Hi I have been thinking about buying a deer rigle but I am not sure what to get. I am 15 and was thinking about getting a .30 .30 Marlin lever action but some people say i should get a higher caliber. Just wanted some more opinions.
Deer Rifle
- Thread starter RoverRideAlong
- Start date
For the price vs. accuracy vs. take down vs. ammo cost, I don't belive the 7.62x54 Mosin Nagant can be beat. On average about $80 for the rifle, as little as $5 for 20rnds of ammo. Scope mount if you want it is about $40. It's not a glamorous gun, though it does have an illustrious heritage.
I also have a friend who has been deer hunting for years with an 8mm Mauser, which are commonly had for around $150.
I also have a friend who has been deer hunting for years with an 8mm Mauser, which are commonly had for around $150.
If you're hunting in eastern Kentucky, a 30-30 will do, you don't have to have a bigger caliber; more deer have been taken with a 30-30 than about any other caliber. If you wanted to take something bigger than a deer, or out west, then maybe another would be better, but the Marlin will more-than-suffice for your needs.
IMHO, FWIW.....
-L
IMHO, FWIW.....
-L
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syoung
Guest
The Mosin Nagant is a great rifle- saw them recently in decent condition for under $100, and they had some with composite stocks and gussied up with new finish for $189. The 7.62x54 is a kick-butt round (think .308) and you can get 1000 rounds for $100 from surplus stores. I'd rather have a good M/N and a lot of ammo to practice with than an expensive 7MM that I can't afford to practice with because the ammo is $1/round.
Later on in life, get a nice Weatherby 300 or whatever floats your boat, but at 15- listen to Tom. I have a Marlin 30 lever and another on in 44 mag and they are really not my favourites at all. Short barrel doesn't help long distance accuracy either.
Later on in life, get a nice Weatherby 300 or whatever floats your boat, but at 15- listen to Tom. I have a Marlin 30 lever and another on in 44 mag and they are really not my favourites at all. Short barrel doesn't help long distance accuracy either.
That 30-30 lever action is not the one from big-5 or anytrhing is it? cause the short 30-30 i belive the ranger is not good to hunt with, hard to hit animals. I would look into a .270 or something like a 300 win mag, lil big but worth it.
My .30-40 Krag is a nice deer rifle, but I discovered last year that those in decent shape are around $1500 
So, especially since it's from my grandfather (he probably bought it in the 30's, when they were being sold off for $3), I don't take it out except in nice weather.
If you go with the Mosin, just make sure you buy the non-corrosive rounds. Some of the surplus out there has corrosive primers. The Mosins love Wolf.
So, especially since it's from my grandfather (he probably bought it in the 30's, when they were being sold off for $3), I don't take it out except in nice weather.If you go with the Mosin, just make sure you buy the non-corrosive rounds. Some of the surplus out there has corrosive primers. The Mosins love Wolf.
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syoung
Guest
wolf ammo is some dirty crap though- I tried 'em in my HK and the damned casings would split- and the red wax gums it all up. be careful with that wolf sheeyit.
syoung said:
They changes the casings late last year. They don't have the wax coating anymore. It's now a polymer. I've fired thousands of 45acp through my Ruger with only two FTE. I do know that there are alot of people who hate Wolf ammo though. But in any case, the 7.62x54 doesn't have any coating at all.
I have a M/N 1944 carbine that I use for deer and coyotes. Usually always in the back seat of the Disco or the rack in the pick-up. I paid about a hundred for it at a gun show and it appeared to be unissued or arsenal rework. Bore was perfect and the wood showed no handling marks. Kicks pretty well, but is a good, accurate iron site brushy country rifle. I use Wolf or surplus in it. Corrosive is not a big deal, just clean up really well. For a soft point, then its usually Wolf or something commercial. Good rifle for a young shooter.
