I was wondering what you guys thought was the best deer rifle out there...I'm getting a Remington 700 243....But was wondering what you guys thought....:D
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I was wondering what you guys thought was the best deer rifle out there...I'm getting a Remington 700 243....But was wondering what you guys thought....:D
I don't do much hunting for them but I have always heard that the 270 is the best gun for deer in Louisiana. The 243 is a good gun also but I don't think it has quite the knock down or distance as the 270. Hope this helps some.
TJ, you talkin' 'bout brands or calibers?
Savages are the most accurate and best priced! Anything smaller than a 30-06 and bigger than a .22 hornet is fine. I like a .270.
C.L., im with you on the .270. Hunted for 15 years and never used anything else. About the brand, I sold my browning a-bolt:( about a year ago. A buddy of mine wanted it worse than I did. Havent really been into hunting that much the last couple of years, so I let him have it. Now im thinkin bout starting to hunt a little bit again, and Ive realized it would take twice the amount of money to replace it than I sold it for:rolleyes: . Stupid, stupid, stupid. anyway, since I dont want to shell out 1500.00 right now, Ive been looking at other brands. I have heard that the savage is an accurate gun, but have any of 'yall heard much about the Tikka t3? They say for the money, its the best thing out right now. Dont know, but Im thinkin' bout checkin' one out.Quote:
Originally Posted by crappielimits
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Originally Posted by jh_blount
Just trying to see what you guys think...Brands or calibers...
I think for the money, I would atleast consider the Tikka. My 2 cents.......
I personally have never heard of a Tikka. (But that doesn't mean much.) I shoot a .308 win and feel really comfortable at up to 300yrds with it. Take the ballistics from a .270, 30-06 and a .308 and there isn't a nickle's worth of difference. I shot a .243 for years and always got my deer. It is a bit faster than the others and flatter shooting for sure. You are right about the knock-down, or the lack there of, but still a very good gun. The newer calibers on the market, 7mm win short mag (7mmwsm and a 300wsm) are the newest and greatest as far as flat shooting and ballistics (IMO). If I were to buy a brand new deer rifle, I would personally go for a 7mmwsm in a remington or savage. That is just me though. Take my opinion and 50 cents and someplaces, you might buy a cup of coffee.:cool:
I like Ruger brand and .243 caliber.
I own:
Model 742 Rem in .243.
Model 77 Ruger in .270.
Model 700 Rem in 25.06.
Ruger .44 mag carbine.
I like the .243 better than any of them.
Just my personel experience and opinion.
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Originally Posted by bobberwatcher
Only recently heard of them myself, but afterwards checked them out on the internet. Manufactured if Finland by SAKO. I know Sakos are great rifles. The barrel and trigger is the same from Sakos top line. The reciever, im not sure. Checked out some forums, and 9 out of 10 people on there said they loved them.
BTW, what do y'all think about the 25-06?
Blount, tikka is a fine rifle and the 25-06 is a great caliber! I still would rather have a savage with the accutrigger personally. PM me before you buy as the outdoors store here that used to sponsor me in tourneys have the best prices around and they are Browning dealers. Tell me what you are looking at and if they can beat the price you can come and get it and it Talquin!
How's this one TJ - http://www.barrettrifles.com/rifle_82.aspx
I hunted for many years and started using a Win 300 Mag in 1973. People would laugh and call it an elephant gun; today a lot of people shot a large magnum. It only take about 1000 ft/lbs to make a clean kill on a white tail but the larger magnums will make the kill and punch a hole out the other side. What this does is leave a blood trail and this area if you make a bad hit or hit a large bone you most likely won't have blood trail. If the deer travel 200 yards or 1/2 mile in thickets you are lucky to find it. I have spent a lot of nights helping friends track a deer but none that were shot with a 7 mag or 300 mag. Just my own preference; there are a lot of deer killed with most all calibers.
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Originally Posted by Darryl Morris
http://www.oafe.net/yo/art/mcmatapu1.jpg :D :D
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Originally Posted by Darryl Morris
Hehe, from what I hear grubby will get one of these for that fellow that hollers "FISH ON" all the way across Cane Creek....LOL
The Savage 243 bolt actions are very accurate, we have 2 of them, my oppinion they are a good all around rifle. As for the penatration and thru shots, We have never had a problem with them, leaves a big enough hole on exit for a decent blood trail. And I think the bullets will out travel the 270 because of the weight of the bullets. I have a 30-06 Interarms Mark X, double trigger. Very accurate also, just the 06 bullet seems to drop faster than most.
