New Deer Rifle

[Snowman79]

Starting to save some gift cards/money for my next deer rifle. Wanna buy new, bolt action with a synthetic stock and standard barrel. Would really like to stay under $400 and get a caliber with light recoil. Give me your suggestions. Right now I'm leaning towards a Ruger American or Remington 700 in a 7mm .08 but would consider a .308.

[Uncle Ruckus]

I wouldn't do a Remington, they're quality has really gone down and their higher end rifles had a major recall recently. Savage Axis or Ruger American. I would get the 308 simply because ammo is easier to find, especially if you're in a bind and need your specific ammo, wherever you go is much more likely to have it. Some Savage rifles will come with a Nikon scope which is a big plus. I won a Ruger American predator in 25-06. At the time they only made a limited amount in that caliber. Nice gun for what it is and a really nice round, just the availability of the ammo I use is my only complaint.

[basedog]

Well I can tell you I bought my wife a Savage 7mm 08. Has light recoil with Federal less than 40% recoil ammo. I've been impress with it as it will knock down any North Animal. I have no problem. I've had no problem buying ammo.

Me myself I'm a Browning lover. I mostly shoot .270

[SapperDawg]

Ditto what the others have said. There is probably not a better deal on the market right now than the Savage Axis XP II. Make sure you get the XP II as it comes with the Accutrigger, which is much better than the previous Savage versions. You can literally take this rifle combo out of the box and head to the range for about $380.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/90725/Firearms/Rifles/Savage/Savage+Actions/Savage+22224+AXIS+II+XP+4%2B1+7MM-08REM+22+w%2F+Scope

Now, if you are considering doing something other than deer hunt, while the 7mm-08 will kill an elk, many prefer the .308 as a more versatile/available big game cartridge. My next rifle will be a 7mm-08.

[msstatelp1]

Savage with the Accutrigger for sure. Got one for my son back when they first came out. Possibly the best out of the box trigger you can find. I'd get it in either 7mm 08 or 6.5 Creedmore.

[TUSK]

For the amount of frogskins, I think it's gonna be hard to beat a Savage (with Accutrigger) if you want to go "new"...

My best advice is to get the most expensive optic you can possibly afford and slap it on whatever rifle with the remainder of your budget... even if it's a used rifle....

regarding suggested calibers and recoil, I'd need to know more to advise...

if it's strictly for whitetail inside 350-400 yards, it's going to be hard to beat the .243...

if you can really shoot well, the 223 should not be overlooked...

260, 7-08 are also worth consideration...

Myself, I find the 270 is the best combination of ballistics per recoil energy for anything Elk sized and below...

Lastly (and again) GET KILLER OPTICS!!!!!

[TUSK]

Well I can tell you I bought my wife a Savage 7mm 08. Has light recoil with Federal less than 40% recoil ammo. I've been impress with it as it will knock down any North Animal. I have no problem. I've had no problem buying ammo.

Me myself I'm a Browning lover. I mostly shoot .270

I'm an A-bolt 270 HO!

Atop the rifle rests a (old version) Leupold Vari-X III 4.5x14x50 AO w/ target turret... It's FUH LAT....

[Snowman79]

Strictly whitetail within 300-400 yards. I have a Simmons Aetec that will go on it temporarily. Then I'll save my money for a good Leupold. I want new because I will keep it and pass along to my son. I want to be the only owner.

[basedog]

Strictly whitetail within 300-400 yards. I have a Simmons Aetec that will go on it temporarily. Then I'll save my money for a good Leupold. I want new because I will keep it and pass along to my son. I want to be the only owner.

Simmons Aetec may be one of the best scope for the money, unrated scope IMO as I have one on another rifle.
Leopold bought Redfield which use to be the scope in its Day way back when. Again for the money Redfield is a good buy.

I have a Nikon on a couple of rifles. Also Vortex has good optics.

Good luck.

[TUSK]

Strictly whitetail within 300-400 yards. I have a Simmons Aetec that will go on it temporarily. Then I'll save my money for a good Leupold. I want new because I will keep it and pass along to my son. I want to be the only owner.

