Rifle for deer hunting?

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SineMetu82

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A friend called me asking if I knew a good first rifle for deer hunting.
The problem is I've never hunted, I own a few long guns, but none specifically for hunting. Not that I am opposed to hunting, I love to eat some dead animals, but there is just not enough time for me to get involved in a new sport right now.

Anyway.... to get back on track... what is a good deer rifle?
 
SineMetu82 said:
A friend called me asking if I knew a good first rifle for deer hunting.
The problem is I've never hunted, I own a few long guns, but none specifically for hunting. Not that I am opposed to hunting, I love to eat some dead animals, but there is just not enough time for me to get involved in a new sport right now.

Anyway.... to get back on track... what is a good deer rifle?
Click to expand...

The brief overview.
caliber. In brief and excluding the more exotic, .308 for the east coast where brush is an issue and .270 if you are hunting west of the mighty mississippi where land is flat, the brush is not as dense and the shots are generally longer distance. The .270 is a lighter but more powerful charge with flat trajectory but more susceptible to light brush affecting accuracy. 30-06 is the classic which has the flatter trajectory of the .270 while having more power than the .308. The .308 is the cheapest stuff out of the three to shoot with 30-06 being the most expensive (obviously important for target practice and not actual hunting).

brand. What ever you like but the remington 700 and winchester 70 are popular platforms for hunters.

Optics. Nothing too powerful. 3-9 is the highest power you will ever need and borders on overkill on the east coast.

Now everyone will come in and tell you what they like best and why brand x's cool feature y is so must have but the basics are above.
 
If you really need an optic around here I'd stick with a 2X (At most) red dot sight - no parallax issues.

All the above calibers are well proven. I'd use a plain, unpadded web sling instead of a bipod or shooting sticks.
 
I'm not a hunter, but as a shooter I'd agree with what terraformer said, though cheap .30-'06 practice ammo can be had from the CMP. Another rifle I'd look at is the Savage bolt actions. Dick's usually has one on sale with a scope included for a low price.
 
SineMetu82 said:
thanks guys keep 'em coming.
Click to expand...

First of all what are his hunting tactics going to be. Is he going to be sitting in an elevated stand surveying his surroundings or will he be a person who pokes around the woods looking to intercept the deer? It makes a big difference.
 
Just about any bolt or any lever gun in 6mm to .35 caliber should do.
What distance and what restrictions?


Respectfully,

jkelly
 
The deer set up I have used for 22 years is:

Winchester model 70 featherweight 30-06

straight 4x power scope

This setup hasnt let me down.


I agree, a lever action 30-30 is a great choice too...........
 
I use a Ruger deerfield .44 magnum with a 4x shotgun scope. The ballistics are similar to the .30-.30 and it is light and easy to carry. It is a 100 yard max gun, and that is all I see in New England.
 
For ranges out to 150yds, 30-30 lever, yep every one should have a lever. I prefer iron sites under 200yds.
for longer ranges .308 or 30-06 will do a great job and either caliber will have plenty of options for ammo choice.
 
If I were to go with a bolt action rifle with a scope, a .243 is fine for deer and has mild recoil. If I want something that I can carry all day, it's very hard to beat a Winchester Model 94 in 30-30.

That gun has most likely taken more deer than any other single rifle and there is a reason for it. The ammo is cheaper than the other 30 calibers, and it's far easier carrying a short 30-30 with iron sights than a longer heavier bolt action rifle with a scope.

I have nothing against stronger calibers (I have a Model 70 in .264 that leaves bruises on my shoulder and a Ruger Blackhawk .44 magnum that leaves my arm shaking after 50 rounds.) But if you're walking around, it's really hard to beat a lever action 30-30.
 
Lever gun: I don't care for the M94, I really like the M92. .30-30 is fine for moderate distances.
Bolt: So many to choose from. He needs to handle a few rifles to see what fits best. Calibers, anything from 6.5 to 9.3mm. However, finding ammo should be a consideration. .308 would be a great caliber. 150..165gr sp bullets are perfect for Whitetail. jp
 
I agree with terra, been hunting New England for 20 years, with the exception of when I HAVE to carry a shotgun, my trusty .308 is the way to go. Argueably the 30-06 ranks up there also, but considering price, and velocity, it's usually overkill-no pun intended.
I hunt moose and black bear with 30-06.

But everyone on the forum will have a different opinion, use what works for you, your friend, and the situation. Factor in shooting distances, brush, recoil, weight of the gun, scope vs. iron sights etc.
 

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