Review courtesy of CHUCKHAWKS.COM: The discussion about what constitutes a top deer rifle has filled the hours of many a night in hunting camps all over North America. Rather than lump together a collection of diverse rifles, I have divided them into two categories.
First are the woods and brush country rifles, most popular in areas where shots are usually within 200 yards or less. I usually prefer short action cartridges for such rifles, as they have plenty of power and reach for the conditions and make for a slightly shorter, handier rifle. A reasonably compact variable power scope in the 1-4x, 1.5-6x, or 2-7x range nicely complements the woods rifles listed below, as will a 2.5x fixed power scope.
Second are the long range deer rifles. These are appropriate when shots are likely to run over 200 yards, and may run 300 yards or even farther. The rifles I have selected are not special, ultra-long range “beanfield” or “sendero” rifles intended to be fired from a rest. These are general purpose deer rifles and cartridges suitable for shots well beyond 200 yards. They typically offer a maximum point blank range (MPBR) +/- 3″ of around 300 yards. Standard calibers range from .243 Winchester to .280 Remington, and suitable magnum calibers range from .24 to .270. The 7mm and larger bore magnum calibers are excluded from consideration here for, while they will certainly kill deer, they are more appropriate for larger game. A variable power scope in the 3-9x40mm range nicely complements any of the long range deer rifles listed below, and the traditional 4x fixed power scope is still a viable choice.
Note that the rifles in each category are listed in alphabetical order rather than any order of preference. These are all great deer rifles or they would not be included in this article.
Short to medium range hunting (woods and brush rifles)
- Browning BAR Mark II Lightweight Stalker –
The Browning BAR is the premium autoloading hunting rifle on today’s market. Its reputation for accuracy and reliability is not exaggerated. Not an adaptation of a military rifle, the BAR was designed from the outset with the needs of the big game hunter in mind.
Short action deer calibers include .243 Winchester and .308 Winchester. Long action calibers include .270 Winchester and .30-06. Of these the short action .308 caliber probably makes the most sense for the woods and brush country deer hunter. With appropriate loads it has the bullet weight and sectional density to slip through the brush and make short work of deer size game if the hunter does his or her part. And, although I believe its usefulness is overrated, the BAR certainly has fast follow-up shot capability.
The heavy BAR Safari model comes with a beautifully finished, high gloss, checkered walnut stock and a highly polished blue-black metal finish. The less expensive Lightweight Stalker comes with a black synthetic stock and matte finished metal. Barrel length is 20″ in standard calibers, overall length is 41″, and weight is 7 pounds 2 ounces in caliber .308 Win. There are two BAR reviews on the Product Review Page.
- Kimber Model 84M Classic –
This is one of the lightest weight and best handling bolt action rifles in production. But the amazing thing is that it is made of walnut and steel, with no aluminum or synthetic parts, and comes with a 22″ barrel. It is available only in short action calibers including .243 Win., .260 Rem., 7mm-08, .308 Win., and .338 Federal. Except for the .338 Federal, which is basically an elk caliber, all of the others mentioned here are fine deer calibers. Given the Model 84M’s light weight (approx. 5 lbs. 10 oz.) I like it best in .243, .260 and 7mm-08.
- Marlin Model 336C, 336SS, 308MX –
The Marlin 336C is unquestionable one of the most popular, reliable, and effective deer rifles of all time. Its 20″ barrel and full length magazine allow it to get on target fast and yet swing smoothly. Overall length is a compact 38.5″ and it weighs 7 pounds.
This famous lever action carbine offers a solid top receiver for strength and easy scope mounting, forged steel parts, and a checkered, pistol grip stock made from genuine American black walnut. When you heft a Model 336 and cycle the action you can feel the quality.
The contemporary Model 336 calibers are .30-30 Winchester and .35 Remington. Both are proven venison getters, but the .30-30 offers a nearly perfect blend of accuracy, killing power, moderate recoil, and trajectory. The MPBR (+/- 3″) of the standard 150 grain factory load is 225 yards, making a scoped .30-30 a truly versatile deer rifle. If exceptionally large black bear or wild boar are also on the menu, the .35 Remington might be the preferred cartridge choice.
- Remington Model Seven CDL, LS –
Remington’s entry in the short, light and handy bolt action rifle sweepstakes is the Model Seven. The Model Seven is available with either a walnut (CDL), synthetic/camo (XCR) or laminated wood (LS) stock. The Model Seven CDL is the deluxe version, similar in appearance to the Model 700 CDL.
The CDL comes in 13 calibers ranging from .17 Fireball to .350 Rem. Mag., but the cartridges of choice for the deer hunter are .243 Win., 7mm-08 and .308 Win. These provide good killing power with big game hunting weight bullets and tolerable recoil. In the latter area the .243 is superior to the 7mm-08 and .308 Win. See the Product Review Page for more about the Model Seven.
- Ruger International Model 77RSI –
This trim and deadly Mannlicher-stocked beauty is one of the finest bolt action woods and mountain rifles ever made in the USA. With its 18″ barrel, trim classic style walnut stock, controlled feed, integral scope base and 38.25″ overall length (in short action calibers), the M77RSI is one trim, fast handling, hunting rifle. It weighs 7 pounds and comes with adjustable iron sights.
- Ruger No. 1A and K1A –
The Ruger No. 1 is the single shot rifle that put the type back on the map. The No. 1A is a compact, graceful rifle with a black walnut stock, a quarter rib to facilitate scope mounting and a 22″ barrel that makes it a short, fast handling rifle. That 22″ barrel results in an overall length of only 38.25″, as short as a classic lever action carbine with a 20″ barrel. The K1A is the same rifle with a stainless steel barreled action.