I notice some talking about the TIKKA. My buddy bought one in the 270 model, Nikkon scope with the BDC reticle mounted on top. The most accurate rifle I have seen yet. Has it sighted in at 200 yards and in a 3 shot group, Unbelievable, all three holes cutting the edge of the other holes, making a triangle about the size of a dime.
He did a lot of research before he bought it, and if I remember correctly they are test fired at the factory and have to shoot a 1 inch group before they allow them to leave the factory. Thats impressive.
It has been intersting to read that some are proud of their Savages. I inherited one in 30-06. I can't even hit paper at one hundred yards with factory loads. I had a freind do some hand loads and toned them down a tad; then I could group them with in an inch at 100. Hey!! That guy gave me that rifle instead of paying me for a loan. You don't think......:eek: :mad:
But, as far as .243, I bought one from a Western Auto store about 30 years ago. It is a Revelation brand; I think Mossburg made it. I got tired of chasing deer after I shot them, so when and if I ever go hunting I shoot them in the neck or ear. For more knock down, I always shoot 100 grain. It is a sweet gun. If I can see it, I can shoot it. I made a bet that I could bust an egg at 500 yards one time. We were at a sure enough shooting range. An egg was placed at a rams feet. I shot about 3" low but a rock still busted the egg. No body would pay up because I didn't "shoot" the egg. My bet was that I could bust it.
DP
TJ, Do you plan on making long range shots or are you gonna use this rifle here in Arkansas? If you are gonna mcake lonf range shots i woult optfor a Wetharby 7mm, if you are gonna shoot here then a winchester mod 94 30-30 is really all you need. JMO
I'm just trying to get some info. At this point I dont have a rifle. I'm looking for a good all around gun that I would be able to hunt with all year. IT would help if it would also make crappie jump into the boat while out fishing!:DQuote:
Originally Posted by stinkies daddy
Go with a 30-06 good all around cartrige savage makes a good rifle but if you want a really really good 1 go for the Ruger No1Quote:
Originally Posted by TJ Adams
7mm 08
Can't beat it. I think a 30-06 is way overkill. I have seen alot of shoulders blown away because of that cal. Thats alot of meat gone. What ever you get just shoot it in the neck and you won't have to worry about it. Heck a 22 mag on up to whatever will work when you have good placement
Unless you plan on extreme long ranges stay with popular calibers. The shells are less costly and easy to find. I recommend .243 , .270 , or 30.06 . I use a 30.06 and have taken lots of deer up to 250 yds. With a well placed shot almost any caliber will kill deer cleanly. But a slightly off shot is better with something like a 30.06 or .270. I recommend you practice more than using exteme firepower. Because nothing beats being able to place your shot in the kill zone. I've seen deer dropped in their tracks with 22 calibers with a good hit. Also seen them run off with bad hits from those magunum guns that usually kill on both ends.:rolleyes:
I like the Browning 1885 high wall in 7mm mag and I also have one in 45/70. These are single shot falling block action rifles, super accurate and a lot of fun to shoot. I reload all my ammo so I down load the 7 mag with 120 grain balastic tip bullets for great accuracy and hole in hole groups. The most important thing is shoot and shoot alot and have confiedence in your gun no matter what type of gun you buy. In most cases you get what you pay for so if you go cheap it will shoot like it is a cheap gun.
my son uses a rem .243 youth rifle. He is only 13 and has shot about 6 deer. Every shot has been a neck shot and they drop right where they were standing. Longest shot to date in a food plot is about 75 yards
I like the .243, all three of my boys have killed with it, longest shot about 125 yards. Body shots, none of the deer went more than 30 yrds.Quote:
Originally Posted by laserdoc
Yeah boyyyyyy! I told ya!!!. and I bet you still had all the meat left to :)Quote:
Originally Posted by jlaughlin72
Crappie.com is a great site and the Arkansas board is fantastic. I am very thankful that T.J. started this post. Christmas and birthdays are in the near future and both my boys are wanting to get more involved in hunting. We never did much of it in the past because we really didn't have a place to hunt. I am learning more about huntable COE strips and WMA's, so that gives us a place. I remembered this post and it has been a great help in my research (except for that goofball joking about 50cal.). The .270 or the 7mm (.275) sounds pretty good to me. If anyone has more thoughts post'em.
