Looking for some input on a good deer hunting rifle, that would also work for moose or other similar large mammals, should such a situation arise.

I like the Winchester 700's (not looking for anything fancy or needlessly expensive), though I haven't decided on the exact style (most differences seem either cosmetic or material/ I like the BDL) or what caliber yet. So comments in that regard would be nice.


Also, wondering about scopes. I've done some research and everyone seems to prefer Leupold, so I was wondering what sort of magnification is sufficient, or if there are any other types of scopes people might recommend.

Any input or opinions anyone has would be great.

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Peace is dictated.

Left us a lot of variables there Zman--like how much you wanna spend for one!

__________________
"Some men eventually stumble over the truth but they usually pick themselves up and walk on as if nothing ever happened."
-Winston Churchill

"But though there is no difference in this respect between the best demagogue and the worst, both of them having to present their cases equally in terms of melodrama, there is all the difference in the world between the statesman who is humbugging the people into allowing him to do the will of God, in whatever disguise it may come to him, and one who is humbugging them into furthering his personal ambition and the commercial interests of the plutocrats who own the newspapers and support him on reciprocal terms."
-George Bernard Shaw

Wow Z...Get a cannon. J/K

Really, I think the first thing for ya to do is check the regs. on the legal
caliber for Deer, Moose etc. Off the top of my head I'd say you're looking for two separate guns, but it's been awhile since I've been up
to date on ballistic technology.

When I was active in hunting, a rifle that would take down a Moose would explode a Deer...see where I'm coming from?

__________________
Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.

PC=Public Cancer....and it's TERMINAL..IMO.

The 700's I'm looking at are at or about $750, so in and around there. If there's a better gun for less, I've got no problem paying less.

As for scopes, I've no idea how much a decent scope costs.


Already got me one of those, but I'd have to get within about 20 yards to use it accurately, so that's not going to work.

Would that be state specific?

I read on some board a few people commenting on a 30-06 being able to drop either a deer or a moose, and anything in between, but really I'm mainly concerned with deer. I suppose it's possible I might someday go hunt a moose, but if that would really require a whole other gun, let's just focus on a good rifle for deer.

And I can handle exploded deer, so long as there's some left to eat.

__________________
Peace is dictated.

I think a 30-06 is a very good choice. It's a pretty good all-around high powered rifle. Very common, and ammunition is easy to find..etc...

Oh, yes...the regs are state specific...some states do not allow hunting deer with a high powered rifle, only shot guns...I don't know about NY. Isn't that where you are?

__________________
Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.

PC=Public Cancer....and it's TERMINAL..IMO.

No, I'm in Florida.

I've read their laws and there is a deer hunting season for rifles.

The only restriction on rifles that I read was that they can't have a clip capable of holding more than 5 rounds.

__________________
Peace is dictated.

another consideration is the area where you may hunt---open area or heavily wooded.

__________________
"Some men eventually stumble over the truth but they usually pick themselves up and walk on as if nothing ever happened."
-Winston Churchill

"But though there is no difference in this respect between the best demagogue and the worst, both of them having to present their cases equally in terms of melodrama, there is all the difference in the world between the statesman who is humbugging the people into allowing him to do the will of God, in whatever disguise it may come to him, and one who is humbugging them into furthering his personal ambition and the commercial interests of the plutocrats who own the newspapers and support him on reciprocal terms."
-George Bernard Shaw

Then the 30-06 will work for you, and is large enough for bigger game...If you didn't want to go for moose I'd say 30-30 for deer in Fla. Long shots with the need of a scope a -06 may be the best way to go.

__________________
Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.

PC=Public Cancer....and it's TERMINAL..IMO.

Zhukov look into a 300 mag, there is no situation in the field that gun can't handle.

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Communism is a great idea-Charleston Chad 9/11/06

50 cal sniper rifle with a laser site

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"I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn't, than live my life as if there isn't and die to find out there is." ~ Albert Camus

LOL...you've never seen how huge the deer in Fla. are have ya?
That 50 would be bigger than they are!LOL

__________________
Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.

PC=Public Cancer....and it's TERMINAL..IMO.

The 700 is a very reliable and moderately priced choice. I wouldnt have anything other than a Leupold. They make them with variable maginfication so long or short shots are not a problem. The 308 is a good flat shooting round and will stop a lot of different game.

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There is no wrong way to do the right thing.....Mom

Zhuk that is some solid advice right there.

__________________
Communism is a great idea-Charleston Chad 9/11/06

Thanks for all the input guys.

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Peace is dictated.

I can recomend NOT using a 243.