Author Topic: What do you need in a deer gun? (Read 3278 times)

Doesniper · « **on:** January 24, 2007, 09:09:54 AM »

I have my requirements on what I need out of my deer (whitetail) rifle. Some here use magnums, others use .22 centerfires. What is it that you require out of your deer rifle (scope, bullets, distance maximums, ect.)?
I use a customized 96 Swede. mauser with a #3 taper Douglas in .250-3000, using 90g bullets going 2800 fps, a fixed 6x scope, glass bedded in a trim claro walnut stock. I feel my max. "hunting accuracy" distance is 350 yds. I am very selective on shot angle, and whether or not I have a good enough rest to make a killing shot. I don't feel under gunned or over gunned. I can hit what I shoot at, and know that when the trigger breaks I'll need my knife.

JKump · « **Reply #1 on:** January 24, 2007, 09:38:02 AM »

For me, I got a NEF survior 308 Bull barrel. I changed the thumb hole stock for a monte carlo stock. I topped it with a Nikon 4x32 fixed powered scope. This weapon give me the challenge of the single shot rifle and work extremely well for me (8 deer in two seasons). I hunt thick woods butted againsnt some open pines, the furthest possible shot I might have is 150 yards, with most shots under 35 yards. I have my rifle zeroed at 200 yards, which shoots around 2" high at 100yards, for those occasions I get to hunt fields. Since I do not reload I have a very good choice of ammo in 308. So for me this weapon is everything I need.

kyelkhunter3006 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 24, 2007, 09:57:37 AM »

My standard deer gun is a Remington 7400 30-06, Bell & Carlson stock. Barrel cut to 20" and parkerized. Bushnell Elite 3200 2-7x32 scope on it. Handles great and gets on target fast. Accuracy is good enough for 250 maybe 300yds. Now, if I was going to build a gun expressly for hunting deer size game, it would be a .260 Remington, barrel would be 22"-23", pretty stout contour (at least .675 diameter at muzzle), fluted, probably teflon coated barreled action, and I'd do it on a Remington Model Seven action for it's compactness, with a Bell & Carlson stock. It would handle pretty well and shoot like crazy. I'd take anything out to 400 yds, maybe a tad more. It would wear a Weaver Grand Slam 4.75x40 scope or a 6x of some sort. The extra power of the 6x would be nice, but I love that Grand Slam scope.

lil_hunter12 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 24, 2007, 03:38:55 PM »

i use either a 308 or a 12 gauge slug gun. i like the 308 for its range when im hunting open country usually about 150-250 yards max. but i like the 12 gauge for its power and ability to go through the brush easily. if i could go buy a rifle for all of my hunting it would b a 30-30 marlin it has all the range i need compact and great for the brush

darrell8937 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 24, 2007, 05:04:38 PM »

A good quality bolt action .30-06 is still hard to beat as a general all around hunting rifle. I use a Browning Acera. Kinda rare but I am "Wild an Crazy Guy" diffrent strokes for diffrent folks! There are countless guns and calibers to choose from, From .243 rem to 375 h&h

flintlock · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2007, 09:22:05 AM »

I use a Ruger M-77, tang safety in .243....With a few modifications...

The scope is a VX-II Leupold 3x9x40....I sent it back to them a few years ago and had a Heavy Duplex Reticle installed....It really helps as you get older in low light conditions..I like it...

I had it rebarreled a few years ago, I went with a Shilen, 24 inch...Its been free floated, pillar bedded, action has been glass bedded and the trigger adjusted to 2 1/2 pounds...

victorcharlie · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2007, 12:16:06 PM »

.35 Remington, Marlin 336, William peep.......

Shots are short, hills are steep, gun is lite......and makes big holes........

I've got a safe full of other rifles, but for around here this little lever gun is near perfect!

tscott · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2007, 12:34:33 PM »

I hunt with .243 - .444 mag. My only requirement = 3 shots in a 6" circle at 100 yds....

K.K · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2007, 02:02:31 PM »

My choices depend on the terrain. Here in the Adirondacks of New York, the hills are steep and high, and I don't like to lug around a heavy rifle anymore. I usually go for my Marlin Guide Gun in .450 Marlin or my Savage bolt in 300WSM with A LEupold 3-9.. Accuracy is right around an inch at 100 yards which is fine for me. Here, handling and fit are more important than one-hole accuracy, though my Savage can give it. It's inexpensive and I don't mind dinging up that synthetic stock. It may even improve upon the looks on that one!

I do dearly love my old Remington BDL in .270 for those times when I'm looking over the corn, though. I have quite a few rifles, so I gues I like choices.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #9 on:** January 25, 2007, 02:15:09 PM »

remington 11-87 12 guage, fully rifled barrel with cantilever scope mount, thumbhole laminated stock with a nikon scope, in Illinois. Anywhere I can use a rifle, if it is open country a remington 742 in 30-06 with a nikon scope, If it is wooded, the old standard marlin 30-30.

