
By David E. Petzal
Let us all praise the whitetail deer: eater of shrubs, wrecker of cars, biological miracle, inhabitant of dreams. I know men who can kill a charging Cape buffalo without a change of pulse rate but who become undone at the sight of a big whitetail buck. He is our national big-game animal, and as such he has had a lot of guns dedicated to his untimely demise. Some of them, over time, have become standouts. The best ones, traditionally, are light and handy and chambered for cartridges that do not cause seismometer needles to jump when you pull the trigger. The other kind, used for keeping vigil in tree stands, are long, heavy, and superaccurate. Here are the 10 deer rifles that I favor above all others. The Savage is my favorite; after that, it all depends on my mood.
1. Savage Model 99 Lever Action: The only lever action as advanced as this one--the Winchester Model 88--was not built until half a century after the 99 debuted in, unsurprisingly enough, 1899. This graceful rifle was chambered for high-intensity cartridges from the get-go. It takes naturally to a scope, can be very accurate, and has quite a decent trigger. The rotary-magazine 99s are more desirable than the detachable-magazine versions and command big money.
The first big-game rifle I ever got my hands on was a Model 99 in .300 Savage. The 99 combines most of the virtues of a bolt action with the strong points of a lever gun. How do you beat that?
Photo by Dan Saelinger
Photo Gallery Comments (38)
Great list. That Mannlicher Schoenauer is a thing of beauty.
Hard to beat a lever gun in the deer woods, Savage 99 or other wise. I lament all the 99's I let slip by over the years. Most all were bargains at the time, especially a .358 Winchester with a rotary magazine whose owner couldn't find ammo for it and complained about recoil. There was also a great little .250 Savage...
The uncle who taught me most of what I know about hunting carried a '60s era model 99 in .300 Savage. It has iron sights and the rotary magazine, and it still shoots like a dream. If I were building my ideal whitetail rifle, it would be a model 99 in 7mm-08.
I believe many of us can recall the rifles we should NEVER have sold, and I can generate a list of my own. Among them, a Savage 99 in .250 Savage, sold in lean times to address other priorities. I don't disagree with any of the choices illustrated, though I'd generate a different list based on other preferences, but I won't disagree with any of these.
i have always loved wincester 94. i wish i had one, the has a great hold and feel to it
Excellent list. I would suggest an honorable mention to the .257 Roberts by BSA.
The Springfield 30-06 03-A3, the forgotten one!
Lets not forget the Savage Model 99!
the windcester 94 was my ferst deer rifle as a kid and i just bought another one last week thay have the best feel to them of any deer rifle iv ever held in my hands
the winchester model 94 is probably the most versitle rifle in the bunch. at close range a 30.30 will take down most everything in north america and the winchester action is very relaible one rifle that i can not believe didn`t make the cut is the remington model 700
I won't hunt with anything called a Man-Licker but thank you.
The model 64 Winchester was a blend of the 94 action and the style of the 71. It still is the rifle I choose when the distance is 150 yards or less. The accuracy is good but hampered by the open sights and trajectory. A good peep sight and the LeverEvolution ammo will stretch that another 100 yards. Part of the experience is the feeling of tradition and the Winchester is the lever action deer rifle. I would hunt with any of the 10 and each has it's place. Let's check in 100 years and see what is still here.
My pop died when I was youn leaving me a Savage Model 99 in .308 and my Uncle recently had surgery leaving him unable to shoot shouldered firearms (he's now using a pistol, of course) letting me buy a few of his guns, including a Remington 760 in .300 sav. a few months ago. Then I get the Dec/Jan issue of F&S and on page 94 are these 2 at #1 and #4 respectively. Guess those old farts knew a thing or 2 on choosing Whitetail rifles. Thanks for the article.
Let's not forget the Ruger Model 77 (.308) or the good old 45/70 Trapdoor. How many whitetails were harvested for subsistance during the 1800's to the 1930's?
Cheers
there is a 3 generation model 1899 in .300 savage sitting in my safe, calling to me every night. when it finally lets me sleep, i dream about flattening a lion with a 7600 in .35 whelen. speaking of africa, that 660 in .350 would be pretty handy-dandy there.
