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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.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.
Hey you start where you start. Is that 35 whelen a bit to handle in that rifle?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.
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).Hey you start where you start. Is that 35 whelen a bit to handle in that rifle?

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 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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