I think the perfect deer rifle would be any lightweight bolt action in 308. Having said that, I don't have one! I have Mauser in 257 Roberts, another in 6.5x55, a Winchester 54 in 256 Newton, a Lee Enfield in 30/40, a Ruger 77 in 7x57 and maybe the best classic deer rifle, a1947 Savage 99 in 300 Savage. This is a partial list and I realize I may have more hunting rifles than I need. WH
Hahaha,Guess I'm just old fashioned, Remmy 700 BDL in 30/06.
The 25–06 rolls deer like a shotgun rolls rabbits!This fall I'm hoping to see how a 26" barrel Ruger #1 in 25-06 does on deer with 90gr Absolute Hammers flying along at 3700+
120 gr from close distance is brutal yeah.I was never a real believer in the 25-06 but I shot a BWB with a 22250 this year (quick little cull) right between the eyes from about 160y. As I got to about 20y of her she decided that she wasn't done and wanted to have one last hoora and started jumping and falling all over the place and landed in a thick bush where I couldn't get a clear headshot, friend of mine still standing where the shot was taken had his 25-06 loaded with a 120gr Norma something and I said to him if she stops turning and you have a clear opening drop her. The impact on that animal from that 120gr bullet was something spectacular from that short distance.
I don't own a perfect deer rifle, I own rifles, they all kill deer.
I mean in the end of the day, that's what deer rifle is for!Same with me, I have killed many deer over the past 75 yrs, with various calibers, along with a few with handguns, each one did it's job and put meat in the freezer. So for me the perfect rifle/gun for deer hunting is the one you put the bullet in the proper spot and then field dress the animal.
Gotta agree .338 is one of the best rounds for deer. How's 350 Rem mag compared to classic .338?They all worked, I just liked the 338, and now the lighter 20" 350 mag. "But it don't mean nothing"...the 86 45-90 could be fun.
The 350 mag is about the same at normal ranges, that I shoot and 20" barrel with a muzzle brake makes it handy shoot 250gr at 2630 fps 2.910" mag modified or 200gr Barns at 2920 fps 225 gr Barns 2750 fps. 280 gr Swift 2450 and 310 gr Woodleigh 2250 fps. ...but the 338 would be better at longer ranges, which I don't do, because of better bullet BC. A Good Heavy 338 Win Mag load RL 26, with 75.6 gr and 275 gr bullet 2671 fps factory barrel...I have quite a few guns with custom barrels but never used one on a hunting gun...factory barrels were accurate enough for my needs...when they wear out I put a custom barrel on it...but then they become heavy target rifles, nothing is the same but the trued action. Both of these old hunting magnums have a lot of rounds and wear on them....If I had to pick between the two it would depend on what and where I was hunting...and logic would say 338, incase I had to use factory ammunition, as there is a much better choice in bullet selection, and availability.Gotta agree .338 is one of the best rounds for deer. How's 350 Rem mag compared to classic .338?