Most accurate and BEST deer rifle??

cbhester · January 29, 2010, 05:57 PM

Alright, I believe I am going to purchase a new deer rifle in the fall and I love the 30-06 and will more than likely go with this caliber. I have heard much good news on the new Savage rifles with the new floating barrel system and accutrigger, and a few people have told me that they are the most accurate rifles on the market. Anyone agree? If you have another manufacturer you think would be better or any certain model of gun feel free to input. Thanks.

DanimalFL · January 29, 2010, 06:07 PM

Winchester Model 70 chambered in .270 Winchester Go to Winchester Ammo's
website and they have a nice ballistics calculator and you can compare all the different calibers Just my humble opinion.

davlandrum · January 29, 2010, 06:07 PM

This should be fun to watch....

I have to say mine is the best! for me...

30-06 is a good caliber - my personal preference.

There are a lot of good rifles chambered in it.

Find one that you like, fits you, you shoot well, and looks the way you want and call it a day.

Choosing a rifle is not the same as choosing a wife, but it is just as much about personal choice.

I love synthetic stocks and stainless steel. Some here swear that is an abomination - to each his/her own.

Stumper · January 29, 2010, 06:08 PM

Inherent accuracy of Savage rifles tends to be VERY good and they are rugged and inexpensive. Every single rifle is a law unto itself......one particular Remington 700 may outshoot a particular Savage 110.........However,on average Savages and CZs tend to be tackdrivers. In the final analysis though it would be a rare 30/06 rifle of any make that doesn't exceed the capabilities of its owner shooting from field positions.

Abel · January 29, 2010, 06:31 PM

If it was left handed, or didn't have that palm-swell on the right side of the grip, I'd say the X-Bolt. But I'm gonna have to go with the CZ 550 or the Winchester M70 Featherweight. I really like the Featherweight Stainless.

http://www.winchesterguns.com/produc...01C&mid=535119

hometheaterman · January 29, 2010, 06:52 PM

Savage with an Accu Trigger would be my choice. I've also read great things about the Marlin XL-7's. I don't know that you can go wrong with a Browning A Bolt/ X Bolt either but they cost a bit more in most cases.

pichon · January 29, 2010, 06:55 PM

I too have heard mostly good things about the Savage. I just ordered a Savage 12 in 300 wsm for elk and LR paper punching. I am hoping it lives up to the hype.

Out of curiosity why 30-06? I agree with others who said 270 which is just a 30-06 necked down to .27". Also 243 if you are hunting deer or smaller. They are both quite flat out to 500 yards and have great BC's. 30-06 is a good choice too, 100+ year proven, just mentioning other options.

deadeye1122 · January 29, 2010, 07:01 PM

Just my 2 cents. Kimber 84M .260. I'm old . Shoulder can't take much anymore. good luck.

340gr · January 29, 2010, 07:04 PM

the 30-06 is with out doubt my favored cartridge for deer at less than 550yards any farther and id go with .300 win mag i recomend a weatherby vangaurd in 30-06 mine is a sub moa model but have found my freinds standard weatherby's to be just as accurate for a kill shot. and you can usually get a new one for a fair price when compared to savage,remington,ect

Dougw47 · January 29, 2010, 07:05 PM

The .30-06 is great, in as much as I have seen...hard to go wrong for most American big game at reasonable distances, don't know the game you go after and/or the distances you shoot...everything has its' limitations.

Savage has a good rifle, there are others...I am sure you will get some suggestions. And have already, I also like Winchester Model 70s.

Lawyer Daggit · January 29, 2010, 07:16 PM

The most accurate is not necessarily the best deer rifle.
What species of deer are we talking about and in what habitat?

In close cover I would rather have something that handles like my .308 MLR (like a BLR) or .350 Rem mag Rem Model 7MS.

Neither are tack drivers but both handle like a shotgun where snap shooting is required.

