$2500 Budget-Which Deer Rifle & Scope?

Dealmaker1 · August 31, 2005, 08:33 PM

only taking shots up to 300 yards max
I am really confused here...Here are my considerations so far...

270, 308, or 7mag

Kimber, Sako, Remington XCR

Swarovski
Zeiss

Any help or suggestions on this? Thanks!

butch50 · August 31, 2005, 09:09 PM

$2,500 for a deer rifle? Surely you jest.

Dealmaker1 · August 31, 2005, 09:29 PM

Scope Is At Least $1500 Of It!

38splfan · August 31, 2005, 09:58 PM

$2500?

How about a Savage 110 .270 with a top end Simmons scope and a decent used 4 wheeler to hual your deer out of the woods?

For the money, any of them would be good for your purpose, and then some.

Jseime · August 31, 2005, 10:33 PM

my only advice since i cant even afford to look at that class of rifle is buy a .270 and spend almost as much on the scope as the rifle.

siotwo · August 31, 2005, 11:06 PM

You don't sound confused. You've got it narrowed down..right?

I like the 7mag.

I wouldn't but either of those scopes on the Remington. Just put a Leupold on the Rem. Heck, put a Leupold on any rifle choice.

The Sako 75 sure looks nice. That with a Swarovski...nice and pretty.

2500 is a nice budget. I'm @ 1500 with my (current) favorite.

Twycross · September 1, 2005, 12:53 AM

$2500 budget?

Quote:

How about a Savage 110 .270 with a top end Simmons scope

+1. Then buy yourself a good set of binoculars, a rangefinder, a complete set of camo, a bipod, and have some $ left over.

esheato · September 1, 2005, 01:03 AM

Honestly, I'd look into the HS Precision line. Everything they make is done in house using their own designs. In fact, they make all the cool looking and feeling Remington and Weatherby fiberglass stocks.

I ordered mine back in July and it should be here in December. I selected a lightweight sporter in .260 Rem, left handed with a custom camo finish on the stock and I only spent $2,100. Add another $600 for optics and you're good to go.

At the least get their catalog via snail mail and flip through it for a few days.

Ed

Wildalaska · September 1, 2005, 03:18 AM

Easy...

pre 64 Winchester Model 70 in 270, Zeiss VMV scope in EAW QR mounts. Anyhting else is second best,

WildtherestheanswerAlaska

bergie · September 1, 2005, 05:37 AM

But if you go wih the pre-64 have it restocked with something that fits. They were designed for use with open sights, not scoped, and they are not very comfortable to use with a scope. Too much drop in the stock for use with a scope, can't get a proper cheek weld, and they can beat up the side of your face.

bergie

mdhunter · September 1, 2005, 10:00 AM

Where do you hunt, and how many rifles do you already have? Will you be using this rifle for deer only, and do you hunt open country or wooded areas?

Sorry for the initial questions, but trying to save you a boatload of cash if this is your first deer rifle. You can get a brand spanking new Winchester Model 70 or Savage 111 with a Leupold Vari-X III Scope for about a grand, and then outfit yourself with some of the other goodies (good binos, camo, boots, etc) if you don't have them already, with plenty left for ammo as you practice with your new rifle.

If you're a seasoned hunter with a number of guns already, please excuse my questions, I just couldn't tell from the initial post.

Michael

Fremmer · September 1, 2005, 10:37 AM

If you want to spend lots of money on a new rifle, you can probably buy a customized rifle from the custom shop of any of the major rifle manufacturers. The stock, finish, and other parts of the rifle will be beautiful.

But hunting can be hard on rifles, and the dings on the stock and/or scratches on the barrel will be especially apparent on a beautiful, customized rifle. I like nice looking rifles myself; but I'd rather have some "character" dings and scratches on a nice 'regular' gun than on a very expensive customized gun. Just my personal preference, I suppose.

I'm not tying to talk you out of buying a customized gun -- I wish I could own one! But whenever I see someone driving a brand new $60,000.00 Lexus SUV, I always wonder: what are the chances that the driver is gonna take that thing 4-wheeling and get it dirty, scratched up, etc?

Wildalaska · September 1, 2005, 11:06 AM

Quote:

But if you go wih the pre-64 have it restocked with something that fits. They were designed for use with open sights, not scoped, and they are not very comfortable to use with a scope. Too much drop in the stock for use with a scope, can't get a proper cheek weld, and they can beat up the side of your face.

