Deer Rifle Suggestions??

Rick Kyte

Rick Kyte

Well-known member
My youngest boy just passed his hunter safety training last week and will be deer hunting with us this fall, and I'm one rifle short. He will probably be using the Model 94 Winchester (.32 caliber) that has been passed down from his grandfather and that his older brother has been using. So this spring I've been looking around for an inexpensive but reliable deer rifle that the 17 year old can use. In the area we hunt, he could be taking shots anywhere from 30 to 200 yards.

Deer hunting has never been my big passion; so my knowledge of rifles is limited, based mainly on a few opinions picked up over the years and taking to guys at gun shops recently. I'd value some insight from the folks here.

Here's what I'm considering based on what I've seen in the shops:

Savage 110, .270 (I've seen a lot of hype about the accutrigger on the new models. Is this just marketing hype, and would I be just as well off with an older model?)

Howa 1500, .270

Marlin 30-30 w/scope (These guns look cheaply built to me, but I keep hearing good things about them. What kind of range is reasonable with this gun?)

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Rick
 
Inexpensive and accurate - the savage you mentioned, or a remington 710.

A gun he can grow with for a lifetime, but is still inexpensive - remington model 700.

I am a .270 guy (very flat shooter, great on deer sized game), but the 30-06 has a lot of fans as a versatile cartridge (depending on the loads and the bullet) and I'd be tempted to get one as a versatile gun.

The accutrigger is incredible and well worth paying for, but the savage barrel locking nut is goofy... And it has limited customization and accurizing capability. The model 700 has unlimited options in that regard. For the money, I'd pick up a Remington model 700.

Charlie
 
Last edited:
I grew up in Tx shooting a bolt action .243. this is a great caliber for youths and is very common. some of the more unusual caliber guns can be hard to find ammunition for or expensive if you do. but I am sure there are others with more experience than me on the topic.
 
My vote goes to the Savage. Best out of the box accuracy even when compared to much more expensive rifles. I wouldn't worry about customizing for accuracy. It's a hunting rifle, not a benchrest gun.
As for caliber the .270 is a great round for whitetail sized game. The 30-06 will have more variety of ammunition (heavier grain bullets) if you ever want to pursue larger game. Both calibers are widely available and in you ever find that you have forgotten your ammo, they are kind of like 12ga 4's, just about every country store will have them.
 
From what I have seen the savage is a very good buy. If there is ever a chance that your son might want to do some customizing on this gun in the future a savage is a great gun to start with. With some care you can change a lot of the stuff on your own. http://www.savageshooters.com/ has a lot of info on them.

Not that a .270 isn't a great round for deer but if 200 yards is the max range and 30 yards is likely it might be wise to look at shooting Remingtons managed recoil loads. I doubt a 17 year old will think he needs them but a full throttle .270 is booking at 30 yards and might bruise a lot of meat. I have mostly used a 30-06 and sometimes on closer shots it does a lot of damage if you hit some solid bone. The 7mm-08 or .308 might also be worth taking a look at for those ranges.

I haven't handled a newer Marlin rifle but back 20 years ago I did use one and I don't remember it feeling cheaply built. They could have changed for all I know but they look the same. 200 yards is a good max range for a fairly accurate lever turty turty.

Tim
 
Does it have to be brand new? I'd suggest a .308 or a 30-06. Like was mentioned, shells are available in every store that sells shells and these two rounds will do for any hunting South of Alaska. Just read an article on 2 and 3 gun batteries for Africa and the 30-06 was very popular with the PH's. The racks are full of quality used 30-06's.
 
I bought a savage 11 in 7mm-08 for myself this fall with a 2-7X leupold, it is a light, fun gun, recoil is very light, accutrigger is very crisp and light and it is very accurate out of the box. I bought it because I developed a wicked flinch shooting slug guns and turkey guns from the bench over the years and wanted the mildest shooting gun for deer-sized game. Bullet choice is very good, everybody makes a range of loadings, as long as you like 140 grains - one down side is no offerings in a 100% copper bullet.

