Rifle for Deer Hunting

[mscher]

The property where I hunted last season, has received a special DNR permit, for a spring 90 day season for deer removal. I have been invited by the landowners to participate.

Apparently, DNR is allowing the use of higher power center-fire rilfles, other than the guns specified in the state hunting regulations. The landowner read the specs over the phone to me, but I did not get them written down and can't find them on the Internet. Will follow up tomorrow.

Anyway, If what she said was correct, I'd like to get a used rifle/scope, maybe in the .270 or 30.06 calibers. This property has several high tree stands and a 20' tower, so there is potential for long shots over open field areas. Don't need anything fancy, just functional.

Any input on good, bad, great rifles and calibers appreciated.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Rifle for Deer Hunting

My preference for this is a Remington 700 308cal. The 308cal is equivalent to 7.62 military ammunition. Great knockdown power even at distance... The Remington 700 308 cal. one of the rifles used by the Army and other services as a sniper rifle...

I have one, but not for sale. SHould be able to get one for about $400 used. New price as Bass Pro is about $600 these days...

 

[i386]

Re: Rifle for Deer Hunting

Remington 700 in .270 or 30-06 will be great for what you describe.

 

[tswiczko]

Re: Rifle for Deer Hunting

.270 is a good deer rifle the 7.62 (.308 Winchester) imo is better .30-06is a very capable and versatile rifleas well the velocity and knock down are very close to the .308 till you get above 180 grains in bullet weight then the .30-06 has the edge. I like 30-30 winchester if your shooting under 200 yards if you know your shot will be beyond 200 then I' go with .308 or .30-06 you can find either in a 700 remington but the .308 is probably easier to find.
If you haven't shot a center fire rifle or you are new to the rifle I'd suggest taking it to the range before hunting with it to familliarize yourself with it and get a feel for it at different ranges and see if it has a prefference for different rounds not all bullets are created equal

 

[rbh]

Re: Rifle for Deer Hunting

Well lets go with the parker hale .308/ 7.62 nato, they're nice.

 

[tswiczko]

Re: Rifle for Deer Hunting

OR Something like this

 

[rbh]

Re: Rifle for Deer Hunting

OR Something like this

FN FAL? not HK???

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Rifle for Deer Hunting

Well, you could certainly get some ugly, .308 caliber, black, military ammo, military looking thing which may or may not be legal for hunting in your case.

OR - you could get a nice, pretty hunting rifle in .30-06 which gives much more ammo versatility. If reloading, you can get it down to something suitable for squirrels, or enough power to successfully clobber a moose.

There's a reason the .30-06 has been around for over 100 years.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Rifle for Deer Hunting

I would go nothing smaller than 270,
Go with something that is common so ammo is not an issue.
If you stick with a 308 or 30-06 you cannot go wrong. If you are recoil shy go with the 308. If you are just going to hunt deer.
Elk, Bear or such go with the 30-06.

 

[tswiczko]

Re: Rifle for Deer Hunting

FN FAL STG 58
Here's another
Springfield 45-70

 

[rbh]

Re: Rifle for Deer Hunting

FN FAL STG 58
Here's another
Springfield 45-70

I remember buddy talking about the falkland war and how they could not use the rounds from the argintines fals because they didnt use the nato round.

 

[marlboro180]

Re: Rifle for Deer Hunting

This property has several high tree stands and a 20' tower, so there is potential for long shots over open field areas. Don't need anything fancy, just functional.

Any input on good, bad, great rifles and calibers appreciated.

Please qualify a LONG shot. energy is the key.

 

[86 century]

Re: Rifle for Deer Hunting

6.5x47lupua is my choice. The range is all about how good you are. The US gov just change from the 308 to 6.5x47l for there medium rang sniper round. I shoot a 6x47l and love it with 107 smk's will shoot one inch or less 5 round groups at 500 yards.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Rifle for Deer Hunting

6.5x47lupua is my choice. The range is all about how good you are. The US gov just change from the 308 to 6.5x47l for there medium rang sniper round. I shoot a 6x47l and love it with 107 smk's will shoot one inch or less 5 round groups at 500 yards.

Specify which US gov't changed. They may have added the Lupua as another firearm option, but the Remingtons are not gone. Additionally, the Army has put MANY M14s back in service as sniper rifles...

No matter how good the Lupua might be, you are talking $$s and uncommon ammunition. I would not recommend this to the OP...

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: Rifle for Deer Hunting

Another vote for a Remington 700, preferably in .30-06. I have a pile of centerfire rifles to choose from when it comes to deer hunting. Every time I have strayed away from my 700BDL in that caliber, I have always came back. It is my rifle of choice for most uses. Even thought I have a tack driver .22-250 to use, I tend to use the .30-06 more on our farm for groundhogs.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Rifle for Deer Hunting

Put me down for another .308 proponent. Great range, not too much kick in case you want to teach a youngster/newbie how to shoot. We've always had good luck with our .308's, got one passed down from each of my grandfathers

 

[aspeck]

Re: Rifle for Deer Hunting

How long is long? Will you be strictly shooting in fields, or in woods also? Lots of variables. How much does noise and recoil bother you ... all a part of accurate shooting.

I like the.270 and the .257 Roberts. Also like the 7mm-08 and the .308. I think my dislike for the 30-06 is the Remington ... I am actually used to shorter actions and the long action in the Remington with the -06, I end up not pulling the bolt back far enough, creating jamming situations.

I am also one that likes to take my .220 Swift, .223, .243, and 6mm deer hunting also. I have had as good of results with them as I have the larger calibers. It all comes down to bullet configuration, shot placement and what you get comfortable with in the end.

Basically an rifle will be able to do the job (well, a .35Remington, 30-30, etc, will not reach out and touch the long shots ... I have kill deer at 200 yards with the .35Rem, but felt like I was lobbing the bullet to the deer ... but they are killers in heavier brush).

Find one in your price range that you like and go from there. Practice with it will mean more than what caliber you purchase.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Rifle for Deer Hunting

I am also one that likes to take my .220 Swift, .223, .243, and 6mm deer hunting also. I have had as good of results with them as I have the larger calibers. It all comes down to bullet configuration, shot placement and what you get comfortable with in the end.

Are you talking head shots here?

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Rifle for Deer Hunting

...I tend to use the .30-06 more on our farm for groundhogs.

Do they explode when impacted?

 

[rbh]

Re: Rifle for Deer Hunting

hunt horseflies with howitzers to???