What would be a good deer rifle for me?

Question

I have read different feeling towards what is the best "deer rifle". Here is some information: I usualy hunt in the woods, where a 200yd shot would be common. On the other hand I like to shoot targets with my buddies at 300yds or less. So is there a gun where 250 yds is no problem but if a deer came within 100yd it wouldnt leave half the meet useless. Recoil is no such a problem with me because i am 17. I have shot 30-06, 12 gauge shotgun, .30 carbine, and 6.5 by 55 swedish.

Also i was wondering if yall would recommend me to a rifle that I can buy. Only thing is that I have a limited budget of $300 to $400. I am trying to find a package of a rifle and a scope. Walmart has some Mossbergs for $415 which i would do, but are Mossbergs good in accuracy, and dependablity?

Thanks,
Matt

Ok, thank you all for answering. Now im getting a 30-06. Does anyone have a recommendation of what brand or model, etc. Price w/scope $300 to $400

Answer 1

You really can not go wrong with a 30.06 - the versitality of the round is great for everything from coyote to moose/elk. Some would say it is too small for elk, but if I can take one with a .44 mag...

Another great firearm is the 30-30. You will not have a 300yd tackdriver, but you should get decent results with the new rounds they have.

Love the marlin leverguns...I would go with Remington for the 06 - I do not care personally for Mossberg or Savage. You do not have to buy new...go to a gunshop - not a pawnshop - and see what they have in used. Good hunting.

Answer 2

If you can come up with the extra money for a scope, get a stainless steel Ruger model 77 with a synthetic stock chambered for .308. It will cost a little over $400 for the rifle and then you will need a scope. The Ruger comes with scope rings so you won't have to buy them. I have 3 stainless steel Ruger model 77s, a .223, a .308, and a .300 magnum, and I love them all. .308 ammo is cheap, and if you reload like I do you can get once fired military brass and make your shooting even cheaper. The .308 is one of the most accurate cartridges ever, and has plenty of power for shots up to at least 500 yards. If you get a good lung hit the meat will not get damaged. I'd put my Rugers against your friends rifles any day at 300 yards. I've killed a total of 49 deer with them so far in the mountains of southwest Virginia.

Answer 3

If I were you, I'd look for a decent used 7mm mag. Try for a Ruger or Savage; but Winchester or Remington will do just as well. Sometimes a used rifle like this will have a scope on it.

The 7mm Mag. round, if shot out of a rifle sighted in at 200 yards, only drops a little over 6 inches at 300 yards. The round will not tear up your deer at any range.

I have a Ruger 7mm Mag. I have taken Antelope, Deer, and Elk with it. A friend borrowed it and took a Black Bear with it. The longest shot I took was about 380 yards on an Antelope and dropped him with a chest shot.

Answer 4

Go with a Savage, they are very good guns and pretty cheap, a 30-06 with 175 grain will be good up to 250 yards..... go with a smaller bore, like a 270 and 150 grain bullets for farther distance of 300 yards and more..... I just picked up a Savage with a Simmons scope, 30-06, composite stock all for $369..... you want a lighter bullet for a longer distance.... but for 200 yards and closer a 30-06 has the most power. :)

Answer 5

a 270 caliber would be a good bet for both 200 and 100 yards. Any shot at 300 yds takes alot of practice and I wouldn't shoot at an animal at that distance. You should be able to get a savage rifle with a scope in that price range.

Answer 6

the 30/06 will fill this bill nicely
I don't know much about the mossberg atr or the 4x4
i would go with a savage package rifle you should be able to pick one up for under $400 the savage is accurate and dependable if you keep in mind that they are hunting rifles not high quality precision rifles (custom rem 700 over a $1,000)

Answer 7

I hunt with a 308 & 30/06. I fell that out to 200 yards the 308 hits harder dropping deer faster. the 06 takes over after 200 yards.

Answer 8

30-30 Winchester is a good all around deer pounder. Not a lot of kick, cheap to buy and will do the trick up o 200 yards. Targets to 300. And the lever action looks cool!

Answer 9

For the purpose you need it for you can't beat a 30-06.* It is very versatile and has a large variety of bullet weights to choose from.* When you own a 30-06 you won't need another Rifle.*Buy used & save $$$$.* A new one doesn't shoot any better than a used one.*

Answer 10

My best deer rifle is an old Remington 700 in .25-06 Remington caliber. You can probably find this one in your price range. The .270 and .30-06 as well as the .308 are all excellent deer calibers.

Best.

H