Hey everyone! So lately, I've been kinda looking at some new hunting rifles. I currently have a Remington 700 made in the 70's chambered in 30-06. It is a very nice rifle but I always get bored with things and gotta get a new one! I'm keeping the one I have because it was my grandfathers. Another reason id like another rifle is to keep my gramdfather's old rifle nice. So what would you recommend? I am open to anything bolt,lever, semi, pump, it don't matter! Definetly under $900 but maybe id spend a little more if I fall in love with something. Also, possibly something other than 30-06 just because I enjoy change.
Looking for a nice deer rifle
- Thread starter rcase1234
- Start date
Nine the Ranger
New member
A nice Marlin 336 or Winchester 94 sounds good 
Nothing more classic than a Winchester Featherweight. Pick your caliber but I'd be looking at 308 or 270. Or just getting another 30-06 would simplify ammo purchases.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/36_61/products_id/57511
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/36_61/products_id/57511
steveNChunter
New member
For an accurate workhorse hunting rifle you can take out in any weather and not hurt it, and stay well within your budget, I recommend the Savage 16/116 FCSS(Weather Warrior). This is not the only good option, you will get many other suggestions and many of them will be good rifles, this is just one good choice. You can get the 16/116 in many different chamberings and I'm going to assume you're hunting whitetail deer so I'll suggest .270 or .25-06 if you go the long action route, if you go short action there are alot of great chamberings for the model 16, .243 win, .260 rem, 7mm-08, 6.5 creedmoor are all going to be great deer getters
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/16FCSS
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/16FCSS
steveNChunter
New member
Before you buy, check out the Weatherby Vanguard, Tikka T3, Thompson/Center Icon/venture, and Ruger 77 Hawkeye, in addition to all the other rifles mentioned
I'd look hard at the Stainless T3 Lite. They're very accurate out of the box, the action is butter-smooth, the stock is not only really rigid and light, but fits well and has a palm swell. It uses detachable 3 and (optional) 5 round magazines. I carry with the 3, but have the 5-rounder in my pocket. The trigger is adjustable without dis-assembly, using the supplied hex wrench. The safety is in a handy position and it locks the bolt, which is great when walking through the woods. It has a grooved receiver and comes with both decent mounts and sling swivels.
I have a blued model in .243 Win that, out of the box, shoots handloads under 1/2" at 100 yards. I am looking for an excuse to get another one in different caliber, but haven't decided which one. This is the first CF rifle that I didn't have to bed to shoot as well as I wanted it to...and I'm extremely demanding about accuracy.
I have a blued model in .243 Win that, out of the box, shoots handloads under 1/2" at 100 yards. I am looking for an excuse to get another one in different caliber, but haven't decided which one. This is the first CF rifle that I didn't have to bed to shoot as well as I wanted it to...and I'm extremely demanding about accuracy.
SteelChickenShooter
New member
You have a 30-06 bolt action, so I suggest something different:
Marlin 1895 in 45-70 with the larger loop lever
Marlin 336 in 30-30
Or something unique that would be the talk of the camp: A Henry lever action in 30-30. Now that is something different and a truly nice deer rifle.
Marlin 1895 in 45-70 with the larger loop lever
Marlin 336 in 30-30
Or something unique that would be the talk of the camp: A Henry lever action in 30-30. Now that is something different and a truly nice deer rifle.
Meeting your price limit will mean shopping used rifles, but take a look at the falling blocks.
Ruger No. 1, Dakota Model 10, the various Winchesters and modern reproductions, the Sharps and modern reproductions, they are elegant and functional.
In the "Dream On" category, the likes of Soroka, Hartmann & Weiss, and others will at least fuel some pleasant fantasies.
Ruger No. 1, Dakota Model 10, the various Winchesters and modern reproductions, the Sharps and modern reproductions, they are elegant and functional.
In the "Dream On" category, the likes of Soroka, Hartmann & Weiss, and others will at least fuel some pleasant fantasies.
tahunua001
New member
I second the Ruger number 1. probably in 45/70 or 7 mauser just because those are the most common it seems.
7 mauser is not much of a step down from 30-06 in terms of power and effective range but is a lot easier on your shoulder and 45-70, though limited in range is a very versatile round if you reload. it can do anything from bird shot to round balls to 600gr slugs. both can still kill anything in north america given proper shot placement.
a nice used one can be had for under $1000.
another option if you want to go for classic and collectable is a springfield 1903A3. great shooters and in 30-06 so you wouldn't have to stockpile a new round.
7 mauser is not much of a step down from 30-06 in terms of power and effective range but is a lot easier on your shoulder and 45-70, though limited in range is a very versatile round if you reload. it can do anything from bird shot to round balls to 600gr slugs. both can still kill anything in north america given proper shot placement.
a nice used one can be had for under $1000.
another option if you want to go for classic and collectable is a springfield 1903A3. great shooters and in 30-06 so you wouldn't have to stockpile a new round.
I've had both .270 Win and .30-06. If hunting in open areas, where shots approach 400 yards, I prefer the .270, but if hunting where most shots would be under 350 yards, the .30-06 has the best bullet weight options.
Have you thought about sprucing up the old '06 with a new stock and scope, instead of getting a new rifle?
Have you thought about sprucing up the old '06 with a new stock and scope, instead of getting a new rifle?
I used to hunt a lot in your neck of the woods, rcase1234 (northern Michigan), and have killed a few whitetails there, in some dense, cedar swamps, using a fifties-era, Remington Model 760 pump, chambered in 30-06 Springfield, with a Williams "FoolProof" receiver sight. However, in recent years I've been using a carbine length, Mannlicher-stocked, Ruger MKII International Model, chambered in .308 Winchester. This is the rifle I'm recommending to you.
The compact Ruger, with its short bolt-action, Mauser-inspired extractor, controlled round feed (crf), integral scope mount with free scope rings and fine auxiliary iron sights, especially when fitted with a good quality, compact scope (1x5 or so), makes for a great Michigan deer-hunting rifle.
The .308 cartridge (I prefer the 165 grain bullet weight) is almost as versatile and almost as powerful as the 30-06 but comes in rifles with shorter actions and offers a little less recoil while being, in my experience, a little more accurate.
The compact Ruger, with its short bolt-action, Mauser-inspired extractor, controlled round feed (crf), integral scope mount with free scope rings and fine auxiliary iron sights, especially when fitted with a good quality, compact scope (1x5 or so), makes for a great Michigan deer-hunting rifle.
The .308 cartridge (I prefer the 165 grain bullet weight) is almost as versatile and almost as powerful as the 30-06 but comes in rifles with shorter actions and offers a little less recoil while being, in my experience, a little more accurate.