I currently hunt with a Weatherby Vanguard Varmint Special in .308. I got it in college and thought it was very tacticool it has a Millett 4x16 tactical scope on it and I've come to the realization that I'm sick of lugging around a 10+ lbs rifle to the deer stand.

I think I was to scale back to an old school wood stock hunting rifle and then just get a simple 4x12 or so scope on it. I know most feel Remington's aren't worth it anymore, so I thought maybe look for an older mode one or look for something else new.

Nothing I really shoot is over 100 yards, it can happen but very rarely. I'm not sure what to chamber in though, I want to knock a deer down not always have to chase it but I would like something that is going to minimize destroying too much meat. My dad has an old .270 that drops most everything but is a meat grinder lol. My brother has a 30-06 but he hasn't shot much the last few years and when he did it wasn't there so I can't recall the damage. My mom shoots a .243 that definitely doesn't destroy too much but we also tend to have to trail her kills.

TIA (yes this is random musings while sitting in a deer stand, no I haven't shopped around, haven't even looked at deer rifles in probably 5 years)

Go on Gunbroker and look for No Prefix, and A, B, or C prefix Model 700's. They can usually be found at good prices. BDL is the fancier version with a floorplate, and the ADL has a blind magazine.

I'd go with a .270, and if you use premium bullets, they won't tear up the meat. I'm a fan of Barnes TTSX's.

Lots of options here. You already have the 308 so I would consider dropping into something smaller if your thinking primarily Texas Whitetail. I have a 280 in model 700BDL that was my primary round for many years. I won a Browning gold hunter x-bolt in 25-06 and this is what I grab most of the time if I don't grab the bow. Flat shooting with low recoil. Also have a 243 and 7mm08. These would be good options that could be used for kids down the road. Both are older Remingtons in model 7 and 700BDL. Lots of other good calibers and rifle brands but these have treated me well.

7mm-08 with a Meopta Meopro 6x42.

Take a look at Tikka T3 Hunter. Great looking wood stocks on these. Very light. Very nice traditional hunting rifle.

.30-30?
35 whelen?
338 federal?
All great cartridges with shorter barrels.
35 remington is another in that space that's regaining poularity. Should be able to find lots of cool blued/walnut options in those cartridges. 336, blr, maybe look for a nicely done old mark x or 1903 sporter?

Bergara, timber or woodsman are top notch rifles.

Tikka in .25-06

I have a 270 weatherby vanguard with a leupold 3x12, most shots under 100 yards.

Best rifle I've ever owned.

I'm a mediocre shot and can drive tacks with it.

I agree with the comment above about ammo, I shoot hornady SST's and with a good quartering away shot can avoid having to trash any meat.

100 yards... how about a 30 30?

If you put the .243 in the right spot, they won't go far. It's a great whitetail gun for Texas.

If you're shooting behind the shoulder in order to save meat, they're usually gonna run a little ways no matter what you shoot.

MattyAg said:

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Lots of options here. You already have the 308 so I would consider dropping into something smaller if your thinking primarily Texas Whitetail. I have a 280 in model 700BDL that was my primary round for many years. I won a Browning gold hunter x-bolt in 25-06 and this is what I grab most of the time if I don't grab the bow. Flat shooting with low recoil. Also have a 243 and 7mm08. These would be good options that could be used for kids down the road. Both are older Remingtons in model 7 and 700BDL. Lots of other good calibers and rifle brands but these have treated me well.

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I've got the Browning X-Bolt Hunter in 6.5 Creedmoor.

Wood stock, absolute tack driver.

I've shot two deer with it -- both "behind the shoulder". One ran 20 yards, the other feel dead in his tracks. Shooting nothing special: 140 gr Remington Core-lokts.

Would also be great in 25.06.

meggy09 said:

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Tikka in .25-06

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Just dialed mine in today on the range. It is a sweet gun and round

Where do those range in price. Judging by the fact I've never heard of them I'd bet a lot.

I'm not looking to break the bank to go "down" from what I'm shooting currently. Just looking to simplify things and get a simple deer rifle.

I have a 30-30, I just can't bring myself to scope it and don't want to hunt with iron sights

I wondered about 25.06 where does that hit in the range of other calibers? Between 243 and 270?

Not looking to do 6.5 that's not necessary imo

Light weight, awesome trigger, great price?

Winchester XPR

You're welcome

I like my rifle. Never really had a complaint about it. But the heavy bull barrel on mine is so heavy and my scope is more than I need, so I figure if I sell the rifle I'll keep the scope with it.

Ruger M77 .243 is hard to beat

I'd stick with a 308 or go 6.5. Tikka is a good light weight gun. There are other lighter and more expensive options but the Tikka is an accurate gun out of the box.

cpsencik04 said:

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I like my rifle. Never really had a complaint about it. But the heavy bull barrel on mine is so heavy and my scope is more than I need, so I figure if I sell the rifle I'll keep the scope with it.

