I'd like to see some favorite deer rifles

beagleye · Nov 21, 2023

This is mine- It's a BSA Majestic Featherweight, 30-06. It's one of the early controlled feed versions, probably late 50s. It's a very lightweight sleek well made all walnut and metal gun. It has several weight saving modifications like hollowed out stock cavities, cutouts areas in the action, and aluminum trigger guard. It has a machined scope dovetail and a really functional factory muzzle break which make shooting a 7# 30-06 pretty manageable. It has nice hand-cut checkering and a pretty schnabble end. Overall it's very slick and well made, and highly functional. And for carrying in the mountains a slim 7# rifle is nice. They seem to be under appreciated. The parts are probably unique. I bought a backup, same model, for my son so we would have a parts gun when we need one. Neither gun cost more than $350.

Eric300 · Nov 21, 2023

Weatherby Mark V Accu Mark .30-06

Thompson Center Encore Pro Hunter .50 cal. Muzzle Loader

Charlie Foxtrott · Nov 21, 2023

I have a few that qualify.

Many of them actually.

TJm15.38 · Nov 21, 2023

Here's mine; a Ruger M77 Mk1 in .270 Winchester and a Glenfield/Marlin 30GT in .30-30 WCF.

lihpster · Nov 21, 2023

Pre-64 Mod. 70 in .270 Win. with a '60s era Bushnell Banner 4X on it. Was my father's, then my brother's and now it's mine. This rifle kept our family fed. It was a working gun. It has the bluing loss and dings in the wood you'd expect from a gun that spent 60 years in the field. And I wouldn't trade it for the prettiest, engraved one hole certified shooter with a stock made out of George Washingtons cherry tree.

1sailor · Nov 21, 2023

I bought this from the son of the original owner. When it was made, Butch and Sundance were still riding with the wild bunch, Queen Victoria ruled England and Teddy Roosevelt was about to become President. In it's life it has likely killed more deer than General Motors. Thought I should add that I've owned it for over 40 years now and it will likely go to my son.

SGT ROCK 11B · Nov 21, 2023

Remington 700 Classic in 30/06 with 3x9 scope for out west. Elk, Mule Deer and Wild Boar. My reloads were Speer 180 Grand Slam for elk and Speer 150 Grand Slam for deer.

brendonjames65 · Nov 21, 2023

My pre 64 Winchester Model 70 featherweight 30-06 mfg date 1956 with 4X Bushnell Scope Chief. I have lots of rifles but this is my favorite.

brendonjames65-albums-reg-mag-and-dept-issue-s-and-w-and-miscellaneous--picture27108-img-0652-a.jpeg

beagleye · Nov 21, 2023

30-06's are going strong!

Fullmetaljacket · Nov 21, 2023

Here's mine: Kimber 84M in .257 Roberts wearing a Leupold 2.5x8. Light, pretty and lethal. I have lots of other choices but they gather dust in recent years, this one just works.

30-30remchester · Nov 21, 2023

LIHPSTER, very nice-looking rifle. Mine is an early transition model 70 in 30 Gov't with a Leupold Alaskan 6 power scope. Though I have many, they are mainly range guns. My 06 has been hunted for 35 years and has 27 elk, 34 mule deer, and 19 antelope to its credit IIRC. While mine has many war wounds and bluing loss, yours has mine beat in that category, but not by much. Told my grandson that it is his when I die with the condition that he NEVER EVER refinishes it or polish it up in any way. I told him I would haunt him from the grave if he did. That rifle has earned every bump and bruise.

lihpster · Nov 21, 2023

30-30remchester said:
LIHPSTER, very nice-looking rifle. Mine is an early transition model 70 in 30 Gov't with a Leupold Alaskan 6 power scope. Though I have many, they are mainly range guns. My 06 has been hunted for 35 years and has 27 elk, 34 mule deer, and 19 antelope to its credit IIRC. While mine has many war wounds and bluing loss, yours has mine beat in that category, but not by much. Told my grandson that it is his when I die with the condition that he NEVER EVER refinishes it or polish it up in any way. I told him I would haunt him from the grave if he did. That rifle has earned every bump and bruise.

