need help choosing deer rifle

[stl]

I was thinking about trying deer hunting. I have never done any hunting of any kind and I am pretty clueless as to what type of gun to get. I don't know much about guns. I have shot many types of hand guns. I am not a great shot. I have read a few post here about 30-30 and 30-06. These seem to be the rifle of choice. I really don't know what that means. Could someone give me a down and dirty lesson on deer rifles, and point me in the right direction for a beginner. Iam not really sure how much money I am willing to sink into this new hobby. I know you guess can shed some light. Thanks

 

[Laddies]

Re: need help choosing deer rifle

If you are interested in a rifle that will reach and get the job done at 150 yards or more then it's the 30-06 it has many differant loads available for it, for all types of game and shells are very available anywhere, many new calibers are very good but the ammo can be a probem in smaller towns. As you can tell I am a fan of the .06 use a Winchester bolt action that was my dads, it just don't get ant better than that---Bob

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: need help choosing deer rifle

If I was looking for a "deer" rifle in todays<br />market. With all the new and old calibers to choose<br />from. I would own the new 25 caliber short mag.<br />With 80 grains,it will take you out to past 200 yards<br />sighted at dead center.<br /><br />The 30-06 is the best all around rifle hands down.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: need help choosing deer rifle

I am just certain you'll need something with a banana clip, bayonet mount, and a laser sight....

 

[deputydawg]

Re: need help choosing deer rifle

Depends on what you want to spend, and how serious you are about deer hunting. To be able to go out and buy a rifle to try hunting, says you haven't done it before. <br /><br />I prefer a 270, but for most people it is the 30-06.

 

[JB]

Re: need help choosing deer rifle

It depends on where and what sort of country you are going to hunt, STL.<br /><br />If you are going to hunt fairly open country and need to take long (over 100 yard) shots you want a long range rifle with a scope. The 30-06 is the prototype of these calibers and is still a good choice. Most 30-06s are bolt action repeaters. The Winchester and Remington are both good brands. Top of the class would be a Weatherby, Browning or Kimber.<br /><br />For hunting in the woods where shots will be well under 100 yards you want a shorter, lighter and quicker handling rifle. The Winchester model 94 30-30 lever action is the prototype of woods rifles and is still the most popular, with the Marlin lever rifles close behind.<br /><br />New calibers are refinements on the old standards. They may make an experienced hunter a bit more successful, but a beginner wont notice any differernce except that the new stuff is harder to find and usually more expensive. Many hunters who use the new and exotic calibers load their own cartridges.<br /><br />My own "deer" rifles are a Browning BLR lever rifle in .243 Winchester (almost identical to 6mm), a Savage 30-30 single shot on a breaking shotgun action and a Winchester model 94 30-30. All would be good in the woods, but because I sometimes get a long shot I carry the Browning to hunt The Hideout.

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: need help choosing deer rifle

The 30-06 has its advantages over other 30 caliber<br />rifles simply because of its versatility.<br />No other rife can match its versatile use from a small 110 grain<br />varmint bullet to heavy bone crushing big game 220 grain<br /> bullet, and do it respectably from a ballistics<br />view point. <br />If you only plan to own one gun and<br />hunt a variety of game the 30-06 is your best choice.<br />If you are looking for a deer or varmint rifle to<br />take you out to small game at long distances then<br />you would be better suited to a rifle with the<br />best ballistics. Some thing like the new 25 short mag<br />or a 270 , or 25/06.

 

[dtherrien]

Re: need help choosing deer rifle

yes...an 06 is the standard to which all other calibers are measured against.a good cheap out of the box rifle is the savage 110.....but every manufacturer makes a 06. Many calibers are based on the 06 casing.....270, 25-06, 7mm mag, and a couple of others that i cant think of right now.Another consideration would be a semi auto slug gun (12ga shotgun)with a rifled barrel and sabot bullets.You can use this type of gun just about any area in the US (either rifle or shotgun areas) and it makes it economical by buying different barrels for different hunting situations.

