What's your choice of deer rifle at this time and why?

I know most hunters have more than one choice just curious what everybody's using and what makes you use it more often then any other.

i sold my two single-shots in .30-'06 and .45-70. bought a Ruger american bolt-action in .308 right after xmas. it's my only centerfire. it'll do.

Kimber Montana 7mm-08 with a 2-7 kahles.
Because it weighs 6 lbs scope and all. It's light and fast handling. I can shoot a 1" group at 150 yards with it. I've killed 3 with it this year.

mr. clark, you have some fine kit ...

Thank you sir. I've wanted one for a while and the wife bought me this one for my birthday last year. I have not been disappointed.It takes a little practice to learn how to shoot a light rifle but I am liking it more every day.

Savage 110 7mag. Use my ak sometimes in thick stuff.

Ruger M77 MkII stainless 308
Timney trigger

In the woods in my climber I'm using my Remington 700 mountain rifle in 7mm-08. Got it topped with a 3.5 x 10 44mm Zeiss Conquest. I absolutely love this rifle. It's fun to shoot and shoulders easily.

For greenfields and power lines I use a Remington 700 BDL in 270 topped with a 3x9 50mm Zeiss Conquest. This rifle is heavier but is a tack driver shooting Federal 130 grain Sierra Game Kings.

Stalk hunting a Winchester 30-30 w/4X scope or AR15 in .223 w/ACOG.Both are light, short, fast, easy to move with, good optics, and good at close range. Tree sitting a scoped AR10 in .308. Its a 18" barrel with sliding stock, very compact, easy to move around with in a tree stand. Field hunting a Win Mod 70 308 with Burris scope or a Mauser in 30-06 with Leupold 3x10 scope. Both are big, heavy, solid, and with a shooting stick very accurate.

tikka t3 stainless 270. lite and accurate.

Browning A-Bolt 30.06.....only 1 I ever use.

Do you use any type of optic? I've debated using my AK for thick woods as well but didn't know if I should go with an optic since the iron sights aren't real precise.

Tikka T3 stainless in 7 mag.

Been looking at lighter/more compact options to use when hunting in the woods. I really like the Steyr Scout but I'm also thinking about a Daniel Defense Ambush is 300 Blackout. Anyone use either of these setups?

[img:left]http:// https://www.dropbox.com/s/u9dkf8v4ajcly8l/20150103_203057.jpg?dl=0[/img]

Kimber Montana 7-08 topped with a Zeiss diavari T×3-12-56. It's a sweet and @ 6lbs it's like toting your favorite. 22. [img]http:// https://www.dropbox.com/s/u9dkf8v4ajcly8l/20150103_203057.jpg?dl=0[/img]

Jmalone.. nope just the iron sights. Longest shot were i use it is about 50 yards. I can hit dip cans and coke bottles that far so a deer isn't a problem. But i would shoot farther. I figure if some day it might save my tail. I should get decent with the iron sights.

Love my savage 243.

700 in 270 win topped with a 3x9x50 Vari-x 2. Been using that combo since I was 15.

Tikka T3 .308 under a Zeiss HD5 2-10x42 with 165 grain Federal Premium Sierra Game Kings. Light, easy handling, MOA or better, and the Game Kings leave a golf to tennis ball size exit.

I guess I should clarify, my primary weapon is a 6yo with a Savage 243. He has done all the shooting this year!

I needed a medium to high power rifle, light weight, easy to carry in the thickets and up the steep slopes. Settled in on a Tikka T3 Compact in 308 Win. It weighs in around 6 lbs, has a 20" barrel, and is fairly inexpensive. Ive got a Nikon Monarch 4-16x50 scope on it and will replace it in a few weeks with a Leupold 3.5-10x50 with heavy duplex reticle. That will make it, in my opinion, the perfect gun for hunting the mountains and thickets.

It's light, it's got plenty of power, it's easy to port with a sling strap and doesn't hang up on limbs because the barrel doesn't rise above my head when stowed. Plus all I need mag wise is 6-8x (Shots are 80 yards max) and the 50mm objective and HD reticle rocks in low light situations.

Another advantage is, as I am a reloader, there is a lot of support for the .308 round in terms of powder, lead, and recipes.

I can't see myself hunting with anything else unless I had more money to spend. This whole rig with the Leupold will end up costing $1100

I'm shooting 165g Hornady SST and 150g Barnes TSX/TTSX, so far the 150g TTSX is my most accurate round (Varget)

A-bolt 25.06 with 22 inch barrel and a Nikon Monarch 3-9x40. Shooting a Federal Premium 115 grain Nosler Partition. It works fine for me anywhere from thickets to new clear cuts. I turn the scope down to 3 in the thick stuff and crank it up to 8 or 9 over the cuts.

