What's Your Favorite Deer Rifle?

[TallCoolOne58]

With the Cub all set for this year, looking forward to Saturday, opening day of firearms season here in the New York Southern Zone. Rifles are legal for deer and black bear in my county.

My favorite deer rifle is my Remington 7600 pump, chambered for 30/06 Sprg. I have a Leupold VX-2 1-4×20 scope mounted on it, with Leupold STD base and rings. I have found it to be a great combination for woods and fields. I also have a leather Montana sling with Grov-Tec swivels.

I like the rifle. It is surpisingly accurate and I like the fact that it offers a quick second shot, although rarely needed. I have come to trust it over the years. I take excellent care of it, and in return it works well, and brings home the venison

[Rick Spivey]

I also shoot a Remington, 270 caliber. It's a simple gun with gray composite stock and black oxide finish, but as my Gunsmith told me, "there's nothing that shoots any straighter" than the Remington. However, most of my shots are within 100 yds, so I really think I should have gotten the 243 caliber. The 270 can obliterate the far shoulder if the angle is just right, almost always goes completely through, so now I am contemplating head shots only. We are allowed to harvest does almost at will, as our farm is over=populated. That is the best freezer meat there is. Don't see many "trophy" bucks around here due to the overpopulation, but I would NOT take a head shot on one of those!

[Don McCombs]

Post-64 Winchester Model 70 in 30-06. Weaver 3-9 scope of the same vintage.

[Jackman]

Marlin 336C in .35 Remington of 1956 vintage

[outdoors4evr]

Here in lower Michigan (South of M-46), we are very limited on rifle usage for deer. Shotguns are the typical tools of choice.
New rules the last two years have begun to allow up to a 45 caliber straight walled bullet (handgun round). Since I haven't bought anything new in the last couple of years, I favor black powder Knight Wolverine 50 cal with a scope as a long rifle.
Since most of my hunting is in thick stuff, I have been carrying a handgun - Ruger Redhawk 44 Cal with a leupold scope.

[TallCoolOne58]

I also shoot a Remington, 270 caliber. It's a simple gun with gray composite stock and black oxide finish, but as my Gunsmith told me, "there's nothing that shoots any straighter" than the Remington. However, most of my shots are within 100 yds, so I really think I should have gotten the 243 caliber. The 270 can obliterate the far shoulder if the angle is just right, almost always goes completely through, so now I am contemplating head shots only. We are allowed to harvest does almost at will, as our farm is over=populated. That is the best freezer meat there is. Don't see many "trophy" bucks around here due to the overpopulation, but I would NOT take a head shot on one of those!

I agree 100%. I'd rather have q good eatin' size doe for groceries than an old buck any day.

[TallCoolOne58]

Here in lower Michigan (South of M-46), we are very limited on rifle usage for deer. Shotguns are the typical tools of choice.
New rules the last two years have begun to allow up to a 45 caliber straight walled bullet (handgun round). Since I haven't bought anything new in the last couple of years, I favor black powder Knight Wolverine 50 cal with a scope as a long rifle.
Since most of my hunting is in thick stuff, I have been carrying a handgun - Ruger Redhawk 44 Cal with a leupold scope.

Been there done that! This will be my 42nd season, and for years it was shotgun, handgun or muzzleloader in the Southern Zone. Finally in 2005 the powers that be in Albany smartened up and let the counties decide for themselves about rifles, and NYS regs state that any centerfire rifle is legal. Some people thought it would be dangerous to allow rifles, but that has not been the case. Having used both, I have found rifles to be much more efficient.

[TallCoolOne58]

Post-64 Winchester Model 70 in 30-06. Weaver 3-9 scope of the same vintage.

Nice! After I fill my first tag, I rotate my rifles around, to be able to enjoy them all, and a fine bolt-action is always a great choice.

[TallCoolOne58]

Marlin 336C in .35 Remington of 1956 vintage

Great cartridge, that .35 Rem.

[Indy4570]

remington Mohawk in .308, next is a cut down H&R buffalo classic in 45/70

[Don McCombs]

I figured by your username, there must be a 45-70 in your arsenal somewhere.

[coppersmythe]

the 35 Whelen has been my go to for sometime now . the lighter bullets work well on deer size game , the heavier bullets on elk , and the heaviest ( 310 gr. solid copper ) on bear . you can also ,if you reload, use pistol bullets for varmints/coyotes . coppersmythe....................ps: for years i used a Winchester lever action 30-30 . long shots are rare around my part of Louisiana. the rifle i go to now is a custom rifle my gunsmith made for me . i traded some copper lamps and a copper kitchen hood when he built his new house ( only way i could afford such a rifle ) . CZ receiver , custom barrel , turkish walnut stock , meopta scope . trigger is 4 lbs pull , but, you can push the trigger forward until it clicks , which makes it 1 1/2 lb. pull . slick .

[rcupka]

Savage 99 in .300 Savage Love that Rifle!

[Jerry's cub]

Don't hunt with a rifle much 99.9% of time my Thompson center contender 12 inch chambered in 30-30 for deer and such, then 12 inch 45/70 for bears and bigger. Which right now it is bear season here Pennsylvania so 45/70 is mounted on frame. Good luck to all

[Indy4570]

I figured by your username, there must be a 45-70 in your arsenal somewhere.

have owned a slew of them over the years, I have a Winchester 1886 re-released in the 80s, in 45/70, but its just too pretty to beat up in the woods