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Without a doubt the best deer rifle is the classic .270 Winchester. It kills 'em dead every time!
anything automatic with a scope. welcome to the 21st century.
The short and annoying answer is, "Any rifle you shoot well."
You need to be proficient enough with the rifle and caliber to consistently put a bullet in a 3-4" circle at the ranges you expect to be faced with. You also should be comfortable enough with the action that you can follow-up a shot quickly.
Enough of the sermon. Now, to answer your question directly.
My favorite deer rifle depends on where I am hunting. In deep woods (shots less than 150 yds), I like my lever action 1895 in .405 Winchester. For places like wood lots, fields, etc. where ranges could be much longer, I'll have a bolt action in either .270 Weatherby or in .30-06 with a 3.5-10x50 scope.
Nothing fancy in my choices. I am a fairly simple guy.
I think that a good gun is a gun that you are comfortable with whether it be a 30-06 or a 7mm or If you're a good shot a 223. would even work.
I have hunted with a savage 30.06 for years,using 150grain cor-lokt bullets.could't ask for a better shoting rifle with long range and knock down capability.
first choice: Ruger M77 mkII Lite 30/06
backup: Remington Model Seven .308
both are light, quick to point, handle like carbines, and will reach out if the need arises; which is never in the Southern Appalachians.
The first rifle I bought with my own money was a Remington 700BDL 30-06 over 30 years ago. Still have it today and it is the first one I reach for. I do also own a Remington 270 which I like use, fortunately, because my son always seems to take my 06! Both put them down.
Jim
Quaker Boy Pro Staff
Bohning Shooting Team
I started shooting rifles at long distances as a boy with the all army rifle team .they used open sights out to 1,000 yards so i did too .For most deer hunters i would recommend a scoped bolt action .For myself i use a pump w/open sights.
to say that one gun is the best for deer would be lying when deciding on a gun you need to think about range, the size of person to be shooting th gun and the bullet & bullet weight you want to use my FAVORITE is my .32 winchester special
a .243 it does a lot of damage PROOF: i made a far back shot on a 8 point and he died within 30 yards.
i prefer a 7mm mag because if you hit one you dang sure are gonna know it
i prefer the 30-30 marlin its the best brush gun/any gun for around were i hunt at
I have a Remington 721 in .270 that will print a minute of angle group if I take the time to do it. I have killed elk and deer with this gun. Everything that I have shot with this gun has gone down. I must admit that the misses were all my fault. It will reach out to 350 yards and drop whatever.
For the shots less than 100 yds I carry a Smith 629 Classic Hunter with an Aimpoint 5000 red dot sight. Very nice with Hornady 200 gr XTP, though probably not for the faint of heart.
I haven't had a minute's trouble with my Remington .270 XCR. It works flawlessly, is very resistant to any elements, and shoots very tight groups. Plus, my last three bucks taken with it have all weighed in excess of 200 pounds on the hoof, and all 3 dropped like sacks of potatoes.
personaly semi autos might be easier on your sholder- but a compitent hunter should only need 1 shot any way and the semi autos dont have the power bolt, pump, or lever actions have. growing up with an old winchester 30/30 its my favorite
The 30-06 is probably the most used caliber in Noth America. It will take down a deer with out a problem. It is really just a matter of opinion.
I have one of the old stand bys in a Rem 700 in 25-06 that will forever be in my gun case because my dad gave it to me. It has killed deer anywhere from 50 to 350 yards. I also have a 284 win built on a M98 action that I love. It has low recoil and a wide range of bullet weights(I reload so it is cheaper for me to shoot). It is a shame that this cal never caught on although people have been necking them down to a 25 cal or a .6 cal bullet and having some great luck. I agree with Lothar in that you need to be able to shoot your gun well in order for it to be a good gun. Guns are tools and a tool is only as good as the person using it.
model 50 243 savage
I am beyond happy with my Browning A-Bolt .30-06. I have been hunting with it for a few years and have never had any trouble at all. I have friends who use .270's and they really like them too. But for me it is .30-06 All the Way.
I find that all the research and pro's ..almost never remember that we like the gun that Dad or Grandad gave us as well as the latest greatest deerslayer combo the writers are enamored of. I have a .35 rem cal marlin lever that was my deer gun.I also have a really nice 7mm saum remington model seven that makes the deer woods a pleasure to visit. Where your at...how you hunt and the memories you carry are all reflected in whats slung over your shoulders or firmly grasped in your hands. Traditions and what story you love to tell at the campfire or in the dinner or deer camp , makes every man's choice the right one. its like Home is always the best...as each has a love of home..though each does not have the same home. Whatever is best...dont we all know ours is the best and right one anyway ?
The best deer rifle is the one you shoot well !!!
