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Deer Rifle
One of my goals for this year is to shoot my first deer. I'll be hunting on the property that my great, great, grandparents homesteaded in Kansas.
For current rifles that could work I have a 1903a3, and what I believe is a Enfield that has been sporterized, both in 30.06. Those were both handed down from grandparents on the other side of the family. I'd prefer though to start with a modern firearm, as that is one area that my collection is hurting.
I've always had great luck with Savages so I'd like to start there, but what have you guys had luck with? Calibers?
For my use I could see this being used for paper, deer, coyotes, vaporizing prairie rats, and unless the shit hits the fan, nothing bigger than that.
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Per your list: .243
55 gr for your varmints
80 gr+ for deer/loper
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.243 would be a great choice, as would just about anything based off a .308 parent case - .7mm-08, 260 Rem.. .308 of course.
I certainly don't think you need to get into a long action gun like .30-06, .270, etc based on what you're planning on doing with it.
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If the 03A3 is in good shape and you've shot it enough to get to know it, I'd use that one. It'll use any commercial .30-06 hunting ammo with no sweat. The Enfield should be .303 British, which would also be swell, unless it's a WWI American Enfield. I can't remember exactly what those were called (Pattern 14?), but that's likely .30-06.
.30-06 can be loaded with bullets from 100 gr. to 220 gr. and several different powders, for whatever shooting you want to do, probably one of the most versatile calibers ever made.
Might as well use the rifles you already have, IMO. But I'm a Cheap Old Bastard too.
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Use what he already has?
Bo0000000000ring!!!
[ROFL2]
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New guns are fun, but these days I'd use what you already have the throw the extra money into an ammo stash.
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.338 Lapua would bring down a deer and make pink mist out of a pdog. Though, I'd seriously look at what you have. If they have been sporterized and you do not mind messing with them more I'd use the 1903 and see what kind of ammo you get the best results with.
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.338 Lapua ammo, 100.00+$ a box, could need an extra job for that hobby.
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I'd just use a truck, makes a mess but less to clean...
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