[BadDNA]

I'm interested in taking up hunting this fall (as if I don't have enough things keeping me busy) and was looking for some advice on a rifle. I'm in northern New England, VT, and will be hopefully going after deer with which to stuff my freezer. I've been doing a smattering of reading and I think that what will work best for me is going to be something simple, light and reliable, like a Winchester Model 70, Ruger American, or similar .308 chambered bolt action rifle. Any suggestions on a specific rifle to look at in addition to those?

 

[Kevin]

I dont like guns and I eat mostly vegetarian.

Hunting has my interest though, as I see it as an honest way to eat meat and I might be looking into building myself a nice retirement cabin up north... so i approve of this thread.

 

[boostindoubles]

Lever action 30/30 has killed lots of deer, plus it will fit in your saddle scabbard.

 

[Westy]

I'm interested in taking up hunting this fall (as if I don't have enough things keeping me busy) and was looking for some advice on a rifle. I'm in northern New England, VT, and will be hopefully going after deer with which to stuff my freezer. I've been doing a smattering of reading and I think that what will work best for me is going to be something simple, light and reliable, like a Winchester Model 70, Ruger American, or similar .308 chambered bolt action rifle. Any suggestions on a specific rifle to look at in addition to those?

I am not familiar with the laws in every state but I thought most deer hunting in the North East was limited to shotguns. Laws or not if you are hunting in the woods a shotgun is probably the best option.

*I do not hunt but used to hang out and shoot guns with plenty of hunters in NY state and Virginia, above information is what I learned from them.

 

[Westy]

I dont like guns and I eat mostly vegetarian.

Hunting has my interest though, as I see it as an honest way to eat meat and I might be looking into building myself a nice retirement cabin up north... so i approve of this thread.

I am with you. Properly managed hunting for food is about as free range, organic and cruelty free meat as you can get. If I was a critter that will ultimately end up as food I would rather live a normal life and shot while taking a shit in the woods than get raised on a factory farm.

Don't tell that to the people locked in my basement.

 

[BadDNA]

Don't tell that to the people locked in my basement.

Still keeping some breeding stock of crack whores and pit-fighting toddlers?

 

[Jm_]

I am not familiar with the laws in every state but I thought most deer hunting in the North East was limited to shotguns. Laws or not if you are hunting in the woods a shotgun is probably the best option.

*I do not hunt but used to hang out and shoot guns with plenty of hunters in NY state and Virginia, above information is what I learned from them.

Shotguns would seem unusually cruel, with a significant chance of injury without killing...

 

[Westy]

Shotguns would seem unusually cruel, with a significant chance of injury without killing...

But when in thick woods the only opportunities are up close and personal.

 

[Westy]

Still keeping some breeding stock of crack whores and pit-fighting toddlers?

One kind of leads to the other

 

[dan-o]

Shotguns would seem unusually cruel, with a significant chance of injury without killing...

Slugs

 

[johnbryanpeters]

Slugs

Or triple aught buck shot...

 

[maxyedor]

Check your local laws and regs, but shotgun hunting for non-birds sucks, wouldn't chose one for deer unless I was legally required to.

30-30 lever-gun FTW! Cheap to buy, cheap to shoot, easier to find good soft point ammo for, easier to find ammo for when the tinfoil hatters start hoarding.

 

[Adventurous]

I am not familiar with the laws in every state but I thought most deer hunting in the North East was limited to shotguns. Laws or not if you are hunting in the woods a shotgun is probably the best option.

*I do not hunt but used to hang out and shoot guns with plenty of hunters in NY state and Virginia, above information is what I learned from them.

Vermont allows rifle hunting for whitetails, and it is indeed a viable option. There are enough farms, former farms, and orchards that the deer like to graze between, that sometimes your best shot at them is across a field.

If you do get stuck in the woods with the rest of us public land hunters, a shotgun or bow is most definitely the appropriate choice. And if you happen to own enough property, mind if I come up and hunt it this fall?

As to caliber, is this solely a deer hunting rifle? Or do you envision perhaps going west for elk? A 30-06, 308, or 300 Win mag would be plenty for whitetail but have applicability to other NA ungulates. A 270 would also serve you well for whitetails, but would be a bit light if you try for heartier species.

Savage is another great brand to look at. They make decent, budget friendly rifles and rifle/scope packages.

If you ever make it over to Kittery, ME, Kittery Trading Post has a huge selection of used guns to fondle. Might be worth taking a look.

 

[BadDNA]

Vermont allows rifle hunting for whitetails, and it is indeed a viable option. There are enough farms, former farms, and orchards that the deer like to graze between, that sometimes your best shot at them is across a field.

If you do get stuck in the woods with the rest of us public land hunters, a shotgun or bow is most definitely the appropriate choice. And if you happen to own enough property, mind if I come up and hunt it this fall?

As to caliber, is this solely a deer hunting rifle? Or do you envision perhaps going west for elk? A 30-06, 308, or 300 Win mag would be plenty for whitetail but have applicability to other NA ungulates. A 270 would also serve you well for whitetails, but would be a bit light if you try for heartier species.

Savage is another great brand to look at. They make decent, budget friendly rifles and rifle/scope packages.

If you ever make it over to Kittery, ME, Kittery Trading Post has a huge selection of used guns to fondle. Might be worth taking a look.

