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Started By
Message
re: Deer Hunting Rifle Recommendations Needed
Posted on 11/2/25 at 8:18 am to nukelaloosh
Posted on 11/2/25 at 8:18 am to nukelaloosh
Tikka Hunter in 308, 270 win, 30-06, 7mm rem mag.
If you never plan to shoot more than 200yds, most $500+ scopes will work.
If you do at some point get a Nightforce since you have the money.
If you never plan to shoot more than 200yds, most $500+ scopes will work.
If you do at some point get a Nightforce since you have the money.
0
Posted on 11/2/25 at 8:22 am to nukelaloosh
Don't buy shite you don't need.
.308 is a good solid all around round that's common to find.
If you're only shooting 200 yds a mid range scope is plenty sufficient.
.308 is a good solid all around round that's common to find.
If you're only shooting 200 yds a mid range scope is plenty sufficient.
Posted on 11/2/25 at 8:24 am to nukelaloosh
Go to a gun store and handle some rifles and see what feels good to you.
Posted on 11/2/25 at 8:25 am to bamarep
Thanks for all the input everyone. After seeing all this, since I do have the budget, I wouldn’t want to limit myself should I have an opportunity for a trip out west
Posted on 11/2/25 at 8:53 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
6.5 PRC is superior , 6mm creedmoor> 6.5 creedmoor
This post was edited on 11/2/25 at 9:19 am
Posted on 11/2/25 at 9:09 am to nukelaloosh
That's just another opportunity to buy another gun baw.
You can NE V E R have too many.
You can NE V E R have too many.
Posted on 11/2/25 at 9:12 am to SETH6180
quote:To what? Dead is dead. OP needs a 308. Not a Hornady special.
6.5 PRC is superior , 6mm creedmoor> 6.5
Posted on 11/2/25 at 9:17 am to saintsfan1977
I agree, wasn’t responding to OP. At 200 yds max I’d definitely recommend the 308
6.5 PRC is superior to the 6.5 creedmoor
6.5 PRC is superior to the 6.5 creedmoor
This post was edited on 11/2/25 at 9:20 am
Posted on 11/2/25 at 9:20 am to nukelaloosh
Bergara 7prc and a leupold
Posted on 11/2/25 at 9:53 am to nukelaloosh
quote:
After seeing all this, since I do have the budget, I wouldn’t want to limit myself should I have an opportunity for a trip out west
Split the budget down the middle and get two guns. An excellent whitetail rifle can be had for much less than your max budget, and ideally will have different features than a western hunting rig. My favorite whitetail gun of all time is a rem model 7 (discontinued) in 7mm08 with a simple 3-9x40 duplex. I have no idea if it shoots moa, it shoots moment of deer stepped out in the lane.
Posted on 11/2/25 at 10:05 am to TheDrunkenTigah
On thing I learned from COVID...
The only rifle round i could reliably find was the 308...
The only rifle round i could reliably find was the 308...
Posted on 11/2/25 at 7:39 pm to nukelaloosh
nukelaloosh,
Welcome to the wonderful world of deer hunting. It's good you've got some bonus money to spend. I'm sure you deserve it.
Although you've got a lot of money budgeted, I think you can get a nice starter deer hunting rifle and accessories w/o spending so much. Nowadays there are a number of good deer rifles available that won't break your band. I'd suggest one of the following bolt actions: Ruger American, Savage, Browning or Howa. 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. he Remington 700 has historically been a good gun, but due to recent QC problems, I can only recommend an older model, Bergara also makes a nice bolt gunI like the earlier suggestion to go to a gun store and handle different models and see which one (s) handle most naturally for you. Notice how the safety and bolt work.
As far as what caliber, I'd suggest one of the following: 25-06, 260 Rem, 270 Win, 7-08, 280 Rem, 308 Win or 30-06. 6.5 Creedmore is ok as long as you can find ammo w/ good deer hunting bullets, NOT match bullets. The 350 Legend and 300 Blackout are also good rounds for a youngster to start w/, but maybe not so much for adults. When my son started deer hunting, I bought him a 308 and loaded some reduced recoil loads for him (this was prior to factory reduced recoil loads). He killed a bunch of deer w/ it. Now that my grandson's are nearing deer hunting age, I bought a 7-08 for them to hunt with. 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 so go ahead and buy the bolt action now. 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. Buy a decent scope in the 3-9X range. You don't need to spend $600 on the scope. The brands I can personally recommend are Leupold, Burris and Vortex. Use a one piece Weaver base and Burris Signature Z rings (the ones w/ the plastic inserts) to attach the scope on all my guns. Try different types of ammo before settling on which one to hunt w/. Keep in mind what calibers of ammo are available where you shop. For example, my local WM doesn't even carry 7-08 ammo.