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: need help choosing deer rifle

For the best all around rifle and most popular you can not beat the 30-06 semi-auto 7400 with a scope regardless if it is a 50 yard shot or a 300 yard shot!!!! They also make a carbine type which I also have!!! if you are a good shot it does not matter if you use a bolt action or semi!!!! It is your choice!!!!

 

[stl]

Re: need help choosing deer rifle

Originally posted by deputydawg:<br />[QB] To be able to go out and buy a rifle to try hunting, says you haven't done it before. <br /><br /><br />Do you think I should go out a few times and borrow a gun before I buy a gun?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: need help choosing deer rifle

nah just go getcha a good .300 weatherby magnum, all ya got to do then is hit it someplace and it stops.<br /> but realistically<br /> ya have to know what and where your hunting. some ares do not allow single projectile firearms of any sort.<br /> and yes a trip to a good range with some gun club buddies is absolutly nessasary. not only will it improve your shooting skills to lessen the chance of just wounding a critter it will allow you to find a gun that fits.<br /> the 22-250 is a nice weapon with a fair recoil. my buddies weatherby 300 is a super nice weapon but awful heavy and recoils like an elephant kick.the 270 and the 243 are nice rounds as well. the 06 will do most anything ya need to do,its one of the few cartriges that was expressly desined to kill humans. but if your an admittly poor shot please refrain from banging game until your reasonably sure you can kill what ya aim at.<br /> aint nothing like having to track a scared wounded deer through the scrub then have to hump it back out.<br /> in my area if you see a deer at 100 yds dont shoot. means its in some ones yard. in some of the places I was in west texas 100yds is a close range shot.

 

[rolmops]

Re: need help choosing deer rifle

The 0.30 (7.62 mm.)rifles are multipurpose.The single shot bolt action is a bit easier to clean.Just make sure to use the right ammo.Too soft a bullet in a rifled gun will make a messy hole and causes a lot of splintered bone and torn meat.<br />If you are planning to hunt New York state,you better forget about a rifle.You'll want a shot gun to be legal(except Adirondecks).

 

[LubeDude]

Re: need help choosing deer rifle

I have hunted most of my life with a 270 I got from my grand father. Very hard to beat unless you are going for bigger game than deer. I would say the 30-06 would then be my choice as there are some heavier loads available. I know, there have been lots of elk killed with a 270. but your chances are better with an 06. I dont like the 243 because I have seen too many deer wounded with them. If you are a real hunter, patient enough to pick your shot and a great shot they are ok, but not for the novice.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: need help choosing deer rifle

Out of all the guns I own I prefer my Winchester 30/30 with a 9 power Simmons scope. I use 170 grain shot. Not my most expensive gun by a long shot but thats another reason why its my favorite hunting gun. You can kick through the weeds and branches and not have to worry about getting a scratch on it (the strange thing is after many years of rough usage it still looks like it just came out of the box). Its not to long as some are and the shot is always right on even when it seems that I am not. It has my vote as one of the best hunting guns ever made and the best thing is I only paid $125.00 for it at a pawn shop.

 

[stl]

Re: need help choosing deer rifle

Thanks for the great response. You guys may have given me a little too much credit. Could someone please give me a quick lesson on caliber, and terms like bolt action repeater, ect. I am a little overwhelmed with all the info. Maybe you guys know a good website that I could study up. Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: need help choosing deer rifle

Ayuh,............<br /><br />From Woodchucks at a half a mile with 60gr bullets,......<br /><br />To Grizzlies in Alaska with the 220gr Freight Train Bullets,........<br /><br />The 30-06 is capable of taking Anything the Breathes on the Northamerican continent................. <br /><br />Also being the Most Popular caliber in the last 100 years makes Choice of Rifles a tough 1 because there are Soo Many,.........<br />And,.. Ammo is Never an issue,.. Anywhere........

