Your first deer rifle?

What was your very first deer rifle?

Mine was a mossberg 500 410ga with a smooth bore barrel and iron sights. It’s a great grouse gun but not a deer killer. 2 minute of deer isn’t really good for me.

My very first rifle was handed down to me from my grandfather, which was a Win 94 in 30WCF. Up until me receiving this rifle I’d been hunting 8-9years and had only shot a fawn. Within 3 days of owning it I shot two bucks.

I love that rifle but it’s become more of a safe queen these days. I’ve come up spicy load using the Hornady 140gr Monoflex and leverevolution that I’d like to try one of these days.
My first rifle, purchased in 1983, was a marlin 336cs lever action in 35 Remington. Awesome rifle. Small, lightweight. Have taken many whitetail deer with it. Still my fav and my go to.
 
I had a choice between a 308 and a 7mm-08. I chose the 308 and after all these years I am still happy with my choice. I actually bought my son a 7mm-08 and he loves it. Don’t matter what you shoot as long as you are comfortable with it and you can put that bullet where it counts.
 
My first deer gun was a 20 gauge single shot youth model- I think I was 12 Tiny gun that kicked like hell. Killed 2 big 8s with that in seventh and eighth grade

My first deer rifle I got when I was 15 or 16- browning bar mk1 type 2 3006
 
STEVENS SAVAGE ARMS MODEL 325-A BOLT ACTION .30-30 RIFLE

Bought it with mowing money when I was 11. Was so proud of having my own rifle, but quickly realized it was a pos. Got my hands on a nice marlin 336 in 35 rem. At 14. I learned to be effective with that rifle. .

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First gen savage axis in 308. Recently re-barreled that rifle to 243 for my boys. Have slowly been collecting 760/7600 carbines as I have learned to appreciate the finer things in the east coast deer woods since that savage
 
Used dad’s Savage 99 in 308, until 18 then I bought a really nice factory embellished Rem700 in 25-06

It stays in the safe mostly now because of ammo scarcity, but has killed a pile of deer.

Good guns, a little fast for CaC bullets, but it’s a killer.


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My first rifle was a 300 Weatherby Vangard Synthetic back in 2003 probably. I put a muzzle break on it and it was tolerable for me at 16 years old. It was a gift from my girlfriend and back when Walmart sold the rifles in store. It was 388 lol.
 
Wish I had some cool story to tell about a hand-me-down, but my first deer rifle is a CVA scout v2 in 35 Whelen. I hunt public land so this rifle covers primitive and rifle season.
 
Wish I had some cool story to tell about a hand-me-down, but my first deer rifle is a CVA scout v2 in 35 Whelen. I hunt public land so this rifle covers primitive and rifle season.
Hey you start where you start. Is that 35 whelen a bit to handle in that rifle?
 
Hey you start where you start. Is that 35 whelen a bit to handle in that rifle?
I kinda rushed into the purchase (1 week before primitive started) trying to buy something 35cal or larger to meet the public land requirement. My thought process was I wanted better trajectory than others like 45-70 or 350 Legend could provide out past ~150yds. In reality, it's so damn thick down here, I can rarely see further than 100yds unless I was hunting a plot (which I don't really - they seem to be over pressured).

After shooting 35 Whelen, though, I fell in love. The recoil is righteous even with the factory brake, but the thing weighs 9lb 3oz scoped and CVA buttpads are legit, so it's not a sharp kick - easily manageable. I have the 25" model that I want to get chopped to 22" and rethreaded 5/8"-24 (currently M16x1 RH).

I've yet to have to track a deer shot with my 35 Whelen. Two dropped immediately for 0yd tracking. The other I shot a little too far back, but he only made it 50yd. I'm sold on 35 Whelen. I'm entertaining the idea of having an old 30-06 bolt action rebarrelled for 35 Whelen.

I will say, I bought my girl a CVA Scout v3 in 350 Legend and it sure is a lot easier on the shoulder - carrying and shooting. I love how they break down and fit in the same case when I take her hunting.

35's.jpg
 
I kinda rushed into the purchase (1 week before primitive started) trying to buy something 35cal or larger to meet the public land requirement. My thought process was I wanted better trajectory than others like 45-70 or 350 Legend could provide out past ~150yds. In reality, it's so damn thick down here, I can rarely see further than 100yds unless I was hunting a plot (which I don't really - they seem to be over pressured).

After shooting 35 Whelen, though, I fell in love. The recoil is righteous even with the factory brake, but the thing weighs 9lb 3oz scoped and CVA buttpads are legit, so it's not a sharp kick - easily manageable. I have the 25" model that I want to get chopped to 22" and rethreaded 5/8"-24 (currently M16x1 RH).

I've yet to have to track a deer shot with my 35 Whelen. Two dropped immediately for 0yd tracking. The other I shot a little too far back, but he only made it 50yd. I'm sold on 35 Whelen. I'm entertaining the idea of having an old 30-06 bolt action rebarrelled for 35 Whelen.

I will say, I bought my girl a CVA Scout v3 in 350 Legend and it sure is a lot easier on the shoulder - carrying and shooting. I love how they break down and fit in the same case when I take her hunting.

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I’ve really been wanting a CVA Scout. I’ve always loved my CVA Wolf 50cal. They are handy guns and the triggers are great. I’ve been thinking about a 308 chopped to 16.25”.

I’ve also been planning a 358win build off a 243win Tikka. I also can’t see past 100yd. The 358win should do the job well and I little nicer on the shoulder.
 
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