I shot 3 deer with it this year and am really happy. Perfect kid gun with grown up killing power.

T
 
Tod--I'm not familiar with the 7mm-08 load, and I'm a little hesitant about buying a gun with a load that's going to be hard to find in 10-15 years. Was the scope one of their package options, or did you buy it separately? The only packages I've seen are cheaper Simmons scopes (I think).

Lee--No, it doesn't have to be new. I'd prefer to buy a used gun in good shape. How does the recoil of the .308 or 30-06 compare to the .270?

Tim--I've noticed the managed recoil loads from Remington and thought they might be a good load for either of the boys, especially if shooting .270 or larger.

JS, Charlie, Billy--thanks for the replies. I've thought about the .243, and I guess that's still a possibility.

Rick
 
Rick, The rifle itself is really a personal choice but caliber is more cut and dried. I shoot and love my .270, no reason to have anything else in the Midwest. Most of my deer hunting gang shoot .243's and that one is a lighting bolt from heaven. Very little recoil and very available ammo. We shoot deer from 25 feet to 400 plus yards (honest) and either gets the job done. I have one 30-.30 and it is just a plinker for me, mostly because it is a lever action. One thought about the lever gun is it may be the most dangerous action out there. You have to cycle every round through the chamber to unload and the exposed hammer is a tough one to manipulate to a safe position for smaller weaker hands. I don't like them.That said the '.06 may be the versatile winner for "all round "gun. I shoot a Rem pump 760 and it is natural for an old 870 guy like myself, never could get a bolt to work worth a darn. Don't overpower a youngster recoilwise or they may decide to play basketball instead of hunt deer. Happy hunting.
 
Tod--I'm not familiar with the 7mm-08 load, and I'm a little hesitant about buying a gun with a load that's going to be hard to find in 10-15 years. Was the scope one of their package options, or did you buy it separately? The only packages I've seen are cheaper Simmons scopes (I think).

Lee--No, it doesn't have to be new. I'd prefer to buy a used gun in good shape. How does the recoil of the .308 or 30-06 compare to the .270?

Tim--I've noticed the managed recoil loads from Remington and thought they might be a good load for either of the boys, especially if shooting .270 or larger.

JS, Charlie, Billy--thanks for the replies. I've thought about the .243, and I guess that's still a possibility.

Rick
Click to expand...


No the scope was seperate, I'm a big believer that you should pay as much (or almost) for the scope as for the rifle itself. If you are looking for hyper common go - 308 or 270 like you thought, but both have significantly more recoil in normal loadings.
 
200 yards is not that far when we're talking centerfires 30-30s .243 .270 30-06 12 gauge sabots with a slug barrel and scope will hit and kill deer size targets at that range.
When I was 16 I got my first centerfire a ruger 77 30-06 man did that rifle kick I hated shooting it and I shot it terribly. I was'nt a super tough kid but I was'nt a puss either I was 6' 150 played lacrosse rowed on the rowing team so I was also fit, but that rifle was to much for me I would have been better off with a 270 308 7mm 08 257 roberts 243 something with less recoil.
3 years later I went to colorado state and my roommate took me out to his family ranch on the western slope. The first thing he wanted to do was breakout the rifles and start tuning them up for elk season. I shot his 300 win mag, 264 win mag and 7mm weatherby mag none of these rifle kick like my ruger and all of them packed more punch than my 06
My ruger just did'nt fit me
I do'nt think finding ammuntion of even really odd ball calibers will be a problem in this day an age, if you head to timbucktwo plan ahead and have a 1/2 case on hand.
Everybody really likes the savages with the accu trigger, I have never shot one but I own several remington 700s which I like alot, all of which shoot under an inch at 100 yards. The Marines use them I figure they are a pretty good rifle. Triggers on the 700s can be tuned easily and you can find nice used 700s pretty inexpensively.
I wonder what Yukon Mike thinks seem like he has shot alot of big game some of which would possibly eat him if his rifle malfunctioned I believe he shoots 30-06
 