My Opinion:

Savage Axis w/ Accutrigger chambered in 243... 100 grain Fed. Prem. Sierra GK BTSP.... has the least amount of recoil of the calibers mentioned and delivers >1000# at 400 yards...

also, the MPBR in this configuration is +/-3" to 300 yards with a 25/250 zero*

you mileage may vary based on sight height, temperature, humidity, elevation, etc.

[Offshore Dawg]

Ruger American in 7-08. I have one and it is accurate. Mine has a 3 x 9 Swaroski, but you can get by for less. Do put your money in a good scope, if you can't see it you can't kill it. And as a hunter you owe the animal a clean kill, not wounding them. Pet peeve about people using cheap scopes, do it right or don't do it.

[BB30]

I shoot a 7mm 08 and a 270 short mag. As far as brand I shoot a browning 270 short and the 7mm08 is a remington if I remember correctly been a while since I have pulled it out. I love my 270 short though light recoil and one of the flattest shooting guns I have shot.

[trob115]

Obviously everyone has their own opinions. I have a browning xbolt 7-08 that I absolutely love. Little to no recoil and will absolutely do the job on any big game animal. I also have a model 7 Remington 7/08 that I plan on giving my son. I recently bought a bergara 30/06 just to have another rifle to play around with.

[TUSK]

Recoil Table for applicable calibers

Cartridge (Wb@MV) Recoil energy
.223 Rem. (62 at 3025) 3.9
.223 WSSM (55 at 3850) 6.4
.243 Win. (100 at 2960) 8.8
.243 WSSM (100 at 3100) 10.1
.25-06 Rem. (120 at 3000) 12.5
7mm-08 Rem. (140 at 2860) 12.6
.260 Rem. (120 at 2860) 13
.270 Win. (130 at 3140) 16.5
.280 Rem. (140 at 3000) 17.2
.30-06 Spfd. (150 at 2910) 17.6
.308 Win. (165 at 2700) 18.1


243 likely has best "terminal ballistic energy/recoil" for your application... but all of those listed above will smoke em....

[Snowman79]

Tusk you seem quite knowledgeable on the subject. Each year I hunt northern whitetail that are often 200lbs and larger. The guys I hunt with up there scoff at .243 because they say it doesn't have the knockdown power needed for up there. They say .270 bare minimum and most shoot a 7mn mag, .30-06, or .300 mag

[basedog]

Location Location Location, if you hit them right they will die. Now, in saying this knock own power is important.

I think the caliber depends on what you are shooing and who is shooting.

[TUSK]

Tusk you seem quite knowledgeable on the subject. Each year I hunt northern whitetail that are often 200lbs and larger. The guys I hunt with up there scoff at .243 because they say it doesn't have the knockdown power needed for up there. They say .270 bare minimum and most shoot a 7mn mag, .30-06, or .300 mag

What Basedog said...

The next time one of those ass clowns says that, tell him this: "The ability to shoot accurately and ethically is often inversely proportional to caliber"... drop the mic, then mix a drink...

A larger caliber mitigates poor marksmanship and adverse shooting conditions (high wind).

The "standard" accepted amount of energy to "knock down" a whitetail is 1000#... IMO, that's for a "poorly placed round"... As one's ability to put said round EXACTLY where they want, that number drops exponentially... I wouldn't hesitate to shoot a (static) deer at 250-300 yards (in no wind) with my 223 (500-600# at 250-300 yds).

Off the top of my head, my 270 round crosses the 1000# mark at about 600 yards, the 243 at about 400 yards... Additionally, as recoil decreases, accuracy increases for most people...

I used to broker hunting/fishing trips in the western hemisphere and I asked one of my outfitters (Colorado) about shooting Elk with 270... He laughed and said "That's plenty of gun. We ask our guests to bring 7 mags and 300s because we don't know if they can shoot, or not."

I am fortunate that I grew up in the woods and shot stuff all the time growing up, learned additional skills in the Corps and currently have my own rifle range in my "back yard"... I shoot a fair amount. I also zero weapons for a lot of people and teach a little bit... All of that shooting increases confidence, and "confidence" is the real "killer", imo.

Short answer: If you can shoot, ride that 243 pony until it flips over, tits up.

I love talkin' 'bout this shit... feel free to ask anything; if I can help, I will.

[SpeckleDawg]

What Basedog said...

The next time one of those ass clowns says that, tell him this: "The ability to shoot accurately and ethically is often inversely proportional to caliber"... drop the mic, then mix a drink...