I go to my BAR SHORTTRACK 308 in MOBU when the bucks start chasing does. It has a Zeiss 3x10x50 on it. I still keep my custom 7mm-08 bolt action in the truck in case I decide to use it.

I'll probably be doing some climbing soon..So my choose would be my sako finnlight 7mm08...

Red Hawk Rifles Custom .300 WSM Rem MDL 700 topped with a 3.5-18x44 Swarovski

Or

Blaser R-93 Attache' with a .257 WBY barrel topped with a 4-16x50 Swarovksi

I've got a tc encore with a burberry barrel in 7mag and a nikon bdc on top and a 7mm 08 barrel with iron sights. Got several other rifles ruger m77 my dad gave me for my first rifle and a pair of remington 7400 woodmasters in 243 and 30 06 that belonged to my grandparents

But all I have hunted with this is my h&r ultra slug hunter. It's as accurate as most rifles and all I ever hunt is corp land or thick stuff on a couple wmas

Depends on whether I'm in the woods or on a green field, in a tree or in a house, but more often than not I grab a Ruger 1 in 30'06 topped with a Zeiss Conquest.

Sako model 75 Finnlight, .308, 2 lbs 12 oz trigger setting. Hornady 150gr SSTs. Leupold Vari-X III 2.5-8 with custom heavy duplex reticle. I hunt NA mountains in very thick timber. I need something fairly light, short, swings good, that shoots off handed well. This is the best rifle/scope combo I've ever toted for how and where I hunt. And.....it's a tack driver, yep, I said it!

Non rainy days:

Winchester M70 Ranger (blued barrel and blonde wood stock) 270 w/ 22" barrel shooting 140 grain SST
Leupold VXlll 3.5 X 10 X 50 heavy duplex

Rainy days:


Remington M700 BDL DM SS 25-06 w/ 24" barrel shooting 120 grain Core-Lokts
Leupold VX3 3.5 X 10 X 50 heavy duplex

Weatherby Vanguard S2 in 308, Conquest 3-12x56 scope, Fusion 165 grain ammo. If I'm hunting brush then Stevens 350 12ga
slug with an 18 1/2 barrel and adjustable sights.

Depends on the mood mostly.

Thick woods where shots will be close and fast : NEF 44 MAG w/ 2x7x32 Bushnell

Mountains or where alot of walking is involved : Wifes Ruger American compact 308 w/ 3x9x40 Nikon Prostaff

Bean fields: Browning A Bolt 30-06

Got a Savage 300WSM and a Rem 700 243 for whenever the mood strikes to carry something different

Just picked up a Winchester model 70 300 Win Mag that will become my bean field rifle next year, the WSM will become my mountain rifle

Illusion

You all have alot of great combinations.R_H_Clark sweet rifle. 2Dogs is that scope a special order from leupold and what objective is it?

2.5-8 are 36 mm objectives. For some silly reason Leupold doesn't offer it with heavy duplex. Mine was sent back and installed several years ago. Now you can order them straight from their custom shop.

Seems like yours works pretty well for you then, unfortunately mine has a front sight/gas block combo so the sight radius is kind of short and not very forgiving. In the meantime, I have a synthetic Savage 110 in .270 with a Nikon Buckmaster in a DNZ mount. I feel like both are good mid-level combo that won't break the bank are pretty accurate and reliable.

Remington left hand 700 Sps 7mm 08 topped with a 2.5x10x42 monarch for most days. Stag model 7 Hunter topped with monarch 4-16-50 if I feeling froggy.

I also have two BARs I use as well.

A 1970's Remington 760 (pump action) in .308 topped with a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40. For me it is the best of worlds for the way I typically hunt. Rugged, reliable in all conditions, short and fast handling, rapid follow up shots, accurate.

My first deer rifle was that same gun in a 270. Bought it used from a guy in 1975. Had see thru mounts and a 3x9 Bushnell scope. It sure was fun to shoot. Sold it when I was a freshman at Auburn to buy a bolt action. Wish I still had it.

My buddy bought the same gun in a carbine model in 30-06. That thing was a cannon.

I have a Winchester 7mm Mag. Switched my daughters savage axis 7-08 from managed recoil to regular ammo this year and bought a Nikon 3x9x50. This is my new weapon of choice when she is not with me.
I think it is about 22 lbs lighter

Woods/climber 90% of the time Browning Bar 270.

Nice rig! Glad to hear you finally got it to shoot.

