Help me pick a deer rifle.

[SuperCub]

Saber makes the most sense IMO.
What is with this crave for 200 junk.
Bought my kid one and eye just hate this thing.
Places three shots well and the rest scatter.
Only need one you say?
Hate taking a cooler full of ice to site a rifle in.
You know, shoot three shots, place barrel in cooler, shoot a couple more,
ice pack the barrel again.
Hell, when I find a better rifle for my daughter, this one will be on EE.
Find yourself a mauser 98 in 308, 7mm-08 or even a sweet 6.5X55 that
I sat on the fence on that just sold in EE for $230.
You don't need anything bigger than these calibers for deer.
All are great shooters and easy on the shoulder.

While I agree with you opening statement, the rest of the argument falls apart.

For one thing there are MANY rifles out there that don't shoot well with a hot bbl. Quite often Mausers are one of them. Why do you need more than three shots anyways at the range or in the field?

The OP mentioned that he wants/needs a 270. This is very common for folks in S. Ont as they have caliber restrictions in much of where he lives, thus the popularity of the 270. It is a very good cartridge choice ANYWHERE in Canada and very easy to find ammo for, so a better choice than all three cartridges you mention, esp in S. Ont.

The 200 is an entry priced rifle that does what it's supposed to do very well. While they are a bit hard on the eyes, they have proven to be quite reliable and accurate.

.

 

[heavyBullet]

Look into a used rifle. I picked up a Ruger M77 in .308 with scope for $400.

Yes, a good rifle(I have one also), but it too needs a new trigger. Its hard to get good groupings with a 7lb trigger. Hopefully the one you bought already had the trigger swapped out.

 

[domyalex]

Update: handled the marlin, savage 11fc and vanguard.

Went home with the Vanguard.

The Vanguard in .308 is ~0.5 inches longer than a Savage 11FC in 30-06, so no much difference there.

I'm a bit of recoil sissy, so the extra weight should help.

I'm in your same _exact_ situation and have basically the same list.

Just today I handled a Savage 11FCXP3 and a Vanguard.

Didn't like the Savage too much. The Vanguard was very, very nice, albeit heavy (7.5 lbs) and long (24" barrel, for around 44" OAL).
Adding a scope will make it heavier (duh) and in the BC bushes length could be an issue. Not sure about were you are.

Just make you sure you try them before buying (if you can).

Marlin XS7 is next on my to-try list.

 

[quackquackbang]

Congrats on the new rifle!! 308win is a excellent cartridge!

 

[Ormachek]

Congrats, I'm sure it will treat you well, pics?

 

[mike t]

stevens 200

stevens 200 is a very accurate rifle and personally the best bang for your $$$$$ good luck!

mike

 

[Budweiser2]

Excellent Choice! How about some pics? Let us know how the reloading goes.

 

[Noel McC]

My personal choice is the 270 short mag.A bolt from Browning.Awesome deer gun.