$500 for a deer rifle, what to buy?

[MoBoost]

Don't get tied up in "caliber" - there are 100s of calibers that will work on OK deer.

P.S. 270 is a great suggestion - but how is it different from 30-06 other than piss poor bullet selection. Ok, maybe that's harsh - but after building a 270wsm, .277 just makes me cranky (yeah, 7mm barrel if going on soon).

 

[Reserve20]

I reload for my 30-06. It is the best caliber for all hunting. I have no problem with finding the right bullet to reload. You can go from 110 gr. to 220 gr. You you need to buy a rifle to fit all hunting situations.

 

[A5Sooner]

Marlin 30-30 w/ micro groove barrel + hornady leverevolutions.

 

[z06man]

I just did the math on my new rig, Stevens 200 ($195) + Bushnell 3200 3-9x40 ($150) + bases and rings ($35) = $380 including tax. This should be a great deer gun and very inexpensive. It's not pretty, but I'm not going to worry about scratching my high polish bluing or knicking my beautiful stock.

I got the rifle and scope from Academy, BTW. Pick up the bases and rings while you're there. One stop shopping.

 

[swampratt]

I have 2 of them 270's in 200 stevens..not scoped yet..keep thinking of a re barrel to something cool like a 6.5 x 284 or 6.5-06 or 338 edge or 30-378..

maybe nothing at all...my favorite to shoot is my 30-06...and my 308 10fp is a close second,,,

z06man FAQ
Q: Where's the Z06?
A: I can answer that with an equation.
z06man + marrying college girl = civicman ......that is terrible for now ,,but it may get better,,,I bought a 1947 dodge truck in 1986 with a 396 bbc was not finished when i got it ,,the 396 was a factory 425hp that was tweaked and ran super gass in a chevelle ,,it ran 9.8's in the 1/4... my girlfriend got pregnant..so i solt the truck and engine ..1 buddy got the truck for 700 and another got the engine for 625.... buddy skipped out and never payed for the engine......
My wife bought the truck back for me 5 years ago , from the same guy i sold it to ,,he never touched it,,,, i put it on the road in 2009,, so all can turn around for the best

the truck is now my daily driver, and she is quick too

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

T/C Venture is the best value in a sub-$500.

Honorable mentions to Howa/Vanguard, and Savage. Unfortunately, CZ 550s and Tikka T3 no longer come in that cheap, or they would trump the Venture.

 

[clintbailey]

Just my $.02, but if you're only going to be hunting whitetails, look for a 243 and save yourself some recoil and ammo cost, plus they're more kid friendly if you ever need one for that situation.

 

[bigfug]

Just my $.02, but if you're only going to be hunting whitetails, look for a 243 and save yourself some recoil and ammo cost, plus they're more kid friendly if you ever need one for that situation.

I picked up a NEF in .243 with a nice scope, bipod and box of ammo for 250. I sighted it in, and put some rounds downrange to make sure I was comfortable with it. Had 3 shots dead center, 2 touching, 3rd just a hair away, I doubt I could put 3 shots in the same hole again, but was damn impressed with that rifle.

 

[papal]

Savage 110 in .270

This.....and don't look back. Can't go wrong with Savage, that's for dang sure.

 

[z06man]

I have 2 of them 270's in 200 stevens..not scoped yet..keep thinking of a re barrel to something cool like a 6.5 x 284 or 6.5-06 or 338 edge or 30-378..

maybe nothing at all...my favorite to shoot is my 30-06...and my 308 10fp is a close second,,,

z06man FAQ
Q: Where's the Z06?
A: I can answer that with an equation.
z06man + marrying college girl = civicman ......that is terrible for now ,,but it may get better,,,I bought a 1947 dodge truck in 1986 with a 396 bbc was not finished when i got it ,,the 396 was a factory 425hp that was tweaked and ran super gass in a chevelle ,,it ran 9.8's in the 1/4... my girlfriend got pregnant..so i solt the truck and engine ..1 buddy got the truck for 700 and another got the engine for 625.... buddy skipped out and never payed for the engine......
My wife bought the truck back for me 5 years ago , from the same guy i sold it to ,,he never touched it,,,, i put it on the road in 2009,, so all can turn around for the best

the truck is now my daily driver, and she is quick too

That's a great story.

I actually got the Stevens for their actions. After having some fun with them as they are, I'll probably rebarrel one and try my hand at building a super accurate rifle. I'm thinking something in 6.5mm too. I think they are really cool in that you can work on them yourself without a lot of special tools/equipment.