Let's see your deer hunting rig

[Handsome Rob]

This has ended up being my kinda go-to, the last few years. Unlike anyone else on here, I do actually own several suitable hunting rifles (gasp in shock all you like commoners, I'm frikkin' LOADED with cash) 

This little madam started out as an end-of- season-Walmart-sale youth model 700 in .243. I fired it straight off to Jess at JES Reboring & had its tube scooped out to .358 winchester. Picked up a used Brown's Precision Pound'r stock (weighs 14oz, after chopping off the extra length actually) & slapped a recoil pad, scope & some paint on it. 

It hits like the hand of God when I need it to (220gn Speers at 2540fps) but I can also pick off skwerls with cast pistol bullets down to 800fps if I want to! 

If, for some ungodly reason, I suddenly became an average pauper like you lot & had to cut down to *gasps in poverty* Just. One. Rifle. This would be the one I'd keep, no question. 

Edited March 4, 2022 by Handsome Rob
Speeling mistooks

[KahrMan]

1 hour ago, Handsome Rob said:

This has ended up being my kinda go-to, the last few years. Unlike anyone else on here, I do actually own several suitable hunting rifles (gasp in shock all you like commoners, I'm frikkin' LOADED with cash) 

This little madam started out as an end-of- season-Walmart-sale youth model 700 in .243. I fired it straight off to Jess at JES Reboring & had its tube scooped out to .358 winchester. Picked up a used Brown's Precision Pound'r stock (weighs 14oz, after chopping off the extra length actually) & slapped a recoil pad, scope & some paint on it. 

It hits like the hand of God when I need it to (220gn Speers at 2540fps) but I can also pick off skwerls with cast pistol bullets down to 800fps if I want to! 

If, for some ungodly reason, I suddenly became an average pauper like you lot & had to cut down to *gasps in poverty* Just. One. Rifle. This would be the one I'd keep, no question. 

I was looking at a BLR in .358 the other day.  That is one caliber I do not have.  This "I must have all the calibers" sickness is a real pain in the a$$. 

[Shooter 74]

I do have a pair for hunting from a box blind. 

Edited March 6, 2022 by Shooter 74

[jwhjwh54]

Merkel 270 though I think I've smoked more pigs with it than deer 

 

[KahrMan]

1 hour ago, jwhjwh54 said:

Merkel 270 though I think I've smoked more pigs with it than deer 

 

Really nice Merkel. 

[jwhjwh54]

11 hours ago, KahrMan said:

Really nice Merkel. 

I love it . Really accurate and fun to hunt with. Kicks like a mule on the range but while hunting I don't feel a thing

[DJTC45]

Here's one. 

[Jason5150]

I'm looking to buy a hunting rifle. I'm torn between 30.06 and .308. I'm a new deer hunter...I've killed a boar though! I love the look of 30 30 and 45-70 but worried about range and power, am I wrong about that? I have a 5.56 but I don't feel comfortable using it from what I've read...I'd be wrecked if I injured a deer and wasted a harvest..or am I wrong about that too?

[Jason5150]

On 3/6/2022 at 10:08 PM, KahrMan said:

Really nice Merkel. 

Thats beautiful!

[Jason5150]

On 2/26/2022 at 1:17 PM, Ironhandjohn said:

I’ve killed more deer with the front end of a semi than I ever did with a firearm. 

Honk Honk

[Handsome Rob]

1 hour ago, Jason5150 said:

I'm looking to buy a hunting rifle. I'm torn between 30.06 and .308. I'm a new deer hunter...I've killed a boar though! I love the look of 30 30 and 45-70 but worried about range and power, am I wrong about that? I have a 5.56 but I don't feel comfortable using it from what I've read...I'd be wrecked if I injured a deer and wasted a harvest..or am I wrong about that too?

Nothing wrong with a 5.56/.223 with the correct bullet & shot placement. A good, scoped .30-30 will cover about 80% of Tennessee deer hunting. If you're looking at a new rifle, a .308 will cover all your bases, mouse to moose, inside of 500yds. A .30-06 is really no advantage over a .308, unless you're wanting to go after big stuff with heavier bullets. 

What's your rifle shooting experience level?

