Frank Bates’ top 22 deer rifles
Rifles have come a long way since pioneer days. Today, this modernized weapon is the top choice of many hunters who seek white-tailed deer east of the Rocky Mountains, mule deer west of the Rockies and black-tailed deer along the West Coast. Whether it’s stand hunting, still hunting, deer drive hunting, spot and stalk hunting or dog hunting, rifles are used to keep deer populations in check and feed families.
Check out this article Top 10 Best Bolt Action Deer/Big Game Hunting Rifles. The author does a good job covering some of the most popular, commercially-produced bolt-action deer hunting rifles of our time, but I think there are quite a few he overlooked.
Below is a list of the 10 rifles mentioned by the author, plus 12 more that I think should be in a list of the top 20 or 25:
- Savage Model 110 – Well-deserved reputation for strength and accuracy, thanks in part to the barrel locknut.
- Winchester Model 70 – Simple, adjustable trigger; a new version was introduced in 2007.
- Browning A-Bolt – Features include glass-bedding, 60-degree bolt throw and ergonomically-designed bolt knob.
- Remington Model 700 – Possibly the most popular American bolt-action rifle of all time, despite trigger safety problems.
- Ruger Model 77 – Includes non-detachable box magazine with hinged floorplate and integral scope mounts.
- Sako 85 – Slick action with a fairly short bolt-throw, which can add up to quick follow-up shots.
- Tikka T3 – Criticized for “manufacturing shortcuts,” but praised for smoothness.
- Weatherby Mark V – Adjustable trigger, non-detachable box magazine with hinged floorplate and side-mounted thumb safety.
- Weatherby Vanguard – Built to be a less expensive option for those who wanted the Weatherby name but couldn’t afford the Mark V; guaranteed accuracy.
- Marlin X7 Series Rifles – Relatively new on the scene; uses a barrel locknut.
- Others include the Winchester Stealth 308, Steyr Mannlicher, Remington VSFS 22 250, Winchester 300 Win Short Mag, Winchester Model 70 Super Shadow, Remington Model 7 Magnum, Remington 300 Ultramag Sendero, Browning Stainless Stalker 300 Win Mag, Mossberg 100 ATR, Ruger American Rifle, Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 and Konus 4×32 Riflescope.
Do you hunt with one of the rifles listed above? If so, what’s your opinion of it? What other rifles have you used? Are there certain rifles you would recommend to others for deer hunting? I’d love to hear from you.
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FOR ALL YOU NEW HUNTERS JUST STARTING OUT,OR FOR SOME OLD TIMERS JUST LOOKING FOR SOME THING NEW TO PLAY WITH.I LIKE AND STILL LOVE MY 303 ENFIELD RIFLE.NOW YOU GUYS CAN GO OUT THERE AND SPEND A GRAND OR MORE ON SOME BIG NAME GUNS WITH THERE NEW HI-TEC ITEMS,BUT AS FOR ME(MADDOG PARSONS) I KNOW FROM YEARS OF TEACHING FORN. REBEL ARMYS W/U.S.SPEC.FORCES COMMAND THAT THE 303 IS STILL ONE OF THE BIGGEST HITTERS OUT THERE.YOU CAN GET A 303 SPORTERRISE RIFLE FOR ABOUT 300.00 DOLLARS OR LESS SOME TIMES W/SCOPE,THE MILITARY WILL COST YOU MORE BECAUSE ITS A WAR RELIC,BUT ETHER ONE WILL DO A NICE JOB TAKING DOWN A DEER, AND FOR THE MOST PART ARE EASY MAINT. ONCE YOU LEARN AND MASTER YOUR LONG RANGE REAR SIGHT OR YOUR SCOPE PATTERN,YOU WILL FEEL LIKE YOUR KING OF THE WOODS WITH THIS BEAST.
Same holds true for the 8mm Mauser, it will drop them like rocks. But unless you have the components to reload the ammunition is pricey.
