White Tail Deer - Hunting Rifle

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starke22

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Hi All,

Trying to decide on a first hunting rifles. Any recommendations?

30-06 vs .308?

Scopes?

Wanting to stay under $1,000 for the whole set up.

Thanks,

-James
 
What kind of hunting will you be doing? Lots of walking? Sitting in a stand? Field or bush hunting? Bithbthe 06 and 308 are very similar ballistically. Nice thing about the 06 is you can buy heavier bullets ( Remington makes a 200 or 220 grain if I’m not mistaken) 308!being a short action will have a shorter throw as well as receiver unless it’s a rifle that has a full length receiver like a few of them do ( tikka uses the same receiver for there long and short action calibers)
 
I'm not going to suggest a rifle, that is a matter or personal fit and preference. I would suggest you get a 30-06 however. During hunting season it is easier to find 30-06 ammo on the selves should your stockpile not last the entire season or, if like someone on this forum, you forget your ammo at home. Both the 30-06 and .308 have similar ballistics with the modern ammunition available.
 
Both are very similar to each other. 30-06 Springfield will do the same thing as 308 Winchester, but 100-150 FPS faster. For rifles go to your local gun store and handle a few, put them up to your shoulder. For where you are starting at I'd suggest looking at packaged rifles. Remington 783 in the wood stock is good (Comes with the Vortex Crossfire II), Savage Axis II (better trigger, better scope, scope will vary between a Weaver and Bushnell, both aren't life time scopes, but they will get you through a season or two.) Savage 110 Package rifles are a good option too. I've really been happy with my Weatherby 223 and the Vanguard packaged with the VX-2 is slightly above your price range but deserves a look. The biggest drawback for a lot of people is the hinged floorplate, but if you are walking a lot it won't be a huge issue.

Rifles are such a personal preference go out there and look and handle. It's hard to buy a truly bad gun; the internet is such a doubled edge sword that guns that have huge mechanical issues don't make it to long. Quality control and other related things are another matter. When you buy a new gun make sure to look it over before paying for it. And keep in mind on the internet and forums everyone has had a bad experience with something and if you ask that question a lot of people will use that opportunity as a sounding board for their own frustrations. And as I always say, if you buy it and hate, you can always sell it and get something else.
 
Personal choice? I'd go .308 all the way. I cut my teeth hunting with the venerable .303 cartridge. Unless you have long range, open field shots, ballistically the .308 need not take a back seat to the .30-06. I use 150 gr. or 165 gr. bullets on Whitetail, and I can load up to 190-200 gr. for larger game if I feel the need. You don't have to break the bank to get a good hunting rig. I have a No.4 sporter Lee Enfield that I tweaked to suit my needs and it's dead nuts accurate with my handloads. The rifle cost me $150., I fabricated a scope mount and a cheek rest, mounted a Weaver rail on it (cost? about another $50. + my time), and mounted a good scope on it. The scope cost more than the rifle and other bits, but total our-of-pocket expenses is around the $450. mark. I bought a Mossberg Patriot in .308 (the wooden stocked one) with the accu-trigger and put a good Vortex scope on it. The rifle cost me $400. and the used Vortex cost me $225. That too is just crazy accurate with my handloads. Get the picture?
 
If you like to be a middle of the road kinda person. Id take a savage in 308

My self, i like using 43 mauser for deer in my 1887 m71/84 and a few other less common rounds depending on my mood.
 
Don’t forget.270 it’s a very fast flat shooting round
Go to the store have a feel what feels natural and research them
 
Weatherby Vanguard in 270, 308, 30-06. A Leupold VX1- VX2 or these days a Freedom in 3-9X. You'd have shop around to bring that in under $1000, but you can do it. You'd wouldn't be compromising much if anything; Vanguards are bargain for what you're getting.

Or buy the Remington CDL in 30-06 that I have on the EE.;);)
 
Ruger American with Bushnell Throphy .308 ballistics scope.