30-30 marlin has prob taken more venison than anything and mine has filled my freezer over and over but my new love is my rem 700 cdl in 30-06 definately puts the hooves on the ground without a doubt .and the nikon bdr scopes are the best .
I am a firm believer that most any gun can do the job. As a marksman that enjoys hand-loading, i prefer a .308. There are so many options, and ways to tweak that cartridge, it can achieve whatever you load it to do. All of the 30-06 fans know what i am talking about, but i prefer a more compact chamber.
THe debate rages on and the gun manufacturers are hoping it continues indefinitely. My favorite deer hunting calibers in bush are 250-3000, 6.5X55mm, 7 X 57 mm, .308. or even an old 30-30 . I like any of the above in a lever, an autoloader, a pump, or a bolt action. Does this mean I can't make up my mind? No, it means I see the worth of each and get to enjoy them all. Several guys commented that any number of guns can do the job. I would be mighty disappointed to stumble upon the absolutely 'perfect' deer gun and be denied the chance to try out the next 'perfect' deer gun. Let's call the perfect deer rifle a work in progress - everyone is better served in this way. Unfortunately, I am unable to carry any more than one at a time which is good as I am probably unable to own more than a few at a time. All you lucky guys with the perfect gun are subjecting yourselves to undue pain and suffering. So many guns and so little time!
i really like the semi automatic r-25 remington or the r 15 remington model deer o9 there real nice comes in .308 22 / 250 and 243
I like any 30cal.(.308/.30-06,.300 WIn Mag) as for the weapon I LOVED a pre-64 Winchester that I had. I've got an old Belgan made Browning(.308) and a A-Bolt stainless(.300 Win Mag) and love them now too.
I own a Winchester '94 30-30. Great gun and probably it has been used to kill more deer than any other gun in American hunting history. That said my favorite is my Savage .270 bolt action. doesn't matter what your hunting as long as it's not an elephant or a squirrel. It's a good all around caliber an in my opinion a gun that can get the job done. in reality though the gun you are comfortable with and you shoot well is the best deer gun. don't you just that kind of answer.
Mostly right vthunter, except the .22 has probably killed more deer/other animals than anything on the planet. Everywhere from Africa to Alaska(including Grizz.).
Love that 94 though.
this is really a personal opinion
Lever action 30/30 it the gun that has killed the most deer
I have to agree with whitemantm on this one. The .308 has a lot of room to do some more custom things.
What ever you can shoot good. I personally prefer the 270 winchester.
Post a Reply (200 characters or less)
The short and annoying answer is, "Any rifle you shoot well."
You need to be proficient enough with the rifle and caliber to consistently put a bullet in a 3-4" circle at the ranges you expect to be faced with. You also should be comfortable enough with the action that you can follow-up a shot quickly.
Enough of the sermon. Now, to answer your question directly.
My favorite deer rifle depends on where I am hunting. In deep woods (shots less than 150 yds), I like my lever action 1895 in .405 Winchester. For places like wood lots, fields, etc. where ranges could be much longer, I'll have a bolt action in either .270 Weatherby or in .30-06 with a 3.5-10x50 scope.
Nothing fancy in my choices. I am a fairly simple guy.
to say that one gun is the best for deer would be lying when deciding on a gun you need to think about range, the size of person to be shooting th gun and the bullet & bullet weight you want to use my FAVORITE is my .32 winchester special
personaly semi autos might be easier on your sholder- but a compitent hunter should only need 1 shot any way and the semi autos dont have the power bolt, pump, or lever actions have. growing up with an old winchester 30/30 its my favorite
Without a doubt the best deer rifle is the classic .270 Winchester. It kills 'em dead every time!
I think that a good gun is a gun that you are comfortable with whether it be a 30-06 or a 7mm or If you're a good shot a 223. would even work.
I started shooting rifles at long distances as a boy with the all army rifle team .they used open sights out to 1,000 yards so i did too .For most deer hunters i would recommend a scoped bolt action .For myself i use a pump w/open sights.
i prefer the 30-30 marlin its the best brush gun/any gun for around were i hunt at
I find that all the research and pro's ..almost never remember that we like the gun that Dad or Grandad gave us as well as the latest greatest deerslayer combo the writers are enamored of. I have a .35 rem cal marlin lever that was my deer gun.I also have a really nice 7mm saum remington model seven that makes the deer woods a pleasure to visit. Where your at...how you hunt and the memories you carry are all reflected in whats slung over your shoulders or firmly grasped in your hands. Traditions and what story you love to tell at the campfire or in the dinner or deer camp , makes every man's choice the right one. its like Home is always the best...as each has a love of home..though each does not have the same home. Whatever is best...dont we all know ours is the best and right one anyway ?
I own a Winchester '94 30-30. Great gun and probably it has been used to kill more deer than any other gun in American hunting history. That said my favorite is my Savage .270 bolt action. doesn't matter what your hunting as long as it's not an elephant or a squirrel. It's a good all around caliber an in my opinion a gun that can get the job done. in reality though the gun you are comfortable with and you shoot well is the best deer gun. don't you just that kind of answer.