I also like the idea of getting a suppressor for your new gun, especially since the tax stamp fee goes away in January. The 30 caliber suppressors I can personally recommend would be Dead Air Nomad L and Otter Creek Labs Polonium 30. f you buy one of the less expensive guns, you'll have plenty of money in your budget for a suppressor.
Keep us updated.
Welcome to the wonderful world of deer hunting. It's good you've got some bonus money to spend. I'm sure you deserve it.
Although you've got a lot of money budgeted, I think you can get a nice starter deer hunting rifle and accessories w/o spending so much. Nowadays there are a number of good deer rifles available that won't break your band. I'd suggest one of the following bolt actions: Ruger American, Savage, Browning or Howa. 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. he Remington 700 has historically been a good gun, but due to recent QC problems, I can only recommend an older model, Bergara also makes a nice bolt gunI like the earlier suggestion to go to a gun store and handle different models and see which one (s) handle most naturally for you. Notice how the safety and bolt work. As far as what caliber, I'd suggest one of the following: 25-06, 260 Rem, 270 Win, 7-08, 280 Rem, 308 Win or 30-06. 6.5 Creedmore is ok as long as you can find ammo w/ good deer hunting bullets, NOT match bullets. The 350 Legend and 300 Blackout are also good rounds for a youngster to start w/, but maybe not so much for adults. When my son started deer hunting, I bought him a 308 and loaded some reduced recoil loads for him (this was prior to factory reduced recoil loads). He killed a bunch of deer w/ it. Now that my grandson's are nearing deer hunting age, I bought a 7-08 for them to hunt with. 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 so go ahead and buy the bolt action now. 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. Buy a decent scope in the 3-9X range. You don't need to spend $600 on the scope. The brands I can personally recommend are Leupold, Burris and Vortex. Use a one piece Weaver base and Burris Signature Z rings (the ones w/ the plastic inserts) to attach the scope on all my guns. Try different types of ammo before settling on which one to hunt w/. Keep in mind what calibers of ammo are available where you shop. For example, my local WM doesn't even carry 7-08 ammo.
I also like the idea of getting a suppressor for your new gun, especially since the tax stamp fee goes away in January. The 30 caliber suppressors I can personally recommend would be Dead Air Nomad L and Otter Creek Labs Polonium 30. f you buy one of the less expensive guns, you'll have plenty of money in your budget for a suppressor.
Keep us updated.
Posted on 11/2/25 at 9:22 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
You realize the 6.5 CM has the same ballistics as a .260 Remington?
Posted on 11/3/25 at 6:15 am to ecb
With a faster twist rate and vastly more ammo options.
Posted on 11/3/25 at 6:17 am to TheDrunkenTigah
quote:
Split the budget down the middle and get two guns
I think op would be better served getting a rifle for hunting out west (if its an actual possibility) and just using it for everything.
I started doing that 5 or 6 years ago. I dont see any reason not to.
Eta: if splitting the budget, a tikka T3 and a tikka t1x would be a good combo. Better use of money than two centerfires IMO.
This post was edited on 11/3/25 at 6:58 am
Posted on 11/3/25 at 7:26 am to ecb
Out to 3-400 yards yes, once you start hitting 500+ the 260 drops off considerably.
Posted on 11/3/25 at 7:37 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
I think op would be better served getting a rifle for hunting out west (if its an actual possibility) and just using it for everything.
What would you recommend for such a scenario?
Posted on 11/3/25 at 7:38 am to Barneyrb
quote:
I would stay away from a couple brands (Remington
That's a really sad - but accurate - statement.
Posted on 11/3/25 at 7:44 am to thejudge
quote:
On thing I learned from COVID... The only rifle round i could reliably find was the 308...
This is the important part for a new shooter. And I don't even own a 308 (but I reload).
Posted on 11/3/25 at 7:52 am to SETH6180
quote:
Out to 3-400 yards yes, once you start hitting 500+ the 260 drops off considerably.
Compared to the 6.5 creedmoor? No it doesnt.
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