What's a good deer rifle?

I've only used shotguns in the past. .223 is too small to take down a deer right?

 

with correct bullet placement no it is not but i personally like something a little bigger. i shoot a 7mm-08. it is a 308 necked down to a 7mm bullet. I have a Remington Model Seven with synthetic stock and stainless.

 

From most things ive read. certain .223 rounds will be fine for deer. but this is recommended to not shoot much outside of 150 yards with the .223.

I personally like the .270. Larger bullet, more knock down power, longer range, yet still doesnt kick the shit outta you so its shootable for kids and new hunters.

that being said. I bow hunt

 

30-06???

 

243 is better than 223. but most people hunt with 270s or 30-06 around here. i myself have a 30-30, a 280 remington which is a deerslayer with the 150 grain silvertips, and a 270wsm. the 270 will knock a deer flat and shoots extremely accurate at distances.

it all depends on where you're gonna be hunting at though. i wouldn't get a bolt rifle for thickets and i wouldn't get a 30-30 for oak flats and fields

 

308, 270, 30-06, 300win are all good rifles for deer. It seems like many of my hunting friends all seem to love the 270 for deer hunting though.

 

What makes/models do you guys like?

 

all of my rifles/shotguns are remington or savage. the remington 700 is the best rifle imo. both savage and remington have triggers you can adjust yourself. my main deer rifle is set on 2.8#

 

I hear you. Set adjustable trigger is the way to go. All my deer rifles have set triggers. I shoot f class. And they have set triggers.

 

Why are there a million types of Remington 700's....

 

I use a 300, it pounds the deer and if need be it can take down a elk. Great knock down power and awesome ballistics.

 

30-30 , .243 on the light end

.270

.308

.30-06

.25-06

.300 savage


IMO rounds like 300 win mag and 7mm mag are approaching too large for small deer, not to mention they kick the shit out of you.


I went with a .308 as my sole bolt gun for a few reasons, cheaper practice and hunting ammo, can take a lot of different game, very common. .30-06 fits the bill too though I just liked the idea that it's a nato round -- just in case. :|

 

Remington 700, calibered in .308 winchester, and get the longest, heaviest barrel possible. You won't be disappointed.

 

I vote any Savage model with an accu trigger. I think they are a great investment for an entry level rifle.

 

Yep, that's what I went with. Couldn't be happier.

 

Will you be hunting in jersey? What are the state regs? I know in pa there are a lot of shotgun only areas so check out the law before you spend money on a gun. If you are going to be doing your hunting in jersey I wouldn't go with anything bigger than 308, like people have said the 30-30 is a good, proven round and there's nothing wrong with the 243 either.

As for what rifle, I'd get a marlin in 30-30 with a scope personally. My second choice would be a savage with the accutrigger.

 

You can't hunt with rifles in NJ...I'll be going to VA...and eventually anywhere else I can haha.
What is a good length barrel? 24"? 26?
What do you think about these Remington 700's that come with a scope?

 

Savage 243 FTW

 

Gota agree on the 300 win mag and 7MM Mag. Serves dual purpose for deer and elk out this way.