RickE · January 29, 2010, 07:17 PM

I have a Winchester model 70 stainless featherlight in 300wm. I love it, and have found it to be very accurate if 1) find a choice of ammo/grain, and stick with it. And 2) don't shoot more than 2 to 3 rounds without a cool down period. After 3 close somewhat close rounds, the barrel heats up to a point that accuracy suffers. I think it is the lighter barrel.

Also, it's a bit much for deer, and good for Elk or moose (300wm).

Art Eatman · January 29, 2010, 08:53 PM

Sure, the Savage sounds good. No problem. But anything that fits you, that has a decent trigger-break, and groups around one MOA will ruin Bambi's day just about anytime you use it.

UtahHunting · January 29, 2010, 08:58 PM

I just recently bought the Savage in .308. I really like the accutrigger and accuracy is good enough to kill any of the game I hunt here in Utah.

tbird412s · January 29, 2010, 09:13 PM

I have a Savage in a .270, very happy with it. I keep thinkin that I want to try a different brand and different caliber, but although i've narrowed it down to a few calibers, the bang for the buck in a Savage is as good as I've seen.

Old Time Hunter · January 29, 2010, 09:34 PM

For crying out loud, all anyone really NEEDS is a .30-30 levergun for Deer. It is what you want that makes the difference. Then again a CZ550FS chambered for 6.5 X 55 sure would look nice in my hands.

mrawesome22 · January 29, 2010, 10:30 PM

I'd go with a Rem700 in .308Win. Brown down.

fletchbutt152 · January 29, 2010, 10:56 PM

My deer gun is a BAR Lightweight Stalker in .270 Winchester. It shoots dime size 5 shot groups at 100yrds with Remington Core-lokt 150gr ammo. I bought the ammo a little over a year ago for $12.97 at Wally World.

That being said:

Rugers are extremely tough and I've got a M77 Stainless with Skeleton Zytel stock that shoots the same ammo to the same specs as the BAR.

And they both cost twice as much as a new Savage that I don't own. I would go for a Savage of your choice (style) in .270 Winchester for whitetail. Better ballistics than 30-06 but if you're going to use it for something other than whitetail, the 30-06 is by far more versitile. The Savage design is inherantly accurate and tough.

Oh, and I hear that Remington 700's are good shooters

.

tirod · January 29, 2010, 10:57 PM

If I was buying a bolt gun these days in .30-06, a Savage would top the list. When I bought mine, it was a Rem 700 stainless.

I found I didn't like the recoil, length, action, and slow second shot response. The caliber is suited for long range, my habitat is 150 yard shots max and a 3x9 variable is too much. So I got a Winchester 94 in .30-30.

It's not a great cartridge, drop at 300 yards is measured in yards, blued steel and wood rust and scratch, and it has slow second shot response. Still not quite there.

I researched and tried something else I had 22 years experience with - an AR 15. I'm building that to my specs, with military working parts, in 6.8 x 43. The result is a light, handy carbine like the lever gun, low recoil, ammo just as cheap as Leverevolution or .30-06, and fast second shot response. I just pull the trigger again if needed.

6.8x43 development and Silver State Armory ammo now have 90 grain bullets traveling in excess of 2800 fps, and an effective range of 400 yards. All told, the best of all possible worlds. A light, durable carbine with effective, flat shooting ammo in a user friendly package.

The Savage is nice, but what is best is up to the shooter, not someone else.

Ricky · January 29, 2010, 11:02 PM

It's been a while since I purchased my last deer rifle but I was seriously looking at a Browning A Bolt when I noticed a Weatherby on sale. for about $50.00 more the fit and finish were far superior. My rifle is a 30-06 with a Mark V action. Blued barrel and action, synthetic stock. It's a tack driver and a joy to shoot.Action is very smooth.

rjrivero · January 29, 2010, 11:18 PM

Well, no high powered rifle hunting in OHIO. We just use good ol fashion SHOT GUNS with Rifled Barrels and slugs.