 

[KRS]

Re: need help choosing deer rifle

Hunt with a .270 Winchester; deer, elk, coyote, my bro and dad shot their moose with 'em, they are a great rifle. I would go with 30-06 or 270. Take a hunter safety course, it teaches you about gun safety AND game identification (very important).<br /><br />Hunting is an enjoyable hobby, I hope you are able to get a start and have some success.<br /><br />I was hunting yesterday, and a hawk dropped from the sky and hammered a dove that I had scared up from a shrub... I have never seen that before, it was amazing. The sound the hawk's wings made was incredible, like a meteor falling from the sky.<br /><br />Hunting is about memories, hope you make some.

 

[stl]

Re: need help choosing deer rifle

That's some good sound advice, firefighter. I love the story about the hawk. If I get half the pleasure from deer hunting that I do fishing, I will be happy.

 

[ratracer]

Re: need help choosing deer rifle

Bondo brings up 1 very important point: .30-'06 ammunition is plentiful and easy to come by. You can find it just about anywhere from your local hardware store to Wal-Mart and in between. One other very important point is that just about anybody can handle the recoil as long as they've been shown how to hold the rifle properly. <br /><br />The type of rifle you get in part depends on the area of the country you hunt. Here in the northeast, autoloaders like the Remington 7400 or the Browning BAR, and Winchester 94/Ruger 336 lever actions in .30-30 Winchester are very popular. In the midwest, bolt actions are more common. Each type of rifle has its advantages, so you should do a little bit of research to learn what is the most common type of rifle used in your area, and why that's the case. A reputable local gun dealer can help give you that information, or you can also try talking to your local game wardens.<br /><br />You also need to check to make sure that the area you plan to hunt allows you to use rifles. As more and more rural areas become suburbanized, laws are updated restricting most of these areas into only allowing deer hunting during the firearm season with shotguns. <br /><br />Here are a couple of links you might want to look at:<br /><br /> http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/PDF/chapter2.pdf <br /><br /> http://hunting.about.com/od/deerbiggame/a/aa063098.htm <br /><br /><br />I also have a Ruger .44 Deerfield that I sometimes use to be a little bit different, but other than being about 1 lb lighter there really isn't anything it can do that my Remington 7400 carbine can't do as well or better, and I like having the additional energy of the .30'-06 available even though here in Maine it's unusual to have to shoot at a deer more than 100 yards away.

 

[roscoe]

Re: need help choosing deer rifle

Perhaps getting out there this season would be ... hmmm ... not as important as learning the basics and being well prepared for next years hunt.<br /><br />If you don't have any friends that are willing to show you the ropes, I would visit a hunting club. Most have "rifle sight-in" days at their ranges this time of year. Many hunters making sure their guns are sighted in properly before hitting the woods. Many hold gun safety classes, which may be required in your state, before you can hunt legally. <br /><br />Make sure you have someplace to hunt.<br />Make sure you have a weapon that is legal where you plan to hunt.<br />Most places restrict the use of a rifle that is too small (such as a .22).<br />Many places restrict the use of rifles, and require you to use a shotgun that shoots slugs.<br /><br />Guns are easier/cheaper to buy in the off season.<br />You will have time to practice shooting and become familiar with the weapon- safety first !!<br />You will need time to read and learn all the rules/laws too.<br /><br />Now for a gun:<br />A nice name brand bolt action will do fine.<br />No need to buy a cannon, a .270 or 30-06 is more than enough.<br /><br />Generally, gun calibers are the diameter of the bullet, measured in either inches or millimeters. But there are no rules and gun/ammunition makers can name a new cartridge by any name they want.<br />A .270 is roughly 270thousands of an inch in diameter.<br />There are many caliber bullets that are .30 in diameter. But the length of the bullet and casing will vary, as well as the length of the bullet. So there are many .30 guns to pick from.<br /><br />The 30-06 is one variation that has been very successful in many hunting situations.<br /><br />If you are going to be hunting in areas where the shot will be over 100 or 150 feet, you might want to get a scope. If hunting in heavy woods or brush, go without a scope.<br /><br />Better to plan for next year than to make hurried decisions and be ill prepared.<br /><br />Also, make friends with some hunters, join a gun/hunting club if need be. These guys will show you lots, and having hunting partners is so very important to a successful hunt.