I HAVE HUNTED FOR MANY YEARS AND THIS IS MY OPINIUN ONLY i THINK A 243 OR A 223 IS ALL ONE NEEDS FOR DEER,i THINK THE BEST ALL ROUND RIFLE IS THE 30-06 IT HAS THE MOST CHOOSES IN LOADS,WHICH i USED FOR MANY YEARS,ALSO HAVE A 300 MAG ,WHEN i HUNT IN G-BEAR COUNTRY,My first deer I got was with a 22,that was in the late 50′s. thank You, Kel Lavallee
dear Frank, I`m not into killing animals, but I wouldn`t mind haveing a riffle for protection for home invasion. Would you write article on this.
Tikka T3 Lite stainless! I have both .223 and .243, both
tack-drivers, extremely slick function, excellent trigger, 6#. Had lots of Rem 700′s- all accurate, hard to beat.
In a survival situation, a .223 is all you need, and an AR
is OK. No FMJ’s, 53gr Vmaxes put them down like lightning.
never have been a big fan of bolt actions. Quite possibly because I’m left handed. Yeah, I know they make tem for lefties as well, but eh. lever action I like, and semis I like. shot a little 7 mm up in Michigan that really liked but I couldn’t talk the owner out of it. can’t remember the brand, but it was a WW2 collectable. only took me two shots to his the center a little to the left. Liked it a lot.
I agree with the handling and utility of the Marlin 30-30 here in the Southeast and use a Modified Remington 700 Mag. Got used to doping scope on long shots w/.308′s as sniper in Marine Corp. Have several other rifles including some hidden from this administration!!
I got a Remington A3-03 back in 1966 with a Monto Carlo stock I shot it till around 1985 when it started to lose it’s accuracy and I had it check and was told it would need a new barrel, someday I will replace the barrel. I got me a Browning A-Bolt 30/06 with a boss and found it to be very very accurate . I have found that the bolt action rifle is the most dependable and accurate and the 30/06 to be the best round for all game.
Frank,
I am partial to a Win 270cal. I use a Remington 700. Very accurate. My daughter uses a Savage-Stevens bolt in a 270. this is a good caliber for most women to use…recoil is med-light. Much less than a 30-06.
The Rem 700 does not have trigger problems anymore. This model in a Rem 7mm Mag is a great deer/bear/elk…gun
Bullet placement is more critical than which caliber.
I have a Savage model 10 in 243 but around here your lucky to get 40 yds so I have a Winchester 94 in Rem 35 cal .Brush does not disturb the shot
Up here I kind of prefer My Winchester 07 in 351 cal with the Williams Peepsight and original King front.
Works every time I have fired it. My other rifles I am not as comfortable with.
This survey has no validity without including Remington 760 or 7600. I’ve shot a 7600 in .30-06 most of my life, and my cousin has used a 7600 in .270 most of her life. Classic, quintessential deer rifle. Needs to be included.
Back in 1982 I purchased my first very accurate Deer rifle, a new Savage 110E, 30-06, for $137.50 from a Wholesale Sports Center in Tucson, AZ. Also purchased a cheap 3X9 Scope for less than $30.00 . I always use 150 gr. Federal Ammo, and have always dropped my Deer on the first shot, as I only care to do neck shots that give an instant kill from my many years of hunting experience. I am now 67 yrs. old and have been hunting with the Savage 110E since 1982. The only draw back is that I do not have any bragging rights when with all the other hunters when we are at our Hunting Lodge, as my Savage was cheap and even looks cheap, compared to the other hunters very expensive guns. I would recommend this gun for anyone that hunts big game. One last thing, is that, I have never had to sight it in since the first time I used it. Savage Fire Arms built a great accurate Rifle when they built the model 110E, and at a great price as well!
I hear you Wayne, My savage 7mm is accurate and I love it as much or more than my remingtons or weatherby. And I think you have better bragging rights. I learned years ago, never make fun of the guy with the old hockey equipment. Means it has been used, ALOT. Same with your rifle, it’s put a lot of meat in the freezer.,
I am still shooting my old 03-A1 Springfield with a Redfield 3X9. I thas been working well for since about 1964 and I see no reason to change. You can load 30-06 to take anything from prairie dogs to grizzlies.
