Poll

Should I Buy The Gun?

Yes, You Should Buy It! Good Price And a Good Caliber!
22 (44.9%)
No, You Shouldn't Buy It! 300 Mag is Too Much for Deer!
27 (55.1%)

Total Members Voted: 49

Voting closed: December 04, 2005, 04:26:53 PM

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Offline mjbgalt

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #30 on: December 05, 2005, 04:47:24 PM »
i would go for .308 out of that lineup...

and i would look at:

1) Remington 700 SPS Stainless
2) Tikka Lite Stainless
3) Browning A-Bolt Stainless
4) Weatherby Vanguard Sporter stainless

check out those. those are my personal favorites, except the tikka, which i have never seen but have heard nothing but praise for.

i think in that list you can find what you do or not like and be happy.

i have the SPS model 700 and love it. i had a weatherby vanguard and loved it too but i was stupid and traded it.

-Matt
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Offline Kotupod

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #31 on: December 05, 2005, 04:57:19 PM »
the a-bolt stainless sells for over 600 bucks doesn't it?
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Offline Kotupod

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #32 on: December 05, 2005, 04:58:51 PM »
oh, or the tikka hunter?
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Offline mjbgalt

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #33 on: December 05, 2005, 04:59:35 PM »
not sure.

remember, the gun is going to be $600 but you have to add in at least $150 or so for a decent scope. you can get away a little cheaper if you have a Bushnell Banner, my personal favorite.

-Matt
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Offline Kotupod

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #34 on: December 05, 2005, 05:02:51 PM »
Yes, i know this. My mom is buying only the gun, I am buying everything else. Oh, and yeah the stainless a-bolt is like over 700, if it wansn't i'd buy it in a second.
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Offline Kotupod

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #35 on: December 05, 2005, 05:10:03 PM »
My brother also offered his 7 year old Browning A-Bolt 30-06 to me for 400/w leupold scope rings
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Offline Kotupod

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #36 on: December 05, 2005, 05:28:30 PM »
Soo..
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Offline Kotupod

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #37 on: December 05, 2005, 05:33:57 PM »
Where is everybody?
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Offline Zachary

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #38 on: December 06, 2005, 02:20:32 AM »
The Tikka, despite its lower price, is, in my opinion, a slightly better rifle.  And I say this as I own both Brownings and Tikkas.  I think that the Tikkas should be just as expensive, if not more, than the Brownings, but I just keep my mouth shut and just keep on buying Tikkas (I don't want Tikka to raise their prices :) ).

Keep in mind that my brownings are the original A-Bolts, not the newer A-Bolt IIs.  The synthetic stocks on the original A-Bolts were SUPERIOR to the new junk that Browning has on their newer A-Bolt IIs.  Keep in mind that Browning has been sold to another corporation (I think French) and this same company also owns Winchester.  As such, at least from what I remember a few years ago, the stocks on the Brownings were the same junk that was on the Winchesters.  The Tikka stocks, on the other hand, are much better than the Winchester/Browning stocks.

Don't buy the Tikka just because you couldn't afford to buy a Browning.  Rather, buy the Tikka and know that you made an excellent choice.  Trust me, when you buy the Tikka and shoot it, and cycle a few shots, and see your groups at the end of the 100 yards range, you will be SO HAPPY that you bought the Tikka.  Just make sure that you do your part and shoot well.  More often than not, Tikkas are more accurate than the people shooting them.

As for cartridge, at 15 years old I would shy away from the .30-06, unless you start off with the reduced loads from Remington.  The .308 is a better choice, but I would also keep bullet weights to 150 grains.  I think that a better choice would probably be the .270 Winchester.  

Before you actually buy the gun, try out one .308 and one .270.  Look at both of them carefully, and cycle the action if you can.  Look for any possible defects, etc. (which can happen to any gun manufacturer).  If you like the 308, then get that.  If you like the .270, then get that one.

As for scopes, I highly recommend the Elite 3200 or the Nikon Buckmaster, both in a 3x-9x-40mm version.  They are both under $200 and they are EXCELLENT scopes, especially for the money.  You can go to www.theopticzone.com to check them out.  I have bought many scopes from there and have been very happy with my purchases.  I'm sure that your mom will also be happy because the optic zone's prices are among the lowest out there, plus their service is second to none.

Zachary
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Offline Kotupod

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #39 on: December 06, 2005, 03:43:24 AM »
why shy away from the 30-06, i've shot it for years?
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Offline victorcharlie

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #40 on: December 06, 2005, 04:23:24 AM »
I can't speak for Zachary, and if you've been shooting a 30.06 for years and are comfortable with it then go for it!   The reason I would agree with Zachary, that young shooters should shy away from it is that a 30.06 can, and will deliver a fair kick, especially to someone who is not used to recoil.  It is the standard that recoil in other calibers are measured against.  It's difficult to learn to shoot if you fear the recoil.....
 
