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looking for a rifle for next deer season

24K views 33 replies 16 participants last post by  Hanshi 
#1 ·
I love my 12ga. 870, but it certainly limits my range when deer hunting. Most deer I see where I hunt are within range but my gun limits where I can go. There is plenty of other land I can hunt around me including powerlines but I need a rifle for that. I would like a gun with a scope with the sight under so I can use the sights for close range. I am also looking at .308 but any suggestions on calibers would be great as I do not have too much knowledge as far as guns go.
 
#27 ·
I have hunted for over 35 years and at one point back in my younger years I always thought bigger was better, using the magnum calibers, but now I too use a 308. It does all you need it to and the recoil is far more manageable witch means a far more accurate and humane shots. The 30:06 and 270 will also do the job nicely. I do like the 30 caliber cartridges better because there are a lot more bullet weights you can get into depending on what you are hunting. Bolt action is a very safe rifle and very accurate as well.
 
#28 ·
An old thread but a good one. I like the .308 and .30/06 and have owned and taken deer with both; the .308 being a Savage M99. However, I've tended to favor the .25s and have owned .250/3000, .257 Roberts and a couple of .25/06 rifles. And while I've killed deer with everything from my .22Hornet to the .338 mag, .350 R and .45/70, I've killed more deer with my two .250/3000 rifles (a Sav M99 & a Ruger M77) than with all others combined. Yep, the little .250 Sav is my perennial favorite. I guess I should add that it's been many years since I've hunted with modern rifles. I have been using black powder flintlocks exclusively for a good long while. But still, the .308 will do for everything.
 
#29 ·
I fell in love with my 25-06 ( .2500/3000 refined cousin) and my wife is very successful with her .223. We both shoot savage bolt actions and have never chased a deer more than one shot and 50 yards with either. The key to being a successful hunter is being a confident shooter and a caliber that’s easy to shoot on the shoulder and wallet are key to developing the proper techniques and habits to be a good shot. There are better options for deer or an all purpose rifle, but if you can only have one rifle and want to have a gun that you can use on anything that walks in the woods in Maine...I think the .308 may be the best choice for a beginner or less experienced shooter than the venerable 30.06.
 
#30 ·
Within your parameters I think I'd choose my .350 Rem Mag. Recoil is usually not an issue with me. With that in mind, if I still had either the .338 Win mag or one of the two .375 H&H mags - foolishly let them slip away - my choice would be either of those. I've taken many deer with 200 grain handloads in that good rifle and have the option of loading 250 grain bullets for the big stuff. It's accurate and very versatile.

I have to say that my old 45/70 has taken many deer as well and with my load of a 400 grain SP at 1800 fps, I'd trust in on anything in Maine. So I'll stay with the .350 Rem Mag as MY choice.
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#32 ·
Whoa! That didn't work so I'll try again. Here's the 45/70.
View attachment 648



Might as well admit I regret letting my 25/06(s) go. I won't let it happen with my .257 R. Even though I've had that nice rifle for nearly 35 years, I have yet to try bullets heavier than 100 grains in it. That's about to change. I have a couple boxes of Nosler 115 grain and 120 grain partitions and some ballistic points. I get 3200 fps with a 100 grain pill without getting near max powder charges. Back when I used it a lot it was lightning on deer. I was also quite astonished at the ability of the .22Hornet to drop deer with either neck or lung shots. Have to say that so far, I haven't met a rifle caliber I didn't like - NO experience with any other .22 'cept for the Hornet. I love the .270, 30/06 and .308; and have a particular fondness for those three. The 30/30 has been a very special favorite for nearly 40 years; would never guess that I love to talk guns, would you? But 100% committed to black powder, now, and don't quite see much use of anything other than flint in the near future.
 
#33 ·
If you like your 870, why not go with a Remington 7600? You'd be familiar with the safety and feel. You can get it in .308 and you could find a used one in the short barreled .308. You could get a new one in 30-06 with the short barrel. The 18.5" (short) barrel makes a huge difference carrying it. Way better IMO and I have both. My main deer gun is the 7600 30-06 carbine (18.5") with a Leupold VXIII 1.5x5 with low rings and I take the open sights off and plug the holes. This setup weighs about 7lbs and is a sweet setup to carry. I use the flip open caps on the scope on bad weather days and have never thought I needed the open sights. I take the whole month off to hunt and this gun has a lot of carry time on it, no better deer gun for Maine IMHO.
 
#34 ·
Just to keep guns in perspective, etc, Here's my "go-to" guns for deer.

Newest, okay, 3 years old, then. .50.

Not a rifle, exactly, but a .62 (20ga) smoothbore. Puts three shots under 3" at 60 yards using patched ball. I'm using this gun more and more; I like it!
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