Hunting House » Hunting Equipment » First Deer Rifle
First Deer Rifle
Question:
> LIKE SOME HAVE SAID IT DEPENDS,WHERE YOU AND WHAT YOU ARE HUNTING.OUT > IN WESTERN WASHINGTON WE HAVE BIG DEEP OPEN CANYONS AND THICK FORESTS > WITH ALOT OF UNDER BRUSH.SO SOME LIKE THE 7MM OR THE 300MAG,BUT MY > BROTHER JUST TRADED HIS 300 WIN. MAG FOR A RUGER 270.THE 300 WOULD NOT > HOLD A PATTERN AT ALL.I MYSELF HAVE A REMINGTON 270 BDL WITH A SIMMONS > 44 MAG SCOPE THAT I HAVE HAD FOR 10 YEARS.I’VE DROP DEER AT 50YARDS UP > TO 300 YARDS,IN WASHINGTON,OREGON AND IDAHO USING 130GR. NOSLER > BULLETS.SO HAS MY 17YEAR OLD SON AND NOW MY BROTHER.THE RECOIL IS NOT > BAD AT ALL.YOU CAN GET AMMO ANYWHERE FOR A REASONABLE PRICE.IF YOU WANT > MORE KNOCKDOWN POWER GO TO 150GR. YOU DONT LOOSE MUCH IN THE SPEED OR > THE DISTANCE END OF THINGS.AS BEFORE IT DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU WANT TO DO > WITH THE RIFLE.THE 7MM AND 300MAG DOSE HAVE A KICK TO IT THOUGHT. > ANOTHER OPTION IS THE 30.06 GREAT ALL AROUND GUN FOR BIG GAME IN THE > U.S.A.GOOD LUCK WEEDING THRU ALL THE ADVISE YOU WILL GET AND MOST OF > ALL GOOD HUNTING.
Just out of curiosity….was this post originally typed this way? Or is this a result of editing? I had to quit reading it half-way through as it was giving me a headache. Dan Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
At the risk of sounding bold, I’ll offer you the only opinions and comments that will truly matter. I say that because you will inevitably see plenty of posts that will discuss the author’s pet theories, none of which will really help you to learn riflecraft, field shooting, or hunting. The .308 is capable of taking any big game animal on the North American continent, IF you shoot it properly! Shooting "properly" will depend on a couple things: 1) Your personal practical field shooting skills. Specifically, your ability to hit the center of vitals (approximately an 8-inch sphere) at unknown distances from improvised positions while under time pressure. 2) Your knowledge of big game anatomy. You have to learn to read target angle (finding the center of vitals), pick an undefined spot to hold on, and deliver a bullet to that point. 3) Enough experience and discipline to NOT attempt a shot that is beyond your ability. There may be cartridges that are "better" than the .308, but who cares! If you can’t shoot the .308 properly (see above), a "better" cartridge won’t help one bit. Pick a cartridge you can afford to shoot regularly and go shoot it. Any of the brands of firearms that you list will work fine, if you can shoot it properly (again, see above). Pick the one you like best and GO SHOOT IT !! I’m not trying to be difficult. Really, all the choices you list will work fine as long as you take the time to learn your equipment. I would recommend finding a Hunter’s Shooting Association club and start shooting events. John Play the best new shooting game for hunters! The Hunter’s Shooting Association http://www.HunterShooter.com Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
look in Guns and Ammo in the october issue. A new England Manufacturer just came out with a synthetic stocked stainless model called a Raptor,(Ask your local Big Dealer) it comes in .243, 25-06,.270, and 30-06 and list price is only $249 bucks, comes predrilled for weaver – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I am looking at buying my first deer rifle. My criteria are as follows >: >1 – Inexpensive (under $400) >2 – Accurate >3 – Light to medium recoil >4 – Lightweight (7 lbs. or less) >5 – A calibre that has a wide range of uses (deer here, bigger game >out west, etc.) >6 – Ammo that is inexpensive for practice >I am seriously considering a .308 calibre rifle – I seem to recall >that it has less recoil than a .30-06, .270, or .30-.30, the ammo is >definately less expensive if you buy some military surplus. >I have seen some Wal-mart exclusive Weatherby Vanguard rifles for >about $364, Savage is inexpensive, and the Ruger Mk77 looks ok, though >I don’t really like the feel of the action. Really liked the >weatherby, but I don’t think it comes in .308. >Any suggestions, guys? I also have thought about getting a shotgun to >use for an all purpose gun, though I wouldn’t feel very comfortable >with my accuracy with it past 75 yards. >Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: > http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
