Rifle Recomendation

[BCIrish24]

Hey All! I'm looking to purchase a rifle this year and I've heard/seen various success with different types. I am leaning towards a .308, but I wanted to see what everyone here thought. I would use this 99% of the time for deer hunting and a willing to spend up to 1000.

Thanks for the advice!
Bill

[wtnhunt]

Welcome to the forums. Nothing wrong with a .308. For deer, anything from the .243 up will work. Kind of partial to the remington model 700, but there are several good rifles out there from different manufacturers. Would suggest shouldering several different rifles to see what feels best to you.

[Jeramie]

Welcome to the forums!

You're in luck. For 1k you can buy a great rifle. The .308 is a great cal. Deadly accurate and plenty of energy to get the job done. My personal favorite is the .30-06 but there are countless other rounds that are more than adequate.

Here is a shortlist that might help (in no particular order). Any of these are proven deer stopping cartridges.

6mm
.243
.25-06
.260
.270
.280
.308
.30-06

I have no idea what area you live in but certain cartridges are easier to come by in different areas. Most of these are available in Walmart but the most common, IMHO, are the .243, .270, .308, and .30-06. As for those listed you will find more bullet choices for the .30-06 than any of the other mentioned rounds. All will have plenty of energy to reach out 200yds +.

As far as a Rifle, there are countless brands that are very much worth the money. Like William said, take a look at the Remington 700's. Great Rifles. I would also look at Tikka, Savage, and Ruger. Probably half of what you listed for a price will go to the rifle or somewhere close. Then spend some money on a good scope. In all honesty you dont need a $500 scope but you dont want to spend $35 and expect great glass.

All and all I bet you can get setup with a great rifle Package for $700-$750. Good luck and let us know what you end up with.

[snapper]

Since there really isn't a "bad" gun...brand is up to you. Shoulder some and see what fits and feels right...as for cal., I'd go with a .300 win mag. It will do anything the above cal. will plus some and still shoots a .30 cal. bullet. If you ever intend on shooting a little further ranges...or go after something a little bigger than whitetail...you'll still have a good all around gun to do so.

Like Jeramie...get good glass on top! I'd start off by setting at LEAST $200 aside for a scope/rings/and bases. That leaves $800 to shop with.

[wtnhunt]

Like Jeramie...get good glass on top! I'd start off by setting at LEAST $200 aside for a scope/rings/and bases. That leaves $800 to shop with.

That is good advice. The nikon monarch scopes in 3-9X40 are a great deal if they still have them at natchez for $199. Would be well worth going on and getting a good scope even if you are not decided on the rifle.

[BCIrish24]

Thanks all for the advice. I've been around the forums for years, but I forgot all my login info and had to create a new account! Whoops!

I actually found out a little while ago that my fiance is buying me a Tikka SS Lite .308 for my birthday/christmas (they're close), so all I need to do is get a scope. I've been loking at those for a bit and will probably end up with a Nikon or Leupold (as I have both for binocs and range finders).

I'll post a pic when I have it all ready.

And I hunt in central NY and we just opened up rifle hunting in the last few year, so I want to switch over, even though I keep harvesting with my old 1100!

Thanks,
Bill

[Jeramie]

Nikon makes good glass. So does Burris and Zeiss but Im not a fan of Leupold. They are OK but very overpriced for the actual end product, IMHO.

If you're going to spend that kind of money on glass look at one of the brands where you're getting what you pay for. Dont get me wrong, Leupold makes a decent scope but for their $400 model line they should actually be closer to $200 IMHO. If you spend $400 on a Burris or Zeiss you're getting $400 worth of scope. The same can be said about Nikon.

Just my $.02

[WaCoyote]

I agree with Jeramie. I just can't bring myself to spending more than is neccesary. I have 2 Burris and a Nikon and love them. They have the mil dot setup. I LOVE my Bushnell Elite though too. Don't buy a bargain scope! I've been burnt before with them but not since I started buying decent glass. I really like the side focus on the Nikon for my coyote rifle, very nice!!!

The .308 is an awesome caliber although I do prefer long action. If this is strictly a deer rifle and you havent bought the gun yet have you ever considered the .270? Low recoil, accurate, and very flat. I'm going to switch to a .270 one of these days but for now I use the old 30-06. I'm kicking around the idea of using my dad's ..270 this year but it's a pump gun and it feels a tad weird since I'm so used to bolt rifles.

Post pics when you figure it all out. P.S. People rave about those Tikkas. I've never shot one but have heard nothing but good things.

[Jeramie]

Tikka is a great Rifle. Ive handled a few and shot a few. I tore the center out of a target with a .223 once. Great, great rifles for the money!

[Leo]

Out of the box, Tikkas have free floated barrels, a reverse cone crown and the action sits on a bedded in pillar block. They also have the BEST production rifle trigger I have ever pulled. It is adjustable with one screw very easily. These are things you have to usually pay a gunsmith to do that come standard on the Tikka. It's a great value.

The millet Tikka Rings are OK but not very forgiving of sloppy installation. You can upgrade to Sako Optilock rings that fit the Tikka. These are really really good serious rings. It's a worthwhile upgrade.

I also suggest you get the limbsaver pad. The Stock Tikka pad is my least favorite thing about the rifle. Doing so makes this gun a lot more fun at the bench.

Finns' don't like light bullets so I can practically guarantee the rifle in 30cal will like 165s and 180 grs best.

Enjoy.

[flyrod64]

As far as rifles, I use my Rem 270 that i've had for about 17 years, (it was used when I got it) and it's killed every deer I've shot at. My scope is a Simmons 8pt and has always been perfect and only cost $50. ( My wife bought that for me a few years back) The 270 had a redfield on it when I bought it, and now it's on my wifes rifle, ( a marlin 30-30 I bought her 2 years ago) and she's killed 4 deer with it including one nice 8pt thats on the wall. I personally can't see sinking all that money in rifles and scopes just for the big names.

[ronin]

Also, take a look at Browning A-bolts and Savage. Both have great out of the box accuracy. Savage has a great trigger and an affordable price. I like Nikon Monarch scopes for the money

[maytom]

Tikka is a great Rifle. Ive handled a few and shot a few. I tore the center out of a target with a .223 once. Great, great rifles for the money!

DITTO!!!!!

I just picked up a Tikka T3 Lite in the .308 caliber last week, awesome gun!!

[bow_hunter101]

I would recommend .270, 7mm, or 30-06. These are good all around guns, reliable, and can kill any animal in North America. As far as type of gun, I've always loved Winchester Model 70's but you'll have to find a used one.

[Zirkel]

BC,

308 is a fine caliber. When you do decide to come to Colorado and hunt Elk it will perform just fine. My family has knocked down a bunch of Elk with the 308. My Wife preferes her BLR in 308 to all of our other rifles.

Zirkel