The Accurate Reloading Forums
Name your favorite whitetail gun and caliber !!
Name your favorite whitetail gun and caliber !!
As a rabid whitetail hunter, I was curious as to what the most used caliber is. So sound off on your favorite whitetail caliber and gun. Mine changes from year to year, but for the last couple of years it's been a Ruger Ultra Light 77 in .308. Second place goes to a Ruger UL in 257 Roberts, I just found at a gun show several months ago, it'll get used this fall.
21 July 2004, 14:34
<9.3x62>722 action, 22.5" matte SS pac-nor barrel in 700 "mountain rifle" contour, 1-10" twist in 250-3000.
This rifle has a longer than standard throat to better handle the 115-120s. 115 nosler BT at 2850 fps is enough for any whitetail that I'll shoot at.
Second choice would be the same exact thing is 257 Roberts, except with a 23" barrel.
Both are nice and light, superbly accurate, and low-recoiling - it doesn't get much better than that.
21 July 2004, 14:37
covey1690% of the time it's the same old Win 70 30-06 I've used for over 40 years.
The other 10% it's an AR15 or a Sako Forrester in 243.
Being left handed, I've tried to convince myself I need one of the Left handed Winchester 70 Classic LT's ever since they came out.
Mabe one day I'll convince myself,but I'm kind of used to ass backwards bolt rifles by now.
Covey16
21 July 2004, 15:02
Shilohused to be a walnut stocked ruger mk2 in 243 and an old beat up marlin 3030 but this year i got a new marlin 444P and a stainless ruger 77 in 3006.
21 July 2004, 15:07
teal325Ruger MK II in 300wm. sold unfortunately - trying to get my dads Ruger tang in 06 to be sent out to Pac-nor for a new 06 tube and then skin bedded in a HS stock or mayby a Marblized McMillian.
My good old .270 Ruger that I had semi-customized:
25.5" Hart #1 SS barrel, action squared/trued, free floating barrel with glass bed job in original stock, Pachmyer Decel Pad...130 Barnes Triple shocks or Sierra 130 boat tails or 140 Sierra HPBT...not many loads ever went over MOA in this gun.
or
One of my other 270's, both Rem BDL 700s:
a) leftie with Broughton-Richards 24" barrel, Rimrock stock, currently being painted by match grade arms in Texas, with either 150 partition, 130 scirocco, or 150 ballistic tip, or 140 accubond or 130 SST...all shoot moa...EASY
b) all stainless 24.5" barrel by Lilja, H-S Precison stock all blue printed as usual. BUT, I haven't even shot this one yet. Chances are it will shoot good. It's my first Lilja barrel to try.
Good old .270, never ever ever lost a deer.
21 July 2004, 16:25
TNriflemanGladly!
I use a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight chambered in 6.5X55 or one chambered in 7X57. Both are scoped with 3X9 Leupold VariX IIs. I think they are just about perfect whitetail rigs; accurate, lightweight, and PURTY!
21 July 2004, 16:58
buckeyeshooterRuger 77 mark 1 in 30-06.
It isn't a medium bore by any stretch of the imagination, but my go-to-gun for deer is my 7-08AI. I built it on a new Sako 591 action I bought from Jerry's/Simmon's and barrelled it with a 22" Stainless Shilen Match in #2 contour with a 1:11 twist. I had a new steel recoil lug made to replace the ill-fitting aluminum one that came with the action, and bedded it right onto the front pillar in my McMillan Composite Sporter stock. It's topped with a Leupold 2.5-8 Vari-X III. The rifle makes itty bitty groups at the range and drops 3 deer every fall (I have no use for more than that).
The one that has accounted for 90% is a Marlin 336 in .30-30. For those times where the country made longer shots the norm, my rem 700 in .30-06 fit the bill. The rem 700 will soon be replaced by a custom Mauser in the same caliber. But for hill country and woods that Marlin will be hard to beat.
21 July 2004, 17:29
browningguyMy old standby is a Ruger 77 RSI in 308 with a 1.5-4.5 scope. The last two years I've done most of my shooting with a custom Mauser in 275 Rigby with a fixed 6x scope.
I often take my BAR in '06, and a BLR in 300 Win when we are hunting wide open spaces.
Not that I'm neurotic or anything, but I usually carry a primary rifle and a backup, and often a backup to the backup.
21 July 2004, 17:30
Dr. LouSako AV Hunter in 6.5x55 and a Kimber 84 in 7-08.