.308 or 30.06..can’t go wrong with either one!! trout – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I am looking at buying my first deer rifle. My criteria are as follows >: >1 – Inexpensive (under $400) >2 – Accurate >3 – Light to medium recoil >4 – Lightweight (7 lbs. or less) >5 – A calibre that has a wide range of uses (deer here, bigger game >out west, etc.) >6 – Ammo that is inexpensive for practice >I am seriously considering a .308 calibre rifle – I seem to recall >that it has less recoil than a .30-06, .270, or .30-.30, the ammo is >definately less expensive if you buy some military surplus. >I have seen some Wal-mart exclusive Weatherby Vanguard rifles for >about $364, Savage is inexpensive, and the Ruger Mk77 looks ok, though >I don’t really like the feel of the action. Really liked the >weatherby, but I don’t think it comes in .308. >Any suggestions, guys? I also have thought about getting a shotgun to >use for an all purpose gun, though I wouldn’t feel very comfortable >with my accuracy with it past 75 yards. >Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: > http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
I am looking at buying my first deer rifle. My criteria are as follows : 1 – Inexpensive (under $400) 2 – Accurate 3 – Light to medium recoil 4 – Lightweight (7 lbs. or less) 5 – A calibre that has a wide range of uses (deer here, bigger game out west, etc.) 6 – Ammo that is inexpensive for practice I am seriously considering a .308 calibre rifle – I seem to recall that it has less recoil than a .30-06, .270, or .30-.30, the ammo is definately less expensive if you buy some military surplus. I have seen some Wal-mart exclusive Weatherby Vanguard rifles for about $364, Savage is inexpensive, and the Ruger Mk77 looks ok, though I don’t really like the feel of the action. Really liked the weatherby, but I don’t think it comes in .308. Any suggestions, guys? I also have thought about getting a shotgun to use for an all purpose gun, though I wouldn’t feel very comfortable with my accuracy with it past 75 yards. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
> I am looking at buying my first deer rifle. My criteria are as follows > : > 1 – Inexpensive (under $400) > 2 – Accurate > 3 – Light to medium recoil > 4 – Lightweight (7 lbs. or less) > 5 – A calibre that has a wide range of uses (deer here, bigger game > out west, etc.) > 6 – Ammo that is inexpensive for practice > I am seriously considering a .308 calibre rifle – I seem to recall
The Savage 10, a short action rifle, will meet all your criteria. It is available in .308. My friend recently bought a Ruger Ultralight (Lightweight?) in .308, nice rifle, and that action just gets smoother with use. > Any suggestions, guys? I also have thought about getting a shotgun to > use for an all purpose gun, though I wouldn’t feel very comfortable > with my accuracy with it past 75 yards.
A Remington 11-87 with both bird and slug barrels will give you a great all purpose firearm, accurate out to 100 yards with the right set-up and slugs. Or, if you prefer a pump, you can get an 870 combo with both barrels. Good luck, Dave Remy (GSP) and Mauser (GSD) http://www.geocities.com/yosemite/rapids/7061 Earth First! We can hunt the other planets later. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
> I am looking at buying my first deer rifle. My criteria are as follows > : > 1 – Inexpensive (under $400) > 2 – Accurate > 3 – Light to medium recoil > 4 – Lightweight (7 lbs. or less) > 5 – A calibre that has a wide range of uses (deer here, bigger game > out west, etc.) > 6 – Ammo that is inexpensive for practice > I am seriously considering a .308 calibre rifle – I seem to recall > that it has less recoil than a .30-06, .270, or .30-.30,
Actually it has more recoil than the 270 and the 30/30, an I can’t tell the difference between it and an 06 in my reloads, in other words, yes it is a tad lighter, but in a light gun you are looking at it can hurt you shooting from the bench, if you don’t know what you are doing > the ammo is > definately less expensive if you buy some military surplus.
