Although semi-auto and lever-action rifles are just fine for deer hunting, they’re not nearly as common. Once again, here at 'County Deer Stalking' we have seen a host of different rifle, calibre combinations, with guests having arrived for an outings deer stalking with anything from a beaten up, old, second hand Remington 700 to a highly prized and valuable double rifle. 4. Rifles used for woods hunting used … It also has a recoil-reducing Pachmayr Decelerator butt pad, which you’ll appreciate in a .30-06 rifle. The Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather is ideal for shooting in poor conditions. Thankfully, the receiver is fitted with Weaver mounts, so you can easily mount an aftermarket optical sight. The Henry 30-30 Lever is a workmanlike rifle that’s equally useful for short and medium-range hunting. The Winchester Model 70 bolt action may just be the most popular deer rifle in the world. The 7600/760 provide a reliable repeating rifle, built on a solid platform. Both of these things considered, it points towards 8 x 42 binoculars being more suitable for close quarter, lower light woodland stalking and 10 x 42 being more suitable for longer range stalking on … It’s legal for all UK deer species and a good choice for foxes too. The second feature of the hunting rifle, on which the client needs to arrive at a decision, is in relation to the type of stock material and design. Screw an optical sight into the pre-drilled holes, and you’ve got yourself a rifle that can’t miss. The Remington 783 is a hard-hitting, budget hunting rifle. Whilst it is not always the case, synthetic stocks are usually considered to be harder wearing than wood, whilst wooden stocked rifles, especially those made from expensive, rare and beautifully grained wood, are often considered to be more aesthetically pleasing. No matter what your size, this bolt-action rifle will be well-sized for you. In relation to the material the choice will usually be made on the basis of a) Appearance and b) Function. The pivot safety is located on the right side, making it awkward for left-handed shooters. While a lot of people are skeptical of Ruger’s rotary magazines, we find them very reliable. So my conclusion to the best caliber of deer hunting is the caliber your centerfire rifle with properly constructed bullets will … This can result in hunters acquiring rifles that are not best suited to their individuals needs. More . However, the decision between traditional or thumbhole stock, will be based on 'feel' i.e. As a professional Deer Stalker I am often asked to recommend a list of popular, top hunting rifles for those that wish to get into UK Deer Stalking & Management. The Bergera B14 HMR is an ergonomic, bolt action rifle with a 5-round external magazine. If you’d prefer it in a different caliber, there are 10 other options, including .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, and .223 Remington. Hunting Calibres for UK Deer Management & Stalking - Whilst there is a lack of uniformity between legislation in England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and some smaller calibres are permissible for hunting Chinese Water Deer and Muntjac, in order to shoot all six species of deer throughout the whole of the UK, the legal requirements are that the rifle used should produce a minimum of 1750 ft … The .300 Winchester Magnum was developed by Winchester in 1963. The Model 700's biggest fan base, however, is hunters. To visit this page simply follow this link to our 'Rifle Reviews' page: rifle-reviews, Alternatively if you'd like to read about the best calibre for UK deer stalking, then please follow this link: what-is-the-best-calibre-for-deer-stalking-management, COUNTY DEER STALKING IS PROUD TO BE SUPPORTED BY. This email address is being protected from spambots. The tang safety is easy to operate whether you’re left or right-handed. However, it keeps the three-position safety that’s been standard on Model 70s since 1964. That said, this is a nice gun. Whether you want a long-barreled bolt-action rifle or a shorter, lever-action rifle will depend on how and where you’re hunting. #10 Nightforce Optics 4-14×56 SHV Rifle Scope. Dominic Griffith debates the merits and drawbacks of the various shooting aids on the market. It may not be the prettiest gun out there, but you will hit your target. Many new comers to the sport of Deer Stalking are at first unaware that unlike with Shotgun certificates the number of rifles that can be held by an individual is carefully legislated and specified on each Firearms Certificate. It is a highly accurate, reasonably priced, all-American rifle that has earned a place on the list of the best deer … The Ruger American is the best deer hunting rifle you can buy on a slim budget. The Winchester Model 94 has been in production since it was first released in 1894. If you forced someone to pick their ‘one-rifle’ calibre for UK game, they would be most likely to say the .243 Winchester. The overall design is … It also ships with a Nikon 3-9x40mm scope. This way when the rifle is finally acquired, our clients are able to concentrate entirely on their field craft. Leupold VX-R 3-9x40mm Patrol Rifle Scope; 1.4.7 The Final Verdict Vortex Optics Crossfire II 4-12x44 Dead Hold BDC; 1.4.3 The Final Verdict; 1.4.4 3. If you’re shooting from a deer stand, you’re going to have limited mobility. 