Mossy Oak Forum / Hunting / Rifle Range / First Deer Rifle / Latest Posts

RE: First Deer Rifle

rcorley — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 10:52:47 GMT

If you are looking for a light recoil, but with plenty of power I would recommend the 7mm-08. It doesn't kick much more than a 243 yet has more energy than a 308 beyond 65 yards. It also shoots flater than a 308. You can sight it in 1 inch high at 100 yards and then hold dead on out to 225 yards ( where it would be 2.9 inches low). It's also a very accurate. This is with a 140 grain bullet.

RE: First Deer Rifle

bowhunter46 — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 07:50:42 GMT

1st time posting to this forum so Hello to everyone. As far as the rifle goes i have both a 270 & 7mm-08. If I were looking to buy a new gun I would lean towards the Browning A-bolt micro hunter in 7mm-08. It's light enough to carry all day, short enough for use in the thick stuff & has the range for that long shot when needed. Plus with the right load and bullet combo will drop even the biggest deer in his tracks.

RE: First Deer Rifle

justsay937 — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 14:45:09 GMT

FL_Cracker (1/31/2008)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!! Do you work for Remington or what?

Either that or he just likes to "DE-TUNE" high power rifles!

I don't work for Remington......

I was looking at the Federal site and they are now offering lowered recoil ammo.

From the Federal Cartridge site.
"Look for the Low Recoil logo on select products for a softer shooting load"

RE: First Deer Rifle

FL_Cracker — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 08:04:25 GMT

Great buck FGA! That's one hell of a shot with a 336!

Welcome to Mossy Oak too by the way...

RE: First Deer Rifle

FGA — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:30:50 GMT

2007 deer season. 30-30 Marlin 336, Leupold 2-7x33 scope using Hornady Leverevolution ammo. 1 shot 189 yards in the left lung out through the right lung, dead deer. Last year and 40 years before that pretty much the same thing. 30-30 is my primary rifle and it always will be.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg113/fgarnold/IM002064.jpg

RE: First Deer Rifle

Blazin270 — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:25:43 GMT

FL_Cracker (1/31/2008)

HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!! Do you work for Remington or what?

Either that or he just likes to "DE-TUNE" high power rifles!

RE: First Deer Rifle

FL_Cracker — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:21:57 GMT

If you are worried about recoil you can buy Remington reduced recoil ammo for the .308 or look at the 7mm-08. I would lean towards the longer reaching gun for your first rifle, the 30-30 is great but would buy it as a second gun when you scope your first.

HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!! Do you work for Remington or what?

RE: First Deer Rifle

justsay937 — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:44:26 GMT

I have a .308 and a 30-30. I have a scope on the .308 and iron sights on the 30-30, I use both of them during the MN deer season. The .308 is my favorite deer gun but I hunt a heavy woods after opening weekend and find the iron sights work better in that environment.
If you are worried about recoil you can buy Remington reduced recoil ammo for the .308 or look at the 7mm-08. I would lean towards the longer reaching gun for your first rifle, the 30-30 is great but would buy it as a second gun when you scope your first.

RE: First Deer Rifle

Flintlock1776 — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:18:54 GMT

If you get a chance to shoot each before deciding that will help. Everyone is partial to one rifle or another. I would suggest not going for the 30-30 which was my first rifle. Cheaper than bigger guns but more versatility if you go with my preference 30.06 Just figure if you forget or run out of ammo what is everyone around you more likely to have in deer camp? I just don't see that many 30.30 afield anymore where I hunt. Range is limited with 30.30 vs. 30.06 so if you ever travle to a place where you need more range the 30.30 may not be the option you want.

Don't get carried away is someone claims a gun is a bush buster, that is just myth. However the 30.30 may gain some help from the new ammo Hornady came out with LeverRevolution ammo.

I noticed in the vast majority of time if I shoot a deer with a .270 or 30.06 it drops right in its tracks in the rare circumstance when they do run it goes more than a few yards. With my 30.30 I have had to do some serious tracking. It has been ages since I had to do any tracking with my 30.06

My main deal is the 30.06 but again, see if you could try each at a range to see what suits you.

Good luck.

RE: First Deer Rifle

Elk_Chaser — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 03:36:37 GMT

I would recommend the .270. It will harvest deer just as effectively as a 30-30 at close range and will enable you to get the buck of a lifetime when he appears at 300 yards in a opening you hadn't noticed previously.