Trimming the spring in the trigger assemble carefully made the rem 760 very satisfactory!
A good list over all, I would have liked to have seen the Remington model 700 listed in the top 10. Some of the guns are a little out there in price but over all not bad.
C'mon Dave...a rifle you shoot in a bean field and a shotgun in the 10 best RIFLE list.
How about the 2 most popular bolt actions ever produced? I'll give you a hint...a Mannlicher is NOT one of them.
Good list would to better with more information on the guns though.
I would have to agree about the model 94 winchester but I'm disapointed that the model 70 didn''t make the list
what i want to know is where is the remigton model 700.
Where are all the bolt guns? Come on Dave, no 70s, 700, or 77s??? Wow, and a 600??? Good lord how long did that one last 20 years with miserable sales?
I do like the guide gun in 45-70 though that is a little powerhouse and fun to shoot.
YOu guys no what is a good deer gun 700 ultra bolt that is a good deer gun it kicks hard though
I'm glad that the model 94 made it into the top ten deer rifles, the model 94 rifle that I use is in the 44 mag. caliber, it's light and easy to carry through thich brush and nasty terrain. And it pack's a wollop.
I think that you should have mentioned the marlin 1894 44 magnum. I don't think it would be worth the light-loading to hunt deer with a 45/70.
I think the savage model 99 should have been chambered in 444 marlin-would be a great elk rifle as well.
The country I come from, doesnt allow any kind of "self defence weapons", The government has PC'ed their backbone out!....they will only allow hunting weapons IF you observe very strict rules, and in fact will only let you do a class for your firearm licence IF you pass various state security tests (much like those imposed on possible terrorists entering the country from abroad)
...so I can only comment very vaguely based on my limited experience.... But am an avid big game fisherman/and would be hunter... I think the pics are great. but wonder if the guns are a little dated??... surely there are more modern/efficient weapons available that may not yet have had time enough to be proven to joe public based on historical reputation???..."I cant know without the comments of experience from blokes like you"
I have had the absolute pleasure to visit a bloody beautiful part of the world known as northern California, and while there, was able to shoot almost any kind of rifle I could think of,at almost anything I cared to... some dating all the way back to the "Sharps" era right up to fairly modern rifles/handguns... The opinion I have, is that though the older types of guns are about the most fun you can have in the vertical position...."that is without commenting on the fact that they are by far the most elegant of their kind to look at and handle"... but just as with cars, the more modern.... surely has to be the most efficient?...and if not?.... "in the respect of accuracy"... the most satisfying to work with??... I am just not in it to shoot a whitetail at 1400 yards, much like I am with fishing, "I would rather catch and release"... for me, its all about tecnique... "If I know I can bag it, thats enough for me" (unless I am looking at sharks or coyotes.)... Deep Shit. ... he he
Modle 94 and marlin 336 that all i go near the woods with for a rifle
could or should you use a 300 win mag for deer hunting. I'm new to hunting and my buddy said if want just one gun get a 300 win mag it will be good for every thing including deer. What are your thoughts on this ?. Thanks Griz.
i really like this article but i see no point in a blaze orange gun
i really like this article but i see no point in a blaze orange gun
agree with rserwe
i love that savage
Great story...some people forget that it doesnt take a custom made 6,000 dollar to kill large or medium size game...Some of the most successful hunters I know (some of which have passed on) hunt with used and abused level actions in calibers like 30-30. Today no one would "recommend" this caliber for large game like moose, but I dont know how many people I know that have killed moose in this caliber. Regardless of your rifle...SHOT PLACEMENT!!
the win. model 100 should be on there
I just bought a Ruger M77 Hawkeye International, it has the full mannlicher style stock but sadly not the butter knife bolt handle. It still points wonderfully and has a nice light feel to it though.
Oh boy, here goes the old spoon stirring the crap again. If you want to get a hunter fired up, don't include his favorite gun in the article writer's top ten list.
I really wonder just how many of the guns on his list he's actually shot. It appears to me that he plagerized a list out of a 1955 Outdoor Life article.
With the recent past 15 years of bullet and powder developement, why would one continue on stating the top ten are only the ones that Great Grandpa shot?