5 Cures for an Inaccurate Rifle. The Ruger Precision Rifle isn’t for deep-woods hunting. Rifle. It weighs 9.8 pounds, and that’s before you mount a scope on it. var addy617b2e039018af7308b5c5782bf2b798 = 'info' + '@'; Basically, you’ll need to mount a new sight to get any kind of accuracy out of it. We’ve chosen to stick with mainstream, frequently-used designs. It’s also illegal in several states, so check your local laws before you try to place an order. The Savage Arms 10/110 Trophy Hunter XP is a bolt-action hunting rifle chambered in .308 Winchester. It has a similar, well-designed composite stock that’s a little on the light side and may need to be stuffed. There’s a range of options which are well-suited for particular purposes. I just love to see a post on deer stalking forums regarding calibres and makes of rifle for deer and what’s best and why. Once calibre is decided a hunter then needs to select the best performing projectile from the wide variety available in the calibre range. The walnut stock is beautiful, and impressive considering the budget price. That said, you won’t have any issues getting a follow-up shot off with the BRN-10. Many hunters swear by the.308 as the best deer hunting rifle caliber, even with quite a … That said, it has a hollow butt, which comes with the usual balance issues. It’s comparable to the .308 Winchester at short ranges, but loses velocity faster due to the blunted tip. var addy_text617b2e039018af7308b5c5782bf2b798 = 'info' + '@' + 'countydeerstalking' + '.' + 'co' + '.' + 'uk';document.getElementById('cloak617b2e039018af7308b5c5782bf2b798').innerHTML += '
'+addy_text617b2e039018af7308b5c5782bf2b798+'<\/a>'; And since you won’t be walking around with your gun as much, you’ll be able to easily manage a heavier gun. 6x is about all most shooters can hold steady without a rest, especially off hand. If money is an issue, this gun will get you out in the field. The 6-round tubular magazine is easy to load, and the action is smooth and easy to work. Both the composite stock and the comb are adjustable. All told, the Winchester Model 70 Featherweight may be the best hunting rifle on our list. This rifle has a beautiful walnut stock, with stippling on the fore grip for a better grip. Foot pounds of energy (FPE) You need power to kill deer. The whole package weighs 7.3 pounds, and comes pre-drilled for optical sights. Because everyone’s needs are different, we’ve listed a variety of calibers, configurations and prices. For a pump or semi-auto, I … Any light sporter that puts three shots closely together will be an effective deer rifle; you don’t need a five-or-ten shot group to kill a deer. The price of this extreme power and accuracy? This gun is designed with right-handed shooters in mind. Both versions come with an ambidextrous tang safety, so you can go shooting with your friends. It’s not a huge deal, but composite is harder to bend, which means composite magazines last longer. This rifle also ships with a scope attached, which we were excited about. At 7.25 pounds, with a length of 22 inches, it’s equally well suited on the hunt when in the deep woods or shooting from a deer stand. It’s available in three other calibers besides .30-06: .243 Winchester, .270 Winchester, and .308 Winchester. It also flies truer, and is less sensitive to crosswinds. Winchester Model 70 Featherweight, in 30-06 (Best Elk Hunting Rifle) Stalking an elk through the backcountry is an iconic tradition of American big game hunting. That said, the 783 is still a nice gun considering the bargain basement price. At 'County Deer stalking' we are therefore well placed to offer assistance and advise and can do so in the field with a variety of firearms. While .223 caliber ARs are perfectly fine for deer hunting – under the right circumstances – they’re sporting rifles, and are often ill-suited for deep woods use. (Above: Peter Jones in action with the hugely popular Tikka T3x hunting rifle). The Winchester Model 70 bolt action may just be the most popular deer rifle in the world. It also has an ergonomic pistol grip, so you can easily use it with a bipod. That said, these rifles aren’t available in very many calibers. Since the action is ambidextrous, lefties can use one easily without needing to buy a special version or learning to shoot right-handed. This is the item of equipment that deer stalkers take most time to decide upon – and rightly so. