Texas Hunting Forum

Let's see your favorite deer rifle.

Posted By: steve_twice

Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/22/21 02:57 AM

My primary is a Christensen Mesa .308. Leupold VX5 3-15x44 on Leupold Backcountry rings. Area 419 Hellfire brake. Magpul bipod and Quake claw slim sling. Shoots well inside MOA with Sierra GameChanger 165s. Second in my heart only to the 1964 Marlin 336 I inherited from my Dad.

What are you carrying opening day?

[Linked Image]
Posted By: skinnerback

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/22/21 03:37 AM

My favorite deer rifle. My oldest 3 kids all killed their first deer & pigs with it.

I've killed several hundred animals with this rifle, my kids have killed a few too with it. I bought it used in the late 90's. Once I replaced the old scope & rings, it has been a great tool. Old ugly stock Savage 110 in 243 with a Lupe' 3x9x40. Works for 80% of the hunting that I've done in South Texas.

[Linked Image]

I have other rifles that I really like to hunt with, and they serve their purpose.

I consider this old ugly rifle a friend that I'll never part with.

Posted By: steve_twice

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/22/21 03:41 AM

Originally Posted by skinnerback


I consider this old ugly rifle a friend that I'll never part with.



Love it. That's exactly how I feel about my 336.
Posted By: BigPig

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/22/21 08:08 AM

My favorite is a beautiful old Browning BAR in 30-06 that my dad bought before I was born. Used it to take my first deer. Used it a few years ago sitting in the blind with my dad when I shot my coolest buck.
Posted By: onlysmith&wesson

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/22/21 11:50 AM

Without a doubt my Tikka CTR in .308, Leupold VX5 HD, 3-15 x 44 with a dialed in CDS set up. I use it for all my whitetail hunting. It is best suited for a hunt I go on every year that is public land, walk in, no stand, no feeder, very little advanced scouting and the shots are 10 to as far as you can see kind of yardage. They're always on the move and in most cases need to be DRT. It's a little heavy for the 3-4 mile walk in, but with the Badlands set up on the backpack you don't really know it's there. It's a fun hunt, and this set up is perfect for it. As with all CTR's I been around this one shoots very tight. [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: tailchaser93

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/22/21 12:16 PM

Man I like that stock
Posted By: Four Seasons Guide

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/22/21 12:37 PM

Mesa Precision Arms 6.5 PRC with Swarovski 5-25x56 X5i and Atlas Bipod. I paired it with the Sig 2400 ABS rangefinder. Nothing is safe


[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: stxranchman

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/22/21 12:58 PM

So many Opening Day's and so many choices......"Opening Day" I will be carrying my Elite Impulse 31. grin For "Opening Day" of General Season (if I have any tags left) I will be carrying my Remington .270 with Zeiss Conquest 6.5x20 scope. For "Opening Day" of Mule Deer season I will be carrying my Rifles Inc. Master Series .280 topped with a Swarovski 5x30. For all my opening days I will using my Leica Geovid 3200's.
.270
[Linked Image]
.280
[Linked Image]
Posted By: Jgraider

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/22/21 01:03 PM

I have three favorites:

McWhorter 7mm08, Leupy VX3 B&C
[Linked Image]

Tikka T3X 6.5 CM, Bushy LRHS
[Linked Image]

Tikka 695 Whitetail, 7mm Rem Mag, VX6
[Linked Image]
Posted By: Double AC

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/22/21 01:09 PM

Won’t be carrying it opening day of MLD as we will still be shooting red deer, but hopefully will by opener of general season. The rifle is a 50yr old Remington 700 in .243 that, not to quote Whiskey Myers, grandpa gave to my dad and he gave to me. It was sighted with a vintage Lyman’s 4x but upgraded to a Leupold VX-3 2.5x8 a couple years ago
Posted By: Texan Til I Die

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/22/21 02:10 PM

I mostly carry my bone stock Tikka CTR in .260 Rem. Nightforce SHV scope and my handloads - 143 ELD-X running at a mild 2700 fps.

[Linked Image]


And just for something different, I'll carry my 7 Rem Mag. It's built on a Savage 116 action, Nightforce ATACR scope, Rifle Basix trigger, Shilen 1:8 barrel with a Nortwest Precision brake, Boyd's varmint stock pillar bedded and my handloads - 180 ELD-M running at a not so mild 2950 fps.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: scottfromdallas

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/22/21 05:15 PM


Hard to pick a favorite. Most of what I've killed the last 5 years has been with a Tikka CTR 308. Excellent rifle for just about anywhere.