I would advise you to stay away from that stuff, you never know what you are going to get, some of this stuff has corrosive primers,, others have steel jackets. If I were you, I would consider the 7mm08 or the 260 remington Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
I bought a used Savage 99S .308 two years ago, I paid $300 for it (included a Bushnell Trophy scope, lock and soft case). It is an excellent rifle! You can definately shoot deer with it, I killed 3 moose with it this fall! You should probably shoot 150 grain (or smaller) for deer, I dropped the moose with 180gr. The precision will depend on the time you spend at the range and the quality of the scope. Good luck, Charles
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I am looking at buying my first deer rifle. My criteria are as follows > : > 1 – Inexpensive (under $400) > 2 – Accurate > 3 – Light to medium recoil > 4 – Lightweight (7 lbs. or less) > 5 – A calibre that has a wide range of uses (deer here, bigger game > out west, etc.) > 6 – Ammo that is inexpensive for practice > I am seriously considering a .308 calibre rifle – I seem to recall > that it has less recoil than a .30-06, .270, or .30-.30, the ammo is > definately less expensive if you buy some military surplus. > I have seen some Wal-mart exclusive Weatherby Vanguard rifles for > about $364, Savage is inexpensive, and the Ruger Mk77 looks ok, though > I don’t really like the feel of the action. Really liked the > weatherby, but I don’t think it comes in .308. > Any suggestions, guys? I also have thought about getting a shotgun to > use for an all purpose gun, though I wouldn’t feel very comfortable > with my accuracy with it past 75 yards. > Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: > http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
scope together. Buying a "400-yard" cartridge to go into a rifle with iron sights is going "two steps forward and three steps backward". As to caliber suggestions, get the most powerful cartridge whose recoil does not cause you damage or distress… AND NO LARGER. I have one distant acquaintence who still has a 7mm Magnum, and the first box of ammo he ever bought for it… get my drift? For bores of .308 and smaller, I would offer the general principle that the cartridges based on the .308 case (7-08, 260 Rem) offer more ballistic performance per unit of recoil than those based on the 30-06 case (.270 Win, 25-06, 280 Rem aka 7mm Express). You will get lots of advice, most of it good. I would offer the observation that there are very very few "bad" rifles or cartridges on the market now (can’t extend that to cheap scopes, though). The Savage rifle is "ugly" and "awkward", maybe, but it is safe, accurate, and durable; all the shooting you’ll do the rest of your life wouldn’t cause one to wear out or fail. Buy something mainstream, similar to what knowledgable others are using, and keep it in the back of your mind that you may, in five years, when you know more about what you like & want & need, switch to something else. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
I bought a used Savage 99S .308 two years ago, I paid $300 for it (included a Bushnell Trophy scope, lock and soft case). It is an excellent rifle! You can definately shoot deer with it, I killed 3 moose with it this fall! You should probably shoot 150 grain (or smaller) for deer, I dropped the moose(s) with 180gr. The precision will depend on the time you spend at the range and steadiness of your hand….don’t blame the gun! Good luck, Charles
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I am looking at buying my first deer rifle. My criteria are as follows > : > 1 – Inexpensive (under $400) > 2 – Accurate > 3 – Light to medium recoil > 4 – Lightweight (7 lbs. or less) > 5 – A calibre that has a wide range of uses (deer here, bigger game > out west, etc.) > 6 – Ammo that is inexpensive for practice > I am seriously considering a .308 calibre rifle – I seem to recall > that it has less recoil than a .30-06, .270, or .30-.30, the ammo is > definately less expensive if you buy some military surplus. > I have seen some Wal-mart exclusive Weatherby Vanguard rifles for > about $364, Savage is inexpensive, and the Ruger Mk77 looks ok, though > I don’t really like the feel of the action. Really liked the > weatherby, but I don’t think it comes in .308. > Any suggestions, guys? I also have thought about getting a shotgun to > use for an all purpose gun, though I wouldn’t feel very comfortable > with my accuracy with it past 75 yards. > Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: > http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