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Typically individuals are required to possess only one rifle in a specific calibre and this will often result in the choice of rifle and calibre being a highly considered one. If you’re looking for a deer hunting rifle, congratulations! We’ve tried to be as thorough as possible in our reviews, but there are a couple of things that deserve special attention for new hunters: caliber and action. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through our links. Because these species are so similar, the same rifle can easily be used for both of them. First, the bad news: the stock on this gun is made of cheap, hollow plastic. Here, the choice is firstly between a wood or synthetic stock and secondly between a variety of traditional stock designs and a thumbhole design. It's a favorite action for custom rifle builders, and many long-range law enforcement and military bolt guns incorporate Model 700 actions. The Ruger American Predator is the best deer rifle for long-range hunting on a budget. When considering a rifle caliber, there are two main considerations: the size and shape of the bullet, and the size of the cartridge. 1.3 4 Best Deer Hunting Rifle Scopes; 1.4 1. Leupold VX Hunting Rifle Scope (Premium Quality) Enter your email address below to receive the Almanac: Best Hunting Rifles for Deer - For those just getting started in deer stalking, professional UK Deer Stalker and big game hunter Peter Jones considers how to choose the best hunting rifle. Justin is a firearms enthusiast with an expansive knowledge of the firearms & hunting scene. This makes them great for taking follow-up shots. To help, we asked Sporting Rifle contributor Byron Pace to pick his top 8 best stalking scopes. For another thing, it’s pinpoint accurate – with the right sight, you can hit a dinner plate at 1,000 yards 10 out of 10 times. With that in mind, let’s look at the five most popular deer hunting cartridges. If you’re looking for a type of long-range hunting rifle that doubles as a target rifle, the Model 12 fits the bill. A lot of recoil. Here at 'County Deer Stalking' we take time to assess our clients needs, and having done so are able to recommend hunting rifles that are fit for purpose. The stock iron sights are adjustable, and are pinpoint accurate out to about 100 yards. The main reason for this is that they’re the simplest in mechanical terms. Latest. If you’re still undecided as to which is the best scope choice for you, it might be worth checking out our in-depth best scope for 243 Winchester review, the best Scope 308 Rifle review, the best 6 5 Creedmoor scopes review, the best Scope for Scar 17 review, and our review of the best Scope for MP 15 22 currently available. We wanted rifles that were both designed for hunting and chambered in calibers you can buy at your local sporting goods store. The Model 70 Featherweight is a throwback to the pre-1964 Model 70, which had a controlled round feed. Athlon Optics Argos BTR Rifle Scope 6-24x; 1.4.5 The Final Verdict; 1.4.6 4. But there are lots of other options. This results in slightly lower recoil and a flatter bullet trajectory. Of course, for everyday shooting, you’ll probably be better off with the factory default 20-ounce trigger pull. Some of them have been deer hunting for more than 50 years, while some are new to the sport. This rifle only weighs 6.5 pounds, so it’s easy to take into the deep woods on the hunt. The steel magazine was another disappointment. Thanks to the rotary magazine, jams are a rare occurrence, and the accuracy is excellent for this price range. The .30-06 was originally developed by the US military in 1906, and remains in use to this day in many foreign militaries. That said, there are a few things we looked for in a good deer rifle. The Savage Model 12 is a beast of a hunting rifle at a price that won’t break the bank. The safety is located just below the bolt on the right side of the gun, instead of on the center of the tang. What to expect from your Deer Stalking month by month. It has a rubber butt pad for recoil reduction, and is priced lower than other comparable rifles. Considering that this is a budget rifle, we were impressed by the solid, composite stock. Thankfully, the butt pad is made from heavy-duty leather, which makes the recoil manageable. Best Price Best Rifle For Recreational Shooting And Best Rifle Scope For Deer Sta The ambidextrous tang safety is easy to operate, and the bolt can be removed for cleaning with a simple slide release. The Nightforce Shooter-Hunter-Varminter is a new player, but with its optical fine-tuning, it broadens the