It will also allow you to hunt mule deer or elk in the future should the opportunity come up. I shoot a 7mm Rem Magnum myself, it has worked great on whitetail, mule deer and elk.

RE: First Deer Rifle

FL_Cracker — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 08:13:38 GMT

Looks like a great spot swamphunter! I love those kind of spots...thanks for posting!

I agree with J, I can usually get a good first shot at 100 yards with my 30/30 (I only have iron sights on mine), but after that barrel gets hot, we're talking a 12" three shot group sometimes, especially offhand, in the heat of the moment. Bolt guns are a lot more consistent, as you seat the round the same everytime with the bolt and they typically have longer barrels.

Are you still hunting a good rifle?

RE: First Deer Rifle

Jason — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 01:25:28 GMT

I don't know how I've missed this thread until now...I'll blame it on work!

I have a 30/30 and several other rifles that are all used for different types of hunting. At my place where I hunt I have many different shots I could make, anywhere from under the stand out to about 30 to 40 yards to another stand that has a 50 plus yard shot to another that has a 300 yard shot. Some clean shots, some very nasty shots like Cracker showed in a previous post.

If you do any hunting away from your place, now or in the future, you might want to think about how the other place might be. It could be a 100 yard shot or a 200 yard shot could be made. 30/30 I wouldn't recommend(some of the other guys here might would say 100 yard shot is ok with a 30/30, I'm just not that confident in it) but I would say a 270 or 308 is a good all around choice.

RE: First Deer Rifle

ctswamphunter — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 01:05:47 GMT

FL_ Cracker

That is for sure a real nice spot you got just by the looks of the picture.

Here is one of my favorite spots, it's a little bit more open than yours though.

RE: First Deer Rifle

BowBo — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:26:05 GMT

Man do I ever miss hunting the swamps and knarly riverbottoms of south Georgia.....

I ain't found none of that around here in central Indiana since I moved here

RE: First Deer Rifle

FL_Cracker — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:02:12 GMT

[quote]ctswamphunter (12/4/2007)

FL_Cracker,

Thanks for the comment I do believe I am leaning toward a .308 and as far as stocks go I have always used synthetic stocks. I think they are more comfortable and much more lighter.

As far as stainless steel goes I am not a big fan. I am partial to the blued barrels but, that is just me.

You had said fellow swamphunter so I am assuming you hunt the swamps as well, ain't it awesome. I love hunting swamps and have for 17 years now, and Im still learning something every year.[/quote]
________________________________________________________________________________

No problem...I could talk about rifles and guns all day everyday I think..

As far as the stainless barrels, I used to agree with you, especially when all they had was the high gloss finish on them but my Ruger that I just bought has a dull finish on it and I really like it. Blends in well with oak trees..lol But yeah, blued barrels are definitely prettier and what not..

Yeah, I absolutely love hunting the swamps. I think the best part about it is that you're hunting where no one else is willing to go.. Especially in the late season down here, hunting swamps is really the only way to go if you want to kill a nice buck in my opinion. Them bucks will bed down on a swamp head and not move much. Here's a pic of one of my swampy honey holes...

RE: First Deer Rifle

ctswamphunter — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 08:12:39 GMT

RE: First Deer Rifle

FL_Cracker — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:36:32 GMT

My three deer rifles are a Weatherby .270 WIN, a Ruger M77 Hawkeye .308, and a Marlin 30/30.

I've killed deer with all of them and would say to get you a bolt action rifle first of all..... in .270 or .308 would be my preference. You can shoot either all day without any problems, especially out to those distances or further. I killed a doe at 15 yards with the .270 this year and a buck at 50 yards with the .308. Both dropped right in their tracks.

This weekend, with the .308, I made a head shot through pretty thick brush in a narrow opening on a buck at 50 yards and it was all she wrote. After that, I'm sold on my .308 for the thick stuff.

There's nothing wrong with a .30/30, I still hunt with mine but more for sentimental reasons than its effectiveness. After 2 or 3 rounds when the barrel gets warm, it's hard to hold a tight group, whereas with the bolt guns I have, I can shoot them all day with guaranteed accuracy and they're not picky as to what ammo I use or anything like that.

Also, I would highly recommend to you since you're a fellow swamp hunter, get a synthetic stock and a stainless steel barrel and the rifle will last you a lifetime without any care of hunting in adverse conditions and what not... Good luck and let us know and post some pics of what you get...

