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Deer Rifle Recommendation

Bergera in .300 Win Mag shooting 180 grains. Never heard of to dead before and you are also good for any other game in North America (I would still take. .338 for Brown Bear). But that's just me, I don't mind the recoil, not like most people sit and run 100 rounds at a time through their deer rifles. I know I run a lot more ammo through my 5.56 all year which keeps me fresh. Fundamentals are fundamentals regardless of caliber.
 
Shoulder as many different rifles as you can and see what feels best to you. I like my model 700's, but also like others as well. Anything from a. 243 up. I like the performance of my 308's over other calibers I have hunted with.
 
I think it really depends on where you're planning to hunt & what else besides deer you might be hunting. For example, if you enjoy hunting thickets & woods, like I do, where your longest shot might be 60-70 yards & where there is no shortage of leaves, branches, & limbs to deflect your bullet, I would choose a lever action Win 94 or Marlin 336 in 30-30 w/ a fixed 4X or variable 2-7X wideview scope. Not a glamourous or trendy rifle but an excellent tool for this environment.

If, on the other hand, you're planning to hunt bean & corn fields, forget the 30-30 & choose a flat shooting bolt action rifle chambered in .243, .270, .308, or 30-06. If you plan to also hunt predators & varmints, like I enjoy doing, you should choose the .243. If you think you might want to hunt elk or black, the .270, .308, or 30-06 would be a good choice.

If you plan on hunting both places, you should strongly consider buying two rifles, one suited for each type of habitat. Finally, I would avoid buying a rifle chambered in some of the less common calibers, such as 6.5 Creed & 7mm-08, unless you have ready access to ammo for these guns. While these calibers may be superior from a ballistic perspective, the frequent inability of folks to find ammo, and the price of that ammo once it's been found, greatly limits their usefulness. After all, you're going to want to practice with your new gun. Best of luck with your choice.
 
Already been mentioned, but can't say enough good things about the Ruger American. Routinely shoot .5 MOA.

Only problem is one safety feature - the bolt can be opened even when the gun is on safety, and a few times while walking the bolt has come open. I just learned to hold it with my hand over the bolt and no more issues. Not really a problem from a stand.

Love it in either .308 or 6.5 CM.

30-06 and up are also great, I just like target shooting and the recoil gets old.
 
ROB said:
I think it really depends on where you're planning to hunt & what else besides deer you might be hunting. For example, if you enjoy hunting thickets & woods, like I do, where your longest shot might be 60-70 yards & where there is no shortage of leaves, branches, & limbs to deflect your bullet, I would choose a lever action Win 94 or Marlin 336 in 30-30 w/ a fixed 4X or variable 2-7X wideview scope. Not a glamourous or trendy rifle but an excellent tool for this environment.

If, on the other hand, you're planning to hunt bean & corn fields, forget the 30-30 & choose a flat shooting bolt action rifle chambered in .243, .270, .308, or 30-06. If you plan to also hunt predators & varmints, like I enjoy doing, you should choose the .243. If you think you might want to hunt elk or black, the .270, .308, or 30-06 would be a good choice.

If you plan on hunting both places, you should strongly consider buying two rifles, one suited for each type of habitat. Finally, I would avoid buying a rifle chambered in some of the less common calibers, such as 6.5 Creed & 7mm-08, unless you have ready access to ammo for these guns. While these calibers may be superior from a ballistic perspective, the frequent inability of folks to find ammo, and the price of that ammo once it's been found, greatly limits their usefulness. After all, you're going to want to practice with your new gun. Best of luck with your choice.
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One could easily make the case for a .308 for either situation.

However - two rifles are more fun than one. :)
 
I just noticed you wrote "another" deer rifle. Are you looking for another rifle with the same caliber for ease of ammo or something completely different for other situations? Either way I would avoid calibers that are different yet too similar. For instance if you have a 270 I wouldn't get a 30-06 or 7mm-08. I'd lean towards 243. If you don't have a 270 I'd get one. I personally would spend the 800 to upgrade a scope if needed on an existing rifle.
 
fairchaser said:
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.
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Good advice. Valid for bowhunting as well if not more so...
 
Hduke86 said:
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.
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This. My most recent purchase was a .308 due to ammo availability. I went with a savage rifle, but also hard to beat the Ruger American. I have one in .223 - it's a fun little gun and very accurate
 

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