The good ones just get under your skin. Can't put 'em down.

garddogg56 · Nov 21, 2023

My favorite is a Savage 99 in a .300 Savage

TheTinMan · Nov 21, 2023

I confess that I have not hunted deer; however, this was my father’s deer rifle. It’s a sporterized Belgian Mauser ‘98 action in 270 Winchester with a Lyman Alaskan scope in a sliding dovetail quick release scope mount.

thetinman-albums-mauser-98-a-picture25717-mauser-98-right.jpeg

Then there’s this 1949 Winchester Model 64 Deluxe Deer Rifle (.30-30):

thetinman-albums-lever-actions-picture26978-winchester-model-64-deer-rifle-right-full.jpeg

Yes the marketing material actually called it the “Deer Rifle”.

OIF2 · Nov 22, 2023

Winchester 70 standard in .30-06...Lyman 4x. What else do you need?
Bob

4T5GUY · Nov 22, 2023

1896 Swedish Mauser reworked by “Kimber” sent to my, (me,) FFL for just over $400.00 back then. The nickel has held up well although a bit shiny where it sits in my trucks gun rack.

Kimber failed/sold out, Chip sold out and Nationwide failed but this is a really nice rifle. I’ve got a FN Mauser Supreme in .264 Win Mag so some of the bullets are common for reloading.

Yep, that’s a Redfield Lo-Pro Widefield 3x9 “TV screen” scope. Although everything is dated I have no reason to upgrade anything.

Jim

Narragansett · Nov 22, 2023

I do not have a pic of it handy, and I gave up hunting in 1981, but I have 2 favorite rifles that are similar, and have not been fired in 40 years.

The first is a Sako 30-06 that I bought from a neighbor in the mid 70's. He brought it back from Germany in 1954. Sold me the gun and a half a box of shells. The other half of the box he fired. Rollover cheekpiece stock and built on a Mauser action. They were made from 1946 to 1961. Cost to me 75.00

The other is a Mauser action Browning safari in 30-06. I bought this in 1980. I remember the guy following me all the way to the car making me promise that I would take care of it.

They are pretty much safe queens

StrawHat · Nov 22, 2023

I have two favorites, that use cartridges.

My oldest, not a black rifle! Just a well aged walnut stock with the traditional Armory bright barrel.

strawhat-albums-strawhat-3-a-picture27125-img-2049-a.jpeg

An Allin conversion of the common musket to handle the 50-70 cartridge. I found the barreled action among Pop’s stuff and restocked it with the Mississippi Rifle lock, stock and small bits.

I load a 450 grain bullet over as much blackpowder as I can pour into the case. Through and through penetration from any angle and an easily read blood trail.

Here is my newer rifle,

strawhat-albums-strawhat-ii-picture26017-2a05651d-a5a6-47da-89a5-3af6eef5aa3c.jpeg

A Winchester Model 1895. It came to me as a 30-40 but the barrel was cratered deeply from shooting corrosive ammunition and poor cleaning. I rebarreled it with a 40 caliber barrel and cut the chamber for the 405 WCF cartridge.

I reload the Lyman 300 grain bullet to duplicate the 40-72 cartridge and they only take a step or two when hit properly. This also provides an easily followed blood trail.

I have a couple of muzzleloaders but they have not gone afield for a couple of decades.

Kevin

BB57 · Nov 22, 2023

My favorites have been this 1926 26” Model 94 rifle in .30-30 and one of my three 20” Model 94 carbines, also in .30-30. All are equipped with vintage Lyman or Marbles tang sights.

I’m also fond of my Big Bore 94 in .375 Win (bottom) as well as a few .38-55s.

The Legendary Frontiersman (top) is arguably the best value in a .38-55 as it will take a steady diet of modern smokeless rounds (255 gr bullet at around 1700 fps and Buffalo Bore “Heavy” rounds, (255 gr bullet at 1950 fps, only 50 fps slower than their .375 Win load). It also has a 24” barrel that is light weight by Model 94 rifle standards making it lightweight and well balanced.

I’m also starting to like my Miroku Winchester 20” Model 94 take down rifle (right). The tang sight didn’t work out well given the location behind the tang safety, but it’s working great now with a Williams receiver sight.

The .38-55 does a great job on deer and it’s a much better choice for black bear than the .30-30.

Valmet · Nov 22, 2023

Love threads like these- when I get back from Thanksgiving vacation I’ll post mine up

I'd like to see some favorite deer rifles

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