[wolfgang]

Let's talk deer rifles, for those of you who haven't read my other post I'm form the backwards state of IL, so my rifle experience is limited to a 10/22, a Marlin 922M, and a Remington 760 in .270 (which I handload for).

My question to you today is what is a good deal caliber and rifle for Missouri, I want to have a lighter gun and I'm not experienced enough to try a shot past about 200 yards, so long range shots not a concern. I also prefer a caliber I can find or attain easily. And the biggest restriction, $500-$600 for the rifle itself (we have a spare 3-9x 40mm scope).

 

[sand_manms]

Just out of curiosity, what's wrong with the 760 and why can't you use it out to 200 yds?

 

[Heeler75]

That .270 will work just fine over here. :cheers:

 

[Big Time Hunter]

[rquote=1519546&tid=105964&author=Heeler75]That .270 will work just fine over here. :cheers:[/rquote]

I second that:cheers:

Most available ammo would be 30-30, 30-06, 270 and 300 winchester mag.

If you have $500-600 to spend on a new rifle and you don't wanna use the Remington then take a look at a Howa. I have one chambered in 270 and it shoots way better than I can right out of the box even.

Good luck and let us know what you decide. We also like pics of new toys.

BTH

 

[wolfgang]

[rquote=1519544&tid=105964&author=sand_manms]Just out of curiosity, what's wrong with the 760 and why can't you use it out to 200 yds?[/rquote]

I'm used to making 50-75 yard maximum shots, the only shots further than that have been at paper with the .270 so it's more for a confidence reason.

Also, I want a reason to get a rifle in a different caliber.

 

[Big Time Hunter]

[rquote=1519554&tid=105964&author=wolfgang][rquote=1519544&tid=105964&author=sand_manms]Just out of curiosity, what's wrong with the 760 and why can't you use it out to 200 yds?[/rquote]

Also, I want a reason to get a rifle in a different caliber.[/rquote]

Get a Howa chambered in 243 winchester, that will kill a deer out to 300 and you can shoot yotes, bobcats and the like also.

BTH

 

[sand_manms]

Try a bolt action in 308. Good round for 200 yd shots.

 

[wolfgang]

I think a bolt action would be what I get, never actually used one and only handled a few.
As far as caliber, .308 is a possibility, 7mm-08 is another, .270 isn't, I do not want the same caliber as our 760, .30-06, well a .308 could serve me just fine for my distances, .243 is a possibility as well.
Manufacturer I've looked at Howa before and their Ranchland Compact looks like a good gun and it comes in .243, 7mm-08, and .308, has a Hogue stock, and there is a scoped package for it that is under $600.

 

[Mule]

Over here in the Free State of Missouri, our politics tend to be conservative and our game regulations are liberal.

Any centerfire cartridge with an expanding type bullet is allowed. Given your self imposed distance limitations, there aren't many rounds that won't do the job. What's your dream gun? A lever action in 45 Colt or 45-70? An accurate bolt gun in 17 Remington or 7mm Ultramag? How about an AR in .223 or .50 Beauwolf? Even the SKS is legal and efffective.

You have an envieable decision to make. Have fun!

 

[wolfgang]

[rquote=1519582&tid=105964&author=Mule]Over here in the Free State of Missouri, our politics tend to be conservative and our game regulations are liberal.

Any centerfire cartridge with an expanding type bullet is allowed. Given your self imposed distance limitations, there aren't many rounds that won't do the job. What's your dream gun? A lever action in 45 Colt or 45-70? An accurate bolt gun in 17 Remington or 7mm Ultramag? How about an AR in .223 or .50 Beauwolf? Even the SKS is legal and efffective.

You have an envieable decision to make. Have fun![/rquote]

Well my price range puts .50 Beowulf, in an AR I would want 6.8mm or 7.62x39mm, but again out of price range, the SKS, I just don't like the feel of the gun, I have declared crusade against all the super (short) mags and ultra (short) mags, if I buy a .45-70 lever gun it'll be the Marlin 1895SBL, which is out of price range, pistol caliber lever guns I don't really care for except maybe a 16" .454 Casull stainless steel with a large loop if possible.

I've many guns I want, and too few resources to attain them. What I would like, around a meter in length or less (39-40 inches or less), barrel length of 16"-20", light overall 7-1/2lbs. - 8lbs. or less for the rifle alone, bolt action, able to have 1000 ft.-lbs. at 200 yards, ammunition with little searching to find (such as go to a Cabela's, not necessarily at the gun store down the road), easily handloaded. I've given it some thought.

 

[DanF]

Check out Savage, best accuracy out of the box...

 

[mohunter32]

Don't forget to check pawn shops for some deals. You can get a good gun for a couple hundred less than a new one. Then you will have more money to spend on a quality scope.

My first opinion is a Savage in .270. But seeing that you want a different caliber, then my next suggestion is a .308.

 

[JimH]

another quality rifle for an affordable price is the new TC Venture
http://www.tcarms.com/media/assets/pressReleases/0012TC Venture/pdf/TC_Venture_Jan09.pdf
just another option to a host of other decent rifles out there.

 

[ALMOST NORMAL]

Find yourself a Remington Model 721 in 30-06 :2thumbsup:
Ain't nothing you can't kill with it. Easy to get ammo, it's in your price range. Long shot, short shot, the deer will die.:claphands:

 

[Razorbuck]

Ruger compact. You can probably find one a couple hundred below MSRP, and it's available in a wide range of calibers.

http://www.ruger.com/products/m77HawkeyeCompact/models.html

 

[nastyjack63]

I'm a huge fan of the 25-06, great deer round and not crazy over kill on yotes and such. But the same can be said of lots of other cartridges. Also a Ruger fan but again lots of other choices that are equally as good. Although I've killed most of my deer with a $150 (1976 dollars) Rem 788 in 308 win.

 

[glennasher1]

You want a short, light inexpensive rifle, in something other than .270 or .30/06, according to your post.

My first thought would be a Remington Model Seven, in something like 7mm/08 or something like that, or the Savage 10 Sierra, both have 20" barrels and are available in 7-08 or .308, (or .243, for that matter) and both are good shooting rifles. The Remington is pushing your price limit pretty hard, though. Howas are fantastic rifles, but not light by any stretch, they are chunky. There are also the Marlin XS-7 and XL-7 rifles, inexpensive, but maybe not short and light enough. That brings us back to the Savage Sierra, a short, light rifle that is fairly priced and shoots well. I'd look at them pretty seriously. Good luck!

T

 

[Poor Valley]

Savage also offers their model 10 i something they call Model 10 FCM Scout. It comes in 308 with a 20 in barrelwith accutrigger and some "stuff". I found a buy on one 3 years ago, stripped all the extra stuff and wound up with a fine whitetail rifle.

 

[knockemdeadd]

I shoot the Savage 110 in 30.06 and love it :cheers:

 

[Doemaster]

if your into short ranges why not just a 30-30?