I have hunted with a savage 30.06 for years,using 150grain cor-lokt bullets.could't ask for a better shoting rifle with long range and knock down capability.
first choice: Ruger M77 mkII Lite 30/06
backup: Remington Model Seven .308
both are light, quick to point, handle like carbines, and will reach out if the need arises; which is never in the Southern Appalachians.
The first rifle I bought with my own money was a Remington 700BDL 30-06 over 30 years ago. Still have it today and it is the first one I reach for. I do also own a Remington 270 which I like use, fortunately, because my son always seems to take my 06! Both put them down.
Jim
Quaker Boy Pro Staff
Bohning Shooting Team
i prefer a 7mm mag because if you hit one you dang sure are gonna know it
I have a Remington 721 in .270 that will print a minute of angle group if I take the time to do it. I have killed elk and deer with this gun. Everything that I have shot with this gun has gone down. I must admit that the misses were all my fault. It will reach out to 350 yards and drop whatever.
For the shots less than 100 yds I carry a Smith 629 Classic Hunter with an Aimpoint 5000 red dot sight. Very nice with Hornady 200 gr XTP, though probably not for the faint of heart.
I haven't had a minute's trouble with my Remington .270 XCR. It works flawlessly, is very resistant to any elements, and shoots very tight groups. Plus, my last three bucks taken with it have all weighed in excess of 200 pounds on the hoof, and all 3 dropped like sacks of potatoes.
The 30-06 is probably the most used caliber in Noth America. It will take down a deer with out a problem. It is really just a matter of opinion.
I have one of the old stand bys in a Rem 700 in 25-06 that will forever be in my gun case because my dad gave it to me. It has killed deer anywhere from 50 to 350 yards. I also have a 284 win built on a M98 action that I love. It has low recoil and a wide range of bullet weights(I reload so it is cheaper for me to shoot). It is a shame that this cal never caught on although people have been necking them down to a 25 cal or a .6 cal bullet and having some great luck. I agree with Lothar in that you need to be able to shoot your gun well in order for it to be a good gun. Guns are tools and a tool is only as good as the person using it.
model 50 243 savage
30-30 marlin has prob taken more venison than anything and mine has filled my freezer over and over but my new love is my rem 700 cdl in 30-06 definately puts the hooves on the ground without a doubt .and the nikon bdr scopes are the best .
i really like the semi automatic r-25 remington or the r 15 remington model deer o9 there real nice comes in .308 22 / 250 and 243
this is really a personal opinion
What ever you can shoot good. I personally prefer the 270 winchester.
a .243 it does a lot of damage PROOF: i made a far back shot on a 8 point and he died within 30 yards.
I am beyond happy with my Browning A-Bolt .30-06. I have been hunting with it for a few years and have never had any trouble at all. I have friends who use .270's and they really like them too. But for me it is .30-06 All the Way.
The best deer rifle is the one you shoot well !!!
I am a firm believer that most any gun can do the job. As a marksman that enjoys hand-loading, i prefer a .308. There are so many options, and ways to tweak that cartridge, it can achieve whatever you load it to do. All of the 30-06 fans know what i am talking about, but i prefer a more compact chamber.
THe debate rages on and the gun manufacturers are hoping it continues indefinitely. My favorite deer hunting calibers in bush are 250-3000, 6.5X55mm, 7 X 57 mm, .308. or even an old 30-30 . I like any of the above in a lever, an autoloader, a pump, or a bolt action. Does this mean I can't make up my mind? No, it means I see the worth of each and get to enjoy them all. Several guys commented that any number of guns can do the job. I would be mighty disappointed to stumble upon the absolutely 'perfect' deer gun and be denied the chance to try out the next 'perfect' deer gun. Let's call the perfect deer rifle a work in progress - everyone is better served in this way. Unfortunately, I am unable to carry any more than one at a time which is good as I am probably unable to own more than a few at a time. All you lucky guys with the perfect gun are subjecting yourselves to undue pain and suffering. So many guns and so little time!
I like any 30cal.(.308/.30-06,.300 WIn Mag) as for the weapon I LOVED a pre-64 Winchester that I had. I've got an old Belgan made Browning(.308) and a A-Bolt stainless(.300 Win Mag) and love them now too.
Mostly right vthunter, except the .22 has probably killed more deer/other animals than anything on the planet. Everywhere from Africa to Alaska(including Grizz.).
Love that 94 though.
Lever action 30/30 it the gun that has killed the most deer
I have to agree with whitemantm on this one. The .308 has a lot of room to do some more custom things.
anything automatic with a scope. welcome to the 21st century.
Post a Reply (200 characters or less)