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New Deer Rifle #5983920 10/19/15 04:58 PM
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Back 96 Offline OP
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Hey Guys, would like some opinions: I've always hunted with Grampa's guns, which I have since inherited. They are good guns and I cherish them. The 30-30 is not sighted in correctly and the 30-06, while sighted fine, has a scope which is foggy, so I only trust it under 40 yards. I would like some input on a good new deer rifle that wont break the bank. I am a meat hunter who hunts on 40 acres of river bottom. I take one deer a year, two max. I dont take 200 yard shots. 100 and under. And Im thinking of a smaller caliber than a 30/30, but may still stick with a 30/30, but I would like a versatile gun that can be used for hogs, varmits and other smaller game than a deer. What say ye? Thanks in advance for any input..

Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: Back 96] #5983927 10/19/15 05:00 PM
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If you are truly under 100 yards at all times then sight in that .30-30 and you have the best rifle made for your stated purposes. JMHO.

Good hunting!


Originally Posted by Russ79
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.


Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: Back 96] #5983942 10/19/15 05:09 PM
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Buy a quality scope for your '06.


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Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: syncerus] #5983953 10/19/15 05:12 PM
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Originally Posted By: syncerus
Buy a quality scope for your '06.


Exactly.

Load it down if you like. Load it big and heavy if you like.
Practice with the .30-30, they are terrific in the thick woods. You may find it is just right for your purposes.


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Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: Back 96] #5983954 10/19/15 05:13 PM
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Back 96 Offline OP
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Thnks for your replies. Forgot to mention that with the season starting soon - I wont have time to sight in the 30/30 before I make it out to the place. Was hoping to go buy a gun this week and have it sighted for me. Not a bad idea though to maybe just take one or both of the guns somewhere and get them fitted with new scopes. Any rec's on good new scopes? (again, that wont break my bank)

Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: Back 96] #5983956 10/19/15 05:16 PM
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Look at the Nikon and Redfeild scopes.



Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: Back 96] #5983957 10/19/15 05:16 PM
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Depends on your budget. Lots of decent scopes for not much money.

What part of the world are you in? If you're close enough to my range, I'll help you mount the scope and get it zeroed in less than an hour.


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Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: Back 96] #5983973 10/19/15 05:26 PM
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So you're going to have time to buy a rifle and scope, and then trust someone to get it sighted in correctly?

I'd take the 30-30 and sight it in, and kill deer.


The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: Back 96] #5984029 10/19/15 06:05 PM
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Originally Posted By: Back 96
Thnks for your replies. Forgot to mention that with the season starting soon - I wont have time to sight in the 30/30 before I make it out to the place. Was hoping to go buy a gun this week and have it sighted for me. Not a bad idea though to maybe just take one or both of the guns somewhere and get them fitted with new scopes. Any rec's on good new scopes? (again, that wont break my bank)


PM booradley on here, he'll help you out choosing and mounting them. He does it everyday.


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Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: Back 96] #5984067 10/19/15 06:37 PM
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I would get a 1X4 to 1.75x5 variable mounted on the 30/06. Leupold has the VX-Hog 1x4 which has a lifetime warranty which sells for about $229. You really need to spend in the neighborood of $180 plus to get a reliable scope. If you buy the scope at Cabelas, they'll mount and bore sight it, then you should need 30 minutes or less on the range to fine tune it.


for every stereotype there's a prototype don't be the prototype
Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: Back 96] #5984083 10/19/15 06:48 PM
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I know guys who have, but I wouldn't trust a boresighted scope to be on target enough to hunt with. Bore sighting will usually get it on paper, but that could be as much as 8-10" off. By the time you get to a store, buy a rifle, wait for the background check, pick out a scope, have it mounted, have it boresighted, pay, and drive home, you could have gone to a range and sighted in the 30/30. Have spent $500 less dollars, and be ready to go opening morning, plus, have put a few rounds down range to shake the cobwebs off.


The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: J.G.] #5984094 10/19/15 06:56 PM
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I appreciate all of your feedback and welcome any more. The 30/30 is at the ranch and I may not be able to get there until the night before the season. Was planning on purchasing a new gun somewhere close to where I am now. But the consensus is that I should just sight in that 30/30 myself and I may just have to find a way to go and do that before the season. Definitely the cheapest route for sure.

Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: Back 96] #5984138 10/19/15 07:24 PM
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Originally Posted By: Back 96
Any rec's on good new scopes? (again, that wont break my bank)



I would look at my mounts too...they are just as important as your scope...

I like the DNZ mounts, easy to install and pretty bomb proof, for 90% of the hunting.