Rob,
You're really looking at two issues here, caliber and type of action
If accuracy and long range is most important I would recommend a bolt action rifle with a decent scope. Better selection and more accurate amunition is available for bolt action rifles. Lever action rifles have tubular magazines which limit the type of bullets used ergo their accuracy. Lever action rifles are better suited to hunting in dense woods or at close range as opposed to bolt action rifles
Caliber is another subject with way too much written about it. If you want a deer specific rig then calibers .243 .270 .308 or 30'06 would be more than adequate, remember shot placement is what matters. A combo rig for deer and say elk, I would recommend 30'06 as a minimum or 7 mag or .300 win mag would do fine
JMO
You're really looking at two issues here, caliber and type of action
If accuracy and long range is most important I would recommend a bolt action rifle with a decent scope. Better selection and more accurate amunition is available for bolt action rifles. Lever action rifles have tubular magazines which limit the type of bullets used ergo their accuracy. Lever action rifles are better suited to hunting in dense woods or at close range as opposed to bolt action rifles
Caliber is another subject with way too much written about it. If you want a deer specific rig then calibers .243 .270 .308 or 30'06 would be more than adequate, remember shot placement is what matters. A combo rig for deer and say elk, I would recommend 30'06 as a minimum or 7 mag or .300 win mag would do fine
JMO
Thanks for all the feed back. I know in the long run I will be purchasing a .270 and 30'06, but I had heard that a .30 .30 would be great to learn with and would be an all around great deer hunting rifle. I will mostly be hunting at close ranges too. I also have a 7.62 SKS and some of the guys that I go hunting with say that would be a good deer rifle, but I wasn't sure about that. I thought I would be better with a small caliber to start off with and buy a good scpe to go with it. I also have a CVA .50 cal muzzleloader. I dont' know if any of you all have ever shot a CVA but some of my hunting buddies say that they are shit and I was just wondering if I should hold on to it or sell it.
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emnat
Guest
.270
I am able to reload from a 90 grain and up, so I have a nice coyote rifle and and a graet deer gun.
Took a great 5 point TN deer last fall, it droped DEAD within 25 yards.
I am able to reload from a 90 grain and up, so I have a nice coyote rifle and and a graet deer gun.
Took a great 5 point TN deer last fall, it droped DEAD within 25 yards.
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syoung
Guest
I picked up a Dragunov awhile back for a good deal- pretty accurate for a semi-auto if you're into the military style stuff.
Seriously, I'd go for the Mosin Nagant. Wal Mart has the Winchester mod 70 (with the NEW version of the 70 action) in 7MM and 300 really cheap... it has a longer barrel than the Remmie 700 that they also sell there. They also sell a Weatherby there- but it's not the US made model- all of 'em under 4 bills. Of course, that would get a high grade 'hand select' Mosin Nagant, a new composite stock and a Nikon scope instead- which is the way I'd go.
Seriously, I'd go for the Mosin Nagant. Wal Mart has the Winchester mod 70 (with the NEW version of the 70 action) in 7MM and 300 really cheap... it has a longer barrel than the Remmie 700 that they also sell there. They also sell a Weatherby there- but it's not the US made model- all of 'em under 4 bills. Of course, that would get a high grade 'hand select' Mosin Nagant, a new composite stock and a Nikon scope instead- which is the way I'd go.
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D Chapman
Guest
I got a 270 and a 3030. I have dropped more deer with a 3030 than anyother gun. Ranks right up there with the 22 mag. The 270 is fine and all, but I just like the 3030. I have never have a deer walk more than 2 steps after hittin it with the 3030.....But, for distance, it sucks.
I would go with the staple: 30-06. Why? I travel around quite a bit. I never have trouble finding 30-06 ammo. I can find it at gas stations, Kmart, etc. Try that with a Weatherby?
30-06 should be more than sufficient for any deer you're likely to encounter within 200 yds.
30-06 should be more than sufficient for any deer you're likely to encounter within 200 yds.
C