend $600 on the scope. Use a one piece Weaver base and Burris Signature Z rings (the ones w/ the plastic inserts) to attach the scope. Try different types of ammo before settling on which one to hunt w/.
Keep us updated w/ your choice.
Posted on 9/11/16 at 8:33 am to ScottyB
I would say what you buy is kind of dependent on where you're hunting.
If you're hunting wide open places with long shots, go with something flat shooting with some punch to it like a 270 or 30 06. Personally, I use a 7mm mag in this instance but admit that it's overkill.
If you're hunting thick areas with shots under 100yds or so, get a larger caliber that can handle the occasional stray twig you may hit. I use a .444 in this instance but again, admit this is huge overkill. My .444 is by far my favorite gun. I've never had one even twitch an ear after being hit with that thing.
If you're hunting wide open places with long shots, go with something flat shooting with some punch to it like a 270 or 30 06. Personally, I use a 7mm mag in this instance but admit that it's overkill.
If you're hunting thick areas with shots under 100yds or so, get a larger caliber that can handle the occasional stray twig you may hit. I use a .444 in this instance but again, admit this is huge overkill. My .444 is by far my favorite gun. I've never had one even twitch an ear after being hit with that thing.
Posted on 9/11/16 at 8:41 am to ScottyB
Won a this gun at a benefit. TC Venture 30-06. I put a Nikon BDC matching scope on it. Between myself and my kid, 9 deer in three years has taken dirt naps. All together I figure it's a 700$ to 750$ rig. Very reliable and accurate. A 30-06 is one of the best all around, round there is.
Posted on 9/11/16 at 8:45 am to Potchafa
30 06, more factory loads and more versatile.
Posted on 9/11/16 at 9:01 am to ScottyB
.30-06
.270
.308
All of those three are fantastic deer killers with loads of ammo choices and they're available in just about every model rifle in the world.
Get a .308 if your set on a short action, 30-06 if you think you might elk hunt with it one day, and .270 if the other two don't appeal to you.
.270
.308
All of those three are fantastic deer killers with loads of ammo choices and they're available in just about every model rifle in the world.
Get a .308 if your set on a short action, 30-06 if you think you might elk hunt with it one day, and .270 if the other two don't appeal to you.
Posted on 9/11/16 at 9:31 am to ScottyB
What is your budget?
Posted on 9/11/16 at 9:33 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
30-06
.270
.308
All of those three are fantastic deer killers with loads of ammo choices and they're available in just about every model rifle in the world.
Get a .308 if your set on a short action, 30-06 if you think you might elk hunt with it one day, and .270 if the other two don't appeal to you.
This...be careful getting the less common calibers because ammo is really hard to find. I had a 6mm and couldn't find ammo for it at local stores very often. It was a pain to own. Even when I did it was basically 1 option put out by Remington which just wasn't a very accurate shooting ammo. I tend to favor the 30-06 and 308.
Posted on 9/11/16 at 10:11 am to LS(DB)U
Ya, the T3 is on clearance making way for the T3x.
Posted on 9/11/16 at 11:13 am to TigerOnThe Hill
quote:
TigerOnThe Hill
What this guy said ^
Standard non magnum calibers from 25-30 calibers are best for whitetail.
This post was edited on 9/11/16 at 11:15 am
Posted on 9/11/16 at 11:22 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
.30-06
.270
.308
In tikka or savage.
Posted on 9/11/16 at 1:04 pm to ScottyB
.25-06
Posted on 9/11/16 at 1:41 pm to SoFla Tideroller
What does the board think about the 6.5 CM as a deer rifle. Ammo availability/cost not considered. Just the round itself vs. the .308/30-06.
Posted on 9/11/16 at 2:45 pm to ScottyB
budget? Any bolt actions these days shoot accurate enough.
.308 win since you mentioned a can on it, subsonic ammo is available.
Scope: budget for at least a mid range $400+ (monarch 2.5x10 is a gem)
.308 win since you mentioned a can on it, subsonic ammo is available.
Scope: budget for at least a mid range $400+ (monarch 2.5x10 is a gem)
This post was edited on 9/11/16 at 4:23 pm
Posted on 9/11/16 at 6:09 pm to ScottyB
.243
Posted on 9/11/16 at 6:15 pm to ScottyB
I still hunt with my 30-30 Marlin XLR and love it. Bought my son a Tikka T3 in 7mm08 last season and it's a great gun, accurate as hell and no kick at all. Just don't skimp on your scope.
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