SST - How do you like your 7-08? How much velocity gain and is it worth it the hassle? Lou
21 July 2004, 17:37
weagleSavage 99 brush gun in 358 winchester. Barrel has been cut to 20 inches and it has a vintage weaver k4. 28 years of deer hunting with all sorts of rifles and chamberings and this 99 just feels right. I have a couple of REALLY big fields that I hunt where I use a bolt action 30.06, .270 or whatever flat shooting round I've been shooting the most lately. The 358 just flat puts em down without the usual carnage from the high velocity rounds like a .270.
Good shooting,
Weagle
21 July 2004, 17:39
<9.3x62>Quote:
Not that I'm neurotic or anything, but I usually carry a primary rifle and a backup, and often a backup to the backup.
Yup, me too. 
21 July 2004, 19:37
packratMy vote is for the M70 in .30-06.
#2 is a .257 Roberts.
#3 is a .35 Remington.
Some good answers there. I see a couple of mentions of a Ruger Mk I 30/06. I have one as a third backup, it shoots like a bench rifle, I guess I was lucky as the old ones were hit or miss in the accuracy department from what you read.
Also, I've been toying with the idea of a 444P to try.
My all time favorite caliber is the 7mm-08, but I traded off my Win 70 Featherweight to my shooting pal. I can get it back any time I want to, but so far, I think I'm covered. I actually like Rugers better than Winnies, and if I can find a .260 Ruger either a standard, or Ultra light the Winny will be gone for good, even though it's a real shooter.
Model 70 featherwieght in 6.5x55
ur my
Custom built swedish mauser 6.5x55
21 July 2004, 20:54
mbogo375Favorite caliber for whitetail is 270 Win. Favorite rifle is an old Rem 700 ADL that I bought used, reworked the trigger, and put in a synthetic stock years ago (also on occasion a Blaser R93 and a Rem 700 Classic in 270 Win). All are exceptionally accurate and dependable. I have used many other calibers from 243 Win to 375 H&H, but I always tend to grab one of my 270's for "serious" whitetail hunting.
For the last couple of years I have used vintage open sighted rifles (1910 Ross sporter in 280 Ross, and 375x2.5 Flanged Nitro Express by Holland&Holland on an 1892 Steyr action). This year I may also use a C. Riggs Lee-Enfield sporter, or an Army&Navy Lee-Enfield sporter, both in 303 British. These old rifles are great fun to hunt with, but if the distances might be long (over 200 yards)I will still use a 270
.
Jim
21 July 2004, 23:16
s3v3ntyn1n3Love my NEF Handi-Rifle in .45-70, I never feel undergunned with that. It replaced my Winchester Trapper in .44 Mag, which was all I needed for a good hunt.
The only bolt action hunting rifle I've ever bought, barely made it through it's first and only deer season before I had sold it, there was just no personality in it!
I've been eyeing a used .270 remington pump down at the shop, now that I hear you can use 20 gauge stocks on them, the pull has always been too long on the factory ones.
79
An old beat up InterArms MarkX in .270 has been my go-to-rifle for awhile now. I just bought a Beretta Mato to replace the MarkX (same caliber). The MarkX still shoots good, but it's become an eyesore
it's been dropped, dragged and abused for a long time now. I had a Winchester model 70 in 300H&H built last winter and I may use that too.
22 July 2004, 02:56
SlingsterAt the moment it's a Remington Model Seven Youth Model in .260 Rem with Ching Ring and Burris Scout Scope, a Remington factory synthetic stock instead of the as-issued hardwood stock, and a Safari Ching Sling. It shoots into an inch at 100 yards with most loads.
I've take two whitetails with 160-grain Hornady RNs and a couple more with 125-grain Nosler Partitions, which will be my standard load for this rifle going forward. All one-shot kills, with two of them dropping where they stood and the other two getting no more than 20-30 yards before falling.
Inexpensive, low maintenance, lightweight, accurate, and deadly: what more could one ask?
22 July 2004, 03:01
fla3006G33-40 Mauser, 6mmRem, 3x9 Redfield.
22 July 2004, 03:19
courtney platerMy most productive rifle is a Remington 7 in .308. Walnut stock and topped with a 3x9 Compact Burris and trigger tuned. It's my go to gun.
22 July 2004, 04:03
Jay GorskiHS Precision stocked 700 S/S 7mm-08, 20oz factory trigger, 3.5-10-40mm Leupold. Jay
22 July 2004, 04:17
Major CaliberI have a Santa Barbara M98 in .270 win, timney trigger, DeLorge swing saftey, Bell & Carlson stock, Leupold VariX2 3x9x40 in Redfield rings. It's killed a few truck loads of deer, all were instant one shot kills.