Some of us get fancy and use these: (They have rifled barrels, so I guess they're still considered "Rifles." Right?)

GeauxTide · January 30, 2010, 12:22 AM

Ruger Hawkeye SS

warbirdlover · January 30, 2010, 01:00 AM

Nowadays I'd buy a Savage in .270 WSM, a TC Icon in the same caliber, a Tikka T3 or a Sako A7.

Those would stack the odds of getting a shooter in your favor IMHO.

And it would be synthetic stock and stainless. I am also one of those guys who love guns that don't easily rust and have stocks that don't soak up moisture.

I love my Ruger M77 Mk II all-weather and it's a tack hammer but I think I got one of the rare super (sub-MOA) accurate ones off the assembly line.

I just can't like the AR type rifles. They look cool but feel strange to me when I'm shouldering them. And way too much money.

browntailguy · January 30, 2010, 11:24 AM

Sako A7 in 25-06 with a Zeiss Conquest scope. Dead deer walking out to 400 yards. Can cover a 5 shot group with a quarter at 100 yds.

Buzzcook · January 30, 2010, 11:56 AM

Pretty much any rifle from a major gun maker will work fine and dandy. Any caliber from .243 up to where your shoulder falls off will work fine to.
My personal choice is a Winchester Model 70. But if the gun fit me I wouldn't say no to any of the rifles mention in this thread.

January 29, 2010, 05:57 PM	#1
cbhester Member Join Date: January 14, 2010 Location: Brownsville, KY Posts: 57	Most accurate and BEST deer rifle?? Alright, I believe I am going to purchase a new deer rifle in the fall and I love the 30-06 and will more than likely go with this caliber. I have heard much good news on the new Savage rifles with the new floating barrel system and accutrigger, and a few people have told me that they are the most accurate rifles on the market. Anyone agree? If you have another manufacturer you think would be better or any certain model of gun feel free to input. Thanks.

January 29, 2010, 06:07 PM	#3
davlandrum Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 2,547	This should be fun to watch.... I have to say mine is the best! for me... 30-06 is a good caliber - my personal preference. There are a lot of good rifles chambered in it. Find one that you like, fits you, you shoot well, and looks the way you want and call it a day. Choosing a rifle is not the same as choosing a wife, but it is just as much about personal choice. I love synthetic stocks and stainless steel. Some here swear that is an abomination - to each his/her own. __________________ U.S Army, Retired Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. -Potter Stewart

January 29, 2010, 06:08 PM	#4
Stumper Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 438	Inherent accuracy of Savage rifles tends to be VERY good and they are rugged and inexpensive. Every single rifle is a law unto itself......one particular Remington 700 may outshoot a particular Savage 110.........However,on average Savages and CZs tend to be tackdrivers. In the final analysis though it would be a rare 30/06 rifle of any make that doesn't exceed the capabilities of its owner shooting from field positions. __________________ "Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready." Theodore Roosevelt "If only God has magic, how does Santa get down the chimney?" Natalie Peters age 4

January 29, 2010, 07:04 PM	#9
340gr Member Join Date: October 27, 2009 Location: roswell nm Posts: 33	IMO the 30-06 is with out doubt my favored cartridge for deer at less than 550yards any farther and id go with .300 win mag i recomend a weatherby vangaurd in 30-06 mine is a sub moa model but have found my freinds standard weatherby's to be just as accurate for a kill shot. and you can usually get a new one for a fair price when compared to savage,remington,ect

January 29, 2010, 07:05 PM	#10
Dougw47 Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2001 Location: Lake Tawakoni Posts: 154	30-06 The .30-06 is great, in as much as I have seen...hard to go wrong for most American big game at reasonable distances, don't know the game you go after and/or the distances you shoot...everything has its' limitations. Savage has a good rifle, there are others...I am sure you will get some suggestions. And have already, I also like Winchester Model 70s. __________________ "The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." T.Jefferson Me, A Life Member NRA, TSRA since 1977

January 29, 2010, 06:07 PM	#2
DanimalFL Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Posts: 63	Winchester Model 70 chambered in .270 Winchester Go to Winchester Ammo's website and they have a nice ballistics calculator and you can compare all the different calibers Just my humble opinion.