RE: First Deer Rifle

ctswamphunter — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:15:15 GMT

Bowbo that is a real nice 308 you got there. All you guys have been really helpful.

Thank god I have time to decide. They all sound good but, I can only buy 1.

RE: First Deer Rifle

peregordusmc — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 16:04:00 GMT

My first rifle was a 30-30. I didnt really care for it because you cant really reach out there for the long shots. In thick woods you can still get a nice long shot conditions pending. I moved up to a Remington .308 semi auto. Model 1400 i believe. I could be wrong though. I love that rifle. I just recently bought a .243 Winchester Super Short Mag but have not hunted with it yet. I will next year though. If i were you i would go with something a little bigger than a 30-30 just in case a few years down the road you end up hunting somewhere with a little more distance.

RE: First Deer Rifle

BowBo — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 15:02:28 GMT

Scratch all that....... that was the "old" forums........

Here it is....

http://www.mossyoak.com/forum/Topic288-22-1.aspx

RE: First Deer Rifle

BowBo — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 14:59:39 GMT

My first rifle was a Marlin 30-30............ but then shortly moved to a .308....... and have stuck with it for many many years! Absolutely my most favorite caliber for deer!!

I now own the Winchester Super Lightweight Bolt Action .308.......... and will keep it for LIFE!!

You can see it in the Varmint section I believe.......... under "MY VARMINT GUN"..... or something like that.

RE: First Deer Rifle

ctswamphunter — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 14:52:45 GMT

Thanks a lot for all your input. it help very much.

I really don't think I would shoot farther than 100 to 150 yards max. I do plan to put a scope on it due to the fact that I'm blind as a bat and can't see the iron sites anymore.

What is the effective or maximum range for a 30/30 with a scope?
What is the effective or maximum range for a 308 with a scope?

RE: First Deer Rifle

TrailCamMan — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 19:44:55 GMT

I bet the 30-30 has killed more deer than any other caliber out there. That is what I started out with and loved it. I eventually moved up to a 30-06 though. Anything in the .30 cal range would be a good choice.

RE: First Deer Rifle

MadJack — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 15:31:24 GMT

Nothing wrong with a 30-30.

I have found the .308 offspring to be pretty snappy with the .243 or the .260 Rem being the lightest recoil of this group. The .243 with some of the specialized Hornaday rounds like with a Banes X bullet, would be more than enough for deer!
I find the 7-08 kicks me about the same as a .308 due mostly to the similar bullet weight.

Whatever you decide on, Jan to April is the best time to get a deal as everyone is hard up for cash at tax time.

RE: First Deer Rifle

pabowhunter — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 13:24:04 GMT

If this is your first rifle I would reccommend getting one that is versitile enough for about any game out there, from shooting woodchucks to elk. If your hunting thick stuff like you say a .30 cal is a good choice, either it be a .308 or a 30.06. There's all kinds of loads out there for a 30.06 and you can find it just about anywhere.

RE: First Deer Rifle

Blazin270 — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 09:33:35 GMT

A 30/30 would be a great choice....I would'nt say that a 270 or 308 would be overkill though. Alot depends on if your planning on scoping it or not too. Obviously the 270 and 308 are longer distance shooters than a 30/30, So packing either of those without a scope would severly limit the capability of them, in that case you'd be better off with the 30/30. I've made some real short shot's with my 270 and it does'nt destroy tons of meat, Plus you never know when Mr Big is gonna give you only a 200yrd shot Basically what I'm trying to say is that you might be better off buying a caliber that will reach out there if necessary, so you don't limit yourself.

I'd say that the 243 round is a touch light for deer even though alot of people use them with success. If your looking for something with less recoil, check into a 7mm-08 that's a hot little round with some great knockdown power.

First Deer Rifle

ctswamphunter — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 09:01:20 GMT

I have never owned a rifle before. It has always been a shotgun or muzzleloader but, after the first of the year when income tax rolls around I was planning on buying one.

I am thinking of 30/30 because I don't shoot long distances. Where I generally hunt it is all hardwoods and swamp so I generally try to keep it short.
I was thinking originally 270 or 308 but I'm told that is overkill for the short distances I shoot and I was also thinking of a 243 because of less recoil but isn't that for long range as well.

Any help would be appreciated! I am usually a short range shooter if that helps.