400 yard deer rifle.

[Deerslayer11]

Okay so the forum with my 300wm was for out west. But I do not like the recoil of it as I am only 120 lbs. looking for anything that will kill a deer at 400 yards. Willing to shoot anything from a 243 to maybe 264 win mag. I want a factory rifle that I can replace the stock on and could you give me some glass suggestions too? Thank you.

 

[MudRunner2005]

For many years growing up I hunted with a 7mm-08. It is a phenomenal and often underrated caliber. Now that I am much older, owned many different calibers, and I reload, I still feel a 7mm-08 Rem with Berger 168 VLD's would make an excellent option for deer for inside of 500 yard hunting. Not super fast but not a slouch either, very minimal recoil, and pretty easy to load for. Uses alot less powder than those big magnums, too.

As for glass, for that short of range, a Vortex Viper HS 4-14x50 is always a good option. You can get them for under $600, and lock it down in an EGW base, and some Seekins or TPS TSR rings, and you should be happy with the outcome.

Or, if you wanted to stick with a .30 caliber, the old faithful .308 Win would make another great option for you.

 

[Deerslayer11]

For many years growing up I hunted with a 7mm-08. It is a phenomenal and often underrated caliber. Now that I am much older, owned many different calibers, and I reload, I still feel a 7mm-08 Rem with Berger 168 VLD's would make an excellent option for deer for inside of 500 yard hunting. Not super fast but not a slouch either, very minimal recoil, and pretty easy to load for. Uses alot less powder than those big magnums, too.

As for glass, for that short of range, a Vortex Viper HS 4-14x50 is always a good option. You can get them for under $600, and lock it down in an EGW base, and some Seekins or TPS TSR rings, and you should be happy with the outcome.

Or, if you wanted to stick with a .30 caliber, the old faithful .308 Win would make another great option for you.

Thanks for the info. I actually i own 7/08 . It's a Ruger American compact with a 2-7x32 I take near hunting. Shots 7/8 Moa at 100 yards. Do you think it would be fine if I get i bigger scope and rings that I could swap out for differant seasons? Thanks

 

[MudRunner2005]

Thanks for the info. I actually i own 7/08 . It's a Ruger American compact with a 2-7x32 I take near hunting. Shots 7/8 Moa at 100 yards. Do you think it would be fine if I get i bigger scope and rings that I could swap out for differant seasons? Thanks

That's entirely up to you, and the scope and rings thing is a personal preference. I don't know about your rifle, as I've never owned a Ruger American rifle (I do have a few old M77 MKII rifles) but I do know the caliber itself would be fine for 400-500 yard deer hunting.

 

[Deerslayer11]

That's entirely up to you, and the scope and rings thing is a personal preference. I don't know about your rifle, as I've never owned a Ruger American rifle (I do have a few old M77 MKII rifles) but I do know the caliber itself would be fine for 400-500 yard deer hunting.

Okay. I have a m77 in 243, that I gave to my sister last year. But I personly like the American better. What's your preference on Tikka? I want to get one but scared to spend 600 then not like it. My local gun shop does allow return of old guns.

 

[HARPERC]

Nothing wrong with the choices mentioned so far, but if you haven't tried the .300 Magnum managed recoil ammunition you should.

 

[jonthomps]

For the money Tikka makes a great little rifle. A 243, 308, or 270 should serve you well.

 

[HARPERC]

The smaller framed folks in my life-really like the Ruger 77 compact. Short barrel, and light, making 400 yards a little tougher, so it's a trade off.

Tikka has also been good to us,

 

[Deerslayer11]

Nothing wrong with the choices mentioned so far, but if you haven't tried the .300 Magnum managed recoil ammunition you should.

Haven't hearof it.nhow much recoil does it take off. Thanks for the info.

 

[Deerslayer11]

For the money Tikka makes a great little rifle. A 243, 308, or 270 should serve you well.

I would like one that works in the woods too. I am thinking 308 but I would like something fur friendly to both deer in coyotes. I'm thinking of 243. If I go in the woods I will just take the old 30-30. She always got the job done before.

 

[StrutNut]

If you are EVER wanting a bigger round with your smaller frame for shots at that distance or less, the old Browning BAR's can also deliver. I "had" a BAR in 7mm that shot 3/4 moa at 100 yards with factory rounds that my small frame wife loved to shoot. When my son turned 13 I gave it to him. Neither of them had any issues with recoil at all. That rifle was originally my grandfathers, then my fathers, then mine, now my sons and its is still just like new.

 

[Deerslayer11]

If you are EVER wanting a bigger round with your smaller frame for shots at that distance or less, the old Browning BAR's can also deliver. I "had" a BAR in 7mm that shot 3/4 moa at 100 yards with factory rounds that my small frame wife loved to shoot. When my son turned 13 I gave it to him. Neither of them had any issues with recoil at all. That rifle was originally my grandfathers, then my fathers, then mine, now my sons and its is still just like new.

Thanks for the info. Unfortanatly I cannot use semi autos for game in my state. If I get a 7mag, it will be a browning ab3. I heard its recoil is similar to a 300wm though

 

[MudRunner2005]

Thanks for the info. Unfortanatly I cannot use semi autos for game in my state. If I get a 7mag, it will be a browning ab3. I heard its recoil is similar to a 300wm though

The recoil of a 7mmRM is noticeably lighter than a .300WM. I have both calibers. Since I was 16, my main deer rifle has been a 7mm RemMag.

 

[Deerslayer11]

The recoil of a 7mmRM is noticeably lighter than a .300WM. I have both calibers. Since I was 16, my main deer rifle has been a 7mm RemMag.

So as 120lbs I'll be better off with a 7mag. It has better ballistics. Higher volicity. And less recoil. What bolt action rifle do yall reccomend