possibilities for hunting. The Ruger Precision Rifle is designed as a target rifle. These rifles are ideal for the still hunter tracking and stalking bucks over rough terrain. This is because the lighter, slimmer bullet is slowed down less by wind resistance. You won’t want to take a.30-30 to a trophy hunt. Almost all of them are .30-30 Winchester, which isn’t a bad cartridge – it’s just not ideal for long-range shots. While Americans love hunting all kinds of game, from squirrels to moose, the most popular game animal in America is the whitetail deer, followed closely by the mule deer. It’s also available in .300 Winchester Magnum, 6.5 Creedmoor, 2.43 Winchester, and .338 Lapua Magnum. Unfortunately, the scope doesn’t have any reticle, so it’s basically decorative. This is a long, heavy rifle for shooting from a stand or long-distance from a shooting mat. Zeiss has probably the best non-bleed or glaring illuminated reticule design for a precise aiming dot at any power setting. More reliable than a semi-auto, and much faster than a bolt action, this is a great rifle platform. It’s also available in 11 other calibers, ranging from a lightweight .243 Winchester all the way up to the powerful .338 Winchester Magnum. The .308 Winchester was developed in 1952, and is the commercial cartridge on which the current NATO cartridge is based. And let’s be honest, you’ll want an optical sight for any serious deer hunting rifle. The large 36mm tube diameter allows greater elevation and windage range, so you have the best possibility of hitting a distant target. At the end of the day, there’s no single “best deer hunting rifle”. To begin with, it’s very affordable compared to most long-range rifles. 1 Winchester Model 70 30-06. While the composite stock isn’t exactly beautiful, it’s well-designed with a solid feel that puts it head and shoulders above most cheaper stocks. Of course, brand and styling are personal choices, but choosing the most appropriate calibre and features can be critical for achieving the best performance in the field. Thanks to the integrated Magpul M-LOK rail, this is easily done. The XPR is based on Winchester’s famous Model 70, with some modifications to make it more affordable. To help you still further, we have compiled a list of Rifle Reviews that are designed to give you an insight into some of the most popular hunting rifles available and it is our intention to add to this growing list of reviews every time we manage to get our hands on something new. If you want the best deer hunting scope for under $500, consider this item. The trigger is adjustable all the way down to 6 ounces. If you’re looking for a wood-stocked rifle that doesn’t cost a fortune, the Mossberg Patriot Rifle is an excellent, accurate choice. Beyond that, you’ll probably want to mount an optical sight on the top. We will also help you decide which.308 rifle is right for you. A three shot group is plenty for any deer rifle, because light barrels tend to heat up in firing. The fore grip is stippled for added stability. Semi-automatic rifles automatically load the next round when they’re fired. The other problem is that the barrel is fixed along its entire length, and doesn’t float at all. Naturally, chamberings include the.275 Rigby, as well as.30-’06 Springfield, 8x57mm Mauser and 9.3x62mm. If you prefer a different caliber, it’s also available in .22-250 Remington, .223 Remington, .300 Winchester, .308 Winchester Magnum, and 6.5 Grendel. The good news is that the new, 3-lug bolt works just as reliably as the Model 70’s more expensive Mauser bolt. For whatever reason, the factory finish is very soft, and can absorb water if not properly treated. Stalking Tactics: How to Still-Hunt for Whitetail Deer. That said, three rounds should be plenty for bagging a deer. This more or less negates the point of using the 6.5 Creedmoor, but it’s still a powerful, accurate gun. On the other hand, if you’re going to spend a lot of time tracking and stalking, a shorter, lighter rifle will be a better choice. While it’s not as powerful as the .308 at shorter ranges, beyond about 300 yards it’s actually more powerful. Because of the location of the lever, it’s easy to cock the rifle in one smooth motion as you bring it to bear, making it ideal for snap-shooting. On your way to the local air rifle store, or even an online store, have the following tips at your fingertips. The Ruger American Predator is the most popular 6.5 Creedmoor rifle on the market, and it’s not hard to see why. This is partially due to the fact that it has so many iterations, making it ideal for a number of purposes when on the hunt. Most rifles on this list are larger caliber rifles..308 Win Mag,.30-06 and 7mm are all heavy-duty rifles that have lots of recoil. 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