January 29, 2010, 06:31 PM	#5
Abel Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2006 Posts: 1,161	If it was left handed, or didn't have that palm-swell on the right side of the grip, I'd say the X-Bolt. But I'm gonna have to go with the CZ 550 or the Winchester M70 Featherweight. I really like the Featherweight Stainless. http://www.winchesterguns.com/produc...01C&mid=535119

January 29, 2010, 06:52 PM	#6
hometheaterman Junior member Join Date: October 23, 2009 Posts: 382	Savage with an Accu Trigger would be my choice. I've also read great things about the Marlin XL-7's. I don't know that you can go wrong with a Browning A Bolt/ X Bolt either but they cost a bit more in most cases.

January 29, 2010, 06:55 PM	#7
pichon Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2009 Posts: 439	I too have heard mostly good things about the Savage. I just ordered a Savage 12 in 300 wsm for elk and LR paper punching. I am hoping it lives up to the hype. Out of curiosity why 30-06? I agree with others who said 270 which is just a 30-06 necked down to .27". Also 243 if you are hunting deer or smaller. They are both quite flat out to 500 yards and have great BC's. 30-06 is a good choice too, 100+ year proven, just mentioning other options.

January 29, 2010, 07:01 PM	#8
deadeye1122 Member Join Date: October 29, 2009 Location: detroit lakes mn Posts: 87	Just my 2 cents. Kimber 84M .260. I'm old . Shoulder can't take much anymore. good luck.

January 29, 2010, 07:16 PM	#11
Lawyer Daggit Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Posts: 1,181	The most accurate is not necessarily the best deer rifle. What species of deer are we talking about and in what habitat? In close cover I would rather have something that handles like my .308 MLR (like a BLR) or .350 Rem mag Rem Model 7MS. Neither are tack drivers but both handle like a shotgun where snap shooting is required.

January 29, 2010, 07:17 PM	#12
RickE Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2009 Location: Kirkland Wa. Posts: 516	I have a Winchester model 70 stainless featherlight in 300wm. I love it, and have found it to be very accurate if 1) find a choice of ammo/grain, and stick with it. And 2) don't shoot more than 2 to 3 rounds without a cool down period. After 3 close somewhat close rounds, the barrel heats up to a point that accuracy suffers. I think it is the lighter barrel. Also, it's a bit much for deer, and good for Elk or moose (300wm).

January 29, 2010, 08:53 PM	#13
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Sure, the Savage sounds good. No problem. But anything that fits you, that has a decent trigger-break, and groups around one MOA will ruin Bambi's day just about anytime you use it.

January 29, 2010, 08:58 PM	#14
UtahHunting Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2009 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 428	I just recently bought the Savage in .308. I really like the accutrigger and accuracy is good enough to kill any of the game I hunt here in Utah.

January 29, 2010, 09:13 PM	#15
tbird412s Member Join Date: December 28, 2009 Posts: 19	I have a Savage in a .270, very happy with it. I keep thinkin that I want to try a different brand and different caliber, but although i've narrowed it down to a few calibers, the bang for the buck in a Savage is as good as I've seen.

January 29, 2010, 09:34 PM	#16
Old Time Hunter Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2006 Location: Hinterlands of Wisconsin Posts: 488	For crying out loud, all anyone really NEEDS is a .30-30 levergun for Deer. It is what you want that makes the difference. Then again a CZ550FS chambered for 6.5 X 55 sure would look nice in my hands.

January 29, 2010, 10:30 PM	#17
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	I'd go with a Rem700 in .308Win. Brown down.

