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Suggestions for first deer rifle....

rustyh
I have a 19 year old son that likes to deer hunt. I am a wing hunter. I am thinking of getting him a first hunting rifle for Christmas. I know very little about rifles. Someone has recommended a 30-30 lever action. Probably used for value. Can I be in the $400 range with a fair scope? Something that will make a 200 yard shot with reasonable accuracy.
Suggestions?
Reasons?

Thanks, Rusty
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Comments

27 comments

Date Votes
  • savage170
    savage for 200 yds any stanard caliber such as 270,280,308 30-06 7mm-08 would be better than 30-30
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  • jabronij3
    savage in 7mm08 308 243 can't be beat quality and value new around 260-300 for the new model 200
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  • ruger270man
    I recommend a Savage in .308

    You can't beat a Savage out of the box for accuracy.. and the prices are great too.

    .308 because its a universal caliber, very accurate, short action, plenty of cheap surplus ammo available.

    270 and 30-06 are good too.
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  • Turbo72
    Ruger m77 markII or new Ruger hawkeye would be a good choice. .25-06, .270, .280, 7mm-06, .30-06 all good deer calibers. Don't buy a cheap scope either. Leupold, Burris, Nikon all make good scopes that wont break you. Don't think you will get it put together for $400 though.
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  • dheffley
    Any of the Savages in what ever caliber you like. I would go for either a 30.06 or a .308 for 200 yards.
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  • buschmaster
    eh! you can get a .243, .270 or .280.

    I think you can find anything mentioned so far for around $400 used no problem.
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  • Turbo72
    Used for around $400 rifle alone yes, but probably not Used with a good scope for $400. >quote:Originally posted by buschmaster
    eh! you can get a .243, .270 or .280.

    I think you can find anything mentioned so far for around $400 used no problem.
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  • FEENIX
    .30-06 [^]!
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  • luvberetta
    New Savage 110 package w/ scope $400 -$450 Steven's model 200 made by Savage is the 110 Savage with a plastic stock and dose not have the new adjustible AccuTrigger , other than that it is the same rifle. Steven's 200 cost around $279 , Plenty left over for a nice scope. This comes in many caliber's 223,22-250,243,308,30-06,7mm,300mag Hope this helps.
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  • rider
    My recommendations are a nice little Ruger Model 77 in either .243 or .25-06. You can keep the expense down by topping it with a nice Simmons 3X9 and still have a good reliable scope that will last for years. [:)][:)] Then, let the boy buy and trade up from there.
    rider
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  • select-fire
    Easily done. Here is just one example. Let him get a scope..

    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=85156087
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  • mond
    personally...243 cal as entry level...6.5x55 for long term ...less meat damage, nice recoil with silencer !![^]
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  • Horse Plains Drifter
    I have been out of the leading edge of what's new and cool and good for a few years. Those bolt action savages used to be a kind of low rent thing, but I see people here recommend then quite a bit. Have they gotten better or has everything else just went down hill?

    To input on your question rustyh:
    You dont say where you hunt, and terrain and range have a lot to do with what cartridge you use. That being said, I wouldn't generally go below a 243 Win. and unless you got some extreme thing going on you don't need anything bigger than a 30-06. I have told people for years if there is any doubt get a 30-06. You will never go wrong with an '06.

    I forgot to add, there is nothing wrong with used either. A lot of people stick their nose in the air at something used. I would much rather have high quality used than new junk.
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  • flyingtorpedo
    I've heard good things about the Howa 1500 rifles as well-I don't own one but want one. They are the same actions put into more expensive "name brand" rifles. You can get package deals with a scope already mounted for under $400 for a new one with a black synthetic stock. I've heard the scopes are decent. Here's a link to the question I asked about the scopes that come with the rifle. http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=270191 With that said I don't think you can go wrong with the savage either. Here is a old thread that compares the savage and howa. http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=232492&SearchTerms=howa
    As far as caliber that would depend on how much recoil he is comfortable with. If he hasn't shot alot I'd go for a smaller caliber like the 243. If he has a bit more experience I'd get a 308 or 30-06. Hope I could help. Good luck and let us know what you decide on. [:D]
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  • buschmaster
    low rent but supposedly a tack driver right out of the box.
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  • reddnek
    Leave us not forget the 257 Roberts,the 30-30 has taken tones of deer and maybe with the new leverevolution bullets its a 200 yd rifle. I try to keep my 30-30 shots less than 150yds
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  • fishkiller41
    "06"
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  • rustyh
    Further information......