Remington 783 with upgraded scope and rings. Like Leupold VX-1 with Leupold PRW Rings.

Howa or Weatherby Vanguard (same gun) with Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40.

Browning A-Bolt III or Winchester XPR with Burris Droptine 3-9x40.

Just throwing out rifle/scope combos that should easily be $1000 and under with tax. Caliber are nearly the same. No advantage over the other against whitetail. 30-06 can shoot heavy grain bullets over 180gr for bigger game (not that a .308 180gr couldn’t do it.) .308 has a lot more target ammo and cheap ammo to keep you shooting more plus there are a lot more scopes out there with reticals specifically designed for the .308. You could he a Tikka or Browning X-Bolt with a midrange scope for $1000 or under if you bought used. Otherwise it would be about $1500 with scope/mounts/taxes depending on rifle and scope you choose.
 
If you do some searching, there are some good deals on Tikka's with optics in your price range. Hard to beat a T3 in either cal as both will do the job and the deer wouldn't know the difference.
 
Go on the EE. Many decent used bolt guns with scopes for $800 range. Identify them, go to a LGS and try them for fit, check reviews with google fu. Buy what you want. Every year many animals are taken with 100+ year old Lee Enfield and Win 94....firearms remain capable for many years.

Dont buy a entry level new rifle. Perhaps a T3 or Vanguard. Much better rifles than Axis or 783, are available on the EE, the best online firearms marketplace in Canada.
 
white tail are ferocious. you shouldn't use anything less than a .50 BMG.

but if that's not possible, I'd go with the .308.

one of the better entry level rifles is the Remington 783, so you should be able to hit a rifle with a decent scope for $1000.
 
Tradex has some Husvarna's in .30/06 in stock at the moment, that would be a good place to start, and would leave enough of your budget for a decent scope. Much better than a new Savage Axis imo.

Otherwise, I would seek out a rifle you like and not worry too much about the calibre. I think that the 7x57 and 6.5x55 are perfect deer cartridges, for what it's worth.
 
9.3mauser said:
... I would seek out a rifle you like and not worry too much about the calibre. I think that the 7x57 and 6.5x55 are perfect deer cartridges, for what it's worth.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly.

Factory loaded with 165gr bullets, the 308 and '06 are nearly identical. Think about where you'll be hunting. Do you want a carbine or a long gun? For an 18" or 20"bbl, 308. 22" or 24" 30-06.
 
Mumbles Marble Mouth said:
Ruger American with Bushnell Throphy .308 ballistics scope.

Remington 783 with upgraded scope and rings. Like Leupold VX-1 with Leupold PRW Rings.

Howa or Weatherby Vanguard (same gun) with Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40.

Browning A-Bolt III or Winchester XPR with Burris Droptine 3-9x40.

Just throwing out rifle/scope combos that should easily be $1000 and under with tax. Caliber are nearly the same. No advantage over the other against whitetail. 30-06 can shoot heavy grain bullets over 180gr for bigger game (not that a .308 180gr couldn’t do it.) .308 has a lot more target ammo and cheap ammo to keep you shooting more plus there are a lot more scopes out there with reticals specifically designed for the .308. You could he a Tikka or Browning X-Bolt with a midrange scope for $1000 or under if you bought used. Otherwise it would be about $1500 with scope/mounts/taxes depending on rifle and scope you choose.
Click to expand...

A-bolt has a $100 mail in rebate available now to I believe.
 
Can not go wrong with either cartridge, prefer the 308, compact, short action, great fit for whitetail,
 
Howa 1500 with the scope package. Later on, if necessary, you can swap the NS Chinese scope for a decent Leupold. Upgrade to a B&C stock down the road and you have a superb rifle. Prophet River has a great selection of Howas. 308 or 30-06, or if you enjoy the European classics, 6.5x55. 6.5 Creedmore also seems to be a popular choice. Don't waste your money on a new junk rifle. There are also MANY great deals on quality used rifles in EE.
 
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