Selecting the Right Deer Rifle for Your Needs

by Cigar Hunter
7-8-05

Anyone who has ever laid awake for a good part of the night, excited about the coming morning and the ensuing hunt, has an opinion about what an ideal deer rifle consists of. Preparation for hunting deer should include adequate range time and proper sighting in of the rifle. We are going to presuppose that the hunter is willing to make the effort to fulfill his part in the equation that makes a successful hunt. Over the years we have hunted in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Alaska, California, South Africa and Australia and I can tell you for certain that the requirements for a successful hunt varied widely. Properly choosing the correct rifle and cartridge for the terrain and distances that you will encounter is a must.

Action Types
Rifles that are suitable for deer hunting come in a variety of action types: lever action, bolt action, pump, autoloading and single shot. Perhaps the most common action styles that one encounters in the fields and forests of the Eastern U.S. are the bolt action and lever action. Both of these action types are available in a broad spectrum of calibers to cover all of the individual hunter’s requirements. Most of my successful hunts in the Eastern U.S. have been with lever action rifles from a number of manufacturers. The classic Winchester Model 94 lever action in both 30-30 and .44 magnum have accompanied me while trudging through many woods and fence rows. I have also used durable and more gently priced Marlin 336’s in those common calibers to take deer. These lever actions have been a popular choice with hunters who want the option of a quick second shot before the deer ducks into the brush. Ruger and Browning lever actions have also enjoyed a spot in my list of great deer rifles. Bolt action rifles are seen in every hunting field. They are tops on the list of rifle types because of their wide variety of calibers and the inherent strength of their construction. The bolt action is considered by most to be the strongest, most reliable action available. The fact that they are also available in the broadest number of calibers is just icing on the cake. Most bolt actions have a magazine of three or more rounds so with practice, quick follow up shots can be a reality. The pump action, autoloading and single shot rifles fill out the balance of the majority of the possible choices for a good deer rifle. Any of these types can be professionally and competently used in a successful hunt, the choice is left to the hunter. We find that most times people shoot best with the rifle type that they are most familiar with. In my experience, I shoot best with the bolt actions and lever actions, never having produced great results with the pump action or autoloaders. But, that’s just me, perhaps your results are the exact opposite.

Caliber Choices
The varied terrains that we have hunted in have had a definite impact in the choice of rifles and hunting loads that we have carried. Most hunters spend their lives hunting in a fairly limited area and are very familiar with the type of terrain that they experience. This makes the choice of their deer rifle much simpler. If most of their shots are taken at less than 100 yards a 30-30 or .44 magnum may fit the bill. If the terrain is an open field that allows them to stretch out the shot a .30-06, 270 Winchester or .308 Winchester are great choices. If you do some “Big Sky” country hunting with shots in excess of 200+ yards, a rifle in .270, 7mm or .300 magnum calibers might be your cup of tea. This area of long shots can also include the .30-06 and .308 Winchester that have been proven to provide great knock down power with the 150 grain bullets. As with every hunting endeavor, bullet placement is the most important factor in bringing down the game. As you can see there is overlap in choosing a rifle type and caliber combination, with some people choosing the higher end of the power spectrum. The less experienced hunters many times choose a higher powered, flat shooting round when hunting in varying terrain because it reduces the number of variables involved in taking a shot.

Rifle Weight
Any time that you are going to carry a gun in the field for extended treks, weight very quickly becomes an issue. While the weight of a rifle can help ameliorate a hard kicking round it can be a chore to tote around a 9-10 pound rifle all day. A light weight rifle can also be less than desirable if it is chambered in round that delivers a healthy “kick”. Over the years I have settled on a combination rifle/scope weight of between 8 and 8 ľ lbs, proving to be a pleasant carrying as well as shooting weight.

Telescopic Sights
All of my deer rifles carry a high quality scope to aid shot placement at most distances. My woods rifles carry either 1-4x or 2-7x variable scopes, although some might choose open sights. My open country rifles typically carry 3-9x, 3.5-10x, or 4-12x scopes. I find that the variable scopes have met my expectations nearly every time. In my experience, quality is many times reflected in the cost of the optical equipment. You don’t have to buy a $4000 scope to guarantee performance, but durability and repeatable performance is many times lacking in the lower end rifle scopes. If we remember that hitting the target is necessary to a productive hunt, a higher quality scope can be essential to your success.

Summary
First determine what type of terrain your hunt will encompass. Determine your budget for procuring this valuable tool. Find which action type and caliber will meet the requirements of your hunt. Decide whether open sights or a telescopic sight would increase your chances at a successful hunt. Then the often pleasurable task of shopping for the best deal on the combination of elements that you believe would be “your” best deer rifle can begin. Hint: I have made lifelong friends while perusing the wares of the local gun shops. You may find that the “hunt” for your best deer rifle will be as rewarding as your hunt for that trophy deer.