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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - New deer rifle options

Posted: 10/19/2017 8:05:22 AM EDT

Long story short, I purchased a Marlin 1895GBL in 45/70 to deer hunt with and after trying everything, it will not do better than a 6" group at 100 yards off of a lead sled. I plan to get rid of this rifle and am looking at new alternatives. My farthest shot is 150 yards mainly on food plots but I do have the ability to hunt in some areas that are closer shots but have some thicker brush to work with. I am looking for suggestions on what I should look at going with next for a deer rifle. I am going to have to figure something else out with the 45/70.

I own a KAC NT4 suppressor (5.56) and have considered doing something such as a Mossberg MVP Patrol in 223 with my can and a small scope or something like a 700 in 308.

So I guess the real question is, for yourself, what rifle would you pick if you had the option of running suppressed and were shooting deer under 200 yards.

Posted: 10/19/2017 8:20:19 AM EDT

[#1]

I'm not a huge Blackout fan but for that kind of range (150yds) and since you want to suppress it I'd be very tempted; especially if you already have a lower.

Posted: 10/19/2017 8:21:40 AM EDT

[#2]

Quote History

Quoted:
I'm not a huge Blackout fan but for that kind of range and since you want to suppress it I'd be very tempted; especially if you already have a lower.

View Quote

I do not own a 30 cal can.

Posted: 10/19/2017 8:22:27 AM EDT

[#3]

They can be purchased!

You could but the upper and buy the can later if you need to reload funds.

Posted: 10/19/2017 8:25:26 AM EDT

[#4]

Tikka T3. 30:06

Posted: 10/19/2017 8:32:57 AM EDT

[#5]

I have one more person in my house and we will all have taken a deer with my 300 blk.

Posted: 10/19/2017 8:44:42 AM EDT

[#6]

Win 94

Posted: 10/19/2017 8:44:55 AM EDT

[#7]

For 150 yard shots a .223/5.56 is adequate with good shot placement and soft point/expanding bullets.
And the deer in Georgia are not very big.

Posted: 10/19/2017 8:52:53 AM EDT

[#8]

Build an upper for your AR-15 in the wildcat .358 Yeti. Similar balistics to the discontinued .356 Winchester cartridge. Brass is easy to form from .308. Like .300 Blackout - just chop to length, run into sizing die, and then final trim to length. No neck turning.

Posted: 10/19/2017 9:13:38 AM EDT

[#9]

BLR in 7mm-08, .308, or .358 win.

Posted: 10/19/2017 9:35:38 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
BLR in 7mm-08, .308, or .358 win.

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This...I don't understand the race to find the smallest caliber that may get the job done.

Posted: 10/19/2017 9:55:49 AM EDT

[#11]

If your state has no caliber requirements then pick any 30 cal you like in what ever format you like.
Ohio no bottle neck cartridges so I don't have near the options.

Posted: 10/19/2017 9:57:21 AM EDT

[#12]

This was my answer. May not be in your budget though.

I'd go for a

Ruger American Ranch 7.62x39 16 Threaded

and spend some cash on a great scope.

7mm-08.

Posted: 10/19/2017 9:58:10 AM EDT

[#13]

I'm in GA. I hunt deer and hogs with 7mm-08 and 5.56.

Very happy with the performance of both! I'm not saying I won't buy more guns, but I don't see myself changing my hunting rigs any time soon...or ever.

Posted: 10/19/2017 10:19:08 AM EDT

[#14]

If you want a simple inexpensive deer rifle get a Tikka in 7-08.

Touches all the bases.

Posted: 10/19/2017 10:47:53 AM EDT

[#15]

What about going Big Bore AR? This would fit OP's range, and brush gun features but not sure it meets their other desires. I am going to hunt this year with 450BM but any of the AR compatible big bore cartridge might do what you want. 450BM. 458 SOCOM, 50 Beowulf would all give you performance similar to your 45/70.

Posted: 10/19/2017 11:31:56 AM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Originally Posted By @MateFrio:
This was my answer. 7mm-08.
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1024x768q90/538/ksrL8m.jpg

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That is a very nice rig there.