A larger caliber mitigates poor marksmanship and adverse shooting conditions (high wind).

The "standard" accepted amount of energy to "knock down" a whitetail is 1000#... IMO, that's for a "poorly placed round"... As one's ability to put said round EXACTLY where they want, that number drops exponentially... I wouldn't hesitate to shoot a (static) deer at 250-300 yards (in no wind) with my 223 (500-600# at 250-300 yds).

Off the top of my head, my 270 round crosses the 1000# mark at about 600 yards, the 243 at about 400 yards... Additionally, as recoil decreases, accuracy increases for most people...

I used to broker hunting/fishing trips in the western hemisphere and I asked one of my outfitters (Colorado) about shooting Elk with 270... He laughed and said "That's plenty of gun. We ask our guests to bring 7 mags and 300s because we don't know if they can shoot, or not."

I am fortunate that I grew up in the woods and shot stuff all the time growing up, learned additional skills in the Corps and currently have my own rifle range in my "back yard"... I shoot a fair amount. I also zero weapons for a lot of people and teach a little bit... All of that shooting increases confidence, and "confidence" is the real "killer", imo.

Short answer: If you can shoot, ride that 243 pony until it flips over, tits up.

I love talkin' 'bout this shit... feel free to ask anything; if I can help, I will.

^ one hell of a post and hard to argue any of that. I'm a bowhunter these days, but actually broke out the ole .270 today and took it to the range. I might have to give it a whirl next weekend.

[TUSK]

^ one hell of a post and hard to argue any of that. I'm a bowhunter these days, but actually broke out the ole .270 today and took it to the range. I might have to give it a whirl next weekend.

What round do you shoot, Speckle?

[SpeckleDawg]

I picked up some 140gr Nosler ballistic tips today. I used to shoot cheap Winchester, but went with something maybe a little better this time.

[basedog]

Not Speckle but I shoot mostly a .270 with a 13o ballistic tip Federal. Very accurate rifle I have, Browning.

[TUSK]

I picked up some 140gr Nosler ballistic tips today. I used to shoot cheap Winchester, but went with something maybe a little better this time.

I shot Fed Prem BT 130 gr when they first came out... I loved the trajectory...

One note: Make DAMN sure there's NOTHING in the bullets bath... IME, the round will fragment with any contact... I lost a deer once in low light when my round centered an unseen sapling limb...

I switched to Fed Prem GK BTSP, get the same ballistics and it's even more lethal (with less damage)...

I usually hunt with this zero: +2.75" @ 100, +3.4" @ 150, ZERO @ 270, -4.1" @ 325

Happy Slaying!

[starkvegasdawg]

My deer rifle is my dad's old Remington 740 Woodsmaster in 30.06. I typically shoot a 180gr pointed soft point in it. With him being gone now that is far and away my favorite gun. I'd give up any other gun in my collection before I would that one. I also got my granddad's old 243 a year or so ago from my aunt. He had promised it to me but when he died my uncle (who never hunted any 4 legged animal in his life) decided he wanted it and just took it. I had written it off for good. But then he died a few years ago and my aunt was willing to give it back to me so now I have it. That will probably be the gun my kids learn to deer hunt with when they get old enough.

[Snowman79]

My deer rifle is my dad's old Remington 740 Woodsmaster in 30.06. I typically shoot a 180gr pointed soft point in it. With him being gone now that is far and away my favorite gun. I'd give up any other gun in my collection before I would that one. I also got my granddad's old 243 a year or so ago from my aunt. He had promised it to me but when he died my uncle (who never hunted any 4 legged animal in his life) decided he wanted it and just took it. I had written it off for good. But then he died a few years ago and my aunt was willing to give it back to me so now I have it. That will probably be the gun my kids learn to deer hunt with when they get old enough.

That's a great plan. Hope I'm lucky enough to do that one day.

[Offshore Dawg]

Let me put it this way on cheep ammunition !!! do you want a $1 or a $2 dollar bullet in your chamber when you pull the trigger on what could be a Buck of a lifetime for you.