The Remington trigger safety issue is actually modified rifles that have had the trigger pull adjusted to unrecommended lbs. of pull. CNBC even knew this when they reported it and the US Army does not allow their snipper to adjust trigger pull any longer.
Hi Frank, my Reminngton 7mm Rem. mag. (180 grain) has never let me down, @ 600+ yards, you need a gun that can hit the mark. I also use my Ruger 300 Win. mag. (180 grain) for moose hunting, it has alot of knock down power, saves on the walking later. For bush wacking I use the always popular 30-30 winchester (180 grain) for its quick responce time in those tight spots in the bush, lighter in weight, a most when you need to pack-out the harvest.
Frank . . . what a troublemaker you are with this classic statement . . . its like religion, politics, and dutch oven cooking !! Although my preferred therapy is reloading, I think available of ammo in a crisis is an important consideration. I have harvested deer with many 30-06s (’03, 1917, M77) as well as 30-30 and 7mm. Getting to be an older guy, I love the older stuff the best.
What about the Blazer rifles? You only mention American rifles nothing compares with the design & performance of a Blazer.
I have shot over a thousand red with a .270 BSA rifle which I bought back in 1959, it has new barrel & is still going strong.
One thing to remember is, it’s only a good rifle if you can easily find ammo for it. The three most popular calibers in the south east are the 30-30 win., 270 win., and 30-06 springfield. (the 270 win. is a necked down 30-06) These calibers can usually be found in any Mom and Pop Store where you are hunting, in case you forgot to pack your ammo in a hurry to get to the woods. Of course I’m speaking of a time before the government created a false shortage of ammunition.
This administration has done more for gun sales and bulk ammo sales than any other administration. And they are anti-gun? Anyway, these guns with some skill and common sense can take care of you.
1 used a Winchester 308 magnum lever action. it’s good 4 all types
of hunting.With 180 grin
Hi Frank:
My favorite deer rifle is my Browning BAR safari 25-06. I have had it for three years and only fired it four times and have three deer. One for each of the last three years.
I have the Weatherby Mark V in .300 Weatherby Mag. I use it for elk in Colorado with 220 gr
nosler partition bullets. Last kill was 540 yds, one shot. Went down like a billboard in the
wind.
Also Sako 30-06 for deer and have taken 35 bucks with 36 shots–shot one twice as it was
nearly dark and he was pushing himself into a swamp. Here I use 150 gr nosler partitions.
Gary
Frank
For a good brush gun, I really like my pre-64 30-30 Winchester. It’s easier to carry through the brush than a longer rife, and it appears to work OK. For longer shots I like my 1917 Enfield 30-06 with the flip up peep sites. It will definitely reach out and touch somebody. For a good varmit rifle my hands down favorite is my 1927 Remington pump .22. I have to try to miss with that one.
Mosin Nagant 91/30 open sights.
Cheap accurate shooting and surplus ammo.
What more can one ask for?
Yup! I added a timney trigger, bent bolt monte carlo stock and a compensator. It is good for 800 meters.
I too am surprised that you are such a proponent of the bolt action. I have had first hand knowledge of two men killed when the bolt came back and went through their eye. I always hunt lever action or semi. I do tend to favor Remington or Winchester. Since having my first buck stolen by a member of my hunting party (relatives no less) I stepped up from a 30-30 to a 444. They will not hunt with me now as the deer will probable not run as far as it did then. Besides I have let be known I will not tolerate the same shenanigans again I am a middle aged woman who thinks that strong young men should shot their own deer not steal the ones I shoot. I enjoy your columns and have learned a great dea. Keep up the good work!l
I currently own and shoot several of the rifles listed. They are: 700 Remington in 25/06. A .300 RUM built on a 700 stainless action, Ruger M77 in .223, 7mm Rem Mag., .338 Winchester Mag., Tika T3 Lite 22-250 and Sako 85 in .270 Win. Some of these I’ve owned since the 60′s.