    Son is 6'1" at a lean 165 lbs. He is comfortable with recoil from shotguns and slugs. He hunts a borrowed 30-06 some.

    I am looking for a gun that will carry him into larger game if he wants. Not an elephant but maybe an elk. Not sure what kind of distance is needed for elk. If we are talking a hugh leap here I will not worry about it.

    We hunt mostly in central NC. Woods and rolling hills. Most of the deer shots he will take are less than 200 yards. Probably 150 max.

    Thanks for the ideas so far. I am getting a lot of research directions.

    Rusty
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  • RugerNiner
    $300

    http://gandermountain.shoplocal.com/gandermountain/default.aspx?action=browsepagedetail&storeid=2401002&rapid=451787&pagenumber=2&listingid=-2092738759&ref=/gandermountain/default.aspx?action=browsepagelarge&storeid=2401002&rapid=451787&pagenumber=2

    $370

    http://gandermountain.shoplocal.com/gandermountain/default.aspx?action=browsepagedetail&storeid=2401002&rapid=465629&pagenumber=1&listingid=-2092600772&ref=/gandermountain/default.aspx?action=browsepagelarge&storeid=2401002&rapid=465629&pagenumber=1
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  • HandgunHTR52
    Rusty - based on your updated description, I would say go with a Savage in 30-06. It will take anything in the lower 48 and most things elsewhere.
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  • savage170
    +1on 30-06 sevral factory loads avaible to take just about anything right down to 55 grain accelator for varmints
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  • flyingtorpedo
    30-06 all the way!

    I wouldn't get the remington 770. I think you are paying more for the name and you can get a better quality rifle for the same amount of money.
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  • guntech59
    quote:Originally posted by HandgunHTR52
    Rusty - based on your updated description, I would say go with a Savage in 30-06. It will take anything in the lower 48 and most things elsewhere.


    Agree! You can go from their bottom of the line with great accuracy but not real pretty up to more expensive (and better looking) rifles.
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  • Colt Super
    I think, from what you described, that he would be totally fine with a .30-30 lever gun. They have taken many, many elk, and probably more deer than any other rifle/caliber.

    And you can get a decent setup for under $400.

    Sounds to me like you're doing a really neat thing for your Son.

    Good luck !!

    Doug
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  • ladams
    30.06 is a good choice, as are any of the .300 magnums. The magnums can easily handle deer at any range to 300 yards or more, and have the edge over the 30.06 when it comes to bigger game like elk and bear. 30.06 ammo is cheaper and readily available almost anywhere. .300 magnums can easily be loaded down to 30.06 like ballistics if your son reloads or intends to start reloading.
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  • beantownshootah
    quote:Originally posted by rustyh
    Further information......

    Son is 6'1" at a lean 165 lbs. He is comfortable with recoil from shotguns and slugs. He hunts a borrowed 30-06 some.

    I am looking for a gun that will carry him into larger game if he wants. Not an elephant but maybe an elk. Not sure what kind of distance is needed for elk. If we are talking a hugh leap here I will not worry about it.

    We hunt mostly in central NC. Woods and rolling hills. Most of the deer shots he will take are less than 200 yards. Probably 150 max.

    Thanks for the ideas so far. I am getting a lot of research directions.

    Rusty

    That makes it awfully easy.

    If he's already accustomed to a 30-'06, if you're going to buy new out of the box, why consider anything else?

    Its plenty good for elk, and for good reason its the most popular and versatile hunting round in North America.

    Next question then is what's your budget, and don't forget to include a good scope (which is as important, if not more so than the actual rifle!).
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  • Wolf.
    --
    -I recommend you buy a used rifle. I would try to find a used Winchester Model 70 in caliber .30-06. Unless the gun has a scope on it that you really like, make a deal for the gun without the scope.

    If you buy the gun from an individual, don't buy one that has had a lot of work done on it by the owner, himself (i.e. glass bedding, stock switch, bolt alteration, etc.). I can get a good used Mod 70 around here (Central Coast, California) for 400-500 dollars, without scope.

    I recommend a scope that is either a fixed 2X or a variable 1.5X-4X or 2X-6X, or something in that range. The low power will be great for up close snap shots and the higher magnification is all he'll need for longer shots. 7X is too much magnification, in my opinion. My favorite scope is Leupold, but there are other acceptable scopes, such as Nikon.
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