Deer Rifle Recommendation
- Thread starter tntaylor
- Start date
skipperbrown
Well-Known Member
Budget? Distance range?
$700-800 and up to 300 yards
Weatherby Vanguard - about $500-$600
CVA Cascade - about $500
Just about any of the common deer cartridges are plenty for up to 300 yds - 270, 30-06, 6.5 CM, 308. At that distance no need to get any of the magnum cartridges, especially if mainly using for whitetails; and they're a lot more expensive to shoot.
CVA Cascade - about $500
Just about any of the common deer cartridges are plenty for up to 300 yds - 270, 30-06, 6.5 CM, 308. At that distance no need to get any of the magnum cartridges, especially if mainly using for whitetails; and they're a lot more expensive to shoot.
A Bergara B14 Hunter or CVA Cascade in 6.5CM, 270, 308 or 30-06
fairchaser
Well-Known Member
Pretty much anything from 24 caliber to 35 caliber will kill a whitetail cleanly. But, whatever you decide on must be practiced with regularly so that it becomes part of you as a hunter. You know it inside and out. What it likes to eat and how to care for it. Whenever, it's brought to shoulder, a whitetail hits the forest floor, no doubt. Then it will become your favorite weapon and priceless to you.
This is why you will see passionate recommendations from other hunters about their favorite rifles.
This is why you will see passionate recommendations from other hunters about their favorite rifles.
308 308 308 308 in Ruger American or the such. I say that cause walk into any sporting goods store and what is the one caliber you see in stock the most? For me it's the 308 with shelf after shelf of it but the other calibers are not as plentiful. I say Ruger American cause it's a solid AFFORDABLE rifle that will easily shoot good at 300yards. Got to think about a scope if you want to switch out the "combo deal" scope that comes on guns. Save a few hundred on the rifle and stock up on the ammo if this is just a deer rifle.
6.5 creedmoor 
skipperbrown
Well-Known Member
Tikka or Bergara in your price range, caliber of your choice. I like 308, but there are many, many other choices. I'd spend as much or more on the scope as you do your rifle. You can have about a 5 or 6" drop between 100 and 300 yds depending on caliber/bbl length so you should consider adjustable turrets and/or a reticle with hash marks.
ImThere
Well-Known Member
Im a big fan of kimber
Definitely would go short action. 7mm08, 308 or 260
Definitely would go short action. 7mm08, 308 or 260
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2015
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My preferred deer caliber is 7-08. However, 308 is easier to find and cheaper. I have a Ruger American in 308, Vortex Crossfire with BDC, zeroed at 200. With that reticle, 500 yards shoots are pretty consistent hits on 10" targets. I do like 168 gr more than 150s for longer range but at 300 and under 150 or 168+ the deer don't know the difference. I think I have right at $700 in mine with scope, sling, and taxes.
FLTENNHUNTER1
Well-Known Member
MODEL 700 SPS TACTICAL AAC-SD
Most accurate out of the box 308 rifle I have ever shot. .3MOA with handloads. Plus, this version has a threaded barrel.
You have to wear a manbun if you purchase this get a man's gun Ruger M77 in the great caliber of 7mm magnum . Best all round caliber .6.5 creedmoor
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I took his advice on the bergara in 308. It's now my favorite deer rifle i own. I like it a lot more than my tikka's
Take Snakes advice,, but you have to wear a flea collar shooting any 7mm
That's a beautiful sightThey go well with the flag tooView attachment 141199
All those guns and you only one dressed in walnut. Good walnut is my weakness lolThey go well with the flag too
Me too, and I am just waiting for the right stock to come along for a couple of these to switch to walnut. The one in the pick is fantastic though.
