Deer Rifles - Are these the best passed down by your Grandfather?

Am Shooting Journal ^ | 2/26/2019 | R Winstain

[w1n1]

Your grandfather or maybe great granddaddy’s generation was introduced to some of the best deer hunting rifles ever made.
These classic deer rifles have a blend of form and functionality. The power and reliability of rifles like the Winchester Model 70 or the German-made Mauser M98 are hard to beat even by today's standards. If you ever had a chance to handle one through the woods and taken down your game, you’ll understand what we mean. (more to it than reading about it)
These rifles are quite simply the best hunting guns ever put out on the market.

And if your grandpa owned one of these guns, and passed it down to you, consider yourself lucky. While these rifles may not all be worth a lot today, they’re still good to have around in case you decide to take down some game.
Have a look at these timeless classic deer rifles:

Winchester Model 70
The Winchester Model 70 has bee a favorite of hunters and sport shooters since it was first introduced back in 1936.
The original Model 70 had a Mauser-style extractor that allowed a reliable feed – a feature that’s important to big game hunters. Another key components of the Model 70 iis the 3-way wing tip safety and highly accurate.

Winchester Model 1894
This rifle is commonly referred to as the Model 94 and is one of the most popular deer hunting rifles of all time. Historians also called it, "The Ultimate Lever Action Gun."
This rifle was light, comfortable, fast-shooting and very effective at short distances.

Savage Model 99
This rifle is considered a classic deer hunting rifle since its released in 1899. This lever-action rifle had amazing long-range accuracy, form and functionality. The Model 99 was chambered for the .250/3000 Savage cartridge. Read the rest of a list of these deer rifles.

[Texas resident]

I have a Savage 99 that was manufactured in 1966. .308 with a Zeiss 3X9X40 on it. Awesome weapon.

[shelterguy]

In about 1972 when I was 13 I bought a 99F in .243. I had to get special small base dies to reload for it because it was fussy about ejecting loads done with standard dies.

I took it on many hunting trips and Dad was using his pre 64 Model 70 also in .243. Good times.

[Hot Tabasco]

I have a Marlin Model 1936 that was given to my grandfather, who was a Detroit police officer, by a Detroit river border guard.

[mountainlion]

30-30, 30-40 Craig, 1903 deserve mention

[wjcsux]

They are a great rifle. I have one that was made in 1940 chambered in .300 Savage.

[lgjhn23]

There’s a 30-30 Winchester Model 94 that’s been our family for at least five generations now. Who knows how many deer have been taken with it over the years...a lot for sure. There’s also an old J.C. Higgins 12-gauge bolt action shotgun laying around somewhere as well. Then, there’s a small, single-shot Winchester 22-02 rifle that my great, great grand pappy won as a prize in a Cracker Jacks box way back in the early 1900s before we were invaded by the insane and guns were demonized. That little rifle was used to teach several generations of young fellas how to shoot....some of em as early as age 5. FWIW, none of em ever shot up a school, robbed a store, etc. Two of em, however, eventually became USMC BAR riflemen in the Pacific theatre during WWII.

[ManHunter]

Yep, lots of Krag-Jorgensen rifles converted to sporters in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

[ManHunter]

Can’t overlook the Winchester Models 88 and 100 either.

[Lurker]

“The Model 99 was chambered for the .250/3000 Savage cartridge.“

No, it was originally chambered in .300 Savage. I actually have a couple boxes of factory ammo for it around here somewhere.

L

[Quickgun]

Actually, the .303 Savage was the first offering in the 99, I believe. Been a few years since I have even seen a cartridge, but it was a rimmed cartridge similar to a .30/30.

[Lurker]

“Actually, the .303 Savage was the first offering in the 99,”

My mistake. Thanks for the correction.

L

[crusty old prospector]

Yeah, I got a Winchester Model 88 in .308.

[major_gaff]

My upstate deer rifle is a 300 Savage. It has a little number wheel on the
side to tell you how many shells are in the rifle...pretty cool and deadly
accurate.

[Lurker]

I had a chance to acquire one in .300 a few years back for about $150.00 or so if I remember right. I passed on it because it was an “oddball” caliber. I did get a chance to fire it several times. It was quick, relatively light, and super accurate.

I’m kicking myself over it now.

L

[9422WMR]

My Savage 99 is 22/250. Excellent flat shooting deer gun.
Don’t tell me .22 caliber bullet will not take down a whitetail, I’ve taken dozens!

[painter]

Yep, lots of Krag-Jorgensen rifles converted to sporters in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

My dad had one that is still in the family.

[Rappini]

My Uncle who was a 1st Marine Raider during WW2 gave me his Springfield 1903 30-06 converted to sporter, Sweet rifle.

[wastoute]

Pump action Remington .270. I worked up a load for mine that holds three shot groups into clover leafs.

[mad_as_he$$]

With the improvements in bullet design most of the listed weapons(calibers) are overkill for deer. Bullets that go clean through a deer at 100 yards and damage excess meat are a waste.