Deer Rifle

[mark1757]

I need to buy a deer rifle for the farm.
Which rifle and caliber would you recommend?
I know that's a loaded question (no pun intended),
but keep in mind the wife and future teenage son will need/want to use it.
Thanks in advance.
Mark

[Virginia Mike]

Yes that is a loaded question. Hundreds of gun writers make their living on it.

For the cheapest way, a NEI Handy-rifle in .243 Winchester and a 2-7X Nikon scope will be hard to beat. The .243 is light enought to use on groundhogs and the recoil won't scare the wife.
On the other hand, you can spend as long as your credit card don't melt. Buy the newest whiz-bang magnum with a scope that finds ranges and takes pictures.
It's your choice.
Best,
Mike

[Lance Leitzel]

How about a good old .30-30? Recoil isn't bad, keeps you out of trouble from trying to take long range shots.

[Ken (48 Cub)]

I agree, you can't beat a lever action .30-30 for short range shots (less than 100 yards). This gun is a staple here in KY where we hunt mostly woods and small fields.

That reminds me, the NRA National Convention is here in Louisville this weekend. Hope to make it out there on Sunday.....

[Kevin]

how about a 223 there are often overlooked but rounds are cheap and they shoot nice no kick


good luck
Kevin

[Joe Malinowski]

Depends on how far your shots are going to be. Here in Ma. we use shotguns only a 12 gauge with a rifled barrell and a scope is in my opinion as god as a 30 30. If you need to reach out with a punch I like a 30-06, It all depends on the range you need to cover. Nice thing about the 12 gauge is you buy a set up with 2 barrells and you also have a bird gun

[Don McCombs]

.223 is not legal for deer in some states. Too light.

[Virginia Mike]

The .223 isn't legal in Virginia.
Another nice one is a Savage bolt gun in .308 Winchester. inexpensive as guns go, cheap surplus ammo for practice.
Best,
Mike

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

If 223 isn't legal in VA, you might want to look unto something like this, it is a good medium to short range gun, that I have on my want list. One word of warning, it takes a real man to stand behind it.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/ ... 1895G.aspx

[Billy Fussell]

Just my opinion, but I like a .270. It shoots flat and does have some recoil. Not like a 30-06 though. I shoot 130 gr. bullett. Works for me.

John, I have an old 1886 winchester in 45-70 govt. It does have recoil. Has the crescent butt not the shotgun style. It is death one end and crippling on the other.

Billy

[ih-cubcadet-man]

i think all the choices listed by others are good, you just need to decided your distance,the action of the rifle,and the terrain, in wich it will be used, i like the 243 , for the wife and the kid to,the 270,and 3006 might be to much for them

[grumpy]

I've used a 30-06 for years but had a .270 for a short time. Wished I had it back. I never shot much over 100 yards and the .270 got the job done quite as well as the 06. If you plan on shooting in the 5 to 6 hundred yard range you will have to improvise. Grump

[Eugene]

For a first gun for the kids and wife - I'd get a 22 cal. rim fire. Cheap ammo for lots of target practice.

Deer rifle. No recommendations. I have a 30-06 Mauser action carbine and a couple of shootguns, 12 and 16 gauge. No scope. I can't think of a deer that I shot that was over 100 of 120 feet distance.

You might consider black powder shooting.

[KETCHAM]

I'm with Eugene.Black Powder.I like it here in Ohio.Every state is differntMine is a .54 cailber.Wife might not like it though.A 22 would be best for target shooting.cheep.I like my smoke pole cause I get a longer hunting season with it.Crossbow too!!!Almost broke out the 22 this morning,rabbits getting a little close to the garden[nothing up yet]not much on eating rabbit,but. Kevin

[LiL' Red]

Savage 11FXP3 in 243. Blued steel, synthetic stock, scope included. Inexpensive and the most accurate out of the box rifle on the market. 243 is legal in all states that allow rifles for deer. 243 is also an excellent coyote caliber. Recoil is about the same as a 410 shotgun.