I will say again, and hold to it, that the best gun a hunter can kill an animal with expediently is the one he shoots well. The shot placement and the ability of the firearm and shooter to put it in the vitals is the most important factor over anyone's top ten list.
Also, I agree with many of you responding to this article. There are definately some very exceptional guns missing from this list.
guys,everyone has what i call the gun they were raised on.that usually is your gun of guns.the f&s list is that editors personal picks.my list is based on the guns that i still think are worth owning on a middle class budget.1)remington 760.2)winchester model 70.3)winchester 94.4)marlin 336.5)savage 99.6)remington 700.7)ruger m77.8)tc icon.9)browning bar.10)just for you guy from ohio 870 remington rifle slud.and that is only my personal picks
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Great list. That Mannlicher Schoenauer is a thing of beauty.
Lets not forget the Savage Model 99!
Hard to beat a lever gun in the deer woods, Savage 99 or other wise. I lament all the 99's I let slip by over the years. Most all were bargains at the time, especially a .358 Winchester with a rotary magazine whose owner couldn't find ammo for it and complained about recoil. There was also a great little .250 Savage...
i have always loved wincester 94. i wish i had one, the has a great hold and feel to it
The Springfield 30-06 03-A3, the forgotten one!
the windcester 94 was my ferst deer rifle as a kid and i just bought another one last week thay have the best feel to them of any deer rifle iv ever held in my hands
My pop died when I was youn leaving me a Savage Model 99 in .308 and my Uncle recently had surgery leaving him unable to shoot shouldered firearms (he's now using a pistol, of course) letting me buy a few of his guns, including a Remington 760 in .300 sav. a few months ago. Then I get the Dec/Jan issue of F&S and on page 94 are these 2 at #1 and #4 respectively. Guess those old farts knew a thing or 2 on choosing Whitetail rifles. Thanks for the article.
Trimming the spring in the trigger assemble carefully made the rem 760 very satisfactory!
C'mon Dave...a rifle you shoot in a bean field and a shotgun in the 10 best RIFLE list.
How about the 2 most popular bolt actions ever produced? I'll give you a hint...a Mannlicher is NOT one of them.
Good list would to better with more information on the guns though.
I would have to agree about the model 94 winchester but I'm disapointed that the model 70 didn''t make the list
Oh boy, here goes the old spoon stirring the crap again. If you want to get a hunter fired up, don't include his favorite gun in the article writer's top ten list.
I really wonder just how many of the guns on his list he's actually shot. It appears to me that he plagerized a list out of a 1955 Outdoor Life article.
With the recent past 15 years of bullet and powder developement, why would one continue on stating the top ten are only the ones that Great Grandpa shot?
I will say again, and hold to it, that the best gun a hunter can kill an animal with expediently is the one he shoots well. The shot placement and the ability of the firearm and shooter to put it in the vitals is the most important factor over anyone's top ten list.
Also, I agree with many of you responding to this article. There are definately some very exceptional guns missing from this list.
The uncle who taught me most of what I know about hunting carried a '60s era model 99 in .300 Savage. It has iron sights and the rotary magazine, and it still shoots like a dream. If I were building my ideal whitetail rifle, it would be a model 99 in 7mm-08.
I believe many of us can recall the rifles we should NEVER have sold, and I can generate a list of my own. Among them, a Savage 99 in .250 Savage, sold in lean times to address other priorities. I don't disagree with any of the choices illustrated, though I'd generate a different list based on other preferences, but I won't disagree with any of these.
Excellent list. I would suggest an honorable mention to the .257 Roberts by BSA.
the winchester model 94 is probably the most versitle rifle in the bunch. at close range a 30.30 will take down most everything in north america and the winchester action is very relaible one rifle that i can not believe didn`t make the cut is the remington model 700
I won't hunt with anything called a Man-Licker but thank you.
The model 64 Winchester was a blend of the 94 action and the style of the 71. It still is the rifle I choose when the distance is 150 yards or less. The accuracy is good but hampered by the open sights and trajectory. A good peep sight and the LeverEvolution ammo will stretch that another 100 yards. Part of the experience is the feeling of tradition and the Winchester is the lever action deer rifle. I would hunt with any of the 10 and each has it's place. Let's check in 100 years and see what is still here.