I don't really have an ultimate deer gun, I go out with the shotgun first, just to make sure I get meat in the freezer and when (shoulkd say if) I tag out with the shotgun Ill grab my super redhawk and hunt with that until muzzleloader season.

horseman308 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 26, 2007, 04:10:29 AM »

Ruger #1 in .308. Topped currently with a Bushnell 3-9X w/ a 40mm objective. It's got the 26" barrel, but with the very short action, it feels much shorter. Most shots are between 30 and 100 yards, but I also hunt near some fields that are quite long, and this gives me the option of longer range shots. It's a little heavy (nearly 9 pounds) but I actually like it that way so that it will stay more stable for off hand shots.

sparkysteve · « **Reply #11 on:** January 26, 2007, 01:50:02 PM »

Accuracy, reliability, a good "feel". For me it's a Remington 7600 Carbine in 30-06 with a Leopold 3-9 x 40.

Ratltrap · « **Reply #12 on:** January 26, 2007, 02:48:45 PM »

Depends on the deer.

When I could only afford one rifle:

Remington 700 30-06 Sprg. 2-7x33 Leupold 180 Partition OEM synthetic stock

Current favorites for :

Little deer (Odocoileus)

Alpine & beach hunts (to 350 yds) - Remington 600 .308 Win. 1.75-6 Pentax 150 Coreloct HS Precision stock
Woods hunts (< 150 yds) - Marlin 336 35 Rem 3x Leupold 200 Coreloct OEM walnut stock

Medium deer (Rangifer)

(< 400 yds) Savage 110 280 Rem. 3.5-10 Weaver 140 TSX MPI Mountain Rifle stock

Big deer (Alces)

Stand or Float hunt (< 300 yds) - Zastava Mauser 375 H&H 1.5-5 Leupold 260 Partition Bell & Carlson Medalist stock
All day carry (< 250 yds) - Savage 110 35 Whelen 1.5-4.5 B&L 225 Kodiak MPI Mountain Rifle stock

jpsmith1 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 27, 2007, 05:18:21 AM »

If I were hunting around here, I'd take my Win 94 .30-30. Peep sight, plenty of range and plenty of power for the close shots offered where I hunt.

If, on the other hand, I were going deer hunting without prior knowledge of the area that I am hunting. Just looking to pick up a rifle and KNOW that it will do anything that I ask it to do, I'd grab a .30-06. Ammo is plentiful, the guns are generally quite accurate and there is more than enough power on tap to kill any deer in the world.

As far as optics, a quality 3x-9x scope with a 40mm objective will more than suffice for any shooting that I'm capable of.

I know it's a stretch, but there's my 2 cents worth.

Snowshoe · « **Reply #14 on:** January 31, 2007, 05:44:44 AM »

I am fond of my .50 cal Deerstalker and a .495 round ball. It will put 3 shots inside of 2" at 80 yards with no problem. If I get into more open country the Savage 340 in .30-30 will handle all I need. My deer rifles all have open sights now, I went with scopes for a time, but prefer open sights for my type of hunting.

DLuke · « **Reply #15 on:** January 31, 2007, 01:46:36 PM »

I need a gun that carries real easy with a shotgun feel to it. It needs to be reasonably accurate with a quick second and third shot. It needs to have a reliable action. It needs a scope, one that covers me from close in to that rare long shot that I could get in Maine. The bullet needs to be flat shooting and hit hard, and be able to take down deer that field dress over 200lbs. from the possible bad angle...a 270 covers that....good thing they make it for me....

Gregory · « **Reply #16 on:** February 01, 2007, 03:44:54 PM »

Guns I've used for hunting deer:

12 ga. shotgun with buckshot (only legal gun in NJ when I was 18; 1970 if you must know)
30/06 Remington 760 pump in the Catskills of NY
7-30 Waters TC Carbine in NY and PA
25/06 Bolt rifle in PA
44 Mag TC handgun in Indiana (rifles not legal)
50 Cal inline muzzleloader in the Indiana and Illinois ML seasons
357 Max TC handgun in Illinois (again rifles not legal)

I use what the law allows and what I'm comfortable with, lots of guns will work.

wi-deerhunter · « **Reply #17 on:** February 01, 2007, 06:37:14 PM »

All i need is Remington model 750 woodsmaster in .308 carbine with open sight.. Its all good to go. My previous deer gun is Marlin 336cs in .30-30 with open sight.

Old Time Hunter · « **Reply #18 on:** February 03, 2007, 04:03:01 AM »

The question is; What do you need in a deer gun, what do you have or what is best.

What you need in Wisconsin is a .30-30 levergun, unless you hunt in area that does not allow rifles. Then by law (unwritten), since one is required in every houshold out side urban area, you can use your Remington 870 or equivalent. Personally, I would use a Lyman Great Plains hunter before I would use my shotgun though, and I use either a .44Mag '94 Trapper or a .444 Timber Carbine in rifle territory.

But the .30-30 is another unwritten law...or should be. Some girly, girly guys try to use those small caliber, high speed stuff, but we all know what that really entails.

