I am considering selling my Remington 700 to a good pal who is showing quite a bit of interest in the deer hunt experience. So, after nearly 30 years I might be grabbing a new .308. I literally have not shot another rifle in that time so I have no idea what I might be missing out on innovation wise. The deer hunting forums have a bit of ST-bike-itis in that like anything people go to extremes. i.e. ‘my first triathlon is this year will a Shiv with a Quarq and 808’s be ok?’. These guys are using scopes that cost more than the guns and besides I won’t take a shot over 150ish yards anyway so I don’t need insane optics like some guy living in the western plains. Sometimes less is more and while I’m not opposed to grabbing an upgrade I might just as well be ok using what I always have.
Is the 700 still at the top of the heap? Anyone here switched from a 700 to something different and liked? Regretted?
The Remington 700 is capable of more accuracy than most of the people shooting it.
As for optics. You can’t shoot what you can’t see. If you’re shooting at deer in the middle of a field in bright sun - then optics don’t play that big a factor. But, if you’re hunting in thick brush or somewhere that deer mostly move in low light - then you want a good scope.
My rifle cost about $500, but my scope sells new for around $800. If I had $2000 to buy hunting gear, I would buy a $500 rifle and split the rest between a scope and binoculars.
I’ve seen countless deer with binoculars (while glassing) that I could not see with bare eyes. Binoculars are just as important as a scope for me.
I shoot a .308 and love it. I had a 7mm Magnum that I bought for hunting in Kansas, but I don’t hunt there anymore and it was overkill for small Florida deer. If I were to buy a new rifle, I would think about the 270 WSM as it would be fine for Florida or Kansas.
But you’re selling yours to a friend and buying a new one for yourself? I don’t get it. Different caliber?
He gave me an insane deal on a Sig many years ago so just giving back in kind. Also a little bit b/c he is pretty demolished post divorce and getting ready to put two boys through college in a year and three years.
700 is still an excellent choice. I shoot a Savage .308 which I am very fond of. Great accuracy out of the box, affordable, and the deciding factor for me was that it’s a leftie bolt action. Put a Nikon ProStaff on it and I had a great deer rifle for $600, including the scope. Mine has the AccuTrigger on it, which some people really like; I’m sort of neutral on it.
The Remington 700 is capable of more accuracy than most of the people shooting it.
As for optics. You can’t shoot what you can’t see. If you’re shooting at deer in the middle of a field in bright sun - then optics don’t play that big a factor. But, if you’re hunting in thick brush or somewhere that deer mostly move in low light - then you want a good scope.
My rifle cost about $500, but my scope sells new for around $800. If I had $2000 to buy hunting gear, I would buy a $500 rifle and split the rest between a scope and binoculars.
I’ve seen countless deer with binoculars (while glassing) that I could not see with bare eyes. Binoculars are just as important as a scope for me.
I shoot a .308 and love it. I had a 7mm Magnum that I bought for hunting in Kansas, but I don’t hunt there anymore and it was overkill for small Florida deer. If I were to buy a new rifle, I would think about the 270 WSM as it would be fine for Florida or Kansas.
Well. You can say you know of a relic who uses iron sights. I don’t shoot in obstructed areas and am in quite close typically 100 yards or less if I take a shot. It’s philosophical so don’t take this as me saying ‘scopes are bad’. They are not. I just feel a scope is too much of an advantage and like to keep it old school. I can go on a trip and not squeeze off a round and have a thoroughly enjoyable day it’s all about the experience. Taking home freezer fare is just a super bonus.
Big deer hunter here, this is one thing i am actually good at As background i have a remington 700 in .243, ruger 77 in .270, Tikka t3 in .300 win mag, and i have one AR-15 set up with .300 blackout and or .223 depending on the upper. I also have shot extensively 30-06, .308, .300 wsm, and .338. My favorite all around rifle for hunting is the Tikka t3 in .300 win mag hands down. I have killed deer at 70yds and Elk at 500+ with one shot and they have never run. The .300 win mag is my favorite round since it can really do anything and is still easy to control. The .300 win mag also gives more room for error. Last year i shot a runner at around 375yds (yes i know a dumb shot) in the leg and it literally blew the entire leg apart, bled out by the time i walked over to it. Now if you are not wild about .300 win mag the .308 is more than fine and honestly as long as you are a good shot any caliber will do, even .223. I am not a big fan of the remington 700 but that is just me.
My top three for performance to price
Wetherby Vanguard
Tikka T3
Ruger 77
AR-15 with .300 blackout (this is a really nice gun if you might be hunting hogs and deer at the same time)
For scopes i would look at vortex or Leupold, both have nice scopes for around 300-400 that will work just fine. Do not get the really cheap scopes, you will regret it down the road.