Marlin 30-30 w/scope (These guns look cheaply built to me, but I keep hearing good things about them. What kind of range is reasonable with this gun?)
Click to expand...
I own a Marlin .30.30
Definately not cheaply made. Unless they have renewed their design or something?
A very good deer/bear rifle but keep in mind it is mainly what is reffered to as a "Bush gun"
200yds is pusing it for any .30.30 IMO short barrel and all.
Don't get me wrong it can be done but I wouldn't advise it(200yds) for a new hunter/owner.
Myself I would probably pass on that shot with a .30.30
My area I hunt woods(.30.30) as well as open fields/country(.270)
My go to gun is my Husqvarna .270 for both bear and deer.
It is what some consider a "smaller bullet" but SHOT PLACEMENT is the key.
A hole in heart/lungs gits er done wether it is small or big.
A .270 doesn't kick near like a 30-06 and you may find being young and new he will hone his shooting skills much better and more accurate with a .270, later on if he wants to step up to a larger caliber he can.
Both Savage and Remington are good choices topped with a decent 3x9x40 or even 50mm scope and he will have a rifle to pass down to his sons he is more than happy with I'm sure.
I would hunt any North American biggame with my .270...accuracy is the key to all hunting.

It is probably going to be a surpise for him but have you considered asking him what he would want?
It is a kinda "long term" decision and maybe your decision may not be what he would decide?
So long as he isn't going to ask for the most expensive one on the rack..in that case he may have to chip some or alot in...lol

Good luck, there are plenty of choices out there but I think you are on the right track.
 
I've got a Savage Model 110e 270 that is around 20 years old. I traded for it back in 1990 & the guy had it for while before we traded.
Fixed magazine w/no floor plate. Plain ole wood stock. Got a cheap 3x9 scope on it.
It's a tack driver.
Back when I was shooting a lot and in good shape (which makes a difference), I could put 5 shots into the bottom of coke can at 100 yards resting off a sleeping back out of the back of the pickup. It was almost as good at 200 yards. Never shot it farther than that.
From what I have heard, the new ones are just as good with an even better trigger. Can't go wrong with the Savage in my opinion.
 
Rick:
I have to add my 02 cents. I use a 308 and have killed deer in Wisconsin, caribou in Alaska and elk in Colorado with it. It is a customized gun with plenty of impact to knock down most anything but it isn't the long range gun like the 30-06 which my son shoots. I've had 30-30's and find them a bit too lite for the hunting I do. Any hunting rifle is going to give a pretty good kick but nothing that your youngest son couldn't handle. I think you'll find what ever rifle you get doesn't mean he'll keep it for ever or even hunt the rest of his life so big bucks intially wouldn't make good sense to me. My 02 cents.
wis boz
 
270 is a great caliber, it wwill do anything you need done in the US. I would definitely use the managed recoil loads. One thing no one has mentioned is you need a better scope than rifle. Most name brand rifles will shoot better than you(or I ) can for hunting. GET THE BEST SCOPE YOU CAN AFFORD, EVEN IF IT COSTS MORE THAN THE GUN. You will NOT regret it. Don't hesitate to buy a high end scope used, virtually all of mine are. Zeiss, Kahles, Swaroski are the best, IMO. If you have to chose between objective size and magnification, choose a bigger objective(more light gathered).
 
There is some key things to think about when searching for a rifle. The most important thing that some have touched on is recoil. If you ahve a lot of recoil for a young shooter then you are going to have accuracy issues. Your son will start to flinch and loose a lot of confidence with his ability to kill the deer he is shooting at. There are some great rifles out there like the Savage, Rem 700 and the Winchester model 70. I would take any of those for a first time shooter. Take a look to make sure that the trigger can get adjusted by a good gunsmith and remove any creep that you have in the trigger and get a good crisp trigger at around 3 pounds.

