looking for rifle for deer hunting

[idahohuner]

im currently 13 years old,5 ft 3 inches, and 95 pounds.

i'm looking for a good hunting rifle to take deer down with, only deer not anything else. ive shot a .410 and handled it well with its recoil.

I've been looking at these calibers; .243, 257 roberts, .270, and .308. I do not handload. I've been looking at the remington 700 and the tikka t3 lite.

Any advice on what caliber would do best, what rifle/scope, and if i should use a limbsaver. Also as an added note, i will be hunting out west in places like southern idaho and utah. Thanks for any opinions/ideas!

 

[idahohuner]

forgot to mention, shots will be made anywhere from 100 yards to 3-400 yards, not much further than that

 

[gbran]

5'3" is plenty big enough for a 270 or bigger that will serve you well for as long as you want. It's also beg enough that you don't need a youth rifle. You're 13 and will only grow bigger. My grandson hunts deer with a 308.

.243 will work but I suggest a larger caliber in a full sized rifle. Make sure it is not a heavy rifle. Get a 3-9x40 or similar scope of decent quality.

 

[idahohuner]

thanks! for anything about 270 would you suggest using a limbsaver?

 

[gbran]

A light rifle is easier to tote around hunting, but a lighter rifle recoils more. Deer rifles are usually not target guns so you don't have to light them off much except for sighting in. Yes recoil pads and other accessories will help with felt recoil.

 

[idahohuner]

thanks

 

[Deanimator]

Consider the Savage 110 series. They're very economically priced and extremely accurate out of the box. I've got a 10FP Sniper in .308 and a 112BVSS in .30-06. I wouldn't have anything else.

 

[idahohuner]

thanks, i will check them out. What is the kick like on it? whats the accuracy on multiple ranges you've tried with it?

 

[edelbrock]

+1 on the .308. It is a good all around cartridge. Recoil shouldn't be too much of a problem unless it is an extremely light rifle.

 

[idahohuner]

thanks, i think im decided on the .308 im only trying to decide what rifle to get now, the remington 700 seems to be good but some people say it was messed up when they got it. the tikka looked like a really great gun too, until some people said it was cheaply made and lacked quality. the savage looks good at the moment so im looking into. any opinions? thanks

 

[NCsmitty]

Welcome idahohuner, it's good to see the younger shooters asking questions that make sense.
I always encourage people to consider buying American products to help this great country's economy.
As you probably know, there are several brands of rifles that would satisfy your needs.
Here's a link to the Marlin bolt actions, and I feel that they provide good rifles at a good price.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/CenterfireBoltAction/XS7.asp

Good luck young man.

NCsmitty

 

[MCgunner]

Shot my first deer with a 257 Roberts at age 11, but it's sort of a handloader's round now days. My grandpa handloaded for it and I still have all his reloading stuff 50 years later, and the gun and it's still a tack driver. .243 might your best bet for now; however, if you think you can handle the slight extra recoil, the .270 is a big step up in power and if you ever draw an elk tag, well, you won't need a new gun. Up to you to decide if recoil is a factor. I think you can probably handle the .270 at age 13, though. It really isn't that bad, not like the .30-06 or the belted magnums. I do like my .308 and it's in a class with the .270. Mine's a very light rifle and has a little kick to it, but it really isn't too bad. Lots of ammo options as everyone makes multiple loadings of .308.

The 2 rifles you're looking at are fine guns. I have a couple of remingtons and a savage 110, all very accurate hunting rifles.

 

[idahohuner]

thanks for the answers guys =) im gonna go the the gun store soon and compare all the guns and see which one feels best on me, then ill go from there. ill also see if i can go to a range and test out the different calibers/rifles if they have them.

 

[MCgunner]

My .308, a Remington stainless M7....

 

[idahohuner]

thats one beautiful rifle.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Any of today's modern entry level bolt actions for 3 $300 to $400 in 270 , 308 or 30-06 will provide you a very accurate dependable deer rifle capable of taking game at the ranges you propose for the rest of your life.

My advice to you is not get too tied up in the rifle as they're all excellent nowadays but if anything do more research and put more thought into your scope selection. If need be $100 less spent on the rifle if required to spend $100 more on a scope and mount is money very wisely spent

For the ranges and locations you mention I don't feel 243 is entirely adequate and as MC mantions 257 Roberts is now pretty a handloading position

 

[Grizfire]

You may also look at a .250 savage, plenty of gun for deer.


I think you can handle bigger guns, but they will kick more, which in turn may cause you to flinch and be less accurate.

 

[sebtool]

Your choice of the .308 is an excellent 1! My favorite deer cartridge, it's available virtually anywhere, as well as being an accurate round.

1 question - are you only looking at new rifles? There are some good deals in used rifles these days, and you can really expand your knowledge with a little research. All of the bolt actions that have been mentioned are excellent quality rifles. But there's more out there!
Me, I like rifles/guns that are a little 'different'. For instance, my favorite .308 is an old Winchester Model 88 lever action with a 4x Weatherby scope. It fits me the way a rifle needs to, and hits everything I shoot it at, as long as I do my part!
The Remington pumps are good rifles too, I have 2 in 30-06. The 7600 will shoot in 3/4" at 100 yards with any 165 gr. load. I just traded for an older Model 760 and haven't had a chance to shoot it yet.