January 29, 2010, 10:56 PM	#18
fletchbutt152 Member Join Date: February 10, 2006 Posts: 60	Deer Gun My deer gun is a BAR Lightweight Stalker in .270 Winchester. It shoots dime size 5 shot groups at 100yrds with Remington Core-lokt 150gr ammo. I bought the ammo a little over a year ago for $12.97 at Wally World. That being said: Rugers are extremely tough and I've got a M77 Stainless with Skeleton Zytel stock that shoots the same ammo to the same specs as the BAR. And they both cost twice as much as a new Savage that I don't own. I would go for a Savage of your choice (style) in .270 Winchester for whitetail. Better ballistics than 30-06 but if you're going to use it for something other than whitetail, the 30-06 is by far more versitile. The Savage design is inherantly accurate and tough. Oh, and I hear that Remington 700's are good shooters .

January 29, 2010, 10:57 PM	#19
tirod Junior member Join Date: January 21, 2009 Posts: 1,672	If I was buying a bolt gun these days in .30-06, a Savage would top the list. When I bought mine, it was a Rem 700 stainless. I found I didn't like the recoil, length, action, and slow second shot response. The caliber is suited for long range, my habitat is 150 yard shots max and a 3x9 variable is too much. So I got a Winchester 94 in .30-30. It's not a great cartridge, drop at 300 yards is measured in yards, blued steel and wood rust and scratch, and it has slow second shot response. Still not quite there. I researched and tried something else I had 22 years experience with - an AR 15. I'm building that to my specs, with military working parts, in 6.8 x 43. The result is a light, handy carbine like the lever gun, low recoil, ammo just as cheap as Leverevolution or .30-06, and fast second shot response. I just pull the trigger again if needed. 6.8x43 development and Silver State Armory ammo now have 90 grain bullets traveling in excess of 2800 fps, and an effective range of 400 yards. All told, the best of all possible worlds. A light, durable carbine with effective, flat shooting ammo in a user friendly package. The Savage is nice, but what is best is up to the shooter, not someone else.

January 29, 2010, 11:02 PM	#20
Ricky Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2008 Location: N.California Posts: 408	Weatherby It's been a while since I purchased my last deer rifle but I was seriously looking at a Browning A Bolt when I noticed a Weatherby on sale. for about $50.00 more the fit and finish were far superior. My rifle is a 30-06 with a Mark V action. Blued barrel and action, synthetic stock. It's a tack driver and a joy to shoot.Action is very smooth.

January 29, 2010, 11:18 PM	#21
rjrivero Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 1,399	In OHIO..... Well, no high powered rifle hunting in OHIO. We just use good ol fashion SHOT GUNS with Rifled Barrels and slugs. Some of us get fancy and use these: (They have rifled barrels, so I guess they're still considered "Rifles." Right?)

January 30, 2010, 12:22 AM	#22
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	Ruger Hawkeye SS

January 30, 2010, 01:00 AM	#23
warbirdlover Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2009 Location: central Wisconsin Posts: 2,324	Nowadays I'd buy a Savage in .270 WSM, a TC Icon in the same caliber, a Tikka T3 or a Sako A7. Those would stack the odds of getting a shooter in your favor IMHO. And it would be synthetic stock and stainless. I am also one of those guys who love guns that don't easily rust and have stocks that don't soak up moisture. I love my Ruger M77 Mk II all-weather and it's a tack hammer but I think I got one of the rare super (sub-MOA) accurate ones off the assembly line. I just can't like the AR type rifles. They look cool but feel strange to me when I'm shouldering them. And way too much money.

January 30, 2010, 11:24 AM	#24
browntailguy Member Join Date: November 30, 2008 Posts: 27	Sako A7 in 25-06 with a Zeiss Conquest scope. Dead deer walking out to 400 yards. Can cover a 5 shot group with a quarter at 100 yds.

January 30, 2010, 11:56 AM	#25
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	Pretty much any rifle from a major gun maker will work fine and dandy. Any caliber from .243 up to where your shoulder falls off will work fine to. My personal choice is a Winchester Model 70. But if the gun fit me I wouldn't say no to any of the rifles mention in this thread.