The "Best" rifle for deer!

[kemster99]

i love my ruger rifle. .270 win. have the M77 in stainless with the laminate stock. very accurate. is kinda of heavy, but works well in a stand. don't feel alot of the recoil. i shoot left handed and have never owned a left-handed rifle. have become very proffeciant making my one shot count. Have a lead to pick up a used left-handed M77 in .270 stainless with a synthetic stock. hope i can get it for a price.

[sir smackabuck]

I am new to this site and don't want to over step my boundries....but if you have read some of my posts then you will probably know what I am going to type next. IMO, the hands down best rifle for any hunting is the Weatherby Sporter chambered in the .257 magnum. It is a little pricey on ammo but that does not matter to me when I compare the ballistics, accuracy, ease of handling, the Weatherby stock. This Calilber is fast, flat, accurate. and has more than sufficient energy to humanley bring down your trophy at any reasonable distance. It is light on recoil for a magnum cartridge and it is very pleasing to the eye with a Rose wood tip on a walnut stock and fore end. You can load it down to a lighter bullet for varmit and you can load it up to a 117gr. or 120gr. Barnes bullet to take very good care of your larger game

[kemster99]

this is always a good topic to discuss. have had this discussion on several of the other forums i'm one. The one thing that i have noticed, is the location or areas of the country of people posting. has alot to do with favorite calibers. ( just my observation). When i was guiding down here in florida. i saw more guys hunting with the old reliable 30-30. 2 to 1 over all over rifles. i had picked up a new Marlin 30-30 in stainless, that rifle coupled with the Hornady leverevolutions, just changes to whole persona of that rifle and caliber. I have no problem stretching my shots out to 200 yds. this is just my opinion. now when i go to my lease in georgia, i tote my .270 as the primary rifle, but in the truck for back-up incase i drop my ruger, is the Marlin. and i have all the confidence to take shots with that 30-30 that i would take with my .270 . most of my shots are under 150 yds.

[sir smackabuck]

Good point made here

Originally Posted by kemster99

this is always a good topic to discuss. have had this discussion on several of the other forums i'm one. The one thing that i have noticed, is the location or areas of the country of people posting. has alot to do with favorite calibers. ( just my observation). When i was guiding down here in florida. i saw more guys hunting with the old reliable 30-30. 2 to 1 over all over rifles. i had picked up a new Marlin 30-30 in stainless, that rifle coupled with the Hornady leverevolutions, just changes to whole persona of that rifle and caliber. I have no problem stretching my shots out to 200 yds. this is just my opinion. now when i go to my lease in georgia, i tote my .270 as the primary rifle, but in the truck for back-up incase i drop my ruger, is the Marlin. and i have all the confidence to take shots with that 30-30 that i would take with my .270 . most of my shots are under 150 yds.

[onehorse]

I have no arguments with you Weatherby owners, and as for the post on the guys using 30/30s (and likely calibers) in Florida, well, that caliber has probably accounted for more game in the pot than any other - maybe even ALL others combined. But just to redefine my post - I proposing a rifle and caliber that will get the job done as universally as possible. That would include affordability which puts the Weatherby a little beyond some people's resources. And the 30/30, as venerable as it may be, would be hard pressed to reach out to some of the very common, well over 200 yard, shots that a hunter in our western states may encounter.

[kemster99]

Originally Posted by onehorse

I have no arguments with you Weatherby owners, and as for the post on the guys using 30/30s (and likely calibers) in Florida, well, that caliber has probably accounted for more game in the pot than any other - maybe even ALL others combined. But just to redefine my post - I proposing a rifle and caliber that will get the job done as universally as possible. That would include affordability which puts the Weatherby a little beyond some people's resources. And the 30/30, as venerable as it may be, would be hard pressed to reach out to some of the very common, well over 200 yard, shots that a hunter in our western states may encounter.

ok. sorry. would have to go with the .270 then.

[Karl.Luhr]

This is fun, I would suggest that a bolt action rifle in a non-magnum caliber is the new recommended standard rifle. For someone new to deer hunting I think that a bolt rifle which has a clean trigger, quality barrel, and good scope(~150 dollar range) equips them for life. Or until they feel the need to upgrade to something more expensive(notice I didn't say better). I have recommended several people buy the new Marlin XL7, I think that this rifle fits the requirements. I will report in to the group after I go with one of the guys to the range that bought one. If someone knows a better <300 dollar bolt action rifle please share what it is.

[tbighunter]

I would choose the .270.Kemster,I am left handed also,just a suggestion,don't buy the left hand gun.I bought a left hand rifle and a left hand 870.I sold them both.The problem is the safety.We are used to shooting right hand guns,they safety is opposite.So if your rabbit hunting for example and you jump one,taking the safety off becomes a problem if you need to shoot quick because you have used right handed guns you will still try to take the safety off the same way you have done it for years.Its the same with most rifles.Just a thought to save you some time and money,left hand guns don't work for me.

[Rozman62]

Best rifle for deer hunting?

Hunting in the East where the shot distances can be limited I would vote for the Marlin 336 in 35 Rem with LE ammo.

Hunting in the West where the distances are extended I would go with a .25-06 or .270 bolt action. (Browning X-bolt, Marlin XL7, Savage Weather Warrior)

If I only had 1 choice I would go with a .270 bolt as it offers up the flexibility to do it all.

[tcicon]

I can't comment on the Ruger as idon't own one or know anyone who has. I will say the T/C ICON CLASSIC 270 Win. is hard to overlook. Add a Nikon Monarch 4x12x42 scope, Rem. 130 Gr. Psp's, and you have a sweeeeeet shooter with plenty of power!