Need some ideas for a deer rifle.

[rugersol]

An AR pistol in any caliber is still a PISTOL, held with two hands likely with the aid of a sling but still highly dependent on muscles versus steady hold factors around a solid stock firmly planted in your shoulder making long distance shots questionable regardless of what the ballistics calculator tells you.

It's a "pistol" ... according to the ATF ... some guys even shoot it like it's a Contender ... but to say it's simply the same as any other pistol is disingenuous!

Most (of what you'd normally think of as) pistols don't have a buffer-tube ... at which, they have no reasonable third point of contact, with the body (as does most any rifle).

Frankly, I see no reason to believe it wouldn't simply come down to practice! ... I'd put a guy with an AR pistol, having practiced 100rd+, shooting off-hand, against most anyone else, who does nothing more than shoot 3rd off sand to make sure his scope didn't move! ... 'less of course he's got a lead-sled in his tree-stand!

[Lunchbox]

It's still a pistol not knocking just not ready for it. Like it was said I'm not ready to loose the point of contact with the shoulder. I want that point of contact.. Need the time to train and work my personal bugs out, that'll be in short supply after I get the money to make a purchase.

Just to clarify: the two options I listed in the op I do not own. Right now I have two shotguns to my name, I want a rifle to take out. One is a 20 ga the other needs to see a smith and get retired. Neither of which I'd like to take to the field.

As the .44 idea, I was thinking the auto loader. I had one with glass to my shoulder and everything was where it needed to be. I usually have to fight to find a good sight picture with a scope, the one I was thinking of copying everything lined up great and the scope was right there ready to fire if I had to (easy target acquisition)

Used is definitely an option if not preferred.

i'm more than happy to elaborate over a beer sometime duder. perhaps friday if you make it out

Hoping to make it out.

[rukwikenuf]

i know a guy who might sell off his Ruger 77 in 270win...

and Lunchie, you should know better than to start a thread like this. i mean, really. are you that bored?

[Anokamnman]

I think you should build yourself the ultimate deer slayer. Like I did. 45-70 should do the job nicely

[Stradawhovious]

45-70 should do the job nicely

Worked for me last year.

[Anokamnman]

That's two votes. I will be using it here this year. The daughter is using the 6.8spc AR & the wife is using the trusty old 30-30.

[kowalzekc]

Either a .50 Beowulf or a 7.62x39 AR15. Just shot my friends 7.62 ar and now I feel I must have one!

[Lunchbox]

i know a guy who might sell off his Ruger 77 in 270win...

and Lunchie, you should know better than to start a thread like this. i mean, really. are you that bored?

I know a guy who's debating on selling one too .

How many times have we talked about this out in the garage? I just took it to the masses for their ideas. I'm getting some food for thought.

[goalie]

When I finally found private land to deer hunt, I picked up an inexpensive .270 for dragging up into trees behind me.

Over a dozen deer, no misses, never had to shoot twice. Same conditions as you described.

I have a Mossberg ATR-100. Today I would go Marlin XL7 or Savage Axis.

I have a decent fixed 4x scope on mine that cost more than the rifle.

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2

[Lunchbox]

Nothing against the rifle rukwikenuf offered up, just not sure if it's an option right now. I'm not going to take somebody's deer rifle from without them having another option.

[jspace]

Personally I would get one of the Savages from Fleet Farm in a caliber you like.
Then again I don't hunt anywhere that allows any long guns less than 50 cal
Or really hunt at all...

[Jbotto]

Go the overkill route. Marlin 1895GBL. That's what my next rifle will be! Nothing I need, but could do so much! And with reloading and cast bullets.... fun gun.

[Lunchbox]

Go the overkill route. Marlin 1895GBL. That's what my next rifle will be! Nothing I need, but could do so much! And with reloading and cast bullets.... fun gun.

Good idea but overkill is out (I can't believe I just said that)... I don't reload

[Pinnacle]

If reloading is not an option for you I would stick with popular and standard calibers. 7.62x39mm, 270, 30-06, 308, 243, even 44 MAG (77/44)..... Simple matter of availability of ammunition anywhere you go and the chances of picking up a sale are greater when you have a common caliber.

If it were me, I would buy something lightweight like a 243, or a 308 - just plenty adequate for deer or even larger, and frankly 308 is the threshold of the limit of the recoil that most people really want to tolerate.

I like short, light rifles for going into the woods. You are going to carry it far more than shoot it.

Here is another thing that people dont think about too often. A "Deer" rifle serves as a FANTASTIC self defense tool when used properly. There is nothing wrong with a good light rifle even a bolt action. There are some simple things that you can do to make even a hunting rifle utilitarian for the purpose. I am ahuge advocate for the bolt action rifle in self defense use. If you are going to have one gun, my thought process says - buy something that you will be able to shoot a lot... Get good with and learn to work fast.

Whatever you do, buy good glass. Something of reasonable magnification (hubble power not necessary) - I might stick to anything from Leupold, Nikon, Burris, or even Swift, and there are even some of the Japanese Bushnells out there that are just top notch.. A fixed 4X (just like Goalie says) is perfect. A blackhawk stock bag with shell loops is a great idea, a good sling, and that is about all you really need.

Keep the gun as light as possible.

[rugersol]

Simple matter of availability of ammunition anywhere you go

I never understood why anyone pays this lip service?! ... I've never forgotten to bring ammo along ... if I did, I'd simply go home, in shame! ... 'bout as much chance as forgetting my rifle, or license!

... I've also never "ran out"!

It's like saying ya should always buy a Chevy, because no matter where ya break down, they'll have your parts!

I can appreciate gettin' a good deal! ... but judging by the folks I've seen show up at OGC October/November, and shoot 3 rounds, and leave! ... I wouldn't sweat $15 vs. $25 over the course of 4 - 5yr! Otherwise, I'd say the 7.62x39 recommendation is definitely the way to go! ... buddy took his first deer with one (an AK, besides) ... deer didn't complain!