Deer rifle advice?

[Pony Trekker]

I'm considering a .308 Savage for mule deer.  I've never hunted deer before (live in Washington), so I looked into the 7mm-08, but there's not much selection of factory ammo in that caliber (I'm not a handloader).  Same with .243, and the power isn't much, although I don't plan to try shots further than 300 yards.  I thought .308 would be the best choice, huge selection of ammo, and if I don't like the recoil too much I figure I can put a recoil reducer in the butt stock (I'm 5'10", 190 lbs).

The two rifles I'm looking at are the same except for a 2" difference in barrel length, 20" vs. 22".  The shorter one is only 1/4 lb lighter, so is giving up a little velocity worth a small weight savings?

What about accuracy?  Might the shorter barrel be a little stiffer, thus more accurate?  The two models I'm considering are the 11F and 10FM, both blued/synthetic, just different barrel length.

Also, they have a version with detachable magazine.  Any benefits to that?  Is there a difference in accuracy with a detachable magazine due to action/bedding?

I have an Elite 4200 1.5-6x36 that I think would work well on a deer rifle.  High powered scopes don't appeal to me, I'd rather keep it cranked down low to make it easy to find the target and only turn it up if I have time and if I need to.

[Dave in WV]

I don't think the difference between the two barrel lengths is going to cause a significant difference in accuracy or velocity. If you can handle both go with the one that feels the best to you. The .308 has an advantage over ammo selection as you noted.

[Savage .250]

Had a Win 100 in .308 didn`t like it. In fact i just don`t like a .308. No reason just don`t like it.
  How about adding a 30-06 to the mix?  Certainly a wide selection of
  shells to choice from. Can find them(shells) almost anyplace in the US.
  Will take any animal in north america as will the .308.  Comes down to what you like.
  Check the web for information ref: shells/loads. Great source to help clear up questions.
   If your in washington state you run the gamut from deer to elk and others so what ever you get just cover all your bases. IMO.

  " The best part of the hunt is not the harvest but in the experience."

[Dave in WV]

I'll second the 30-06. It has the largest ammo selection. Your scope is a good one and you are correct, it's a good choice for hunting. Use a PAST recoil shield at the bench. You won't notice the recoil in the field.

[Norseman112]

This being your first rifle I would lean more towards the 30-06 as reasons stated above. The 308 and 7M-08 are great for deer also.

Norse

[mountainview]

P-trekker,

Other than barrel length, t'aint much difference 'tween the two rifles. I prefer the longer barrel since I stump sit more as my years increase. Also I like to keep the muzzle blast away from my ears (and others who are adjacent) so I prefer the slightly longer barrel. The Savages are tack drivers and if you do yer part, they will bring the venison home. Clip/no-clip will not impact performance. Some people don't like cranking rounds to empty a rifle though the 3 position safety on the Savage is a nice feature for this. However, no matter how many postions the safety has, it it does not mitigate the need to control the muzzle at all times. 30-06 or 308, 'tis yer call since ammo is readily available and much of it is relatively inexpensive (particulalry the FMJ target stuff though 308 tends to be a buck or two cheaper) while performance wise the difference between the two is nothing a deer or hunter would notice.

[jvs]

A thicker barrel would reduce the Harmonics that you want to avoid.  But I'd still go with the longest barrel you can find.  Both can add weight and a long barrel can be a pain among tree branches and brush, for performance at long ranges a longer barrel is always nice to have.

And a .30-06 would definitely be better suited, even though I think the .308 is an excellent caliber, as is the 7mm-08.

Buy one of each and get it over with.

[Slamfire]

Yhe availability of different bullet weights in factory rounds is a paper one at best, the most useful weights are offered in all factory cartridges. The others are just niche loads.  

[tanoose]

Pony the 308 is a great choice , and dont worry about the 2" difference in barrel lenght choose the rifle that seems most comfortable to you. I use 30/06 my deer rifle is a ruger ultra light with a 20" and my back up is a remington 700BDL with a 22" both super accurate rifles. And as far as ammo goes every company that loads the 30/06 has the same  bullet load in the 308 so dont worry about availibility.  A matter of Fact if you hand load you can push bullet velocitys faster then the 06 with the lighter bullets . Where the 30/06 shines is with the 180 grain bullets and up. Had you said Elk or Moose then i would choose the 06 . (although the 308 has taken many) Good Luck Tanoose

[Lawdog]

I'm considering a .308 Savage for mule deer.  I've never hunted deer before (live in Washington), so I looked into the 7mm-08, but there's not much selection of factory ammo in that caliber (I'm not a handloader).  Same with .243, and the power isn't much, although I don't plan to try shots further than 300 yards.  I thought .308 would be the best choice, huge selection of ammo, and if I don't like the recoil too much I figure I can put a recoil reducer in the butt stock (I'm 5'10", 190 lbs).