[Jason5150]

Thank you for the reply, sir! I was able to maintain Expert while in the military. I grew up around rifles and hunting and have always loved it. I just never dove deep into it like I should have. I do partake in the 2A along with my wife, I carry a MP Shield 9. I purchased my first AR a couple of weeks ago!

[Jason5150]

13 minutes ago, Handsome Rob said:

Nothing wrong with a 5.56/.223 with the correct bullet & shot placement. A good, scoped .30-30 will cover about 80% of Tennessee deer hunting. If you're looking at a new rifle, a .308 will cover all your bases, mouse to moose, inside of 500yds. A .30-06 is really no advantage over a .308, unless you're wanting to go after big stuff with heavier bullets. 

What's your rifle shooting experience level?

Thank you for the reply, sir! I was able to maintain Expert while in the military. I grew up around rifles and hunting and have always loved it. I just never dove deep into it like I should have. I do partake in the 2A along with my wife, I carry a MP Shield 9. I purchased my first AR a couple of weeks ago!

[gregintenn]

1 hour ago, Jason5150 said:

I'm looking to buy a hunting rifle. I'm torn between 30.06 and .308. I'm a new deer hunter...I've killed a boar though! I love the look of 30 30 and 45-70 but worried about range and power, am I wrong about that? I have a 5.56 but I don't feel comfortable using it from what I've read...I'd be wrecked if I injured a deer and wasted a harvest..or am I wrong about that too?

There isn’t a nickel’s difference in real world difference in a 308 and a 30-06. Same bullet flying at basically the same speed.

First thing you might want to consider is your budget for said rifle.
 

Most people, in my opinion, spend a lot of money on a rifle and not near enough on a scope. You really don’t need a Hubble telescope for deer hunting, but a good quality scope is well worth it’s cost.

 

Sorry for the rambling post, but maybe it’ll give you a few points to ponder.

 

[Jason5150]

15 minutes ago, gregintenn said:

There isn’t a nickel’s difference in real world difference in a 308 and a 30-06. Same bullet flying at basically the same speed.

First thing you might want to consider is your budget for said rifle.
 

Most people, in my opinion, spend a lot of money on a rifle and not near enough on a scope. You really don’t need a Hubble telescope for deer hunting, but a good quality scope is well worth it’s cost.

 

Sorry for the rambling post, but maybe it’ll give you a few points to ponder.

 

Hey no problem, I appreciate it...I was thinking of a Ruger or Savage Axis for my first one. Yes sir, optics..thanks for that tip

[gregintenn]

16 minutes ago, Jason5150 said:

Hey no problem, I appreciate it...I was thinking of a Ruger or Savage Axis for my first one. Yes sir, optics..thanks for that tip

I’ve yet to own an inaccurate Savage.

[Jason5150]

12 minutes ago, gregintenn said:

I’ve yet to own an inaccurate Savage.

Thats good to know especially for the price of one. Plenty of cash left for scope

[Godcountrygun]

How yall get it home?

[Handsome Rob]

On 3/18/2022 at 10:21 AM, Godcountrygun said:

How yall get it home?

Carry it to the truck then toss it on the back seat. 

It's a rifle, not a load of bricks! 

[Godcountrygun]

On 3/19/2022 at 10:39 AM, Handsome Rob said:

Carry it to the truck then toss it on the back seat. 

It's a rifle, not a load of bricks! 

I mean the deer

[Handsome Rob]

11 hours ago, Godcountrygun said:

I mean the deer

Same answer. 

[gregintenn]

11 hours ago, Godcountrygun said:

I mean the deer

 

Pretty simple, really.

[stealthgoat]

On 3/21/2022 at 8:41 AM, gregintenn said:

 

Pretty simple, really.

Nice deer! 

Not arguing with Rob, but in my limited experience the truck bed has worked better for me too, versus trying to fit it in the back seat    

[Eddie Southgate]

My Winchester model 71, built November 1936 with he bolt peep sight. 

[KahrMan]

1 hour ago, Eddie Southgate said:

My Winchester model 71, built November 1936 with he bolt peep sight. 

Wow. That is an early one. They made them from ‘35-‘58  .348 Winchester is a great round. I have a Browning 71 in .348. I have not been able to find me an original yet well at least at a decent price.