I have taken varmints, deer, antelope, bear, elk, caribou and moose with these firearms. I also do a lot of long range shooting with my custom .300 RUM and have shot 5 shot groups under 4 inches at 1354 yards.
Every rifle in my list is primarily there due to it’s action. To date, I don’t think one can beat Remington’s 700. I don’t agree that it is an unsafe action whatsoever! I think it is the idiot that is pointing the rifle.
My fav is my trusty, old, bolt action 22-250, 1-9 variable scope, bench loaded ammo. Used it for YEARS when farming for pigs, deer, ground squirrels, and crows in the corn field. I loaded variable heights, used super explosive bullets (no ricochet), did not hunt in heavy brush and always waited for clean and sure shots. Flat trajectory, has good reach, great hitting power with careful placement (head only on pigs and deer), never had to chase anything down,,, they dropped where they were standing and I didn’t ruin any meat (unless you were after the brains for scrambled eggs or some such). No kick but a very loud report. Would still be my go to rifle if I needed some meat – I am and was NOT a hunter for the “sport” but for keeping the critters out of my crops (truck garden, wine grapes and apples mostly) and putting the meat in the freezer. Worked one year pretty well knocking mistletoe out of some oaks too but the report bouncing off the tree trunk was VERY LOUD even with ear protection. Have 22′s, 30-06, 30-30 but my go to is and will be (except where it is an illegal cal.) the 22-250 with bench loads.
I’ve used a 1903A1 which was sporterized in 30/06 cal. the barrel had 4 lands and grooves bedded in fiberglass very accurate, a Browning lever action in 308 Win., a Winchester mod 98 in 30 cal., a Ruger 77 in 338 Win.Mag. Jon
Frank,
I’m surprised you made no mention of Kimber rifles. I have a Kimber Model 8400 Montana in a 300 WSM with a synthetic stock and stainless barrel and it has become my favorite rifle. I dropped an elk at 370 yards in 2006 and a whitetail at 350 yards in 2008. I put a 4 1/2 to 14 Leopold scope on it as well. It is lightweight to carry and very accurate. It shoots the Federal Premium Vital-Shok 150 gr Nosler ballistic tips the best (at least for factory ammo). I shot the elk with the Federal Fusion 165 gr. It is above average in cost but, in my opinion, worth the extra expense. After all our guns are one of our best investments.
Keith
No Lever-actions? I’ve used Winchester,Marlin, Etc. and found them equal to, or Better than Bolt-Actions in many cases. if not all . Chambered in everything from.22 cal rimfire up to and including .45/70 Govt. I’ve also used a few Bolt-Actions, Arisakas,Mannlicher/Schoenauer,etc, and a whole slew of Govt./War Surplus Rifles in the late 50s-to-the-early 60s [incidentally my stepdad Sporterized,custom-stocked. and modified barrel-length, and on some, re-chamberedr for different Ammo.a Very talented man}, and I found them to be Very Suitable for the task at hand......... Meat Hunting, Or Sport-Hunting. As a youngster POP started me out carrying a 30/40 Krag/Jorgenson to Deer hunt with, he said "It'll develop your character, AND make a man out of you! Out here in the North West, much of our deer hunting areas are Very Steep/Big Country,[we say "standig on its head!"] Although it was a Completely Capable Cartridge the Rifle I used seemed to me [at the time] to be like carrying a “Cannon”[weight-wise it was So-o-o-o Heavy!!} At 68 years of age,I'm gettin' close to bein' useless[not a jumping Kid Anymore!] At Present the rifle I use is a Marlin Lever-Action Stainless-Steel chambered in 45-70 GOVT., with the optional Large-Ring Lever, [I find the Large-Loop to be Very beneficial in winter with gloves on!!!! At this ageI’ve been thikin’ ’bout gettin’ one of thse new-fangled scopes that have built-in range finder-windage indicators, etc. it’s called TERMINATOR III, abit pricey, but I think worth it after trying it on someone else’s gun! Reality Bites Again…. My eyesight is still great….Thank God…… One of the FEW THINGS still working, so-o-o-o, I’ll pobably continue doing what has worked for a lifetime……… just keep using the open-iron-sights as I always have!!!!! J.B.