This year I'm hunting in East Texas so I know the terrain I'll be hunting in. I'm hoping to blood my semi-custom Ruger Hawkeye 6.8 SPC 2. Have it loaded with 130 Interlock flat base at 2550 fps from 16" barrel. Kicks like an air rifle suppressed.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]
Posted By: hook_n_line

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/22/21 05:34 PM

Here's my savage 10/110 .270 win

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Greg Z

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/22/21 06:02 PM

[Linked Image]


T3 Light in .07/08
Posted By: colt45-90

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/22/21 06:14 PM

to many to list
Posted By: freerange

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/22/21 07:27 PM

Favorite and ONLY. I’ve posted before about the rifle I inherited from my Dad 50 years ago. M70 3006, vx3 2.5 x 8 Leupold with 165 Partitions. He had a fixed 6x Weaver I wish I had kept. Sling and elsewise the same.
First pick is him in Colorado at 54, year before his heart attack.
The rest are me with same rifle. Same cap over many decades as well.
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: Whammer7

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/22/21 07:58 PM

That is quite a chronology of deer right there!
Posted By: hook_n_line

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/22/21 08:31 PM

Kids got me this one for Christmas. I haven't gotten any blood on it yet but it may be my new favorite.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: ZK-315

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/22/21 08:52 PM

I guess my all time favorite is my first semi-custom build I had done.
Remington 700 action, #5 contour 24” 1:8 twist brux, Manners EH-4 elite (CF), Timney, NF atacr 5-25, SiCo Harvester 30. Using my own loads with some 180gr Berger VLDs.
Although the scope makes it a bit heavy, it's what I toted around Colorado last year when dad and I chased the elk around.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Mike Mathena

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/22/21 09:48 PM

Nothing fancy, mossberg atr100 in 308 and the mossberg plinkster for varmint [Linked Image][Linked Image]

Attached picture 20200801_083112.jpg
Attached picture 20200802_202756.jpg
Attached picture 20181110_133634.jpg
Posted By: WestTN_TX

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/22/21 11:32 PM

Winchester Model 70. .270.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Creekrunner

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/22/21 11:52 PM

Beautiful rifle. Beautiful deer. And an excellent picture. up
Posted By: steve_twice

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/23/21 12:09 AM

Originally Posted by WestTN_TX
Winchester Model 70. .270.

[Linked Image]

Very nice. As classic as it gets.
Posted By: Adchunts

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/23/21 12:12 AM

[Linked Image]

Not exactly a rifle, but this is my current favorite. CVA .50 caliber muzzleloader pistol.
Posted By: RedSnake

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/23/21 12:59 AM

280 Ackley Improved

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Gw123

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/23/21 01:52 AM

[Linked Image]


Hands down the 700 BDL 25-06 that my mom and dad gave me for my 16th birthday, it’s topped with an old Redfield Illuminator 3-12x56 with a 30mm tube. The scope is enormous but I’ll never change it out as long as the glass stays clear and bright
Posted By: Marsh Monkey

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/23/21 11:43 PM

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Superduty

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/24/21 12:16 AM

Browning A-Bolt 7mm Mag. Over 14 confirmed kills.

Last years harvest.

[Linked Image]

Never lost a deer with this rifle.
Posted By: 603Country

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/24/21 12:32 AM

I think my favorite is the Tikka T3 in 260. The scope is the Leupold VX5 3-15 with firedot. It’s the one I grab first. Stock except for the Brux barrel. [Linked Image]
Posted By: Erich

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/24/21 04:51 PM

I love my old model 700 BDL .270...its been taking deer and hog since i was 14 years old. it'll always be my favorite. i'll have to find a picture that shows it well
Posted By: LonestarCobra

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/25/21 12:29 PM

Just my old beaten up 700 25-06. It has not let me down yet, and I have used it since 1982. I have other and better rifles, but this one will always be my favorite.
Posted By: txtrophy85

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/27/21 01:39 AM

[Linked Image]

My favorite “ deer rifle “. Bought in 97’ at Carter’s country in Pasadena for $479.00. Topped it with a $185 Redfield 3x9 tracker, sighted it in and have not touched it to this day. It’s had some work done to it by the late Howard Dietz from New Braunfels and it will put 130 grain hornady interlocks into neat little cloverleafs. Can’t tell you how many deer and pigs I’ve shot with it, it has accounted for several animals on my wall. Don’t hunt with it much these days bit it’s the only rifle I own that I have 100% confidence in.
Posted By: Longhorn74

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/27/21 02:12 AM

[Linked Image]

I have four of these Winchester 70 feather weights. 270, 257 roberts, 7x57 Mauser and this one a 280 Remington. All four have seen many a opening morning.
Posted By: Hirogen

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/27/21 02:26 AM

[Linked Image]
Posted By: DStroud

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/27/21 03:53 AM

Last two seasons this has been the go to....Horizon custom switch barrel with 6.5 PRC barrel TT 5-25.
Took this picture while I was waiting to be picked up after shooting a 8 point on a draw hunt on OC Fisher San Angelo.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Ol Thumper