Last few years I've been using a Stevens 200, 7-08 with a Leupold 6X heavy duplex. I use it rain or shine. It's 7 lbs and shoots great with every bullet I've tried. I've done the high dollar, stainless, lightweight rifle thing and prefer my $199 Stevens.

Thanks! I just needed to get the action screws tight enough, break in the barrel, and learn that I need a little down pressure with a rear bag to shoot my best groups. Down pressure helps all my guns but when they are extremely light they pick up any body movement a lot more. All three deer were shot while I was standing shooting off hand. 6 shots for three deer and I hit them every shot but I wasn't sure. My policy is , once committed by a shot , keep shooting as long as I can see the deer.

Browning Medallion A-bolt 7mag topped with a Leupold 2.5x8x36 has been my primary rifle for years.Got a Ruger M77 MKII 300Win with a Burris Signature Select 4x16x44 not long ago and have been really impressed with it.I got a Rem700 XHR 7mag topped with a Zeiss 6.5x20x50 Conquest yesterday and after shooting it today i think it'll be my primary rig from now on.It is a saweet shooting gun.Sometimes i carry my 6.8SPCII with a Leupold VxI too...just according to where im goin and what i feel like toting that day.

95% of the time its my Remington model 7 in 7mm~08. Why because its light and compact.

308 Marlin Express, but after borrowing a Savage in .270 a few weeks ago, I am looking for a bolt action with a lighter recoil as a backup. In time I'll get my Savage 99 in .300 cleaned up and brought down from my folks place in Wisconsin for another pretty lever action!

My trusty ole rem 7600 pump 270. Me and her has been together since I worked my 1st summer after graduating in 1988. First paycheck I got was spent on her. She has been thru hell and back and has never let me down. She gets put in the truck at the beginning of deer season and I take her out at the end. I have other rifles but none fall rite into place like she does.

Remington 700 SPS 30-06, 150 grain core-lokt.
Weatherby vanguard .243, 100 grain core-lokt.

Why, because.

Do you shoot the 160gr leverlution? If so do you have trouble with exit wounds. I love my mx and it will just plain kill em, but I have had a lot of no exit shots. Especially shots under 100yds. Not so much on shot at 200 or more. I saw where rem is making coreloks for the mx but everytime I look they are out of stock. I don't think they will be as accurate as hornady but I would like to try them.

700 in 22-250, 700 in 243, 700 in 257 Roberts, all are lightweight, custom rifles. Just depends on my mood.

Xbolt 308 topped with a Nikon Prostaff 3-12X40mil dot (Love this rifle)

When I am hunting on base a Remington SPR453 semiauto 12ga with rifled choke tube 1-4x scope, because I have to. Most other places a Marlin 336 30-30 with 3-9x Nikon Buckmaste, because I want to. If its to thick for the marlin I have a Ruger Blackhawk 357mag with Buffalo Bore 180gr hard cast bullets and iron sights

this from marsh mud: "I have other rifles but none fall rite into place like she does."

I do shoot the Leverevolution rounds, of the 5 I shot last year I didn't pay much attention to the exit wounds, found all 5 deer no problem. I know on marlinowners there have been several threads about the lack of exit wounds, but that the bullet usually turns the vitals to goo

I will second the use of the leverevolution rounds. I am a big fan.

X-bolt Hunter in 7mm-08 w/ Zeiss Conquest 3-12x56. Absolutely love this rifle. My 10yr old daughter killed her first deer with it and I've killed with it

Tika T3 7-08.....with a 2.5x10x56mm Zenith S&B....

Steyr Pro Hunter 30-06 Stainless with a Zeiss Conquest 3.5-10X50.
Great accuracy but too heavy, 9 pounds

Winchester Mod 70 Extreme Weather 7mm-08 topped with Meopta Meostar 3-10x50

Gun just handles like a dream. Probably be a bit better with a lighter scope but I would not change a thing.

Remington 308 with a little work done to it

Remington Model 7 in 7mm-08 with a Redfield Revolution 3x9x50

Thompson venture 300 win mag w Nikon 3 -9 50 on top. A buddy shot it against his custom 300 and my Thompson out shot it bad at 250 yards. He was really shocked. Both were shot w custom reloads he made.

Remington 783 7 mag with weaver 3-12x50.

same as it's been since 1983 er so....Rem 700 Classic in 270Win, glass bedded, with a Leupold 3.5X10 mounted on it. My go to deer killer.

I'm not hunting any wide open spaces anymore so for my few longer shots I'm running a 30-30 Marlin 336 microgroove with a Nikon Monarch. In the woods I use a Ruger revolver in 45 long Colt with a 4x Nikon LER. The revolver has downed 2 does so far this year with the 185 grain Hornady Critical Defense ammo.