Mounts and scope for under $250
..lot to like....



http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-ProStaff-Bla...rds=Nikon+scope

http://www.amazon.com/Game-Reaper-Savage...nz+scope+mounts

Ed

Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: 505ed] #5984143 10/19/15 07:30 PM
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Originally Posted By: 505ed
Originally Posted By: Back 96
Any rec's on good new scopes? (again, that wont break my bank)



I would look at my mounts too...they are just as important as your scope...

I like the DNZ mounts, easy to install and pretty bomb proof, for 90% of the hunting.

Mounts and scope for under $250
..lot to like....



http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-ProStaff-Bla...rds=Nikon+scope

http://www.amazon.com/Game-Reaper-Savage...nz+scope+mounts

Ed


The original poster stated, he hunts a 40 acre bottom land parcel, all shots are less than 100 yds. Why are you recommending a 4x12 in thick cover? you'd just be handicapping him.


for every stereotype there's a prototype don't be the prototype
Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: Back 96] #5984155 10/19/15 07:40 PM
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Is your 30-30 a Marlin or a Winchester? If a Marlin I would scope it but I have 56 year old eyes. If a Winchester I'd hunt with iron sights.

I sell a lot of scopes and mount them every week. Opinions will vary wildly but my favorite scope that doesn't break the bank is the Burris Fullfield II 2-7x35 for around $170.00 or the 3-9x40 for $200.00. At the stated distance you will be shooting I would get a 2-7.


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Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: Back 96] #5984172 10/19/15 07:53 PM
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Here's the 2-7 Burris for $140 STYD.

Burris


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Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: Back 96] #5984203 10/19/15 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted By: Back 96
Hey Guys, would like some opinions: I've always hunted with Grampa's guns, which I have since inherited. They are good guns and I cherish them. The 30-30 is not sighted in correctly and the 30-06, while sighted fine, has a scope which is foggy, so I only trust it under 40 yards. I would like some input on a good new deer rifle that wont break the bank. I am a meat hunter who hunts on 40 acres of river bottom. I take one deer a year, two max. I dont take 200 yard shots. 100 and under. And Im thinking of a smaller caliber than a 30/30, but may still stick with a 30/30, but I would like a versatile gun that can be used for hogs, varmits and other smaller game than a deer. What say ye? Thanks in advance for any input..


Academy has a Savage Axis (get in .243) on sale for $209 after rebate, and a nikon scope on sale for $149.
That will fit 'in between' other guns you have, be VERY fun to shoot on critters and pigs, accurate, and will handily take down any deer in Texas. Factory trigger is s bit stiff, but can easily (& safely) be 'tuned' in a few minutes (google).
Phooey on just buying a new scope - Never pass on a chance to buy a new gun !!

Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: nsmike] #5984244 10/19/15 08:46 PM
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Originally Posted By: nsmike
Originally Posted By: 505ed
Originally Posted By: Back 96
Any rec's on good new scopes? (again, that wont break my bank)



I would look at my mounts too...they are just as important as your scope...

I like the DNZ mounts, easy to install and pretty bomb proof, for 90% of the hunting.

Mounts and scope for under $250
..lot to like....



http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-ProStaff-Bla...rds=Nikon+scope

http://www.amazon.com/Game-Reaper-Savage...nz+scope+mounts

Ed


The original poster stated, he hunts a 40 acre bottom land parcel, all shots are less than 100 yds. Why are you recommending a 4x12 in thick cover? you'd just be handicapping him.


Don't really feel like I am. I have shot a lot of game under 100 yards with a 4.5x14 scope. Set on 4.5 power. A 3x9 or 4x12 are very versatile and popular for that reason. Being popular you can usually buy more quality for less money-because scale of production...ie better glass and internals...maybe more features. Low power scopes are great,but just maybe in the future our friend here gets invited on another hog our deer hunt and he his hunting a wheat/oats field where ranges get over 200 yards, or gets to go on a mule deer hunt out west...I don't know. Heck maybe you want to shoot out long range....i don't know...it is not like I suggested a 5x20 tac scope. Heck most people cant shoot irons for crap anyway. The last animal I shot with irons was a Cape buffalo with my double. Frontal shot at 40 yards in brush was a challenge, that is a big animal, compared to a whitetail..

Ed

Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: booradley] #5984253 10/19/15 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted By: booradley
I Fullfield II 2-7x35 for around $170.00 or the 3-9x40 for $200.00. At the stated distance you will be shooting I would get a 2-7.


Yep....decent scopes too...

Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: Back 96] #5984337 10/19/15 09:56 PM
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For Shooting big game, a 4x is plenty out to 300 yards, all my scopes range from 1x4 to 2x7. It's only on the range, or for small game and varmits, that I might go go to a 4x12 or similar. When I buy a dedicated long range small bore it will likely wear such a scope.