Yeah, I'd love to say "Come on up!", but I don't have a ton of land, just over 4.5 acres and most of it is dense wood that I want to try and do 'something' with, but I really am not sure what yet. I suspect a good deal of it is somewhat marshy, there are a bunch of springs around the property, so I'm waiting to see what it looks like this spring and summer before making any concrete plans.

 

[DirtyMike]

First and foremost. Check your local laws.

Second..... thebruger american in 308 will take anything in north America. Reliable rifle, plenty of ammunition to choose from......

I haven't bought beef in six years and keep my freezer filled through hunting.

I also own a small custom ammo and gun smithing business. If you have any questions about the ruger american, feel free to send an email.....

DMHReloading@gmail.com

 

[Adventurous]

First and foremost. Check your local laws.

Second..... thebruger american in 308 will take anything in north America. Reliable rifle, plenty of ammunition to choose from......

I haven't bought beef in six years and keep my freezer filled through hunting.

I also own a small custom ammo and gun smithing business. If you have any questions about the ruger american, feel free to send an email.....

DMHReloading@gmail.com

Got any recommendations for the best out of the box rounds for the Ruger American? It's chambered in 30-06, and topped with Vortex Crossfire combo. I'll be after whitetails, probably 200 yard or less shots.

Looked at assembling a DIY combo with a Leupold Freedom, but didn't think it was worth the extra $200 over the Vortex.

Here's to hoping it doesn't kick like a mule. My dad tells horror stories about his Winchester Model 70 in 30-06, but then again, his is from the 70s and only had a metal butt plate.

 

[DirtyMike]

Got any recommendations for the best out of the box rounds for the Ruger American? It's chambered in 30-06, and topped with Vortex Crossfire combo. I'll be after whitetails, probably 200 yard or less shots.

Looked at assembling a DIY combo with a Leupold Freedom, but didn't think it was worth the extra $200 over the Vortex.

Here's to hoping it doesn't kick like a mule. My dad tells horror stories about his Winchester Model 70 in 30-06, but then again, his is from the 70s and only had a metal butt plate.

200 yards or less? Remington corelokt or federal no typical will take anything you go after.....

I like the federal a bit better

Buy Non-Typical for USD 27.99 | Federal Ammunition

Shopping for the Non-Typical - Learn more about the latest Non-Typical and other hunting or shooting gear at Federal Ammunition.

www.federalpremium.com

If you need more advi e at all shoot me an email
DMHReloading@gmail.com

More than happy to help

 

[KenW449]

I'm interested in taking up hunting this fall (as if I don't have enough things keeping me busy) and was looking for some advice on a rifle. I'm in northern New England, VT, and will be hopefully going after deer with which to stuff my freezer. I've been doing a smattering of reading and I think that what will work best for me is going to be something simple, light and reliable, like a Winchester Model 70, Ruger American, or similar .308 chambered bolt action rifle. Any suggestions on a specific rifle to look at in addition to those?

Anything in .308, 30-06, 30-30 .270 will do you good for distance.
Slug, 000 Buck, in shotgun as mentioned. 45-70 for a close distance brush rifle

Shotguns would seem unusually cruel, with a significant chance of injury without killing...

But when in thick woods the only opportunities are up close and personal.

A 45-70 is a good rifle alternate for thick, up close brush vs a shotgun.

 

[Jm_]

Anything in .308, 30-06, 30-30 .270 will do you good for distance.
Slug, 000 Buck, in shotgun as mentioned. 45-70 for a close distance brush rifle


A 45-70 is a good rifle alternate for thick, up close brush vs a shotgun.

45-70 short barrel lever action is among the very best for brown bear protection. It can reach out a bit and has the necessary penetration energy.

 

[KenW449]

45-70 short barrel lever action is among the very best for brown bear protection. It can reach out a bit and has the necessary penetration energy.

That it will. I just know alot of people also use it as their guide/brush gun as well because of its penetration energy, and not deflecting like a lighter round will do.

 

[Westy]

Anything in .308, 30-06, 30-30 .270 will do you good for distance.
Slug, 000 Buck, in shotgun as mentioned. 45-70 for a close distance brush rifle


A 45-70 is a good rifle alternate for thick, up close brush vs a shotgun.

But like mentioned earlier, rifles are not legal in a lot of regions as hunting takes place near populated areas. The range of a missed rifle shot becomes a safety issue.

 

[KenW449]

But like mentioned earlier, rifles are not legal in a lot of regions as hunting takes place near populated areas. The range of a missed rifle shot becomes a safety issue.

True! Ive only been to Vt once, so not sure what their laws are there.

 

[Westy]

True! Ive only been to Vt once, so not sure what their laws are there.

Where I lived in Virginia and New York, the only legal options were bow, shotgun or black powder rifle.

 

[KenW449]

Where I lived in Virginia and New York, the only legal options were bow, shotgun or black powder rifle.

I see. Kinda surprising considering how large upstate Ny is.

 

[Westy]

I see. Kinda surprising considering how large upstate Ny is.

I lived in the Hudson Valley, I am sure the rules could have been different in the Adirondacks.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

True! Ive only been to Vt once, so not sure what their laws are there.

There's a rifle season, overruled in some densely populated places, as I understand it, by local laws.

 

[KenW449]

There's a rifle season, overruled in some densely populated places, as I understand it, by local laws.

Makes sense