Favorite deer rifle?

I bought my first deer rifle in 1985, I was 16 years old and I saved up and bought a Remington 7400 .30-06. A year later I bought a new Ruger Ultralight in .270. From that point on I have owned numerous rifles chambered in .243, .280, 7mm-08, .308, 7mm REM. Mag., .270 Weatherby Mag., .300 Weatherby Mag., 6.5x.284 NORMA and 6.5 Creedmoor.

Of all of the rifles that I have owned, or currently own, the one that I keep going back to is my Remington 7mm-08. The first one that I bought was blued with a laminated stock. I bought this rifle probably 25 years ago and I have killed lots of deer with it anywhere from shotgun range to 300+ yards. I like this particular rifle and caliber so much that I purchased another one last year, the HS Precision model and then I put a Timney trigger in it. I don’t see the need for another rifle, ever. With the 120 grain hand loads that I shoot it’s plenty of rifle for anything from whitetails to moose.

What’s your favorite rifle?

I have a few, but my old Sako 75 finnlight 7mm-08 topped with an old Zeiss 3.5x10-50mm conquest scope would be my favorite. I've killed more critters with that gun than with all my others combined. I actually traded it off at local gun shop about 16 years ago, and went back 2 days later when i came to my senses, and luckily it was still there lol.....

Favorite is a Win Mod 70 in .308 but probably killed more with a Marlin 30-30 and an AR15. For field/shooting house the Mod 70. Tree sitting the 30-30. Stalk hunting the AR15.

whichever one I have in my hands at the time. I am a fan of the 7mm-08 as well.

My favorite was a model 700 270. Bought new with my own money when I was 16. Simmons aetec scope. Had to sell the rifle and some others when i got laid off in 13. Scope still sits on my sons 7mm-08.

Jm stamped marlin 30/30 with fixed 4x scope

Remington Model 7 308

Have 2 current favorites, 1a is a custom 6.5 PRC with Defiance, a 22" Proof barrel in a McMillan with a Trigger Tech topped with a Swaro Z6. 1b started life in 1994 as a Browning Stalker in 280 that ultimately became a safe queen until John Gallagher worked some magic. He reamed it to 280 AI (original not SAAMI), cerakoted it tungsten, bedded in a B&C stock with an Ernie trigger spring topped with 4.5-14x50 Zeiss Conquest. Both just feel right to me, both shoot little tiny groups.

My favorite is a Kimber Montana 308 I bought at a pawn shop for $650 several years ago, it aint fancy looking but it fits my hunting style, I put a conquest scope on it...it's really not a long range gun but I've made several kills on yotes n deer out to 300...

Remington 700 LSS Left hand 30 06 . My wife bought it for me in 1998. It’s a killer !

Like Riflenut: 1a 1992 Browning A-Bolt 30-06 in a synthetic stalker stock topped with a Leupold VX5hd 2-10x42. 1b is a Remington 760 30-06 that currently has a Sig Whiskey 3 3-9x40. I'm thinking about having this one bored and chambered to 35 Whelen and topping it with a Trijicon Accupoint 1-6 x24

Riflenut, could you post some more pics of your Browning or pm them to me? My Browning is in bad need of a makeover, I really like the looks of yours.

Right now if I hunt , 35 Whelen H&R single shot or a H&R 357mag .if I'm in a blind

Savage axis xp ii 3006 rebarreled to 35 Whelen with a boyd thumb hole stock If not in a blind.


Ever thing else just takes up space

Remmy 742 carbine in 30-06 with the orig Redfield 2-7 wideview and leather sling my deceased mother bought my father in 72’ for their 1st wedding anniversary. It’s killed a bunch of critters.

Was my custom Remington 700 in 270STW but it didn't survive the fire. I'll have another built after I replace all my reloading stuff

Beautiful pair of rifles right there. Really digging the custom Browning, don’t see many of those. Very nice

My Christensen arms Ridgeline is growing on me.

But if I had to pick one, CVA optima. It’s nostalgic.

I only hunt with 2 rifles
A early 90's Browning A-Bolt in .30-06, composite stalker model
The other is a H&R handi rifle in 45-70

Tc encore caliber depends on what mood I'm in and what barrel it's wearing
Rem 700 7mm rem mag

Here ya go:




She really likes 140 GameKings pushed hard with IMR4350. Here's a 5 shot group, .328".

^^^^ that 5 shot group is IMPRESSIVE, wow…great shooting

Nice looking guns

I hav a beautiful tika lite 2506 in black and stainless topped w 50 mm Zeiss Victory- but my go to is an old model 700 Remington 270 topped with an old 56 mm Ziess conquest - best trigger I ever worked and I am shooting the Hybrid Burgers through it m 140 grain
For Muzzleloader I hav black N stainless Knight topped w 55 mm Meopta

Dang. Hard question. I really like my new Tikka T3x in .308, then there is my new Christianson Arms 6.5 PRC, still love my Marlin 1895 in .450 Marlin and my .338 federal.