Sad that the OP had to experience the 'WTF happened to Marlin ' after Remington fuxxored it.
If the OP wants a lever action .45-70, the Henry rifle should do him well. Linkage to Henry's .45-70

Else, the standard issue Ruger American or Savage Axis would suffice.

Posted: 10/19/2017 11:46:24 AM EDT

[#17]

Did the OP contact Marlin/Remington and see if he can send it back? I would bet they would make it right.

Posted: 10/19/2017 1:14:32 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
Tikka T3. 30:06

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Eurooptic has a T3 Lite in 30:06 at a very good price.
clicky
They also have a .270 at close to the same price, another good deer caliber.

Posted: 10/19/2017 2:09:02 PM EDT

[#19]

Just like OP I am looking for deer rifle options. Unlike OP, I did not buy a Marlin 45-70... yet.

Here in Ohio we are limited to straight wall rifle cartridges; 450 Bushmaster, 45-70 etc as well as pistol cartridges. I have killed many deer with a smooth bore 870 Express Mag and Mossberg 500A. I would like to be able to reach out a little further (150-250yds) but at least need better accuracy at 100yds.

I have been mouse shopping Henry and Marlin 45-70s for a year or so, but began looking at 450 BM this year. Also considering upgrading my smooth cannon barrel for a rifled cantilever barrel for $230ish plus low powered scope.

Advice? Thoughts?

Posted: 10/19/2017 2:24:17 PM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
Just like OP I am looking for deer rifle options. Unlike OP, I did not by a Marlin 45-70... yet.

Here in Ohio we are limited to straight wall rifle cartridges; 450 Bushmaster, 45-70 etc as well as pistol cartridges. I have killed many deer with a smooth bore 870 Express Mag and Mossberg 500A. I would like to be able to reach out a little further (150-250yds) but at least need better accuracy at 100yds.

I have been mouse shopping Henry and Marlin 45-70s for a year or so, but began looking at 450 BM this year. Also considering upgrading my smooth cannon barrel for a rifled cantilever barrel for $230ish plus low powered scope.

Advice? Thoughts?

View Quote

Good thinking. With a rifled shotgun barrel and a scope you can reach 200 yards. That 250 may be a stretch though. I think you get more drop than a rifle per yardage though with a shotgun????

Posted: 10/19/2017 3:53:35 PM EDT

[#21]

I'm surprised your 1895GBL shoots so poorly. Are you shooting factory load or handload...maybe your shooting Hornady gummy nose? Is the rifle scoped or iron sights?
I have 2 of that same model and have a friend with one too and all three of ours will shoot 2 MOA or better at 100 yards with our handload (I shoot 375gr cast-GC WFN sized to 0.460" @ 1,550 fps). I don't hunt deer with mine but I frequently hunt hogs with it and it has never failed to anchor the hog with one shot.

Posted: 10/19/2017 7:18:51 PM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
...So I guess the real question is, for yourself, what rifle would you pick if you had the option of running suppressed and were shooting deer under 200 yards.

View Quote

If I had only a .223 suppressor then I'd use that with a rifle I already owned.

Got glass? I'd want more than a red dot, at least a 1-5, 2-7, or 3-9 with good light-gathering capability.

I love hearing the "twack" of a solid hit with a suppressed rifle.

Posted: 10/19/2017 7:40:03 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
I'm surprised your 1895GBL shoots so poorly. Are you shooting factory load or handload...maybe your shooting Hornady gummy nose? Is the rifle scoped or iron sights?
I have 2 of that same model and have a friend with one too and all three of ours will shoot 2 MOA or better at 100 yards with our handload (I shoot 375gr cast-GC WFN sized to 0.460" @ 1,550 fps). I don't hunt deer with mine but I frequently hunt hogs with it and it has never failed to anchor the hog with one shot.

View Quote

I have tried both handloads and factory loads. The only round that performs OKish at 100 yards is actually factory 325gr Leverrevolution. I was loading 300gr to 1700 FPS and they were absolutely horrible. 405gr Cor Lok, same result as well as 300gr Winchester. This was shot by multiple shooters as well as off of bags and a lead sled using irons. My buddy has a 450 Marlin and its MUCH better than my 1895. Hell, my 336 and beat to hell 1894 also out shoot it at 100 yards.

