Factory Deer Rifle suggestions

[Daddymac]

I'm looking to put my son-in-law in a deer rifle for the southeast, I have always been a Remington 700 guy, and most of my hunters are built on that action, but what are the other out of the box rifles I should check out? I'm looking for user safety for a fairly new, but competent shooter, and of course decent accuracy, if you were looking for one of your family, what would it be and why?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Herzo]

Savage is a strong action with a reputation for accuracy.

 

[ebb]

Tikka

 

[msinc]

I work on a lot of factory rifles for local guys that hunt. The two that impress me the most for the price and accuracy consistently are the Tikka's as above and Weatherby rifles. Tikka's, surprisingly enough, always seem to outshoot the more expensive Sako. Have not seen a new Weatherby that didn't shoot well in a very long time. 700's on the other hand seem to be running about 50%. That is to say you got a 50/50 chance of getting one that might satisfy you.
Just tested a new Weatherby Vanguard in 240WM that shot less than 1/4 inch group at 100 yards. It had a Timney trigger installed. This guy has several Weatherby's and they all are great shooters.

Edit: I should add that this is all with factory ammo too.

 

[Coonman300]

I just bought my son a Savage Avis II. IIRC it was about $400. It’s the first Savage I’ve ever bought. It’s not the finest rifle out there but so far it shoots very accurately, well balanced, and has a pretty good trigger. Perfect for shooting deer.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Tikka

 

[r bose]

Tikka by a landslide. I own a left hand 308 and it's trigger, accuracy and stock are all first class.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I’m surprised that Tikka hasn’t chambered any rifles in 6mm Creedmoor yet. That would be a interesting factory rifle.

 

[joshb]

Tikka, Tikka and Tikka. First, second and third.

 

[rebs]

+1 for Tikka

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I dont have a problem with a remington. I know the internet does though. Tikkas are a nice choice though.

 

[STOMP442]

Another vote for Tikka. Easily the best right out of the box.

 

[FryeGuy]

tikka here too. I only have one at the moment. My tikka is a CTR model, and it out shoots my coopers, except for the 6br, and it'll hang with it. I also bought my oldest son a Tikka lite, and put a youth stock on it. It is a 6.5 creedmoor as well. I am using light loads in it, as he is only 10 now. It shoots great. great triggers, well balanced, and just shoot well. I too used to like remingtons, and still have several, but I got tired of load work up and guns that occasionally just wouldn't shoot anything well. I would go with a Tikka every time.

for what it's worth, I have enjoyed playing with my son's rifle finding loads. I have tried 140 ballistic tips, 120 ballistic tips, 120spt sierra, 100hp, 85hp, and settled on the 129long range accubonds, because they will open up down to 1300fps. every one of those bullets with whatever powder charge/type I used all shot under an inch at 100yds. This was using once fired hornady brass I picked up at the range that someone left laying there. The 129lrab shot really well and I am only pushing it to 2450fps. He killed 7 deer this year, and I only had to track one.

 

[rjtfroggy]

Me if I was buying a strictly hunting rifle it would be a model 16 or 116 Savage Weather Warrior, as good or better than anything else out of the box.

 

[hothead]

#1 Tikka they shoot.. and also in the wood stock configeration they look good.
the trigger is good.
#2 Weatherby Vangard, they also shoot well. I have one in 257 Weatherby mag. with the cheapest Weatherby ammo it will do just under MOA. with handloads 1/2moa. and I do like the 2 stage trigger.
#3 Remington 700, WELL , they are a kit. the trigger stinks. most of the newer
ones have little or no primary extraction. the barrels , well i have over 20 that I took off to put GOOD barrels on. NONE of the takeoffs are fit to put on an action. Like I said there a Kit.
#4 Remington 7600. the trigger stinks. BUT most will out shoot a 700. They are also a kit , But a trigger upgrade , and a bbl and you will have an accurate reliable Deer rifle. I've rebarreled quite a few in standard calibers and most in inproved rounds. 280ackley is the most popular. I made a 25-06 ackley for myself. Hart bbl, it is the only rifle i carry anymore.
don't over look it.
Ken

 

[HTSmith]

I have been looking at the Tikka's for a spare/guest rifle. My only concern is they are so doggone light. Especially for an inexperienced shooter they could be hard to hold steady and kick a bunch.

 

[drano38]

I'd suggest a Tikka or Savage. If price is a driving factor, nod to Savage.
Agree with above posts, Tikkas are light, so recoil is more pronounced. But if he's carrying it all day, a light rifle is nice too.

 

[std7mag]

If best out of the box is what your looking for, then yet again, Tikka.

Best budget, Ruger American.

The Savage is hard to beat for accuracy, but the Tikka & Ruger are right there.

If your worried about recoil with the Tikka, then choose a mild recoiling caliber.
7mm-08 would be my top choice there for hunting. Mild recoil, good selection of bullets, good BC, able to anchor elk sized game to 400 yards.

 

[Mark W]

Don’t fail to look at the TC Venture for an affordable hunting rifle. I won one in 30-06 last year and I like it a lot. It’s a great beat around hunting rifle.

https://www.tcarms.com/firearms/bolt-action-rifles/venture

 

[Adam in WI]

Get a good deal on a used Tikka, and put it in a Bell and Carlson (or better if you can afford). Won't even need a trigger job.