Everything I’ve heard is that modern Remington isn’t nearly as good as the old stuff. I love my old Wingmaster but the new ones just feel like crap in comparison.
Savage probably wins on price/performance, they have a few models with iron sights. Just get a wood stock from Boyds or Stockys if that’s your thing.
Ruger makes some of the most beautiful rifles an average man can afford but iron sights are an issue. Winchester is basically the same action, some extra shine, and some extra cash. Zastava makes a cheaper rifle with the same action again and comes with iron sights… I kinda want to buy one in 7.62x39 for my wife.
I personally hunt with a Canadian (18" barrel, no flash hider) Ruger Gunsite Scout with a HiLux/Leatherwood(Chinese) 2-7x Scout scope, I just couldn’t justify the price difference with of a Burris. Like you, I’m a sub-150 yard hunter and standard bluebox Federal 180grs are more than enough GSR has ghost sights, but I’m too blind to use them in all but the best conditions.
I have a 700 in .270 and I would never sell it. It will be passed down to my kids. With my hand loads it’s just too accurate. I like good glass though, nothing crazy $$$, Leupold VX-3’s are my typical scope. If I’m after deer, the .270 is the choice, if it’s elk, then the .300 Win Mag. Selling one of my guns would be hard for me, I like them all. Having said that, there is nothing like a new gun to get you to the range to tinker with loads. For me that’s half the fun of a new gun. Good luck.
I’ve got a Remington 700 in .260 Rem, which is an outstanding deer gun.
You can’t go wrong with a Rem 700 but another gun to look at is a Browning X Bolt. I’ve got one in 7MM which I use for elk. Another great gun.
I usually stick with Leupold scopes and have never had a problem hunting in Iowa or Wisconsin. I use the VX2 3-9 X 40 which is probably the most popular of the Leupolds for deer and about $350±.
What has changed is that you can now spend a lot less for a very accurate rifle. My sons $300 Ruger American .270 shoots sub one inch. at 100 yards. Get good glass and spend your money to buy 4 boxes of different premium ammos ($60 range)then shoot each brand to determine which one your rifle likes best and you will be happy.
Thank God, a real man. Scope at 100 yards? Its a deer not a damn rabid lion or water buffalo. I am even worse than you because if i still hunted it would be bow only.
Thank God, a real man. Scope at 100 yards? Its a deer not a damn rabid lion or water buffalo. I am even worse than you because if i still hunted it would be bow only.
Perhaps if you had 12 diopters of correction you might use a scope too. Not all eyes are created equal.
Thank God, a real man. Scope at 100 yards? Its a deer not a damn rabid lion or water buffalo. I am even worse than you because if i still hunted it would be bow only.
Perhaps if you had 12 diopters of correction you might use a scope too. ** Not all eyes are created equal**.
Exactly. My vision wouldn’t provide for an accurate shot at 100 yards in thick brush - especially in low light. If I’m going to shoot at game, I want to make sure I hit him cleanly and kill him quickly. A scope helps accomplish that, iron sights don’t.
I will say that I do enjoy bow hunting as there is something primal and manly about it.
If it were me looking for a new deer rifle, I would definitely go with a short mag. Short mags typically are a bit more accurate than standard calibers. A 270 WSM would be my perfect whitetail caliber. 130 grain ballistic tip at better than 3100 fps is a nail driver, sub 1min groups at 100 yards is piece of cake even with factory loads. As far as a scope if you are shooting less than 200 yards, keep it low magnification. You get a better field of vision, not as much “jump” when holding offhand. TC (Thompson Contender) makes a 1.5 x 7 which I think would be plenty. It’s a good quality scope for around $200. I’ve shot quite a few moving deer inside 100 yards on 2x, easy to keep the crosshairs where you want them. Put yourself on field edge with a rest and you are good to 350 yards. Whatever brand of rifle you get, don’t neglect to break in the barrel…VERY IMPORTANT.
I’m getting pumped just writing this…lol.
As background i have a remington 700 in .243, ruger 77 in .270, Tikka t3 in .300 win mag, and i have one AR-15 set up with .300 blackout and or .223 depending on the upper. I also have shot extensively 30-06, .308, .300 wsm, and .338. My favorite all around rifle for hunting is the Tikka t3 in .300 win mag hands down. I have killed deer at 70yds and Elk at 500+ with one shot and they have never run. The .300 win mag is my favorite round since it can really do anything and is still easy to control. The .300 win mag also gives more room for error. Last year i shot a runner at around 375yds (yes i know a dumb shot) in the leg and it literally blew the entire leg apart, bled out by the time i walked over to it. Now if you are not wild about .300 win mag the .308 is more than fine and honestly as long as you are a good shot any caliber will do, even .223. I am not a big fan of the remington 700 but that is just me.