22 July 2004, 04:38
ShadowBobby,
Sako AII Custom in 358 Winchester for timber and all situations under 250 yds.
Dakota Model 97 Long Range Hunter in 7mm Dakota for all situations over 250 yds, plains, beanfields et al.
Bob
22 July 2004, 04:49
KingfisherFirst would have to be my 338/378, second would be my 700 Classic in 300 H&H. Yes, I know, they're both overpowered for deer, but they get the job done.
I hunt the Great State of Pennsylvania. Because of where I hunt all my shots are under 75 yards. I use a Remington Custom Shop Model 7 KS in 35 Remington, or my rebarreled Winchester Model 88 in 358 Winchester. I'm a big 35 caliber fan!!!
22 July 2004, 04:58
Chuck WhiteMy favorite deer rifle(s) follow:
Remington M-7, 7mm-08, loaded with Hornady 139 gr spire points, and topped with a Redfield 3-9X scope!
On rainy days where deer can usually be approached more easily, I will usually carry my Marlin 444P,loaded with Hornady 240 grain soft points, and toped with an old Weaver 2.5X scope!
22 July 2004, 05:55
pagrisBrowning BLR in .358 Winchester, Redfield 2 3/4X Widefield. Just feels right and has for the last 23 years.
50's era Mod 70 standard grade rifle in 270...I know boring but I love that rifle.No need for a backup.
22 July 2004, 06:34
captdavidStand hunting, up to 300yds or so VSL 7-08 hand loads 140bt @ 2900fps.
All other, up to 200yds, Whitworth MarkX 308, 150gn, PP H/L @ 2775fps.
If I had to choose one gun It would be a 24# 700 barrled CDL or Classic.
capt david
Rem 700 FS (kevlar stocked from factory) in 7mm rem mag.
22 July 2004, 06:55
Terry BlauwkampIt depends on where I am hunting. If going out west where shots could be long, then I take a 300 Win Pre 64 with 180 gr SP BT loads.
If I am sitting in a blind in Michigan or Georgia, I take my 30-06 with what ever load I happen to be in love with at that particular moment.
22 July 2004, 06:57
North_GA_AiredalesTough choice... depends on the weather and where I am going.
My go to rifle is a Ruger 77MkII in .35Whelen with custom walnut, matte blued, honed trigger, and Burris 1-5 Fullfield II. I like carrying my 'safari rifle look-alike' for 90% of my deer hunting.
If its raining or snowing, a Marlin 1895SS with Williams Foolproof.
If I'm sitting on a stand, a Remington M788 in 7mm-08.
Good shooting.
22 July 2004, 11:22
tom ga hunteri will use this year
1.rem 7mc 308-zeiss 4x
2. rem 700-257 custom stock-zeiss 3x9
3.rem 700ks 35 whelen 1.75x6 leupold
4.m70 win 30'06 custom stk zeiss 3x9
5.rem 700ks 30'06 3.5x10 zeiss..
i wi;; hunt about 30 days mostly from a stand with a range of under 50 yds..
22 July 2004, 11:41
Rick TealMbongo:
I take it you're switching rifles at 200 yds because of the sighting system. That .280 Ross should be able to do the job at any range you can shoot.
Rick
22 July 2004, 11:48
dwhunterThis year my new custom 280 rem. Past years have consisted of
300 wby
kimber 06
Doug
22 July 2004, 11:53
Rick TealThe most effective deer cartridge and load for deer I've ever seen is the .303 British loaded with 180 grain CPE's. Unfortunately these bullets are no longer available. I've partly duplicated them in .35 calibre with some bullets I swage, and I'm planning to get into .311's and .312's as soon as the dies are ready.
Therefore "currently" my favorite deer cartridge is the .358 Winchester loaded with 220 grain Teal "superbullets"
. My current rifle in this cartridge is a Browning BLR, and the thing does a great job.
Among actions available for hunting deer, I prefer autoloaders, but levers and pumps have a special place in my heart. Over a year ago, I bought a Globco 555 autoloader in .303 British. When I'm able to begin swaging my own .311 bullets, I will expect this to become my primary deer getter.
Rick
22 July 2004, 12:02
Thebear_78Browning Eurobolt in 243 win with boss. Its basically just a cosmetic variation of the abolt. It has a 20" barrel with the boss CR. It is fluted instead of ported. It will shoot the sierra 100gr SBT at 2850 into tiny little clusters at 100 yards. It is my go to deer rifle.
