• Help Support TNDeer:

Deer Rifle Recommendation

T

tntaylor

New Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2019
Messages
2
Reaction score
2
I am looking at purchasing another deer rifle for the fall. What does everyone recommend and the cartridge used for the rifle?
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
Is that combo price? Scope and rifle?
Hard to beat Ruger American
 

Attachments

  • 0E9F70BC-34AB-4B5F-AD65-BAA0767C63BF.png
    0E9F70BC-34AB-4B5F-AD65-BAA0767C63BF.png
    79 KB · Views: 86
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.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top