Custom 6.5-.284 shoots good but too heavy and cumbersome.

Nice looking rifle Lonster and quite the shooter I see. I’ve got a pre-‘64 M70 Featherweight custom chambered in 6.5x284. She’s not a 1 hole shooter like that rig of yours but she is sub-MOA w/ 120gr NBT’s and a pure pleasure to shoot.

Remington 700 BDL DM (detachable magazine) in .280 Remington. I bought it in 1991. I had it on layaway for almost a year and scoped it with a Simmons .44 mag scope. I didn't have much money then and this was a huge investment for me. I have killed over 120 whitetails with this rifle. The Simmons scope was a good scope for almost 30 years but finally got foggy. It now has a Leoupold VX3 on it and still continues to kill deer. I have more expensive rifles now but when I want to get the job done, it's my go to.

Ruger M77 MkII 308. No

Very nice and mighty fine shooting sir

Browning Abolt stainless .308 topped with a Burris Euro Diamond 3x12x56 #4 reticle illuminated dot. Started hunting with it in 2016 and have put 10 bucks on the wall with it since. It’s not my lightest or smallest rifle but it is just an accurate sweet shooting deer killing machine with 150gr blue box federals.

Nice strong showing from Team Browning in this thread. Those EuroDiamonds are top notch glass, fantastic bang for the buck and way more optic than anything remotely near their price range. I would love for Burris to bring that line back.

Bonus pts for the ASAT leafy suit

Right now a Kimber Mountain Ascent. Of all time, a 1982 700 ADL.

Rem 700 308 custom.hs precision stock,shilen barrel,rifle basix trigger, and leupy scope.not my best shooting rifle or most expensive rifle but I keep picking it up and leaving the others

It's a long list in reality but if I had to pick one it would be my first.

My .308 Sako Mannlicher. Looks like this but scoped:

One of those sharp edged Marlin 4x’s smacked my eye socket hard 40 years ago and it got yanked for something with a little more relief and rubber surround once it found itself in my house. But she’s the one for brush popping in the thick stuff.
Or a pump remi 30-06 if an opportunity to stretch out the distance exists.

My favorite changes by the day, hour, or minute… but right now I’m really digging the Cooper Custom chambered in 280Rem with Swaro 4-12x50. She really likes 140gr Berger VLD’s over 53.5gr of H4350.

27 year old A-Bolt .308 with black synthetic stock. Topped with a Leupol 3x9x50 scope. Only gun I'll ever need.

I'll bid a Sako model 75 Finnlight, .308 with a Leuplod Vari-X III 2.5-8 with custom heavy duplex.

BAR in 30-06 with a Burris scope sitting on top of see through mounts.....1983 model.

Damn son? Very nice!

Asking BCLC what his favorite gun is would he like asking Ozzy Osborne what his favorite drug is! Soooo many good choices!!!

She’s mighty Purty!

REM 700 in 308 for me.

I have several deer hunting rifles but the only one I ever hunt with is a Sauer 100 Ceratech 30-06 Springfield with a Zeiss Diavari 2,5-10XX50 T*

My go to for the last 6 years or so has been a Custom Marlin 1895SBL in 45-70 with 16.5” barrel sporting a silencerco hybrid and a leupold 1-4 optic. John Gallagher did the custom work and cleaned up the action and trigger. I use it in conjunction with my 350gr hp handloads. Works great under 200.

Here recently I have been toting a tc encore in 25-06 with a leupold vxr or a tc encore with 45-70 barrel. Really liking how compact these break actions are.

My go to is my Thompson center venture weather shield .30-06. Tipped with a trijicon accupower 2.5-10x56. federal fusion 165s.

I have other nicer rifles and glass. But this is the one I'm carrying 99%

I have just always loved the look of a Mannlicher stocked rifle and finally purchased a Ruger Hawkeye RSI model recently.

Well this is like asking my to pick my favorite child but here goes. I guess I would go with my Tikka 25-06 with an aftermarket stock and Schmidt & Bender scope.

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Browning BAR 30/06 with Williams ghost sight for running dogs.
Browning A bolt 270 for all other applications. I’ve had this gun for 27 years.

Dang, Brownings everywhere. Where you running dogs?

SAVIGE AXIS 308

Whatever in .308

Considering getting a .22-250 for deer, and doubling as a coyote rifle. Works for both. Hogs, too.

Mississippi for dog hunting. I grew up running dogs in Pearl River County. Hunted off and on since 2005 up around Louisville.

Everyone has their favorites, but the sweetest feeling rifles I’ve ever shot have all been Brownings. Confidence in what I’m used to has a lot to do with it. A lot of the hunters I grew up around, that’s all they used. A lot of the older guys only used the BAR’s with open sights.

Way more effective than buckshot. Deer steps out at 75 yards, if you can shoot, you can kill him (and you don’t have to run him 3 miles to do it and there will be a significant amount more blood than with buckshot). I don’t want to start that debate on this thread though (the “not safe” crew will be along right behind the “my old 1100 will shoot all 12 OO in a bucket bottom at 60 yards crew here shortly)!