Now, this obviously doesn't apply to you, as you know what to expect.
 
We're not here trying to think for you, but rather to help you think for yourself......
 
For a one gun hunter just starting out that already knows how to deal with the recoil there would be no better choice than a 30.06.  It's a very versatile round proven to be the standard that ever other cartridge is measured against.  I, as a man, wish I enjoyed the same distinction!
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Offline Kotupod

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #41 on: December 06, 2005, 04:34:25 AM »
Ok this is what I think im going to do: Tikka T3 Lite Stainless in 30-06 and put a silver Leupold 3-9x40 vx I or II scope on it. How does the 308 compare to the other calibers, like say the 30-06 or 270? Should I buy the Leupold vx I 3-9x50 or the leupold vx II 3-9x40 for the same price?
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Offline Ramrod

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #42 on: December 06, 2005, 05:27:48 AM »
I would get the 3-9x40 because I don't like scopes with the bigger objective lens. You have to mount them high on the rifle. The lower mounted scope will line up with your eye faster when you have to shoot quick or not at all. A distinct possibility when deer hunting.
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Offline Zachary

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #43 on: December 06, 2005, 06:08:31 AM »
Quote from: Kotupod
why shy away from the 30-06, i've shot it for years?


I did not realize that you have been shooting a .30-06 "for years."  Heck, you are only 15 years old...for how many years have you been shooting a .30-06?

The .30-06, especially with 180 grain loads, can be quite a handful, especially for a 15 year old.  Granted, there are 15 year olds that are as big as an NFL Linebacker and, as such, the recoil will hardly be a factor, but most 15 year olds will probably find the recoil to be a bit on the heavy side.

So, if you have no problem shooting a .30-06, then by all means get it.  After all, it truly is an all-around cartridge.

Zachary
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Offline Zachary

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #44 on: December 06, 2005, 06:09:59 AM »
[quote="Kotupod" Should I buy the Leupold vx I 3-9x50 or the leupold vx II 3-9x40 for the same price?[/quote]

If it is between the two, then I would definately say the VXII 3x-9x-40mm.

Zachary
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Offline kenjs1

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #45 on: December 06, 2005, 08:28:51 AM »
Kotupod,
Are you going with her to check out these rifles?  If you can - do it and see which one fits you best.  Make sure your form is good when you do. My only fear is that these will be harder kicking than you realize.  I don't know what 30-06 you are used to shooting - was it your brothers A-bolt?  Compare the weight of these rifles with the weight (include the scope weight) of what you are accustomed to shooting.  An extra 8 oz or more goes a surprising long way in taming recoil.  All of the rifles you mention are on the light side and that kick has to go somewhere.   Not trying to scare you just reiterating the excellent point made earlier about the 7mag.  A flinch can be hard to shake.  I enjoy time at the range shooting all of my guns so I do all I can to tame recoil in all of them.  That way I can practice more- which is almost as fun as hunting when oe start seeing improvements.    I would side with one that offered just a touch more weight and had a really good pad.  As for caliber,  I looked at the at the same three and chose the 270 - haven't regretted it.  What about CZ or some other brand??  Not a thing wrong with Browning ( I own a few) or the Tikka's but there are more good choices out there.  My 270 is a CZ  that has a bit more weight.  It is extremely and repeatable accurate and comes with a great pad.  The 270 is nothing in it - a pleasure to shoot boxes of ammo through it.  As I mentioned before, the lighter Browning A-bolt I have in 260 kicks more.  One more thing, the 308 is always said to be a laigh kicker but there is no difference you will notice between it and the 270.
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Offline victorcharlie

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #46 on: December 06, 2005, 08:46:19 AM »
Well, here's another angle to consider.......Your 15......so this means your probably on a budget and won't be able to spend a lot on ammunition....thus, you in all probability won't shoot it that much or that often.   Maybe you should price ammo and them make your choice more on ammo cost than caliber........there isn't a single thing that magnum will do, that a 308 won't do......it'll just do it farther.

Also, considering the above and knowing your going to grow a 30.06 would certainly be all the gun you'll need in Mississippi for years to come......so thinking that way, maybe the recoil really isn't as big a factor........

