Good first deer rifle

[exodus125]

what would be a good riffle thats not TOO expensive, but still good quality to hunt deer? I would be hunting in new mexico where theres a lot of opportunities for long shots due to little cover.

 

[Indybeer]

For me it would be either a 308 or 30-06.

 

[longbarrel]

Savage model 110 in .270 caliber with a 3 x 9 x 40 scope.

 

[42769vette]

depending on your age and size i would consider the 243. its a very low recoil gun for younger/smaller people and you can reach out there. the nice thing about the 243 is you will pratice more with it than most 30 cal rifles and with pratice most shots (within reason) can be made.

 

[exodus125]

are those goods for long range shots

 

[Old Salt]

How long range do you want? 200, 300, 400... You should give serious consideration to scopes as well, but we need to know how far you feel comfortable shooting. The 308, 30-06, or 300 will take you as far as you probably want to go, but you will need to be able to see what you shoot.

 

[exodus125]

well, I am not talking about sniping deer, maybe 200 yards. Id be nice if the gun was good for elk as well.

 

[Old Salt]

Any of the mentioned calibers would work for deer. People hunt elk with smaller calibers, but I wouldn't go with less than a .308 or 30-06.

 

[clt46910]

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[clt46910]

I hunted West Texas and New Mexico for a number of years. I liked the .270 for deer most times. Tried the .243 but found it not reliable enough for me at the longer distances. Another of my favorites was a custom 7X57 that took a lot of deer. Both in Texas and New Mexico. A good friend of mine used a 25-06 and took a lot of deer with it. Another hunting partner used only his 30-06 for everything.

If you want something good for Elk also in one gun, I would go with the .308 or 30-06 as well.

 

[kludge]

My "one caliber" rifle would be a 7mm-08.

7mm-08, .308, 30-06, .270 would all work for deer and elk... and most everything else too.

Of those four, 7mm-08 or 30-06 would be most versatile in my book.

 

[Mrmonte]

I like the Remington 700 BDL, its acurate, timeless looks, and wont break the bank.

If you have not decided on a caliber yet, check out the 280 Remington.

Thats a combo that you cant go wrong with IMO.

 

[sloughfoot]

what would be a good riffle thats not TOO expensive, but still good quality to hunt deer? I would be hunting in new mexico where theres a lot of opportunities for long shots due to little cover.

Is the question rifle or caliber?

If you are really anticipating less than 200 yards, a Winchester 94 or a Marlin 336 in 30-30 is fine. If there is even a chance of a longer shot, all the responses for 243, 7mm, 308, and 30.06 (and others) are right on.

As far as the rifle, I really don't know how to respond. Everything is good quality to hunt deer. A single shot blackpowder Hawkins will take your deer.

 

[barrelmaker_2002]

Savage model 110 in .270 caliber with a 3 x 9 x 40 scope.

I agree with Savage. Love that accu-trigger. Here is a link:

Savage Arms Package Rifle Model 110GXP3 (long action)

Savage Arms Package Series Model 10GXP3 (short action)

They also have synthetic stock models. Go to the savage web site and check out their package series rifles.

Also, consider the Rem. 770.

Remington Model 770™

As for caliber, I would go with .270 or .308. These are both good "all-purpose" rifle rounds and widely available .243 is a good choice if you are a bit more recoil sensitive, but the .243 might be marginal for shots beyond 200 yds or for heavier animals, like elk. Even the .270 might be marginal for elk.

My personal choice would be this one:

Savage Arms Package Rifles Model 11FXP3

....in .308

Good luck!

 

[fullauto 45]

Remington 740 or 742 in 30.06. Very good guns. I use them for deer in Kentucky. 200 yards is an easy shot for these with open sites.

 

[george]

what would be a good riffle thats not TOO expensive, but still good quality to hunt deer? I would be hunting in new mexico where theres a lot of opportunities for long shots due to little cover.

remington model 700 30-06 ammo is readily available and plenty of knockdown power

 

[exodus125]

thanks for the help guys, I will see about shooting some of those and see what I like from the list.

 

[42769vette]

are those goods for long range shots

absolutly. its mostly about shot placement. im trying to get my 243 ready for long range competitions and im getting closer but with proper bullet placement it could easily take a deer at 500 yds wich will probably be further than you need. 200 yds is a chip shot with most centerfire calibers if you pratice and i feel you will pratice more with less recoil.

if you are wanting this gun to be a good elk gun aswell you will need atleast a 270 or 7mm. the 243 just doesn't have the knockdown power for elk. i went elk hunting in 2001 and i chose the 300 wby mag. this isn't the cheapest gun to shoot at all. about the cheapest ammo i found was 2.50 per rd. but i wached all the videos and went to seminars and kept hearing the same thing. "for elk you need 2000 lb of knockdown at whatever range you are shooting. i praticed and was prepared for a 550yd shoot as long as it wasn't to windy. its a good thing i had shot that long of a range before because when a elk walked out at 438 and wasn't getting closer the guide said "dont shoot thats to far and to much brush". i told him i can make that shot and put a barnes 180 ge bullet in his neck. the morrel of this story is its imposable to pratice to much it gives you confidence and teaches you your limitations. "a mans got to know his limitations"

 

[42769vette]

thanks for the help guys, I will see about shooting some of those and see what I like from the list.

if you are near liberty i have a 243,7mm,30-30,300 wby that you are welcome to give a dance and see how they feel.

 

[243rem700]

I would look into the 7mm-08. It has decent ballistics and there is hardly more recoil than a .243.