[Dolphus Raymond]

Had a kid with me shoot a doe at 150 with a 7mm-08 last week and dropped her in her track. Hit her in the base of the neck which is a kill shot with any rifle though. The kid was 12 and the little recoil did not bother him.
Now for me I like the 7 mag and 270. Have a Ruger M77 7 mag and a Winchester Model 70 270. I second good to great optics especially for the magnums in that the recoil can knock you off "zero" with a cheaper scope.
Ok time to brag: killed a 230 pound Sharkey county 7 point Friday afternoon. An old brute past his prime

[Duckdog]

Ditto what the others have said. There is probably not a better deal on the market right now than the Savage Axis XP II. Make sure you get the XP II as it comes with the Accutrigger, which is much better than the previous Savage versions. You can literally take this rifle combo out of the box and head to the range for about $380.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/90725/Firearms/Rifles/Savage/Savage+Actions/Savage+22224+AXIS+II+XP+4%2B1+7MM-08REM+22+w%2F+Scope

Now, if you are considering doing something other than deer hunt, while the 7mm-08 will kill an elk, many prefer the .308 as a more versatile/available big game cartridge. My next rifle will be a 7mm-08.

Yep i got one in stainless 243. Fire formed some cases loaded 80 grain ttsx over 45 grains of imr4350 and inget half inch groups at a hundred yards

[TUSK]

Yep i got one in stainless 243. Fire formed some cases loaded 80 grain ttsx over 45 grains of imr4350 and inget half inch groups at a hundred yards

DDawg, you annealing casings??? I've had a reloader setup for a couple years,,,, still in the box.

I'm thinking of reloading 270, 223 & 308...

[Duckdog]

DDawg, you annealing casings??? I've had a reloader setup for a couple years,,,, still in the box.

I'm thinking of reloading 270, 223 & 308...

No but i have before. Just sizing the neck.

[louisvilledawg]

For the amount of frogskins, I think it's gonna be hard to beat a Savage (with Accutrigger) if you want to go "new"...

My best advice is to get the most expensive optic you can possibly afford and slap it on whatever rifle with the remainder of your budget... even if it's a used rifle....

regarding suggested calibers and recoil, I'd need to know more to advise...

if it's strictly for whitetail inside 350-400 yards, it's going to be hard to beat the .243...

if you can really shoot well, the 223 should not be overlooked...

260, 7-08 are also worth consideration...

Myself, I find the 270 is the best combination of ballistics per recoil energy for anything Elk sized and below...

Lastly (and again) GET KILLER OPTICS!!!!!

Question:

I have a gifted weatherby .270 magnum that I just started using this year. The gun is old, but I cleaned it up, zeroed, all that jazz. It has an old Bushnell scope on it that is serviceable but not great.

I also have a S&W MP .223 with a Swarovski scope (don't know the magnification.)

I thought about switching scopes on the guns and using the weatherby to deer hunt and the .223 for other random game/personal protection, but you make it sound like .223 is perfectly serviceable for deer.

Would you just stick to hunting with the .223 as is, or would you switch out scopes?

I think I'm an above average shot. I don't usually shoot a ton though since I live around Jackson. Usually just enough to clean the gun and sight it in before season.

Also, the fields I usually hunt range from powerlines to 1/2 acre plots.

[Duckdog]

I have been hunting with a savage axis 243 with barnes 80grain ttsx over 45.5 grains of IMR 4350. It will flat out funk a deer up

[TUSK]

Question:

I have a gifted weatherby .270 magnum that I just started using this year. The gun is old, but I cleaned it up, zeroed, all that jazz. It has an old Bushnell scope on it that is serviceable but not great.

I also have a S&W MP .223 with a Swarovski scope (don't know the magnification.)

I thought about switching scopes on the guns and using the weatherby to deer hunt and the .223 for other random game/personal protection, but you make it sound like .223 is perfectly serviceable for deer.

Would you just stick to hunting with the .223 as is, or would you switch out scopes?

I think I'm an above average shot. I don't usually shoot a ton though since I live around Jackson. Usually just enough to clean the gun and sight it in before season.

Also, the fields I usually hunt range from powerlines to 1/2 acre plots.

On 1/2 acre, it won't matter if you are shooting 223 or a Paladin Self Propelled Howizter... the results will be similar...