Caliber wise I would not go up to the '06. My son is 9 and is shooting a .243 which is a good starter round but not one I would stick at if he were 17 years old. The .270 is good, .308 is good, I like the 7mm's and shoot a 7x57 mauser that is very accurate and has low recoil. In the 7mm family Tod is correct the 7mm-08 is a necked down 08 case and is a super round, very accurate and the recoil is mild. I would pick that before the .270 to be honest but both of them would work great. Keep the recoil low and your son will grow to be a super accurate game shot. Bullet placement is the key to killing big game. I have shot a lot of deer over the years and some elk with the 7x57 140 grain bullet. You don't have to go with big bores on deer.

If you concerned about bullet availabilty look at the local gun shot and you will see what is popular. .270, 7mm-08, .308 are going to be available at 90% of the shops.

You can find some nice used rifles from Remington 700, Winchester 70 or converted Mauser actions that will be a great gun for your son if you don't want to buy new.

Good luck and let us know what you get. HHG
 
I find it funny that those who shoot 270's say they kick less than a 30-06 since it is basically the exact same case. Maybe comparing the 130gr 270 to a 180 or 200 gr. 30-06 load. I owned a Win mod.70 in 270 and thought it kicked more with a 130 gr than my rugers, remingtons and various other 30-06 I've owned over the years. My little Ruger full stock carbine in 308 kicks me harder than my 7 mag Ruger, The 7-08 is probably one of the best calibers to come along since the 358 Winchester. They are both easily made with 308 brass which is the parent case for both. The 7-08 was heavy on my mind during my first response as was the 243(another 308 baby). I have never owned a Savage centerfire, except for an old 25-20 bolt action because I think they are butt ugly...but they are consistently the most accurate ,stock,out of the box rifle made.
 
Rick,

Don't know if my observations can add any additional info from what everyone else has suggested, but maybe.
Talking about scopes for this gun, I shoot an older Ruger 77 in 7mm magnum and have a Simmons variable on it. Clarity is great, no fogging, crisp focus, solid and it stays on point without worry. I can't tell any difference between it and more expensive scopes like Leopold.
Perhaps the suggestion Neil had about asking what your son would want to shoot is a valid one. Most bolt actions are somewhat more accurate than say a lever action. Don't know about you kid, but mine goes nuts everytime he gets the chance to shoot his lever action .22. Safety wise, as always, requires suppervision from you. I've owned a marlin .44 and a marlin 45/70. Both were quality guns and good shooters for their expected ranges. Wish I still had that 45/70.
As to the .308, it is used very well as a long range target round and can do the job on a deer size animal farther than most of us should even consider shooting. Again, it is bullet placement that counts.
I also owned once a Remington model 600 in .243 If you can find one consider it. They can be real accurate and are light weight. They just look cheaply made. The predicessors for short barrel bolt actions.
If you son would want one, overall probably one of those package outfits, savage, remington in .270 or 7/08 could be all the gun he'd ever need, but not necessarily want. For all practical purposes, I think those two rounds are identical as far as performance.
Best of luck with your choice.
 
Steve,

I've heard that advice before, and I think it may apply to an avid hunter, but for most of us, fair optics are fine. I have a $150 Nikon that is head and shoulders above the simmons and tascos I've always had before. Don't get me wrong, I would love one of the finer optics, but I don't need them for whitetail deer. I think for a young hunter the optics are probably something worth compromising on if the budget is constrained.

Charlie
 
I have to agree with Steve, spend the money on the best scope possible, you don't need tack driver accuracy in a deer rifle at 200 yards.

However in that last 10 minutes of shooting time with a light rain coming down you do NOT want to pull up and not be able to see the 12 pointer you have been waiting for all season.

I shot a nice 150 pointer about 10 years ago standing right next to a friend with an old redfield scope. He could not see the deer in his scope, now it's on my wall.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top