P.S. I have and use an 8mm Mauser with iron sites. My eyesight isn't what it used to be and I'm considering having it scoped. Any suggestions.
Darryl, if you are looking for a good quality scope without putting you in the poor house, I would recomend NIKON scopes. If I remember right, I bought a 3-9X40mm for around 125.00. Lifetime warranty and to me it has the same clarity as the Leupolds and the Ziess.Quote:
Originally Posted by Darryl Morris
If you want a bigger view you can go to a 50mm lense, but I don't like them because they seem to get "bumped" alot easier and get thrown off-site easier.
I bought the camo one and I love it, its much clearer than the Simmons and Tasco world class's that I have.
Here is one in black on ebay if you want to look at it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-Prostaff-R...QQcmdZViewItem
Personally, I have always liked the Leupolds, but they are a little pricey. :(
Agreed. Nikon is a very good scope for the money.Quote:
Originally Posted by jlaughlin72
browning 30-06 or 7mm with leupold scope, done forever.
With the new stuff out today I can't make any suggestions except for the lesson in this story....Quote:
Originally Posted by Darryl Morris
I scoped a .243 about 20 years ago with a drop compensator Redfeild scope. It cost around $150 if I remember right; a lot of money back then. I sighted it in at the range with no problems. But, in the feild I couldn't hit anything. I was so discouraged with this "fancy" scope that I chunked it and put a $30 Busnell on it and have not missed since. After being put away for the last 15 years, I loaned the rifle to a co-workers son this year. He put his first deer on the ground with one shot. Long story short, I would not try to get too fancy if I were doing it again.
DP
Thanks DP, I agree with you. I'm seriously considering the basic Savage 270 scoped combos. Good price and a package deal. I've been given good reviews on them for such a simple gun. I looked into having my 8mm scoped and that's just not going to happen. Buying the scope is no problem but it is a WWII vintage gun and would have to be drilled and tapped for mounts, etc. Not that I care that happen to the rifle but I've not found a gunsmith confident and willing to do it. I guess I'll just have to treat myself one day with a new gun and scope. Maybe a .300mag. Little guys like BIG guns, lol.
I only have 2 deer rifles a 22-250 and a 300 Win Mag.
I have made 250 yard shot with both and dropped them in their tracks. But its all about shot placement with both guns. But if I was buying a new gun it woul be a 280 less recoil than a 270 or a 243.
Just my 2 cents
Sam W
I think I would consider your hunting area. Are you in the woods with a one hundred yard shot, or in a field with a 300 yard shot. The woods would be better with a bigger bullet, 30 cal. or bigger in case of limbs or brush. In the fields a flat shooting caliber would be better. I use a 25:06 in both but reload my shells and make sure I have a clean shot. If I bought factory rounds i would consider a 270, 308, or something similar. As for as a youth gun I would use a bolt action in a small caliber such as a 243, i would shy away from hammer guns and lever actions with a hammer. As for as brand I would just stick with a major one. Savage to save a buck, Tika, Remington, Winchester, Sako, Browning to name a few. Some have nicer stocks which costs a little more, to save a dollar, go with a synthetic one. Sorry for rambling. Dave
I have a .300 too. It will blow all of the leaves off of the ground or out of the tree I am in. I used it quite a bit in Pennsylvania. I would shoot deer on the opposite mountain that I saw "sneaking" up on my buddies. No bull...400 to 500 yard shots were not uncommon just to get a rise out of somebody for shooting "their" deer.Quote:
Originally Posted by Darryl Morris
DP
Darryl there is lots of public lands that can be hunted for free. The main thing is to research and get maps. Forest Service has 1000's of acres of open hunting land , Corps of Engineers Lakes usually have 100's if not 1000's of acres of huntable land around each lake. There are many AGFC WMA's as well as Federal Refuges which most are open to the public. There are a few areas which have limited seasons or draw for hunts. Good luck on your hunting and fishing. Hunting as well as fishing is something which I love to see kids get involved in. If you need info on where or contacts on hunting oppertunities feel free to ask.:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Darryl Morris
Down here, they have property that belongs to the school board's and it is open to the public for hunting and fishing, maybe its like that up there too.