Doesniper · « **Reply #19 on:** February 03, 2007, 01:33:01 PM »

I asked what someone "needed" in a deer gun. I was asking about what people personaly need, feel comfortable, ect. with what they feel will get the job done. My boys use a factory Rem 700 in .243. I load up very mild practice loads for them to shoot before season. They get to shoot a gun that doesn't recoil much and get comfortabe with the gun. I load up heavier deer loads, and sight the gun in with that load, a few days before season. When they shoot a deer they never notice the heavier recoil. They learn to shoot without flinching. This is what they "need" for now. My wife uses a 22-250 with heavy bullets. She likes the low recoil and the extra accuracy she feels she has, to make a killing shot. Her shooting ability is greater than she will admit to herself. Could be she knows what she "needs" better than I do.

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #20 on:** February 03, 2007, 02:00:42 PM »

When in doubt about how a hunt will shake down I find myself reaching for my Weatherby vanguard in 300wby. This rifle sports a Bell & Carlson stock a muzzle brake from scorehighgunsmithing.com and an illuminated reticle scope for those low light shots. This rifle is light rugged, accurate and gets the job done from 20yds all the way out to 400 should the situation present itself.

Plus I have yet to have to have to use my limited tracking skills on game that's been shot with the "big 300". Really does a number on yotes too

I own and enjoy fine refined rifles but my vanguard is completely geared twards being as good a hunting impliment as possible. A role it accells at without me worring about messing it up in the field. I don't hunt with any other rifles untill I have meat in the freezer from the Weatherby.

qajaq59 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 04, 2007, 01:05:31 AM »

In open country my Remington 760, 30-06. In heavy stuff the Winchester 30-30 will do the job.

old coach · « **Reply #22 on:** February 05, 2007, 01:22:42 PM »

I need a good light rifle in a cal. that I can shoot without flinching. A syn. stock that will take licking, not be affected by temp or weather,is a plus. A short enought bbl to be easy to carry but long enough to give good bullet speed.
It needs to shoot a 1 1/2 in group @ 100 yds.
My rifle is a Weatherby lightweight syn stock in .243.
Hand load 87 grn. V-Max at 3000fps
I hunt mostly open fields and food plots ranges not over 200 yds.

sixgunluv · « **Reply #23 on:** February 06, 2007, 05:31:44 PM »

These two rifles are all I need. A Weatherby Vanguard Deluxe with vintage but like new Redfield 3.5-10x50mm with redfield flip up caps. Timney trigger set at 2lbs. Caliber: 30-06sprg My all the time gun for woods work here in WV, a Remington 742 'Woodsmaster' with 3-9x40 Widefield. Again in 30-06

alleyyooper · « **Reply #24 on:** February 08, 2007, 11:39:30 AM »

Since our deer camp terrian varys so much I always take 4 rifles to deer camp.
For the beach and cramberry bogs. Remington 700 300 mag Magna ported toped with a Pentex light seeker 4x16x44

Cedar swamp and hemlocks, Remington Model 7, 7MM08 with a 2.5 x7 x32
hardwoods & smaller cramberry bogs calls for the Remington 700 Mountian rifle 7MM08, Pentex light seeker 3x9x40.

And # 4 is a Remington 700 BDL 243 with Simmons 6x18x40. Nice for a back up and if I want to go after youtes.

Al

tree rat · « **Reply #25 on:** February 08, 2007, 06:56:52 PM »

Anything that goes bang! does not matter, inside 100 yards. I like to hunt timber, more enjoyable to me. do not like scopes! like the sights and sounds, and really do not care if I get one because then the fun stops and the work starts, and I donate the ones I do shoot because I do not like the taste of them!

Ratltrap · « **Reply #26 on:** February 09, 2007, 07:34:49 AM »

Quote from: alleyyooper on February 08, 2007, 11:39:30 AM

Since our deer camp terrian varys so much I always take 4 rifles to deer camp.
For the beach and cramberry bogs. Remington 700 300 mag Magna ported toped with a Pentex light seeker 4x16x44

Cedar swamp and hemlocks, Remington Model 7, 7MM08 with a 2.5 x7 x32
hardwoods & smaller cramberry bogs calls for the Remington 700 Mountian rifle 7MM08, Pentex light seeker 3x9x40.

And # 4 is a Remington 700 BDL 243 with Simmons 6x18x40. Nice for a back up and if I want to go after youtes.

Al

Al - That's a lot to pack around!

single action · « **Reply #27 on:** February 09, 2007, 06:31:48 PM »

For muzzleoading season H&R sidekick .50 cal, Regular gun season an old (1943) lee enfield .303 with a 3x9 bushnell scope my father in law gave me about 12 years ago . sorry guys nothing sexy or exciting here!

kyelkhunter3006 · « **Reply #28 on:** February 10, 2007, 03:29:16 AM »

I love the Enfield rifles in .303. Man, if I could only get a nice single shot in .303......................

oso45-70 · « **Reply #29 on:** February 10, 2007, 08:10:29 AM »

What ever feels good to you
and is sane for the game animal.......Joe........