I think you'll find 308 ammo cheaper than any other 30 caliber, and probably as cheap or cheaper than most non 30 calibers.......at 15, cheaper ammo is always better :)  You'll get to shoot more......for less......
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Offline Kotupod

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #47 on: December 06, 2005, 10:48:28 AM »
yeah, but the site im looking at buying from doesn't have the gun i want in 308.. oh and recoil wont be a problem i dont think. Im 6' tall and 240 lbs
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Offline Kotupod

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #48 on: December 06, 2005, 10:50:03 AM »
I shot my uncles remington 7400 30-06, i dont know the grain or whatever of the bullet
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Offline Zachary

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #49 on: December 06, 2005, 10:54:07 AM »
Quote from: Kotupod
Im 6' tall and 240 lbs


At 15? :eek:

Yea, I wouldn't think that the recoil from a .30-06 would be a problem. :)

Zachary
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Offline Kotupod

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #50 on: December 06, 2005, 11:01:04 AM »
yeah lol, but thats not that big concidering there is a guy in the 9th grade that is about 6'3 and 280 lbs
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Offline Butler

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #51 on: December 06, 2005, 11:14:37 AM »
Recoil can be a problem no matter how big you are.I weigh 260 and shoot a 375 H&H no problem,so does my neighbour and he weighs 160.His wife can shoot it and she weighs 130.His 375 is in a sako and does kick.Another friend of mine shoots a 300 weatherby,or tries to shoot it and he wounds more game than any other person I have ever heard of because he flinches so damned bad when he pulls the trigger.He is 6 '3" and weighs 280,so weight has dick all to do with it.Why not just buy a 375 weatherby and be done with it,put on your 50 mm scope,and shoot whatever the hell you want.Try not to buy one with plastic parts,or what the heck buy one .
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Offline Kotupod

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #52 on: December 06, 2005, 11:23:24 AM »
well a little weight wont hurt anyways.
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Offline Butler

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #53 on: December 06, 2005, 11:27:14 AM »
The biggest thing to keep in mind is not to let a rifle hurt you or you can develop a flinch!!!Make sure you get a scope with good eye relief for the magnums!!If the scope bites you it is not pleasant..That is one wonderful thing I have found witht the leupolds..Exciting time getting a new gun isn't it!!! best of luck with what you decide
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Offline Butler

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #54 on: December 06, 2005, 11:30:52 AM »
One other thing to consider at you size a heavier rifle shouldnt bother you too much..when I bought my 375 I went with a cz,which is a wonderful rifle,and it is a heavy gun that soaks up a lot of recoil..A 300 mag in that gun would be nice to shoot but I am not sure it would be in a tikka or am A-bolt!The cz has a nice action and a great trigger and dovetail scope mounts,not sure on the price down there though.
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Offline Kotupod

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #55 on: December 06, 2005, 11:31:48 AM »
Yes it is, i think im going with the Tikka T3 Lite Stainless in 30-06 w/ a leupold 3-9, unless someone seriously objects it.  The rifle will actually only be around 575, the 270 wsm was 600 my bad.. and it comes with rings
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-Jonathan C.

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Offline Kotupod

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #56 on: December 06, 2005, 11:33:29 AM »
or the tikka t3 hunter for the SAME price, and it retails for more. What do you think?
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Offline Ramrod

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #57 on: December 06, 2005, 02:24:51 PM »
Quote from: Zachary
I bought my own first rifle when I was about 18 or 19 years old.  It was also a Browning A-Bolt I (the original A-Bolt) Stainless Stalker with a Nikon 3x-9x-40mm scope.  The catridge was 7mm Rem Mag.

I picked the 7mm Rem mag because it had great "numbers" - meaning velocity, energy, and trajectory.  Yea, I was young and foolish and placed a great emphasis on these numbers.

Do you want to know what happend?  I MADE A BIG MISTAKE!  That dang rifle kicked me like a mule and I developed a flinch that, to this day, is still with me.  Yes, I have learned to control my flinching to a greater degree, but it's that dang 7mm Rem Mag's fault.

Then I decided to buy the same gun in a .270 Winchester.  Much better choice, but the bug was already with me - flinching.

DON'T DO THE SAME MISTAKE THAT I DID!

Zachary

Hat's off to Zachary for posting such an honest testimony. There is so much truth here for so many hunters, it cannot be overstated. Zack, you should save this on your hard drive, and repeat it to every newbie who posts a question about which deer gun he should get.
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Offline Ramrod

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #58 on: December 06, 2005, 02:45:10 PM »
Kotupod, it don't take much to kill deer, if you put the bullet in the right place. Put it in the wrong place, and it don't matter what you hit it with, all you have is coyote bait.
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Offline Kotupod

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300 Mag For White Tail Deer Hunting?
« Reply #59 on: December 06, 2005, 02:59:33 PM »
I have already shot the 30-06, and I dont believe I have a "flinch".  But i could of easily got one, because my uncle tought me to shoot and we were shooting at a box at about 50 yards I guess. I think I was about 12 and he either switched me from the 22 or 243 strait to the his 30-06, it wasn't really the recoil that got me, it was the fact that his trigger was MUCH more light than the one I was using.
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