My Abolt 270 was bought when I was 14. I have a high level of confidence in that rifle. Not that it’s any better than any other brand or caliber, just what I’m used to. I’ve probably killed over 100 deer with that gun, but really have no way to count them to be honest.

Edit: I’ll add my daughter has a BAR in 270 that is nice and I like it too. My Dads BAR 308 is the sweetest shooting rifle I’ve ever shot.

My current go to Alabama rifle/scope combo is a Nosler TGR chambered in .257 Roberts and it's topped with a Swarovski Z6 1.7-10x42 scope.

I have been eyeballing a CVA 35 Whelen lately

My thumb would get sore from typing all my favorites on this phone. Calibers are 45-70,6.5 grendel,270,25-06,338 rum,308,6.5 rem mag,6.5x55,

I wasn’t being critical. I was remembering some good times. Remington pump 30-06 does some damage to a deer in front of dogs. Wish I still hunted that way.

Anyone who has actually used an Abolt in a short action caliber and said “I don’t like it” is insane.
There’s many great rifles out there, but for the money I don’t know how you could beat one. Abolt II in short action is my vote.
Good used Leupold vari x III 4.5-14x50 on top. Deer killer for years.

my favorite as well! wish i could find a skeleton stock to pair with mine!

1978 model Marlin 30-30,
Savage model 110 in .270 under a Leopold VXIII 3x9x50

by far a late 70's Remington 700 Classic in 270 Win, topped with a Leupold 3X9X40 scope. A certified deer killer.

For years I toted a stainless Abolt II 7-08 with the same scope I now have on the Finnlight . Fine rifle and I do like it , but I like the Finnlight much better.

Didn’t take it as critical. All 👍 here on my end.

Those pumps were killers for my family. Reliable and accurate.

Wish I still hunted more that way too. I get to go once a year with my Dad. The last day is always sad.

I don't care for Browning rifles. Horrible trigger and don't like the bolt handle or the style.

I have many guns but nothing compares to my Abolt 2 stainless 30.06. I’ve carried it 25 years. It has killed truckloads of deer. Truckloads.

Nothing a polish job and a spring won't cure.

My favorite is an original Browning A-Bolt .270 that my parents gave me in 1990. I had Gundoc Cerakote a few years back and dropped it in a Bell &Carlson stock. I also put a spring kit in the trigger. I’ve killed a ton of deer with that rifle. My Bergara HMR Pro chambered in 6.5 PRC is getting there quickly. Only problem with it is it’s strictly a shooting house gun. It weighs a ton, but damn is it sweet to shoot. I’m shooting a Barnes 120gr TTSX out of it just below 3200fps. I’ve killed one doe at 250 yards so far with that round and it performed great. I’ve also got a Bergara Premier Mountain Rifle 6.5 PRC. Still working on load development for it. It shoots the Hornady 143gr ELD-X’s great, but I’m not happy with that round’s performance on whitetails. Got some 140 Accubonds N2TRKYS loaded for me I need to try out. It’s going to be my western hunting rig.

Don't know about a CVA but those short rifles are nice at times hard to beat in a blind or thick brush. 35 Whelen puts a thump on deer as for the 357 mag I'd pick it over a 223 any day for a 100yrd or less.

Ive killed a bunch of them with a 742

I’m a die hard Browning man, not gonna lie. My main girl is an Abolt II stainless stalker .30-06 with a Nikon monarch 3-9x40. It’s killed everything from raccoons to 300lb boars. I honestly couldn’t tell you how many deer, pigs and coyotes I’ve killed with it but it’s ALOT. Number 2 is a Belgian made BAR .270 with a Nikon monarch 3-9x40.

I like my browning x bolt in .270. I’ve had a BAR before and a savage (both stollen) . I prefer the x bolt.

When I was probably 10 years old my dad picked me up a ruger m77 mark ii off here chambered In 7mm-08. I want to say he gave 400ish for it with a scope and ammo. 10 years later I still use it. I can obviously sell it for a hefty amount as the mark ii are pretty rare but I have not seen many in 7mm-08, but I plan to hold onto it forever and eventually pass it down to my future kids and let them enjoy it as much as I have.

Browning x bolt 25-06 for me. Just got a Browning x bolt hells canyon speed chambered in 308 but wife will not let me have it until Christmas. So we will see

Man I’ve got a few. Styer Pro Hunter in 30.06, Weatherby Vanguard in .270. I just acquired a pre 64 Winchester Mod 70 in .264 Win Mag. Quickly becoming my go to rifle.

This my friends is why they make so many models and styles.
Everybody has a good reason why a particular gun is Their favorite!

Browning Abolt II Hunter in 30-06, Abolt II Stainless Stalker 308, and Abolt II stalker 270. Every now and then I’ll break out the Marlin 336.

Remington 700 BDL stainless synthetic in 260