4 Best Hunting Rifles for Deer
We’re not pulling any punches here. We’ve assembled a list of the best deer hunting rifles made today for every type of hunting, whether you’re chasing whitetails in a cedar swamp or scouting miles of open prairie for mule deer.
We’re not pulling any punches here. We’ve assembled a list of the best deer hunting rifles made today for every type of hunting, whether you’re chasing whitetails in a cedar swamp or scouting miles of open prairie for mule deer.
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Beanfield Sniper Remington Sendero SF II
With a heavy 26-inch barrel, the Sendero is built to squeeze as much velocity as possible out of flat-shooting cartridges for long, accurate shots. The rifle is heavy—with a scope, it is going to weigh 10 pounds or more—but if you’ve got a short hike to your stand or don’t mind humping a beefy rig, the Sendero is ideal. The rigid HS Precision stock helps with accuracy. Currently it’s offered in 7mm Rem. Mag., .300 Win. Mag., and .300 Rem. Ultramag., though if you search for used guns, you might find one in the under-appreciated .264 Win.
2. Timber Classic Marlin 336C
Lever guns endure not from some misguided sense of nostalgia, but because they strike a balance between portability, balance, handling, and firepower like no other deer rifle. The “thuddy-thuddy” remains a top deer cartridge, but I’ve always gravitated to the .35 Rem., which packs greater oomph. Either way, however, you won’t go wrong. Topped with a low-magnification scope or a peep sight, the Marlin is ideal for hunting dark timber or from within the confines of a small blind. With moderate recoil and a magazine capacity that most bolt guns can only dream of, it is a potent rifle
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3. Alpine Shooter Sako Finnlight
The Sako Finnlight won Outdoor Life’s Editor’s Choice award a few years back due to its superb accuracy and reliability, which are not a given thing for rifles that have thin barrels and other weight-saving features. Light weight often comes at the expense of performance, but that’s not so with the 6-pound Finnlight.
I’ve shot this rifle until it’s hot enough to fry an egg on its fluted barrel, but it still manages tight groups. It comes in a wide range of great calibers—.260 Rem., .270 WSM, 6.5×55 SE, 7mm Rem. Mag., to name a few—but I think it would be hard to top the .308, given the cartridge’s mild recoil, proven killing power, and broad selection of accurate loads.
4. All-Purpose All-Star Weatherby Vanguard Series 2
When it comes to the best all-around big-game bolt gun, the Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 is at the top of the list. These rifles hit a sweet spot for their price, accuracy, handling, and craftsmanship. One of my friends, an avid gun nut who is also a penny-pinching farmer, was so smitten after shooting my .308 that he bought four Vanguards, one for every member of his family. The refinements that Weatherby made with the introduction of the Series 2—a better trigger and stock, and a handy three-position safety—took what had been a good rifle to begin with and made it great.
Vanguards come in a host of configurations and calibers, but if you’re looking for a no-nonsense working gun for any type of deer, go for the Stainless Synthetic. It will handle rough use and rough weather, and with Weatherby’s accuracy guarantee, you can count on the rifle to do its part to guide your shot to its mark.