Posted: 10/19/2017 7:41:07 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:
If I had only a .223 suppressor then I'd use that with a rifle I already owned.

Got glass? I'd want more than a red dot, at least a 1-5, 2-7, or 3-9 with good light-gathering capability.

I love hearing the "twack" of a solid hit with a suppressed rifle.

View Quote

I went out today and took a look at the Ruger American Ranch rifle in 223. Might be a good host for my can and for deer hunting with a 1:8 16" barrel.

Posted: 10/19/2017 9:41:57 PM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:
I went out today and took a look at the Ruger American Ranch rifle in 223. Might be a good host for my can and for deer hunting with a 1:8 16" barrel.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
If I had only a .223 suppressor then I'd use that with a rifle I already owned.
Got glass? I'd want more than a red dot, at least a 1-5, 2-7, or 3-9 with good light-gathering capability.
I love hearing the "twack" of a solid hit with a suppressed rifle.

I went out today and took a look at the Ruger American Ranch rifle in 223. Might be a good host for my can and for deer hunting with a 1:8 16" barrel.

That would make for a handy, lightweight woods gun. Quieter to cycle than an AR too. (I got him later with the same gun but trying to cycle an AR with a big buck 35 yards away and staring at you sucks. Too light on a trigger job resulted in no bang. D'OH!

)

Posted: 10/19/2017 10:40:11 PM EDT

[#26]

I've owned just about every variety of deer rifle imaginable... When I'm completely honest, and cut out all the bullshit, I have to admit that the near 'perfect' east-of-the-mississippi deer rifle is the first one I bought.... simply 20", stainless, bolt action .308 and a 1.75-6x Leupold VXIII scope.

It's roughly the same length, weight and balance as a win 94 30-30. However, since its scoped and 308, it easily handles all whitetail shots to any reasonable range (250 yards) without trajectory issues... Mine is Rem Model Seven. I've fairly certain I would NOT but a new Rem. However, the same basic rifle is available (20" bolt gun) from Ruger, tikka and others.

Caliber doesnt really matter all that much. I recently bought a 6.5 creedmoor and love it. Any of the following would be completely appropriate: 6.5 Creedmore, 260, 7mm-08, 308. take your pick.

I've hunted deer with everything from .223 and .300 AAC Blackout, through 30-30, 35 Rem, and 375 Win, on through .30-06, 280 Ackley Improved, 7mm Rem Mag, and a whole host of others. None of them do anything that the creed more, 260, 7mm08 or 308 won't do....

I still have a safe full of deer rifles. However, truth be told, the plain jane Seven in .308 spends more time in the woods than all the others. It simply works.

Posted: 10/23/2017 10:13:58 AM EDT

[#27]

Savage or Ruger is who I would look at. The American and Axis are both good rifles that won't break the bank and you should be able to find any caliber you want. 7mm-08 would be my pick if I got a new deer gun.

As for the Mossberg they make an accurate gun but if you ever needed repairs would be my only concern.

Posted: 10/23/2017 10:55:47 AM EDT

[#28]

1st off 45-70 should do much better @ 100yrds,rifle may have issues,you could temporarily scope it to see.If I shoots OK then you'll know the problem if not the next step.

If ya want to keep it slug the bore.it could be oversized or undersized. Then cast slugs can work for ya.If ya want to keep it contact REMLIN they'll make it right.Or load cast slugs of the right size.

If you want to change rifles then there are a lot of options yes 223 will kill deer but everything needs to be "just right".Consider any good deer caliber they all work but for your locale magnums are not needed

I have a safe full of "deer rifles" seems like a good excuse to buy another rifle

.I've killed dear with 45/70, 243,308,3006,223,35Rem,257wby,300wm,300wby,3030,38-55,250savage, 6.8spc,44mag,357mag,460s&w,10mm.Deer are not hard to kill,just need a good hit.

Right now my favorite is an older Remington SS model 7 in 308 and a Ruger m77 RSI in 250 savage.If I want to take a black rifle hunting I chose my 6.8spc or 308 AR.

Good luck

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - New deer rifle options

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