O really? Since I regularly shoot a 300 H&H Pre 64, I guess thats something I should have noticed....must have overlooked that...gonna have to figure out why my face is OK and my check weld is excellent

WildhohumAlaska

chemist308 · September 1, 2005, 07:21 PM

Ruger M77 with a good Leupold piece of glass. If you're serious about tack driving accuracy, read this: article on barrels

keens · September 1, 2005, 07:58 PM

That is easy...Remington 700, .308 with 5R mil-spec stainless barrel...$900, if you can find one, the rest of the $$ on a Swarovski 30mm scope (I would have to think about the power I wanted a bit) with illuminated reticle. Badger rings and bases...oops just went over the $2500, but what's another couple hundred? That's is what I would do if I had the $2500...I might change my mind though next year.

Sum1_Special · September 1, 2005, 09:01 PM

$2500 for... A DEER rifle??? $1500 for a scope? Are these deer hiding in the brush with sniper rifles?

Sheesh, please don't tell me your a yuppy just getting into the sport.

Why do you want to spend so much? My big game rifle cost me $60.

siotwo · September 1, 2005, 10:09 PM

all you guys complaining about 2500 for a rifle & scope....

do you drive a used yugo?

"Quality remains long after the price is forgotten" David Ellis

bergie · September 1, 2005, 10:25 PM

Wildalaska,
I said they can, I didn't say that they will affect everybody the exact same way. Simple fact is that they, and almost all other rifles sold over 40 years ago, were designed when iron sights were the norm, and they have more drop than almost any rifle made since then. I probably haven't shot one as much as you have since you shoot your H&H "regularly", but I have shot several over the last few decades, most in .30-06, a couple .270's and one in .308 Norma Mag.(that was a sweet rifle). The ones with iron sights were more comfortable to shoot than the scoped ones. I know a couple of guys that (35-40 years ago) took the scopes back off or traded them off for newer rifles that fit better when scoped.
They were well made, nice shooting rifles, I was just giving my opinion that it might not fit as nicely when scoped as one with a little straighter stock. Your "check weld" may be "excellent", yeah, a check book would just about raise the comb enough. I might have to Acraglass one onto the stock to get a proper fit.
bergie

Ultima-Ratio · September 1, 2005, 10:28 PM

Have you looked at the new Weatherbys? The Ultralight in 30-06 with Zeiss glass is really hard to beat obtw expext sub-minute accuracy!

308LAW · September 2, 2005, 09:36 AM

Weatherby ultra-light in 257 Weatherby Mag with Zeiss optics would also be a great setup. Sako Finlight in 308 also a great choice. Kimber also make nice rifles in that upper price range.

Brian Williams · September 2, 2005, 01:29 PM

My 2 deer rifles are;
Win Compact Classic in 7mm-08 with Leupold 3x9 compact scope
Rifle--- $350
Scope--$290
10 boxes of Rem 7mm-08 $140
dies--- $32
total $812
Should have put a 2x7 instead of a 3x9

Marlin 1894C Marbles tang sight
Marlin--- $265
Tang sight $85
Total $350

That is a total of $1162.00

Oh, I forgot my latest Deer gun
Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter in 45 Colt
Gun--- $485
Scope I had a 2x Leupold, could have bought a used one for $180
Dies--- $25
Brass ---$30
total $720
makes for a total of $1882 for all of my guns to hunt deer with. If I cannot put down a deer with any of the above I should not be hunting.

Fremmer · September 2, 2005, 01:50 PM

OK. I've reconsidered my answer.

Try a Weatherby Mark V Deluxe rifle, caliber .308, .30-06, or .270 Win. (your choice). Or maybe another Weatherby model. Top it off with a Leupold VX III variable scope.

And don't worry about those of us (especially me!) who are jealous of your sweet rifle/scope combo.

maximuss · September 2, 2005, 04:56 PM

but it comes to scope, I am Leupold all the way.

fisherman66 · September 2, 2005, 10:22 PM

Wow, $2500. I'd get the biggest, baddest maggie I could afford and a scope with the smallest amount eye relief and the new Federal Super High Energy loads. Perhaps lay prone or hunch over the new gun to get the best site picture.

Now, after you get that raccoon....

OK, I'm a little jealous, but I'd have different questions with that bankroll.

Pointer · September 3, 2005, 01:01 AM

Twycross entry #7 ... +1

If you must...

Ultima-Ratio has it exactly right.

If you had a $10,000 budget... you still wouldn't need to spend that much for a deer.

Avoid the really small-bore-magnum-high-speed bullets.
They will shorten the life of the barrel and you won't get that much benefit from the difference.

$2,500? Indeed!

August 31, 2005, 08:33 PM	#1
Dealmaker1 Junior Member Join Date: August 31, 2005 Posts: 5	$2500 Budget-Which Deer Rifle & Scope? only taking shots up to 300 yards max I am really confused here...Here are my considerations so far... 270, 308, or 7mag Kimber, Sako, Remington XCR Swarovski Zeiss Any help or suggestions on this? Thanks! Last edited by Dealmaker1; August 31, 2005 at 09:30 PM.