Let's not forget the Ruger Model 77 (.308) or the good old 45/70 Trapdoor. How many whitetails were harvested for subsistance during the 1800's to the 1930's?
Cheers
there is a 3 generation model 1899 in .300 savage sitting in my safe, calling to me every night. when it finally lets me sleep, i dream about flattening a lion with a 7600 in .35 whelen. speaking of africa, that 660 in .350 would be pretty handy-dandy there.
A good list over all, I would have liked to have seen the Remington model 700 listed in the top 10. Some of the guns are a little out there in price but over all not bad.
what i want to know is where is the remigton model 700.
Where are all the bolt guns? Come on Dave, no 70s, 700, or 77s??? Wow, and a 600??? Good lord how long did that one last 20 years with miserable sales?
I do like the guide gun in 45-70 though that is a little powerhouse and fun to shoot.
YOu guys no what is a good deer gun 700 ultra bolt that is a good deer gun it kicks hard though
I'm glad that the model 94 made it into the top ten deer rifles, the model 94 rifle that I use is in the 44 mag. caliber, it's light and easy to carry through thich brush and nasty terrain. And it pack's a wollop.
I think that you should have mentioned the marlin 1894 44 magnum. I don't think it would be worth the light-loading to hunt deer with a 45/70.
I think the savage model 99 should have been chambered in 444 marlin-would be a great elk rifle as well.
The country I come from, doesnt allow any kind of "self defence weapons", The government has PC'ed their backbone out!....they will only allow hunting weapons IF you observe very strict rules, and in fact will only let you do a class for your firearm licence IF you pass various state security tests (much like those imposed on possible terrorists entering the country from abroad)
...so I can only comment very vaguely based on my limited experience.... But am an avid big game fisherman/and would be hunter... I think the pics are great. but wonder if the guns are a little dated??... surely there are more modern/efficient weapons available that may not yet have had time enough to be proven to joe public based on historical reputation???..."I cant know without the comments of experience from blokes like you"
I have had the absolute pleasure to visit a bloody beautiful part of the world known as northern California, and while there, was able to shoot almost any kind of rifle I could think of,at almost anything I cared to... some dating all the way back to the "Sharps" era right up to fairly modern rifles/handguns... The opinion I have, is that though the older types of guns are about the most fun you can have in the vertical position...."that is without commenting on the fact that they are by far the most elegant of their kind to look at and handle"... but just as with cars, the more modern.... surely has to be the most efficient?...and if not?.... "in the respect of accuracy"... the most satisfying to work with??... I am just not in it to shoot a whitetail at 1400 yards, much like I am with fishing, "I would rather catch and release"... for me, its all about tecnique... "If I know I can bag it, thats enough for me" (unless I am looking at sharks or coyotes.)... Deep Shit. ... he he
Modle 94 and marlin 336 that all i go near the woods with for a rifle
could or should you use a 300 win mag for deer hunting. I'm new to hunting and my buddy said if want just one gun get a 300 win mag it will be good for every thing including deer. What are your thoughts on this ?. Thanks Griz.
i really like this article but i see no point in a blaze orange gun
i really like this article but i see no point in a blaze orange gun
agree with rserwe
i love that savage
Great story...some people forget that it doesnt take a custom made 6,000 dollar to kill large or medium size game...Some of the most successful hunters I know (some of which have passed on) hunt with used and abused level actions in calibers like 30-30. Today no one would "recommend" this caliber for large game like moose, but I dont know how many people I know that have killed moose in this caliber. Regardless of your rifle...SHOT PLACEMENT!!
the win. model 100 should be on there
I just bought a Ruger M77 Hawkeye International, it has the full mannlicher style stock but sadly not the butter knife bolt handle. It still points wonderfully and has a nice light feel to it though.
guys,everyone has what i call the gun they were raised on.that usually is your gun of guns.the f&s list is that editors personal picks.my list is based on the guns that i still think are worth owning on a middle class budget.1)remington 760.2)winchester model 70.3)winchester 94.4)marlin 336.5)savage 99.6)remington 700.7)ruger m77.8)tc icon.9)browning bar.10)just for you guy from ohio 870 remington rifle slud.and that is only my personal picks
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