Your first deer rifle?

Joined
Sep 22, 2021
Messages
479
Location
Western NC
my family didnt deer hunt, so didnt get my first deer rifle until i was 19. My parents got it for me for Christmas and gave it to me early as i was going to my buddy from college house down east for two weeks to deer hunt on their farm. it was a Howa 30-06 package gun. Ironically i didnt kill a deer with it that year but killed 3 with my shotgun doing man drives with them. Just had sat in the safe for a few years and this summer i pulled it out and gave it a full make over. cerakoted the barrel and action, put a trigger in it. put a nice scope on it and a carbon fiber stock. looking forward to taking it out again this year.
 
Joined
May 16, 2022
Messages
58
The gun I killed my first two deer with was my grandpa’s (Remington 700?) 243. After that my parents got me my first deer rifle, a 1943 Mosin Nagant for $99 from Cabelas. It even came with the bayonet. Somehow that thing is an absolute tack driver and I still take it hunting somewhat frequently, although I have since acquired a few more rifles that see action much more consistently.
 

kkp005

WKR
Joined
Jan 4, 2021
Messages
401
Location
Texas
I used the gun my dad always had in his truck.
It’s was an H&R single shot 223 with a $40 Walmart Bushell… we shot 55gr pmc fmj’s and I can’t remember a single deer, hog or coyote every taking another step after being shot with it
 
Joined
Mar 4, 2021
Messages
77
Shot my first couple deer in my childhood with a 243 with a chopped stock for shorter LOP. Didn't to much hunting through college, but got back in heavily after my grandpa passed away. My Dad gave me a new in box 80's german import weatherby clone in 7mm Rem Mag which became my first hunting rifle about 8 years ago. Grandpa liked magnums 300WM, 7mmRM, and 264WM are all in his safe, but he hunted Alaska some and chased Elk in New Mexico every year back in the 70's-late 90's.

One day in the somewhat near future I hope to book a Cow elk hunt, but for now, the 7mm Mag is my main deer rifle.
 
OP
Ringbill27
Joined
May 22, 2023
Messages
352
Well I’d rather overkill then under kill. What’s the brand on the 7RM?
Shot my first couple deer in my childhood with a 243 with a chopped stock for shorter LOP. Didn't to much hunting through college, but got back in heavily after my grandpa passed away. My Dad gave me a new in box 80's german import weatherby clone in 7mm Rem Mag which became my first hunting rifle about 8 years ago. Grandpa liked magnums 300WM, 7mmRM, and 264WM are all in his safe, but he hunted Alaska some and chased Elk in New Mexico every year back in the 70's-late 90's.

One day in the somewhat near future I hope to book a Cow elk hunt, but for now, the 7mm Mag is my main deer rifle.
 
Joined
Jul 30, 2015
Messages
6,359
Location
Lenexa, KS
Model 99 in 270 Titus (300 Savage necked down by gunsmith Bliss Titus). It was a loaner from my dad. First rifle I ever kilt anything with was a Sako A5 in 25-06.
 

ianpadron

WKR
Joined
Feb 3, 2016
Messages
2,012
Location
Montana
My folks got me a Tikka T3 Lite in .30-06 when I headed West after college as a graduation gift. Never killed anything with it, as I went down the smaller, short action cartridge rabbit hole pretty quickly once the backcountry bug bit me.

It's now sitting in my Brother in laws shop waiting for it's time to shine since I loaned it to him as he didn't have a rifle. Good reminder that I need to get him on a bear here shortly
 
Joined
Nov 1, 2019
Messages
15
Browning A-bolt 270 win. Go to sight it in every year and only takes one shot. It’s on every time. It’s killed a pile of deer.
 
Joined
Jun 7, 2023
Messages
729
Location
Wyoming
Savage 99A in .250-3000 my grandpa bought me in a pawn shop. Killed my first blacktail with it at age 9 in '94. Didn't kill another deer with it until 2020. To me, this will always be the quintessential hunting rifle and cartridge.

99A.jpeg


Astute observers may notice something funny on the muzzle. In 2018, I had it rebarreled by McGowan. It's now 18 inches and threaded 1/2-28. My next kill with it will be suppressed.
 

Wolfshead

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 10, 2022
Messages
188
Well I’d rather overkill then under kill. What’s the brand on the 7RM?
I was thinking about this the other day when someone asked the question about using an M1 carbine for deer hunting, and if it was “enough gun” to use.
I find it ironic that we talk about being under or over powered with a firearm yet we will hunt with a 45 pound bow….
 
OP
Ringbill27
Joined
May 22, 2023
Messages
352
I was thinking about this the other day when someone asked the question about using an M1 carbine for deer hunting, and if it was “enough gun” to use.
I find it ironic that we talk about being under or over powered with a firearm yet we will hunt with a 45 pound bow….
I had friend who’s dads go to deer rifle is a M1 carbine. I do think there is a time and place for most cartridges.

I’m not a bow hunter. Personal reasons im not going to get into.
 
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