August 31, 2005, 09:09 PM	#2
butch50 Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2005 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 1,403	$2,500 for a deer rifle? Surely you jest. __________________ ‘‘Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the act of depriving a whole nation of arms, as the blackest.’’ ~ Mahatma Ghandi, "Gandhi, An Autobiography", page 446 ‘‘The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun.’’ ~ Patrick Henry

August 31, 2005, 09:58 PM	#4
38splfan Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2004 Location: Ft. Lewis/Tacoma, WA. Posts: 1,034	Wow. $2500? How about a Savage 110 .270 with a top end Simmons scope and a decent used 4 wheeler to hual your deer out of the woods? For the money, any of them would be good for your purpose, and then some. __________________ "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to others and I expect the same from them." - John Wayne

August 31, 2005, 10:33 PM	#5
Jseime Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 1,775	Wow my only advice since i cant even afford to look at that class of rifle is buy a .270 and spend almost as much on the scope as the rifle. __________________ I love the smell of fresh shotgun in the morning.

September 1, 2005, 10:00 AM	#11
mdhunter Member Join Date: February 4, 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 65	Let's Save You $1500 Where do you hunt, and how many rifles do you already have? Will you be using this rifle for deer only, and do you hunt open country or wooded areas? Sorry for the initial questions, but trying to save you a boatload of cash if this is your first deer rifle. You can get a brand spanking new Winchester Model 70 or Savage 111 with a Leupold Vari-X III Scope for about a grand, and then outfit yourself with some of the other goodies (good binos, camo, boots, etc) if you don't have them already, with plenty left for ammo as you practice with your new rifle. If you're a seasoned hunter with a number of guns already, please excuse my questions, I just couldn't tell from the initial post. Michael

August 31, 2005, 09:29 PM	#3
Dealmaker1 Junior Member Join Date: August 31, 2005 Posts: 5	Scope Is At Least $1500 Of It!

August 31, 2005, 11:06 PM	#6
siotwo Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2005 Location: The Woodlands, TX Posts: 217	You don't sound confused. You've got it narrowed down..right? I like the 7mag. I wouldn't but either of those scopes on the Remington. Just put a Leupold on the Rem. Heck, put a Leupold on any rifle choice. The Sako 75 sure looks nice. That with a Swarovski...nice and pretty. 2500 is a nice budget. I'm @ 1500 with my (current) favorite.

September 1, 2005, 01:03 AM	#8
esheato Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Location: Marysville, CA Posts: 110	Honestly, I'd look into the HS Precision line. Everything they make is done in house using their own designs. In fact, they make all the cool looking and feeling Remington and Weatherby fiberglass stocks. I ordered mine back in July and it should be here in December. I selected a lightweight sporter in .260 Rem, left handed with a custom camo finish on the stock and I only spent $2,100. Add another $600 for optics and you're good to go. At the least get their catalog via snail mail and flip through it for a few days. Ed

September 1, 2005, 03:18 AM	#9
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,172	Easy... pre 64 Winchester Model 70 in 270, Zeiss VMV scope in EAW QR mounts. Anyhting else is second best, WildtherestheanswerAlaska

September 1, 2005, 05:37 AM	#10
bergie Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 1999 Posts: 567	But if you go wih the pre-64 have it restocked with something that fits. They were designed for use with open sights, not scoped, and they are not very comfortable to use with a scope. Too much drop in the stock for use with a scope, can't get a proper cheek weld, and they can beat up the side of your face. bergie

September 1, 2005, 10:37 AM	#12
Fremmer Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2005 Location: Nebraska Posts: 3,482	If you want to spend lots of money on a new rifle, you can probably buy a customized rifle from the custom shop of any of the major rifle manufacturers. The stock, finish, and other parts of the rifle will be beautiful. But hunting can be hard on rifles, and the dings on the stock and/or scratches on the barrel will be especially apparent on a beautiful, customized rifle. I like nice looking rifles myself; but I'd rather have some "character" dings and scratches on a nice 'regular' gun than on a very expensive customized gun. Just my personal preference, I suppose. I'm not tying to talk you out of buying a customized gun -- I wish I could own one! But whenever I see someone driving a brand new $60,000.00 Lexus SUV, I always wonder: what are the chances that the driver is gonna take that thing 4-wheeling and get it dirty, scratched up, etc?

September 1, 2005, 07:21 PM	#14
chemist308 Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2005 Location: Pocono Mtns, PA Posts: 587	Ruger M77 with a good Leupold piece of glass. If you're serious about tack driving accuracy, read this: article on barrels

September 1, 2005, 07:58 PM	#15
keens Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2004 Posts: 446	That is easy...Remington 700, .308 with 5R mil-spec stainless barrel...$900, if you can find one, the rest of the $$ on a Swarovski 30mm scope (I would have to think about the power I wanted a bit) with illuminated reticle. Badger rings and bases...oops just went over the $2500, but what's another couple hundred? That's is what I would do if I had the $2500...I might change my mind though next year. __________________ Speak the truth in love, for truth without love is legalism, and love without truth is liberalism. If you count ease and comfort more than character, you will never be who God meant you to be.