Medium to long range rifles (open country deer rifles)
- Browning A-Bolt II Medallion –
The Browning A-Bolt II is one of the smoothest operating bolt action rifles on the market. The top of the line Medallion is a well made and finished hunting rifle with a high gloss finished, genuine walnut stock with contrasting rosewood forend tip, slick 60 degree bolt operation and the excellent accuracy that hunters have come to expect from Browning A-Bolt rifles. It weighs 6 pounds 11 ounces in long action calibers with a 22″ barrel, and measures 42.75″ in overall length.
There are a number of variations in the A-Bolt line beside the Medallion. These include the well known Hunter (walnut stock, satin finish) and Stainless Stalker (black composite stock and stainless steel barreled action).
Medallion rifles come in a wide variety of standard and magnum calibers from .223 Rem. to .375 H&H Mag. Appropriate long range deer calibers include the .243 Winchester, .25-06, .270 Win. and .280 Rem. Reviews of the Browning A-Bolt II line can be found on the Product Review Page.
- Remington Model 700 BDL, CDL, Mountain Rifle LSS –
The Remington Model 700 is the best selling bolt action hunting rifle in history, and for decades the definitive Model 700 has been the BDL Deluxe. In recent years it has been joined by the similar but understated CDL version and the lightweight LSS Mountain Rifle.
Renown for its strength, accuracy and handsome appearance, the Model 700 BDL features a gloss finish walnut stock with ample checkering and a black forearm tip, polished blue metal surfaces, an adjustable trigger, and many other nice touches. The CDL is similar but its metal and wood finish is matte. The BDL and CDL weigh 7 3/8 pounds in standard long action calibers and measure 42 1/2″ long. The LSS Mountain Rifle features a stainless steel barreled action and a brown laminated hardwood stock. It comes with a light contour 22″ barrel, is 42-1/2″ long and weighs 6-5/8 pounds.
- Ruger No. 1B –
The Ruger No. 1 is the single shot rifle that put the type back on the map in terms of popular appeal. A compact, graceful falling block action, black walnut stock, a quarter rib to facilitate scope mounting and a 26″ barrel to extract the full potential from long range cartridges are among its best features. Even with its long barrel, the overall length of a No. 1B is 42.25″, about the length of most bolt action rifles with 22″ barrels.
- Weatherby Mark V Accumark –
Those who feel the need for a super accurate, stainless/synthetic, long range deer rifle can probably do no better than the Weatherby Accumark. This Mark V model incorporates all of the usual Weatherby performance enhancing features. In addition, Accumark’s come with a Bell & Carlson hand-laminated Monte Carlo composite stock with a molded-in aluminum bedding plate that stiffens the receiver. The Accumark comes with a fluted, heavy sporter contour, stainless steel barrel mated to a matte blued action.
The Accumark is available in 7 standard and magnum calibers. (Other calibers are available through the Weatherby Custom Shop.) The Weatherby Mark V line is reviewed in detail on the Product Review Page.
- Weatherby Mark V Deluxe –
This is the quintessential Weatherby. The Mark V Deluxe is one of the most attractive and best finished rifles on the market, a production rifle loaded with custom rifle features. It is expensive compared to lessor rifles, but a bargain none the less. Value is not so much a matter of price, but a matter of what you get for the money you spend.
In the case of a Weatherby Mark V Deluxe you get a great deal. One look at the highly polished, deep luster blued barreled action, Monte Carlo claro walnut stock with its fineline checkering pattern, maple grip cap inlay and line spacers, and contrasting forearm tip make it is clear that the Mark V Deluxe is a top of the line hunting rifle.
The Deluxe weighs 6.75 pounds in standard calibers and 8.5 pounds in most magnum calibers. Overall length is 44″ with the 24″ barrel supplied with standard calibers, and 46 5/8″ with the 26″ barrel supplied on magnum caliber rifles.
The Mark V Deluxe is available in some 17 standard and magnum calibers, from .22-250 to .460 Weatherby Magnum. Included are traditional long range favorites like .243 Winchester, .25-06, .270 Winchester, and .280 Remington. Also available are ultra-long range calibers such as the .240, .257, and .270 Weatherby Magnums that will drop deer cleanly at ranges well beyond where most hunters are capable of making sure hits. Roy Weatherby’s favorite ultra-long range deer cartridge, and mine, is the .257 Weatherby Magnum. The Weatherby Mark V line is reviewed in detail on the Product Review Page.
- Weatherby Vanguard SUB-MOA Stainless –
If you are looking for a weather resistant, stainless/synthetic, long range deer rifle you should investigate the Weatherby Vanguard SUB-MOA Stainless. Many shooters and hunters do not realize that the Weatherby Vanguard is built on one of the best push feed actions in the world. Vanguard’s incorporate all of the usual Weatherby performance enhancing features. In addition, SUB-MOA’s come with a special hand-laminated Monte Carlo composite stock with a molded-in aluminum bedding plate that stiffens the receiver.
SUB-MOA barreled actions are selected from among all Vanguards after accuracy testing is completed then are then dropped into their special stocks. As the name implies, these select Vanguards are guaranteed to deliver three shot groups at 100 yards measuring less than 1″ with premium factory loaded ammunition. Weight is 7.75 pounds in standard calibers and overall length is 44.5″.
