What rifle would you suggest for deer hunting?

Question

My boyfriend loves to go hunting but is always borowing riffles from friends. This christmas I wanted to gift him a rifle of his own but i have no clue where to start. I visited a couple of stores and noone who works there knows anything about the guns. They just start reading about each gun on the spot which I guess is a way to start. I don't want to go to his friends for help because those guys can't keep their mouths shut, they'll ruin the surprise. Does anyone have any ideas?

i went with him once and the area was verry woody, i think it's the same spot he usually goes to hunt.

Answer 1

I am not sure where he will be hunting, but I lean towards and recommend bolt actions, vs semi automatics.

In open areas with long shots, antelope/deer

.243
.260


Hunting in fields and wooded areas: for deer

270
30-30 (brushy wooded short shots, 50-100 yards max)
308
30-06
7mm (a very strong cartridge with lots of knockdown)

Typically a new rifle with a sling, 3x9 variable scope and soft case are a wonderful package and can be had for as low as $400-$600, up to as much as you want to spend.

Brand names that are rock solid and quality guns are: Remington, Browning, Savage, Ruger. Almost ANY gun model in those brands is bound to be a super gift.

Answer 2

Anyone who suggested a magnum is telling you wrong for your conditions. A magnum is for long range and in the woods you cannot see a long distance. Plus it is more difficult to shoot a gun with heavy recoil. This explains why everyone thinks a 22 is so accurate.
A 30-30 is a great gun for heavy wooded areas. Because it is a close range gun you will not need a scope for it. Yes, the 30-30 probably kills more deer each year than any other rifle.
A 30.06 is more powerful, more expensive and would probably be great with a scope.
I am a fan of the 6.5x55 also called the Swedish Mauser. Reputation is shoots like a .243 hits like a 30.06. Is Scandavain countries they hunt moose with it.
I also like the Savages with an accu-trigger. Still Remington, Ruger, Browning, Winchester and many others make a great rifle.

Answer 3

Boy, do you have a lot to filter through on this one!
Bolt-actions have become by far most popular. There used to be a standard argument about Remington Model 700 vs. Winchester Model 70 as a reasonable mid-level rifle, but sadly the latter is no longer made. Ruger, Savage and CZ make less expensive ones that are gaining in popularity, and even with an unlimited budget it's probably best to stay away from anything more expensive for now.
Something similar holds true with scopes, Leupold being generally considered the best value, but Burris, Nikon and others are close behind, and you have to spend a LOT more money for a little more clarity.
In terms of caliber, there are plenty of choices. Miniatures like 243 Winchester, 257 Roberts, and 25-06 are fun, but unless you know he wants one of those, take a pass. Likewise, anything with "magnum" on the end of the name isn't needed, so unless you know he wants one, pass on those, as well. The well-balanced middle of the pack includes 6.5x55 Mauser, 260 Remington, 270 Winchester, 7mm08, 280 Remington, 308 Winchester, and 30-06. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and having used the lot, I've bought 3 rifles for family members in 7mm08, which I think is the best balanced of the lot.
You also should look at the weight of the rifle. Standard sizes are, well, standard, but if he walks a lot or primarily hunts in thick woods, consider something a little shorter and handier, like the Remington 700 Mountain rifle.
And finally, the scope that's most popular is of variable magnification from 3-9x. I have several of those and several in 2-7x, and the latter actually seems a bit better choice when most hunting is in the woods rather than in the open.
I'd also recommend you try to find a gun shop in your area rather than shopping at a sporting goods chain. A man who makes his living on guns is naturally going to like them and know about them, and he'll be able to help, where the salesman in the sporting goods store is basically just an annoyance.

Answer 4

For your purposes, a 30-30 Winchester Model 94 would be more than adequate for deer hunting. Its a tried and true weapon and has probably killed more deer than all the other rifles mentioned put together.

Another perfectly good deer rifle is a Marlin 336 in 30-30 cal. Both of these guns are lever action carbines (relatively short and easy to carry in brush) and can be purchased for in the vicinity of $400 or less.

The 30-30 cartridge is also a very common caliber and therefore is easy to get almost anywhere.

Answer 5

An excellent rifle that won't hurt your bank account is a Vanguard By Weatherby. I have a 300 wby. mag Vanguard and I couldn't be happier. Its the best quality gun on the market for a reasonable price. Plus it's guarenteed to shoot a 1 1/2 in. or better group at 100 yards from a cold barrel. It even comes with the target to prove it. It's a lot of bang for your buck. Go to www.weatherby.com, click Vanguard. With a 300 wby. mag he can hunt anything from coyote to moose and maybe even larger game like buffalo. You can get a wooden gun for about $700 and Synthetics are even cheaper. Both are good But I prefer wood, It looks much better.

Answer 6

I would try to find a Savage. These guns come at a decent price, and you can buy them in a package set. (rifle, scope, and a sling all together) This package will probably run you somewhere between $400 and $600.

For deer hunting, don't buy anything smaller than a .270

I would suggest either a .308, 30-06 (pronounced thirty ought six), 7mm mag, or a .300 mag.

I would try to find a local Gander Mountain, or some other store that staffs the gun section. They should be able to help you find what you need for the right price in person.

Good luck.

http://www.savagearms.com/centerfire_home.htm
http://www.gandermountain.com/

Answer 7

My vote goes to my Savage model 111 too. It is in 30-06, and the perfect rifle for woods hunting. As for calibers, good ones for deer are 25-06, .270, .280, 30-30, 30-06, ect. There are also magnum calibers. I have used the 7mm for deer, and have killed deer with it, but YOU DO NOT NEED ANYTHING WITH MAGNUM AFTER THE CALIBER. Best of luck.

Answer 8

Depends on where he hunts either in dense woods or open areas. For safety get him a bolt action plus it is much smoother shooting. but if you want to be universal a 30 30 or 30 06. Longer range shooting maybe a 270 or 7mm etc. your local gun shop will help you. Good Luck

Answer 9

Um if it is heavily wooded and visibily is no more than about 50 yards or less i would go with a browning .44 or a remmington but if he can see a pretty good ways a .270 is a good choice if i got the 44 i'd go with a lever action or semi-auto if it was a .270 i would go with a bolt or semi auto. um browning and remmingtons are my favorite. Also a 30-06 is always a good choice no matter the conditions.

Answer 10

If he hunts in the United States-East Coast, buy him a Remington 700 BDL 270 and a Red Field 3x9 scope. If he hunts in the Midwest United States, buy him a Remington 300 Winchester Short Magnum (WSM) and a Red Field 4x12 scope. If he hunts in Canada, buy him a 7mm Remington Magnum. This is all depending on where he hunts and what he hunts for.