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If you like the rifle, why not just replace the barrel?

Put a Proof Carbon fiber barrel on it.

For what the rifle is it's a fine rifle. It's not what I'm looking for anymore though.

308 is too big of a round for my hunting in my opinion.
Can't imagine what a barrel replacement would cost
I'd like to get a non tactical scope
Would like to do a traditional wood stock

I have a 25-06 as my deer rifle.

If I were buying today it would be a 6.5 Creedmoor

For what reason? Just asking, never shot either but from my understanding 6.5 is much more expensive to shoot is it not?

cpsencik04 said:

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For what reason? Just asking, never shot either but from my understanding 6.5 is much more expensive to shoot is it not?

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6.5 Creedmoor ammo is about the same price as all other major calibers now. Even the premium bullets are still relatively cheap. It's not like buying a weatherby mag, ammo is pretty cheap.

How much is much more? They are pretty similar. More than 308 but probably not for long.

Both are great rounds. 25-06 is flatter shooting. The 6.5 rounds are more readily accessible. 25-06 as a caliber is getting less and less popular. With all the precision rifle stuff happening, 6.5 will continue to get more investment and great ammo selection.

https://ronspomeroutdoors.com/blog/25-06-remington-beats-6-5-creedmoor/

Bergara has gained in popularity the past few years due to putting out quality firearms that share the same basic blue print as Remington 700 actions with top of the line barrels. The Hunter starts around $600 with timber and woodsman being about 700-800 and the ridge falls in that same price range. As far as caliber I would recommend either 270, 6.5cm, 7mm-08 or 7mm any of those would be excellent whitetail rounds.

I have not bought into the 6.5 yet. I do believe it will stick around but I do not love the hunting options yet.

I shoot 25-06 and it is awesome. I bought it to replace a stolen 270. Now that I am older I realize a 25-06 for deer hunting is a 270 with lighter bullets that cost $10 more a box. (25-06 Browning X- is my primary whitetail rifle but I am a huge 30 caliber fan.)

700's can be very good rifles. I just finished working on one that will shoot 0.6" groups with coreloks.(5shot) It had a lot of issues when it came to me and it had already been sent back to Remington twice.

Curious what hunting options in the 6.5 you are looking for that is keeping you from buying in?

Ammo selection that I know has improved in the past year. Also the fact that I already have a 2506 and a 7mm08 push it further down the list.

I also have a bench rifle in 308 so the "need" is higher in other areas.

IMO if I was going to own one rifle, it would be a .308 followed by a 30-06. (I disliked the 30-06 for a long time for no real reason.) Rifle with scope would weigh ~8lb. The recoil is very manageable in 308 for most people. And you can hunt everything in North America. They also make lite loads for young hunters. Also you would not need to stock multiple ammunition in multiple calibers. At 8lb you will not hate it if you ever get a chance to stalk elk.

I have been flirting with a 6.5 for a while. I already own a 25-06 and 308 as well.

25-05 for Deer and medium sized game.
308 & 300BLK Pigs
300 WinMag for Big Game and Long Range.

I obviously don't need a 6.5, but will probably own one before too long. Or just buy a different 308. Simply because the ammo choices vs the 25-06 are a lot better now days It is looking more and more like my 25-06 is fading away.

I am I the America's boat but I am considering a 30-06 or another 308. I have one box of my favorite 25-06 ammo that they no longer make left. I may need to start reloading again.

I considering the 30-06 or another 300WM incase my current big game rifle has an issue.. too many options.

I need a can before I need another rifle.

22-250
Stick with high neck shots
As an added bonus, you can usually watch them fall in the scope.

Makes for clean kills and clean animals after they bleed out.

I know lots of people aren't into neck shots, so please bash me with your opinions.

I have several deer rifles. Rem 22-250, 2 different Rem 6mms, a Ruger .270 and a Rem 7mm Mag, , but last year, I got a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight 25-06. That is the best out of the box shooting gun I've ever seen in a relatively sane price range. Grouped 4 out of last five shots sighting it in at 100 yds that fit completely under a nickel, almost tearing one big hole. And the fifth "outlier" was halfway covered by the same nickel that covered the other four. Using Remington Core-Lokt 120 grain Core-Lokt ammo no less. Scoped with a 3.5x10 Leupold VX3i.

And it does a fine job on whitetails to boot.

If you are looking to hunt mainly whitetail and hogs, and also some muley, you might give the Winchester Model 70 Featherweight 25-06 some serious consideration

Do you have a certain rifle in mind as being 8lbs? My .308 surely isn't.

The exit wound on my rifle as I'm hunting it currently looks like I shot a beer can through the deer, now I understand much of that is the bullet but in my opinion the 308 is too much for our small white tails....especially doe which is most of my hunting unfortunately.

Where does the 6.5 and 25-06 rank in comparison to a .243?

As far as platforms, any major knocks on the Savage Axis, Mossberg Patriot, or Ruger American