September 1, 2005, 09:01 PM	#16
Sum1_Special Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2005 Posts: 243	$2500 for... A DEER rifle??? $1500 for a scope? Are these deer hiding in the brush with sniper rifles? Sheesh, please don't tell me your a yuppy just getting into the sport. Why do you want to spend so much? My big game rifle cost me $60.

September 1, 2005, 10:09 PM	#17
siotwo Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2005 Location: The Woodlands, TX Posts: 217	all you guys complaining about 2500 for a rifle & scope.... do you drive a used yugo? "Quality remains long after the price is forgotten" David Ellis

September 1, 2005, 10:25 PM	#18
bergie Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 1999 Posts: 567	Wildalaska, I said they can, I didn't say that they will affect everybody the exact same way. Simple fact is that they, and almost all other rifles sold over 40 years ago, were designed when iron sights were the norm, and they have more drop than almost any rifle made since then. I probably haven't shot one as much as you have since you shoot your H&H "regularly", but I have shot several over the last few decades, most in .30-06, a couple .270's and one in .308 Norma Mag.(that was a sweet rifle). The ones with iron sights were more comfortable to shoot than the scoped ones. I know a couple of guys that (35-40 years ago) took the scopes back off or traded them off for newer rifles that fit better when scoped. They were well made, nice shooting rifles, I was just giving my opinion that it might not fit as nicely when scoped as one with a little straighter stock. Your "check weld" may be "excellent", yeah, a check book would just about raise the comb enough. I might have to Acraglass one onto the stock to get a proper fit. bergie

September 1, 2005, 10:28 PM	#19
Ultima-Ratio Junior member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Location: Anchorage Alaska Posts: 227	Why Not- Have you looked at the new Weatherbys? The Ultralight in 30-06 with Zeiss glass is really hard to beat obtw expext sub-minute accuracy!

September 2, 2005, 09:36 AM	#20
308LAW Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2005 Posts: 210	Weatherby ultra-light in 257 Weatherby Mag with Zeiss optics would also be a great setup. Sako Finlight in 308 also a great choice. Kimber also make nice rifles in that upper price range.

September 2, 2005, 01:29 PM	#21
Brian Williams Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2001 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 1,288	My 2 deer rifles are; Win Compact Classic in 7mm-08 with Leupold 3x9 compact scope Rifle--- $350 Scope--$290 10 boxes of Rem 7mm-08 $140 dies--- $32 total $812 Should have put a 2x7 instead of a 3x9 Marlin 1894C Marbles tang sight Marlin--- $265 Tang sight $85 Total $350 That is a total of $1162.00 Oh, I forgot my latest Deer gun Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter in 45 Colt Gun--- $485 Scope I had a 2x Leupold, could have bought a used one for $180 Dies--- $25 Brass ---$30 total $720 makes for a total of $1882 for all of my guns to hunt deer with. If I cannot put down a deer with any of the above I should not be hunting. __________________ Brian <><

September 2, 2005, 01:50 PM	#22
Fremmer Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2005 Location: Nebraska Posts: 3,482	OK. I've reconsidered my answer. Try a Weatherby Mark V Deluxe rifle, caliber .308, .30-06, or .270 Win. (your choice). Or maybe another Weatherby model. Top it off with a Leupold VX III variable scope. And don't worry about those of us (especially me!) who are jealous of your sweet rifle/scope combo.

September 2, 2005, 04:56 PM	#23
maximuss Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2005 Location: USA Posts: 246	I am still new to hunting... but it comes to scope, I am Leupold all the way.

September 2, 2005, 10:22 PM	#24
fisherman66 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2005 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 4,679	Wow, $2500. I'd get the biggest, baddest maggie I could afford and a scope with the smallest amount eye relief and the new Federal Super High Energy loads. Perhaps lay prone or hunch over the new gun to get the best site picture. Now, after you get that raccoon.... OK, I'm a little jealous, but I'd have different questions with that bankroll.

September 3, 2005, 01:01 AM	#25
Pointer Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 2,559	Twycross entry #7 ... +1 If you must... Ultima-Ratio has it exactly right. If you had a $10,000 budget... you still wouldn't need to spend that much for a deer. Avoid the really small-bore-magnum-high-speed bullets. They will shorten the life of the barrel and you won't get that much benefit from the difference. $2,500? Indeed! Last edited by Pointer; September 4, 2005 at 02:12 PM.