A More Reliable And User Friendly Deer Rifle

Never could get into the pump or auto loaders.... Just don’t see the point. Pumps have many more moving parts so I really can’t see how they are more reliable than the bolt action? Maybe I’m missing something?
 
I wouldn't use a pump for deer hunting because I sometimes depending on terrain and conditions lay prone and rest the rifle on my pack or other rest. It's totally disruptive to have to pump to reload if necessary.
 
I had a Rem 76 gas auto in 30-06. It had nice narrow groups that were 2' tall at 100 yds. Nothing changed that spread. For my money, the best deer rifle is the one you like. And I happen to like a 300 Win Mag, preferably with a big trigger guard, because I dragged the tip of my glove getting into position for one of the biggest deer I've ever seen. Never got off the shot.
 
Most of my hunting guns are bolt action. With a couple of levers thrown into the mix. I also have a few single shots that I enjoy hunting with. Never had a pump or semi. Pumps seem to rattle lots and never had the itch for a semi...
 
I have a Rem 760 in .270, shot a few moose and deer with it. Great gun. The newer 7600's had quality issues and never shot as good. Yes the forestock rattles.
 
I ran a 760 in .270 for years as a youngster. Great little iron that I should have kept. It was a very reliable and user friendly deer rifle with no forestock rattle.
I also tried a Remington 750 in 30-06 for a while, that I picked up in a trade.
I didn't have much 30-06 brass on hand and I lost 4 brass of the first 20 rounds I built for it so I swapped it for an Sks and an JM 1895 in 45-70.
I can't stand irons that spit reusable evidence everywhere. :)
 
Bolt action for sure. I mean I think I may have seen a pump action center fire once at a gun show maybe but really not very common out west.
 
I've never really like the Remington pumps much. A friend of mine had one that he raved about, but he always had trouble with the magazines in it, lots of jams as a result or the mag dropping out of the rifle. I was with him a few times to witness these issues and the white tails disappearing into the bush. He was never real big on maintaining anything either though, so may not be the case with all of them.

Different strokes for different folks after all.

I can't say I have a major preference. I cycle through bolt, semi, and levers constantly depending on how I feel when I open the gun safe.
 
The 760 is a good short to medium range choice, but very utilitarian and rudimentary, it lacks class and finesse... I can't bring myself to field one. A few of the old fellas at deer camp shoot them and they get deer, although none of them are marksmen and a bit of the "spray & pray" mentality... I do my best to get them zeroed and practiced, but it is a fight every fall.
 
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