Help a new hunter!

alex909 said:
Alright i've narrowed it down to 2 likely candidates. Rem. Model 7 in .243 win or a Ruger Deerfield. What would you guys pick?

Also, and here's my shotgun bias showing, at short ranges (such as in heavy brush), shotgun slugs will really do a number on deer. If you have sights on your Mossy, or buy a rifled slug barrel for it, you could go the slug route.
 
You'll find about as many opinions on "what's the best cartridge" and "which is the best gun" as there are stars in the sky !

Most mosern cartridges ( and quite a few older ones as well ) between.243 and .45-70 are entirely adequate on deer ( and the 30 Carbine [M1] isn't one of them ! Those in the .270 and up range are also quite adequate for moose.

The New Model 7 CDL Remington's are great looking little guns. The .243, and even better, the .260, would make very nice light rifles for what you've stated you need. If moose were to be in the mix, I would opt for something a little heftier, a 7mm-08 or .308. Or, if you really want a neat heavier cartridge, which will certainly work for moose ... try the .350 Remington Magnum. Keep your choice of scope to 1-4x or 1.5 - 4.5x and you will have an effective combo for the heavy stuff. PLEASE, no 3-9x 's !!!!

Nothing wrong with the Marlin 45-70 you mentioned either, but my preference would be for the longer barelled model.

In the end run, it's going to be you who has to choose !

Pumps, levers and semi's seem to dominate the eastern deer camps, with bolts being perhaps a little more popular amongst the moose hunters. The bolts, pumps and levers are often regarded as the more accurate and less trouble prone, but semi's if kept properly cleaned and well-maintained will provide good service.
 
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help a new hunter

Another consideration is what ammo is available if you run out or forget or lose. The big 3 are always available: 30-30, 308, 30-06 and maybe .303 still.
That in itself tells a big story.
 
I hunted thich Que. woods for years using a mod. 94 lever Win. was a great first rifle, shot many deer with it. I now use a 308 which I luv, great on deer and also moose with a good bullet placement.

Just a question...but why ya wanna shoot a fox??? Coyotes ok...but y a fox?
 
hunting rig

Alex your choice of a Rem Model 7 is very good a fine rifle,very smooth action a dependable, as well the 700 model
I have one in .308win and put a Composite stock on it with a 1.75 to 6x Leupold total weight 6.4oz lbs, nice to carry.
couple of other members mentioned the .260 cal good choice, my friend has one and does a great job on deer, and shoots very well,very small groups,

but we both agree that the 7mm08 might well be the best of all in a light weight hunting gun, more downrange energy than many, including the win.308
lots of bullet choice for reloading.
you might get advice to buy other guns IE: Savage,Tika, Browning etc
I am sure the all will work fine, but I do know a used Rem action is hard to find and if you do find one they will want $400++++ just for there action
Good Luck
 
How did you go from a big game smasher at sane distances, that can be loaded light enough for varmints to nipping on the heels of the .458, works great with inexpensive cast bullets, etc.(Marlin or Ruger 45/70) to a Rem. Model7??????
 
well it needed only to be able to shoot mid sized game. The other characteristics of the gun were purely for enjoyment purposes. With the 7 the enjoyment will come from zapping 'yotes. The enjoyment from the 45/70 was that it would have been more fun as a range gun, but the lower range is a drawback for varmint hunting (in my area at least). Anyways the 45/70 will probably be next so the point is moot..... ;)
 
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