What I'm getting at here, is a lot depends on how you're looking your 1st rifle. Is it going to be strictly a tool, or do you look at it as the start to a vast collection???

I know that when I was 13, I wanted a 'wall full' of rifles, as I loved to hunt, and wanted to go after game all over the world! I bought my 1st rifle at 15, an old, beat up 7mm Mauser with a foggy Weaver scope.... I spent $75 on it, which was a pretty good chunk of $$$ for me in 1976! The local gunsmith/gas station owner said the barrel was warped, but I could consistently take out crows up to 150+ yards, so I was tickled to death with it! Until! the time the scope fogged up on me, with a beautiful 10 pointer picking his way down a trail about 75-80 yards off, and I couldn't shoot because I didn't want to wound him, and wasn't confident taking the shot. I've been kicking myself for that for over 30 years, and I can still see him today.

Buy a few different boxes of shells(a good bet are any 165-168 gr loads, as every .30 caliber rifle I've owned has shot that weight better than any others!) and shoot it! If it's a new one, follow the manufacter's recommendations for breaking in the barrel - it makes a difference! Shoot different bullet weights, styles and brands. You'll eventually find a couple of loads that are more accurate in your gun, and you'll be getting good with it!
1 reason that I like my old 88, is that I trust her completely. As soon as I've made a decision to shoot, the deer falls, as if she acts on her own! Hopefully your's will treat you as well!

I know this is a lot to think about, but it's your 1st deer rifle. What ever you pick, it sounds like you're going to do a fine job with it - hunt safe and kill clean!

 

[marineman]

You really can't go wrong with any make of bolt action rifle. They are all pretty much the same and are rugged and reliable. Some have smoother bolts, some have nicer wood, some have plastic/composite, etc. Tikka's are accurate. Remington's are all around nice and popular as is the Winchester Model 70. The Savages are very rugged, but are very accurate. Take your pic. Check them out in person and then make your decision.

As for caliber, I recommend .308. It is a popular round that can be found anywhere, provided it isn't sold out. Also, if recoil from the .308 is too much, you can switch to a lighter load. However, you will still be making big holes and have the ablility to switch to heavier loads if your hunting should direct you in that direction.

 

[Mauserguy]

I agree with Gbran. The 270 is a great hunting round. It's a little big for you, but you can probably manage a few shots with it, especially with lighter loads, and you can grow into it. I would stick with the big name brands since you may want to change the stock out on it as you grow.
Good hunting,
Mauserguy

 

[BullpupBen]

It's hard to find rifles in the caliber, but .260 remington would probably make a great deer cartridge. it has much more killing power then the .243, with lower recoil and better ballistics then 7mm-08 or .308.
I wouldnt go out of your way to find a rifle in that caliber though as I'm sure any of the .308 variants will work fine for what your doing, just something to keep in mind if you see one though.

 

[interlock]

i have a remmy model 7 in 7mm08. it is fitted with a bushnell 3-9 x 40 trophy. it is a great rifle. I use 120 gr sierra prohunter and the recoil is very light and manageable and it is a really deadly deer round. But once you step up to 145 gr plus in a light rifle the recoil is qhite noticeable. As you grow the rifle will be really adaptable and will be able to use loads upto 175gr. 7mm08 is a great round.

 

[scythefwd]

idahohunter,
I sight my .30-06 in at 3 inches high at 100yards for a 300yard zero. The kill zone on a deer is about 6 inches, so aiming at the bottom of the kill zone between 1 and 300 yards will put you where you want to be. The .270 is a flatter shooting round, the .308 is about the same. 400y is not an easy shot without a good support, especially if the deer is moving.

When I say the bottom of the kill zone, I am talking about a heart shot, if your a little high... you take out the lungs

 

[cooch]

I strongly suggest that asking "which calibre" on a forum of this nature is of very limited value.

First question in return is "what calibres have you used so far?" If you haven't tried any of the suggested calibres, then you have little idea what your tolerance for recoil is.

You've also not said which variety of deer you're looking at chasing.

My suggestion is that you organise to spend some time shooting at targets ( whether informally or at a range doesn't matter.) to determine what you can handle comfortably. You also need to determine what style and size gunsrtock fits you, as this has a significant effect upon your ability to shoot quickly, well, and absorb recoil. A further note is that shooting rifles with significant recoil is something that most of us have to learn. It's a mental thing, but coaching helps.

To sum up.
- Try out the options.
- Choose a make that fits you.
- Consider getting the molst powerful calibre that you can shoot comfortably and accurately.
- Fit a Limbsaver or similar.
- Get better advice than that available from anonymous people on an internet website. It may be marginally better than that from gun-store salesmen, but not by much.

Regards.......... Peter

 

[idahohuner]

thanks guys, im definantly gonna try out all sorts of calibers and models if i can at the range. the .308 recoil might be bad, but with a limbsaver i don't think it will be more than i can handle. thanks for all the advice!