The two rifles I'm looking at are the same except for a 2" difference in barrel length, 20" vs. 22".  The shorter one is only 1/4 lb lighter, so is giving up a little velocity worth a small weight savings?

What about accuracy?  Might the shorter barrel be a little stiffer, thus more accurate?  The two models I'm considering are the 11F and 10FM, both blued/synthetic, just different barrel length.

Also, they have a version with detachable magazine.  Any benefits to that?  Is there a difference in accuracy with a detachable magazine due to action/bedding?

I have an Elite 4200 1.5-6x36 that I think would work well on a deer rifle.  High powered scopes don't appeal to me, I'd rather keep it cranked down low to make it easy to find the target and only turn it up if I have time and if I need to.

I like the chose of the .308 for a cartridge and Savage for the rifle.  Go with the longer barrel as it is only going to save you 4 oz. and you will loose some velocity and accuracy(my opinion).  You WILL GAIN in muzzle blast though.  I don't like detachable magazines in centerfire hunting rifles.  Had one once and the magazine kept coming out at inopportune times.  Got tired of back tracking to find the magazine.  Just another item you have to consider and worry about going wrong.  Lawdog
 

[handirifle]

The 308 is a very effective round and for deer/black bear bullet weight selection isn't a big deal.  The 165gr in the 308 will easily handle the above as well as elk.  It is still a 1,000yd military sniper round with bullets in the 165-170gr class.

The 308 and '06 are near twins with the 150-165gr bullets, but for the 180 and up the '06 will start walking away.  That said, my 30-06 was posting well over 3100fps with my 165gr Hornady's at the range yesterday, will loads well below published max.

Both have great selections of ammo and of the 3 you mentioned, I'd go with the 308 in a heartbeat.  That said I hunt with a Savage 30-06 with detachable mag and it has never dropped out on me.  In fact there is a slight safety edge in that they are easier to safely unload.  No need to run each round through the chamber.

But!  There is always a chance of that happening so make your pick.  I'm actually considering converting mine, but mainly cause I want synthetic stock and none are had in LH that are detachable, at least that I can afford.

One small advantage of the 308 over an '06 is shorter action and shorter bolt throw on reload.  Then of course there is the age old debate of accuracy of 308 vs 30-06, but I think in a sporter wright barrel it is a moot point.

The 308 with 150's for deer, will never let you down if you do your part.  Using 165's it is more than enough for elk as well.

[Pony Trekker]

Okay, I haven't decided yet, but I'm leaning toward a .308.  Thanks for all the advice.

[poncaguy]

I second the 308, with 7mm-08 close behind!

[Lawdog]

handirifle,

In fact there is a slight safety edge in that they are easier to safely unload. No need to run each round through the chamber.

No offense PLEASE as all I want to do is explain my reasons on detachable magazines. :toast:

All my bolt action rifles have hinged floor plates so I don't have to run any cartridges thru the chamber just to unload.  The rifles that I have/had that had detachable magazines are a Rem. M740 BDL .30-06 that I inherited form an Uncle, a Win. M88 .284 and Savage M99(got rid of the 88 and 99’s but still have ‘Ole Meat In The Pot’ as my Uncle called that old 740).  Each and every one had the magazine drop out at one time or another.  Usually I had been sitting, resting up or just glassing around and somehow the release button would get bumped/pushed thus letting the magazine drop out.  Sure it’s most likely my fault but I have never had that problem with a hinged floor plate.  A hinged floor plate pops open and you hear it.  Lawdog
 

[handirifle]

handirifle,

In fact there is a slight safety edge in that they are easier to safely unload. No need to run each round through the chamber.

No offense PLEASE as all I want to do is explain my reasons on detachable magazines. :toast:
 

? Why on earth would I take offense at that???

Actually I was referring to the one that do not have the hinged floorplate (should have been specific), but yes that is very much like a removabe magazine, best of both worlds I guess.

No offense take lawdog.

Not sure of our posters experience but some newbys don't always consider where the muzzle is pointed when "unloading" a rifle.  Sadly it has happened before.  I was just making a point.  Actually I often worried about the mag falling out, but the Savage has a recessed released button so it never got hit (yet)

[Slamfire]

When you have feed lips that are part of a sheet metal magazine, you are more likely to have feeding problems than if the lips are part of the receiver. Detatachable mags are more prone to this than blind magazines. I guess they get bent up when they are out of the rifle.  :-)

[tanoose]

Pony if detachable magazine rifles are prone to less accuracy , then someone forgot to tell my Remington 760 pump 30/06 about it. She shoots just as well as my 700 bolt . Its a 760 bdl gamemaster with squared off front forend and basket weave checkering got it in 1972. Later Tanoose