Tikka T-3, .270, Zeiss Conquest 3.5-10x50, Bell and Carlson Stock. Good field rifle, easy carry, deadly accurate.

Kimber Montana in .308 topped with a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 for the woods. For fields, Sako A7 also in .308, topped with a Burris Euro Diamond 3-12x56 with illuminated dot reticle.

300Ruger, I like your setup!

All I have to hunt are woods so the Marlin .35 rem goes with me 90% of the time.

The only gun I have carried for the last 3 years is my A bolt 270.

Field/power line rifle:

Savage 111 7MM REM MAG w/ 8-32x40 Bushnell Elite

Woods gun:

Savage Stevens 200 .270 w/ 6-18x50 Bushnell Banner

I've all but retired the .270. Just love the 7MM and being able to see each individual hair at 200 yards with that Elite scope.

Finally figured out how to post a picture. Kimber Montana 7-08 topped with a Zeiss diavari T 3-12-56

That's a nice one. I might buy a 308 and try a Kahles 3-10X50 on it. Normally I don't like big scopes on light rifles but the Kahles only weighs 15 oz. Do you like the way that gun handles with the larger scope?

You're caving to the Hubble craze.

5lbs2oz gun with 18oz scope still puts gun combo at roughly 6lbs 5oz. Still lighter than most bare guns. I love the way it handles. Sure it probably doesn't handle as well as a 40mm scope. But, love the light gathering and I like the compact size of gun. I just personally like easy caring compact rifles. Model 7,abolt micro, etc.

Not yet brother, but it's only 3.5 OZ heavier than my 2-7X36 Kahles and it is a good bit brighter in low light. I'm just interested in giving it a try.

Went with the Kimber 300 WSM with 3-9x50 Leupold 3 years ago. Absolutely love it. Sighted in at 1" high at 100 yds. Tack driver if I've ever seen one. I hunt a lot of young cutover and have really been pleased. Last 2 times I've pulled the trigger has been 225 and 260 yards. Both bucks dropped in their tracks.

Weatherby Weathermark in 7mm Rem Mag topped with Nikon glass. I've harvested truckloads of deer with this rifle and have never had to track one.

for the past four years my go to has been a TC Encore Pro hunter .308 topped with a Nikon BDC 4x16x50. short, light, shoulders great and has dropped everything I have shot with it

Mine is the same, but for it being a 30-06 shooting 165 gr Hornady pills. Gun is approx 24 years old.

1984 Model 700 .270 most of the time. Had the trigger done years ago, composite stock along the way. Shoots way better than I can.

Remington 700 LTR .308. Topped with a Zeiss divari 3-12x 56.It it good for any situation.
Tack driver!

Browning BLR in .358 for the last couple seasons mostly if I'm not hunting a bean field or clear cut where I can shoot much over 200yds.

Kills like the hammer of thor.

Remington model 700 action with aftermarket barrel and mcmillan sroxk with a jewel trigger in 300 win mag topped off with a swarovski z6 5-25x50. Deadly gun at all distances.

Browning BAR in 270 Cal. I never shoot over 100 yards because the woods are so thick. I just love an automatic because all you do is squeeze the trigger till he falls!

Tikka t3 in 270 is my go to. Occasionally I'll carry the rem. 700 in 7mag.

Ruger M77 MkII 30-06 stainless

Custom 1903 Springfield in .280 Remington (7MM Remington express) Ziess conquest Scope. >280 will do anything a 7MM mag will do but with less noise and recoil. Just check the ballistic tables. I like the 139 grain Noslers. Very accurate rifle and scope combo.
I also have a Mod 70 Winchester in .300 WeberlyMag. I picked up for a song several years ago that is bedded with aluminum pillars. I got it on the off hand chance that I would go elk hunting or someone started down the street in a tank.

Remington 700 SPS .270
Hornady Custom 130 gr SST

Some truth to your argument against the 7mag but there is little difference in recoil. With both rifles shooting the same 140 grain projectile and both rifles weighing the same the .280 generates 17.2 ft lbs of recoil energy while the 7mag generates 19.1 lbs. To put that 2 lb difference in perspective that is about the same difference between the .270 and .280. Not much at all, really. The ballistics are similar with the 7 mag generating about 170 fps faster speed at muzzle and downrange. The 7 mag also drops about 1.7 inches less at 300 and 5 inches less at 500. Not a lot of difference, really. Here is the big advantage the 7 mag has over the .280; ammo availability and selection. So you don't save much in recoil, you don't gain anything in performance but you spend more and limit your choices in ammo unless you reload. I like the .280 but I think there are a lot of people that have bought into the myth that the 7mag is a heavy recoiling misery to shoot.