I'm actually hunting with 223 this year and hunt larger areas/lanes... at <200 yards, the 223 delivers plenty of energy and, PROVIDED you have a well built round, will smoke em...

now, the 270MAG will smack down a deer like Shaun Watson vs a Bammer Defense, but it's overkill, IMO...

I need to hear more about the Swarovski before I'd feel good about tellin' ya to remount it, though....

[BulldogBear]

My deer rifle is my dad's old Remington 740 Woodsmaster in 30.06. I typically shoot a 180gr pointed soft point in it. With him being gone now that is far and away my favorite gun. I'd give up any other gun in my collection before I would that one. I also got my granddad's old 243 a year or so ago from my aunt. He had promised it to me but when he died my uncle (who never hunted any 4 legged animal in his life) decided he wanted it and just took it. I had written it off for good. But then he died a few years ago and my aunt was willing to give it back to me so now I have it. That will probably be the gun my kids learn to deer hunt with when they get old enough.

I use my grandfather's Woodsmaster 30/06 with iron sights under the scope, which I also had handed down to me. It's a little strange though in that the barrel is about an inch short. In his later years he had it modified where most of the energy went out the barrel. I don't know what the science of it was but the end of the barrel looked like some kind of military weapon!! Anyway, the result was that it didn't kick hardly at all but was EXTREMELY loud...as in wear ear protection! It was modified back to normal and given to me when I was about 20. I've never missed with it, not even a running deer. They all die. I also use the 180 grain bullet. I decided years ago that tracking wounded deer was for suckers!

My dad also had a Woodsmaster 30/06 but without the iron sight setup under the scope. He has Parkinson's and a couple of years ago made a trade with my son, who had a Youth .708 single shot. So, my son now also has his grandfather's rifle, and smaller weapon is much easier for my Dad to handle! I've only been able to take him (Dad) once this season but he nailed a nice doe. I set him up in a mostly natural blind and I got into a stand about 12 feet away with my binoculars. The funny thing is that when the deer came out I could see them long before he could. But he had nodded off. If you've ever seen the Three Amigos where Lucky (Steve Martin) is on top of the wall trying to get the attention of the others two Amigos down below, that is somewhat how this played out. I was tapping on the stand, using a sawmill whisper, and generally trying to get his attention. Two yearlings came first followed by a doe. By then he had woken up and I got to see the whole scene play out from above. She had immediately known something was wrong and kept creeping up for a closer look. Her eyes were on the blind and every time she'd put her head down and take a step or two he'd slowly raise the weapon. He's still got it!

[starkvegasdawg]

I use my grandfather's Woodsmaster 30/06 with iron sights under the scope, which I also had handed down to me. It's a little strange though in that the barrel is about an inch short. In his later years he had it modified where most of the energy went out the barrel. I don't know what the science of it was but the end of the barrel looked like some kind of military weapon!! Anyway, the result was that it didn't kick hardly at all but was EXTREMELY loud...as in wear ear protection! It was modified back to normal and given to me when I was about 20. I've never missed with it, not even a running deer. They all die. I also use the 180 grain bullet. I decided years ago that tracking wounded deer was for suckers!

My dad also had a Woodsmaster 30/06 but without the iron sight setup under the scope. He has Parkinson's and a couple of years ago made a trade with my son, who had a Youth .708 single shot. So, my son now also has his grandfather's rifle, and smaller weapon is much easier for my Dad to handle! I've only been able to take him (Dad) once this season but he nailed a nice doe. I set him up in a mostly natural blind and I got into a stand about 12 feet away with my binoculars. The funny thing is that when the deer came out I could see them long before he could. But he had nodded off. If you've ever seen the Three Amigos where Lucky (Steve Martin) is on top of the wall trying to get the attention of the others two Amigos down below, that is somewhat how this played out. I was tapping on the stand, using a sawmill whisper, and generally trying to get his attention. Two yearlings came first followed by a doe. By then he had woken up and I got to see the whole scene play out from above. She had immediately known something was wrong and kept creeping up for a closer look. Her eyes were on the blind and every time she'd put her head down and take a step or two he'd slowly raise the weapon. He's still got it!

That is a great story. Love it.

[SpeckleDawg]

I don't know what the science of it was but the end of the barrel looked like some kind of military weapon!! Anyway, the result was that it didn't kick hardly at all but was EXTREMELY loud...as in wear ear protection!

Muzzle Brake