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/27/21 04:26 AM

I dont have any pics but mine is a Winchester lightweight model 70 in 30/06 my parents gave me in 1988 for Christmas. Followed closely by a Browning A Bolt in 375 H&H. These 2 guns have killed hundreds of animals between the two of them,,
Posted By: GrantW

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/27/21 05:18 AM

Wish I had a better picture at the moment but here’s my “go to” favorite
Remington 700 LSS .280 “50th anniversary limited of the .280 caliber”
Grey laminate, stainless 24” barrel
Parents bought it for me as a gift after I wouldn’t quit talking about it, Dad convinced mom I needed it

First few years I had it I wasn’t completely sold
On it. Shooting 139grain Hornady SST’s and factory x mark trigger.
Tossed a Timney in it and started shooting plain jane Core Lokt 140’s and never looked back.

Attached picture E86A7171-7745-4874-838D-CAD84FC32B70.jpeg
Posted By: 10pointers

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/27/21 10:12 AM

My two favorites first is SAKO Finnwolf in 308 and second is custom C.G. Haenel Mauser in 9.3X62

Attached picture favorite 308.jpg
Attached picture 9.32x62.jpg
Posted By: NOCOOLNAMETOO

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/27/21 03:26 PM

[Linked Image]

Not sure if this .308 Frankenstein build is going to be my favorite but topped with a zeiss conquest v4 4-16x44 and it's a tack driver for sure.
Posted By: PROLINE19

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/27/21 03:30 PM

classic winchester
Posted By: freerange

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/27/21 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by txtrophy85
[Linked Image]

My favorite “ deer rifle “. Bought in 97’ at Carter’s country in Pasadena for $479.00. Topped it with a $185 Redfield 3x9 tracker, sighted it in and have not touched it to this day. It’s had some work done to it by the late Howard Dietz from New Braunfels and it will put 130 grain hornady interlocks into neat little cloverleafs. Can’t tell you how many deer and pigs I’ve shot with it, it has accounted for several animals on my wall. Don’t hunt with it much these days bit it’s the only rifle I own that I have 100% confidence in.

Txtro, Im impressed. I didnt think the younger generation had any rifles made outa wood.
Posted By: freerange

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/27/21 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by Longhorn74
[Linked Image]

I have four of these Winchester 70 feather weights. 270, 257 roberts, 7x57 Mauser and this one a 280 Remington. All four have seen many a opening morning.

I love those M70s and good calibers too.
Posted By: GrantW

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/28/21 12:35 AM

The red pad model 70’s are some of my favorites. I have a super grade .270 from the earlier 90’s when they bought the CRF bolt back and it’s a great looking and shooting rifle.
Posted By: David7912

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/28/21 02:12 AM

[Linked Image]
Browning A Bolt Medallion 300 win mag
Posted By: Simple Searcher

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/28/21 02:27 AM

Nice rifles here.
I will save ya'll the pain of seeing a dusty scratched up Remington VTR .308 (really, I don't have a picture). But it is reliable and precise
Posted By: Biscuit

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/29/21 01:47 PM

Really nice, thanks for sharing fellas
Posted By: pertnear

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/29/21 02:47 PM

Ruger #2 in 6.8mm SPC - my favorite hill country deer rifle.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: DQ Kid

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/29/21 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by GrantW
The red pad model 70’s are some of my favorites. I have a super grade .270 from the earlier 90’s when they bought the CRF bolt back and it’s a great looking and shooting rifle.

Have the red padded Model 70 XTR Featherweight from 1983 in .30-.06, love it....
Posted By: unclebubba

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/29/21 03:24 PM

My "favorite" deer rifle actually rarely gets used. With only a peep sight, I only hunt with it when I am hunting thicker stuff and will only get 100 yard shot or less. I usually carry it once or twice a year. Some years not at all...
[Linked Image]
I usually hunt with either a BAR in 270 or a Rem 788 in .308, or a Savage in 6.5CM or an AR in 300BLK or...well, you get the point.
Posted By: LeonCarr

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/30/21 04:58 PM

[Linked Image]
My favorite deer “rifle”, Benelli Supernova 12 Gauge, 28 inch barrel. With Tri-Ball Buckshot and an Extra Full choke it works where I hunt.
Posted By: RedSnake

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 09/30/21 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by DStroud
Last two seasons this has been the go to....Horizon custom switch barrel with 6.5 PRC barrel TT 5-25.
Took this picture while I was waiting to be picked up after shooting a 8 point on a draw hunt on OC Fisher San Angelo.

[Linked Image]


Love the Tangent Theta. My favorite scope up
Posted By: Kingsview Safaris

Re: Let's see your favorite deer rifle. - 10/01/21 08:52 AM

Holy smokes, there is some fine looking rifles posted.
© 2024 Texas Hunting Forum