I have a Ruger M77 in .30-06, and I absolutely love it. It is very accurate, easy to maintain, and has not been adversely affected by all the bad weather I’ve subjected it to. I don’t know what exactly about the action that you didn’t like, but I’ve never had a single problem with mine. The rifle does tend to kick you in the shoulder, but when I’m hunting and shooting offhand I really don’t even notice. The calibre you buy should depend on the terrain you are going to hunt in the most. If you anticipate long shots, get a flatter trajectory cartridge such as the .243. If you will have close shots in brush or woods, a short lever action .30-30 might suit you. If you want something you can use for game from javelinas up to elk, and you only want to have to carry one rifle with you, get the .30-06. You can put in light sabot loads for small game, and big 200+ grain loads for elk. You can find generic FMJ ammo in .30-06 for target shooting and practice, and in case you need name brand hunting ammo at the last minute every Wal-Mart carries it in 150 and 180 grain weights. I have a friend who swears by his .243 for deer, but then he’s used to hunting the wide open spaces in Texas. My brother is saving up for a .338 Remington magnum, for Montana elk. One needs to make distance shots, the other needs major knockdown power. You’ll have to decide what will suit your needs best. Chris Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
Walmart also carries a combo deal from Winchester in Model 70’s with synthetic stock and a Simmons scope for $339.00 . I have one in .270 and it can be had in .308, 7mm mag, .30-06 and 300 Win Mag . I have one in .270 and it is accurate and isn’t bad recoil at all. A .308 is adequate for smaller Elk but if it is of any size, a 7mm mag or .300 Win Mag is preferred and a .30-06 is always a good all around choice. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
>I am seriously considering a .308 calibre rifle – I seem to recall >that it has less recoil than a .30-06, .270, or .30-.30,
**Perceived** recoil very much depends on: – the rifle’s weight – the weight of the bullet you fire – the bullet’s velocity – the nature & quantity of the powder in the cartridge (i.e. fast or slow) – the dimensions and shape of the stock – the nature of the butt pad fitted – how you hold the rifle – you shooting position (prone v standing) You can easily get a 308 to kick much harder than a 30-06 simply by using heavier bullets in the 308. I have found the Pachmeyr ‘Decellerator’ pad to be highly effective in reducing the felt recoil of my 30-06. –Jonathan Spencer, firearms examiner Keith Borer Consultants, Mountjoy Research Centre, Durham, DH1 3UR, England tel: + 44 191 386 6107 fax: + 44 191 383 0686 visit our web site at http://www.borer.demon.co.uk Lat. 54 34.24 N Long. 1 20.17 W Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
>- the weight of the bullet you fire >- the nature of the butt pad fitted >You can easily get a 308 to kick much harder than a 30-06 simply by >using heavier bullets in the 308.
Very true. I shoot 150gr rounds in my .30-06 primarily due to the recoil with heavier rounds. I have a pump (Remington 7600) with a standard hard plastic butt plate. I have shot a few Winchester 220 gr silvertips through this rifle and the recoil is downright painful. Dropping to 180gr is reasonable, but 150gr’s are fine. I also get the added speed/ballistics of the lighter bullet and 150gr bullets are more than adequate for whitetails. I doubt if 150gr bullets in a semi-auto .30-06 would kick as much as the same bullet in a bolt .308. DuckHunt Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
i have a 270 winchester. in my beliefs it is the best hunting rifle one could posably have. yes the ammo is probably a little more expensive then what you are loking to spend but for as lite as it is it has very little recoil. i have only had it for about 2 years and in has taken down three deer so it has to be at least some what accurate. oh by the way it was only $320, scope included(3-9 variable). it has lots of uses, it can be taken out west such as you mentioned or it can be used here whatever one wants to use it for. the idea about getting a shotgun for an allpurpose gun is a very inteligent one. as a matter of fact i only had a shotgun for a few years, it too worked fine for big game in this area but it never ventured out west. it was a 20 gauge. i think what i liked about it best was that was in my opinion ideal for target shooting. it was a single shot new england and to this very day every thing it has been pointed at it has brought it down. i just thought i would share my opinionwith you. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
I HAVE 700 IT IS MY FIRST RIFLE THAT I HAVE SHOT AND I LOVE IT Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
LIKE SOME HAVE SAID IT DEPENDS,WHERE YOU AND WHAT YOU ARE HUNTING.OUT IN WESTERN WASHINGTON WE HAVE BIG DEEP OPEN CANYONS AND THICK FORESTS WITH ALOT OF UNDER BRUSH.SO SOME LIKE THE 7MM OR THE 300MAG,BUT MY BROTHER JUST TRADED HIS 300 WIN. MAG FOR A RUGER 270.THE 300 WOULD NOT HOLD A PATTERN AT ALL.I MYSELF HAVE A REMINGTON 270 BDL WITH A SIMMONS 44 MAG SCOPE THAT I HAVE HAD FOR 10 YEARS.I’VE DROP DEER AT 50YARDS UP TO 300 YARDS,IN WASHINGTON,OREGON AND IDAHO USING 130GR. NOSLER BULLETS.SO HAS MY 17YEAR OLD SON AND NOW MY BROTHER.THE RECOIL IS NOT BAD AT ALL.YOU CAN GET AMMO ANYWHERE FOR A REASONABLE PRICE.IF YOU WANT MORE KNOCKDOWN POWER GO TO 150GR. YOU DONT LOOSE MUCH IN THE SPEED OR THE DISTANCE END OF THINGS.AS BEFORE IT DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU WANT TO DO WITH THE RIFLE.THE 7MM AND 300MAG DOSE HAVE A KICK TO IT THOUGHT. ANOTHER OPTION IS THE 30.06 GREAT ALL AROUND GUN FOR BIG GAME IN THE U.S.A.GOOD LUCK WEEDING THRU ALL THE ADVISE YOU WILL GET AND MOST OF ALL GOOD HUNTING. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free! Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/