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Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: TFF Caribou] #5984608 10/20/15 12:47 AM
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Originally Posted By: Tff caribou
I know guys who have, but I wouldn't trust a boresighted scope to be on target enough to hunt with. Bore sighting will usually get it on paper, but that could be as much as 8-10" off. By the time you get to a store, buy a rifle, wait for the background check, pick out a scope, have it mounted, have it boresighted, pay, and drive home, you could have gone to a range and sighted in the 30/30. Have spent $500 less dollars, and be ready to go opening morning, plus, have put a few rounds down range to shake the cobwebs off.


Are you suggesting he forego a scope and just use iron sights on the 30-30? If his eyes are good enough that is a viable option. You are correct about boresighting. All it is guaranteed to do is get a rifle on paper at 25 yards. You said you know of someone that went hunting with a rifle that was not sighted in, just boresighted. That's crazy. There are so many people who think boresighting will put them on the bullseye at 100 yards.

A few weeks ago a guy brought his rifle into the store and asked to speak with me. He said, "You mounted and boresighted the scope on this rifle and when I took it to the range it was one inch low and three inches to the right at 100 yards". With a big smile on my face I said, "Wow, I did an excellent job on your scope, thanks". He got pissed and left the store.

I also believe a 4-12 is too much scope for the OP. I've seen a couple of situations where 4X was too high for a very close shot. You can also get a much better scope in a 2-7 for under $200.00 than you can a 4-12.

Last edited by booradley; 10/20/15 12:49 AM.

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Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: booradley] #5984759 10/20/15 01:54 AM
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Originally Posted By: booradley
Originally Posted By: Tff caribou
I know guys who have, but I wouldn't trust a boresighted scope to be on target enough to hunt with. Bore sighting will usually get it on paper, but that could be as much as 8-10" off. By the time you get to a store, buy a rifle, wait for the background check, pick out a scope, have it mounted, have it boresighted, pay, and drive home, you could have gone to a range and sighted in the 30/30. Have spent $500 less dollars, and be ready to go opening morning, plus, have put a few rounds down range to shake the cobwebs off.


Are you suggesting he forego a scope and just use iron sights on the 30-30? If his eyes are good enough that is a viable option. You are correct about boresighting. All it is guaranteed to do is get a rifle on paper at 25 yards. You said you know of someone that went hunting with a rifle that was not sighted in, just boresighted. That's crazy. There are so many people who think boresighting will put them on the bullseye at 100 yards.

A few weeks ago a guy brought his rifle into the store and asked to speak with me. He said, "You mounted and boresighted the scope on this rifle and when I took it to the range it was one inch low and three inches to the right at 100 yards". With a big smile on my face I said, "Wow, I did an excellent job on your scope, thanks". He got pissed and left the store.

I also believe a 4-12 is too much scope for the OP. I've seen a couple of situations where 4X was too high for a very close shot. You can also get a much better scope in a 2-7 for under $200.00 than you can a 4-12.


Good job on that bore sighting. The only one I ever bore sighted that did not need any further adjustments was on a replacement scope, bore sightedthe old one, put the new one on and sighted it to that same place in the bore sighter, spot on when shot.

I also agree with lower power scopes, hunt the thick stuff in Mississippi a lot and do not hunt with a rifle/scope combo that has above 2.5 on the low end, that big field of view helps in the woods. 2X7 is one of my favorite power ranges for scopes and that Burris is a good one.


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Mainstream news might be fun to watch
Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: Back 96] #5984925 10/20/15 02:58 AM
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Just in case someone miss understood me. I did say get it bore sighted and it should take less than 30 minutes on the range fine tuning it.


for every stereotype there's a prototype don't be the prototype
Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: syncerus] #5985023 10/20/15 03:57 AM
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Originally Posted By: Nogalus Prairie
If you are truly under 100 yards at all times then sight in that .30-30 and you have the best rifle made for your stated purposes. JMHO.

Good hunting!
X2, 30-30 is dead-lay.

Originally Posted By: syncerus
Buy a quality scope for your '06.
X2 on this too. Depending on your budget, the Vortex Diamondback and Nikon Buckmasters/Prostaff are good for the money. Leupold's VX2 is also a good one. Then of course you have the VX3, Zeiss Conquest, and so on so forth.

Happy hunting!

Re: New Deer Rifle [Re: Nogalus Prairie] #5985044 10/20/15 04:15 AM
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Originally Posted By: Nogalus Prairie
If you are truly under 100 yards at all times then sight in that .30-30 and you have the best rifle made for your stated purposes. JMHO.

Good hunting!


X2 One of my favorites

Good luck up


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