Notice that several people use the Mosin Nagant 91/30. I bought a lot of 10 and proceeded to customize them. If ind that a barrel length of 22″ is an ideal hunting compromise, as well as a unique looking weapon if you blond the stack. It is much lighter and handier than either the M-44 or the full length rifle. As to the bayonet on the M-44, I hope you were kidding. The next 300 pound plus boar that tries to run over you will if you try the bayonet. And bite your leg off. As to ammo, the commercial 180 grain is great if you don’t handload. And if you want to fire those corrosive rounds that came in the com blocks, go ahead if you want a completely ruined steel finish on the bolt and inside the rifle barrel. I empty them and load into brass, reusing the bullets and powder while lowering the powder load. Also, a pistol scope on one of the custom mounts works quite well.
I grew up shooting a shortened 30-40 Krag with military sights. Right now, there are quite a few of these on the market and they are ideal rifles for the handloader. The only other rifle that I have killed more than one hog at a time with is hitting three with a 30-06. Otherwise, the Krag is the only bolt action, with the possible exception of the .303 Enfield, that is fast enough to get two in succession within two seconds.m Surprised you did not mention the all-time deer killer, the .30-.30 Winchester.
Frank I just want too make a statement about you asking about peoples Deer guns and what type they have. I dont think you should be asking people this due to fact NSA can get info the internet and the Gov. already wants to take our guns and I just know you from the internet and not your real background and how do we know whom you really are Patrick
I have used the old Springfield 06 for a long time but lately I have been using a Henry lever 45 colt carbine. It’s a great brush gun for deer and hogs too
I love my Marlin Lever Action 444, and my Mossberg 338WM, I lkie to shoot by stalk and shoot method. I use open sights and only shoot under 100yds. It makes the hunt harder and when you get one you know you worked for it and gave it the fairest hunt. I also think I go big and close because I want the deer to go down and stay down. One shot one kill, no chasing or wounding and no suffering on the deers part. Just my humble opinion, but the 444 and 338 should have been mentioned. they are all around brush guns and dead on accurate. They also put the animal down where it is standing and it doesn’t get up and run.
I have and love my Remington 700 BDL it is 7mm Remington Mag, very accurate, I have a Leupold scope on it 2.5X12 power. I had a Winchester model 94 it was a 30-30 caliber, when I was in high school loved that little gun for hunting in heavily wooded areas. I also own Remington 760 in 30.06 it is not as accurate at long range but a good mid range.
Circa 1940 Winchester Model 94 in the ancient .25-35 that my dad gave me, and 1979 Rossi M-92 in .357 Magnum. Recently acquired a surplus Yugoslavian M-47/24 in 8mm Mauser. Haven’t gotten the cosmoline off it yet.
one of the best all around rifles is the Henry 22 mag . it is light easy to carry , accurate and ammo doesn’t cost like the heavy cal. the lever action has a very short through and can be very fast with a second round .
I like the Rem.A3-03 also, very accurate. My uncle, a gunsmith, added a Monto Carlo, hand-made, hand-checkered, pistol-grip stock of walnut. It’s heavy, kicks like mule with 220 grain rounds, but steady as a rock at the shoulder. I started using it at 16, very rapidly I learned one shot, one kill. I did all my hunting, still hunting, for the first 20 years. We did a lot of logging as kids selling pulpwood. this created a lot of nice trails. I walked carefully and slowly. When the deer jumps, you only have time for one round. I learnt quickly to put that first bullet home. That what counts! This rifle is very dependable, but altimately, it is only as good as I am. Over the years, I’ve learned to shoot very rapidly and very accurately. I don’t know how many deer I’ve shot, but most have been, one shot-heart and lungs. That doesn’t mean that only always shot once. Some deer take more than one. This is what really important. Get a rifle that you are comfortable with, learn to shoot accurately and rapidly, and you will always have meat on the table.