Whats your opinion on a good deer/bear rifle?

Question

Im looking to get away from shotguns and go rifle. I hunt whitetail, but now bear has recently opened up in my hunting area in NY (9w). Im not a fan of hunting open fields or anything and I'm not too worried about distance as I will not take very long shots. I'm also a college student, so I would like a rifle that is inexpensive. Also, the less recoil the better lol. So what would you suggest?

Answer 1

The Remington 700 in 308 Win or 30-06 caliber will serve you well for both animals. If you want a gun that is less expensive look at the Savage Series 110 Bolt action rifles in these same calibers. Savage has combo Packs that you get both a rifle and Scope for a decent price.I sell many of both of these firearms to Deer and Bear hunters in my gun shops, and I've used both of these personally....

Answer 2

If you are not going to be shooting very far and you want cheap, then a 30-30 or a .30-06 is good.

I wouldn't personally pick a 30-30 because it is a horrible long distance gun, but I live out West where there are mountains and open areas for long shots. If you are always shooting shots within 150 yards or less then a 30-30 is fine.

A gun like the 300 Winchester Short Mag would be a long distance great all around gun. It recoils less than the 300 ultra mag and it can shoot about as far. However, it is a little more pricey, as are the bullets.

For what you want, I would get a .30-06.

Along with the 30-30, the 30-06 is probably the most common deer gun in the United States, so it is cheaper because of the large quantity made. The ballistics of the .30-06 are better than the 30-30 so that makes it the better weapon of choice. It is not bad at long distances and can shoot up to 400 or 500 yards. (At those distances you will have to aim fairly high, though.) It is not the best long distance gun, but it isn't the worst either.

The 30-06 recoils a little, but not as much as your long distance ultra mags. I personally would accept a little more recoil if that meant killing the animal instead of wounding the animal. A small gun like the .243 for example, has less recoil, but also has less knock down power.

I would go for the .30-06 because it's relatively cheaper and if you ever want to shoot at longer distances in another state when you get older, then it is much better than the .30-30

Answer 3

I have hunted close to where you will be hunting. I grew up near Corning New York. I would even hunt that area with any rifle except the 30-30. To many hardwoods. Stick with your slug gun or go with a 30-30. Out West I use a .270. But we have much longer shots out here. Unless you are hunting in a farmers field you won't have many shots back there longer than 100 yards.

Answer 4

I'd suggest 7mm08 for a caliber, and Remington for a maker. The choice would be between the model 7 and the model 700 Mountain version. Both are pretty handy and short for woods work, the 7 being smaller but it may feel a little too light at the muzzle, too whippy for your tastes. Top it with a fixed 4x scope or a 2-7x like the Leupold VariX II, and you have a great combination. I've bought one of each for family members with complete satisfaction. One of my favorites is also very similar though no longer available.

Answer 5

I would go with a .30-30. They bring down both whitetails and bear at close range and are easily packed due to they're size. The recoil isn't hard to handle and the ammo is cheaper compared to the bigger calibers. The rifles themselves aren't too expensive either.

Answer 6

i went on a bear hunt 9-2014. one guy shot a bear with a 308. never found the bear. two nites later another guy in the group shot one with a 30-06. it dropped where he shot it. I do know both calibers were 180 gr or better. and I also know the owner/guide was pissed about the 308 and told him not to back in the woods with it and tried to lend him his 30-06.the guy said no and left camp that day. I know both are 30 cal. but you have to consider muzzle velocity and ft/lbs of energy when considering a bear gun. ( shot my bear with 300 win mag 200 gr rem sp) dropped where I shot it thru brush at a little over 50 yds. you have to make the call. hope this helps

Answer 7

.30-30 lever guns are great brush guns and certainly adequate for both dear and bear. Some guys prefer .35 Remington for some extra punch when facing bear (Marlin makes lever guns in both calibers). .308 is a good all around round--and one of my personal favorites is the Remington 7600 (pump action). But once you get above an adequate caliber for bear it's all about what you like and what you can afford. Have fun and good luck.

Answer 8

The Marlin 336 in 30-30 , and the 1894 in .44 Mag are excellent der rigles for under $500.

Answer 9

The 308 in a bolt action or the 444 Marlin in a lever action. Both are versatile and deadly

Answer 10

Less recoil and inexpensive..... get a Savage .243..... that will go for under $400 with the scope mounted and bore sighted.