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deer hunting rifles

Deer Hunting Rifles

Deer hunting rifles are tools, not weapons, unless you feel a deer is your enemy. Weapon is more of a military term, it gives people the wrong idea. We might be forced to use a weapon. Thankfully, we can choose to use our rifle, slug gun, or muzzleloader.

Those of us who love guns choose our deer hunting rifles carefully. We probably know exactly what we want; the action, caliber, and maker.

In 1965 I was about to graduate from high school. I wanted a .243 caliber , Winchester Model 70 more than anything (except girls). My family didn't have much money, but mom and dad managed to give it to me as a graduation gift.

Serious gun-nuts know 1965 was the year Winchester changed "The Rifleman's Rifle". Some say, Winchester ruined a great gun, or at least they cheapened it. I thought this was a new and even better Model 70. I thought it was the best deer hunting rifle I could buy.

It was my first center-fire rifle.

I mounted a 2x7 Redfield scope, one of the best rifle scopes at that time.
Mount your scope yourself if you really want it to fit you. Scope mounting is easy do it yourself.

Next using a book for instruction; I very carefully adjusted and honed the trigger myself. I reloaded rifle ammunition with many combinations of bullet, powder, and primer. For more information on reloading visit: Rifles-Shooting-Reloading.com

I spent glorious weekends test firing my new deer hunting rifle from a bench-rest. It was all new and exciting to me. I was an avid reader of the great Jack O'Connor and other gun writers, but had only done these things in my dreams.

I quickly found some loads which shot better. Next I worked on very small load changes to try to make them even better. I was trying to get the Winchester to shoot one inch groups, but it very seldom did.

With the best loads my first two shots would often make a one hole group, but the third, fourth, and fifth shots would open it up to more than an inch. It was frustrating, but a labor of love.

I was excited about shooting in my first match. It was a bench-rest match, but for hunting guns.

I knew the other shooters had an advantage of experience and more expensive hunting rifles. After the match I think everyone was surprised to see a single ragged hole in my target. I know I was!

I won only because I had worked so hard,
and I knew my gun so well.

Pictured here is the medal I won. I still have it!
It's only a big deal to me. Back to the story:

My first two shots made one hole as usual. I dreaded firing the third shot. I knew the next shot would usually be about an inch low and right.

This often made the overall group spread to about an inch and a half. Even in a hunting rifle match; that would not win.

Before shooting the third shot
an idea came to me.

Knowing how far off the next shots would likely be, I held the cross-hairs an estimated equal amount high and to the left for the remaining shots. The results was a group of about 3/8 inch. The smallest 100 yard group I have ever shot.

I tell this personal story, because it taught me some things. Knowledge, hard work, and skill can make a difference. Sometimes you have to take a chance, do something more, to win.

I still have that old gun, and I have taken more whitetail with it than any other.

Most of the deer have dropped where they stood, and none has gone more than about 30 yards. For over 40 years I still check my point of impact, but have never needed to change the sight settings. Do I have confidence in it? YES!

The early Model 70 Winchester is considered one of the great rifles. I realized long ago that mine is considered the worst Model 70 ever made. I understand that and why, but the worst model of this great rifle has served me well.

I'll admit to affairs with other guns. A few I have owned, and many that I have wanted to own, but none could replace my old Winchester.

Some guys like short light deer hunting rifles with adequate power, and some would use a cannon if they could carry it. Some like a classic style, others want all the "bling" they can get.

Some deer rifles are great guns, but knowledge, confidence, and skill are always important.

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