Which gun, and caliber, work best for hunting deer? Remington 7400 or Savage Axis?

Question

I have an opportunity to get one of these rifles. My budget is only $400, and I found them both at a gun store in my range.

I don't know what caliber I should be looking at however? .270, 30-06 or .308? I know they can all take down a deer, but can anyone recommend one over the other?

I also need help choosing the gun, because i've never shot either.

I live in Arizona and the hunting is pretty open. Deer are clearly visible in parts up to 300 yards.

Please help!

Answer 1

Neither of those rifles is known for being a tack driver,the 7400 isn't as tight as a bolt action and the Axis isn't as refined as the Ruger American I mentioned in my other answer. The Ruger has an adjustable 2 stage trigger the Axis lacks and uses a robust recoil block system instead of recoil lug/action screws. Now, any individual rifle can be a good shooter, and the Axis and Ruger both get good reviews for accuracy and you don't need sub-MOA groups for deer hunting.Again,look at what else is out there for the best value,which currently might be the Weatherby Vanguard Series 2.

As for cartridge, with those 3 you could realistically choose 1 and never worry about it again;the 30-06 will give you more options for loads especially if you decide to go after elk at some point. The 270 can put a lighter bullet out there faster than a 308 Win,a 308 Win with 165 grain bullets is about 200 FPS slower than same bullet in 30-06,but the 30-06 can handle 180 grain bullets much better than a 308 Win.

When you sight in,consider using a 200 yard ZERO instead of 100 yard;it matches cartridge performance and MPBR curves that will get you out to 300 yards more readily. Most average shooters should be aware of extending their ranges beyond 200 yards with factory ammo so put in your range time.

EDIT: I was shooting 30-06 when I was 13,as was my son,it has 20 pounds felt recoil and isn't overwhelming,the 270 and 308 Win have 17 pounds of recoil. 270 is a fine cartridge but it does bleed energy faster than a heavier 30-06 or 308 bullet would which is something to consider at extended range.

EDIT 2: I did mention that the Axis and Ruger both get good reviews for accuracy and also mentioned that individual rifles can be quite good shooter-as with any rifle it depends on load matching/COL/barrel harmonics. And yes they both CAN be sub-MOA but don't rely on that unless the owner puts in the work to find that best load. I reload so I take some things for granted, so.....

Answer 2

Great questions! Here are some things to consider that others haven't mentioned.



1) Remington 7400 or Savage Axis - Parts. Every gun shop can maintain a Remington 7400 if you have something break while on a hunting trip. Where will you be hunting? If you're hunting in deep woods the odds for a follow up shot will be higher and that would favor the 7400. Also, if you're a smaller framed individual, part of the recoil will be absorbed by the 7400 autoloader so it will be easier on you.



2) 270 vs. 30-06 vs. 308. A 270 is a necked down 30-06 so the only difference is that you can get lighter loads in a 270 and heavier loads in a 30-06. Lighter loads fly flatter and faster for more accurate shots but lose knock down power at longer distances. Honestly the deciding factor between those three should be... what do your hunting buddies use? The reason that's important is because if you're hunting you may find yourself short on ammo because it fell out of your pocket, you forgot it, etc. You can borrow from a buddy and you're back in business.



3) Finally, consider a Tikka as well. 1" groups at 100 yards and an adjustable trigger.

Answer 3

Either of those models of rifle will be fine, and .270 Winchester, .308 Winchester, .243 Winchester, and .30-06 Springfield are all perfectly adequate for hunting whitetail or mule deer. More important than the model of rifle or the cartridge you use will be your ability to hit your target.



I would say, though, that the Savage Axis would probably have slightly better overall accuracy, and a cartridge like .270 Winchester or .30-06 Springfield would be better at longer ranges. In fact, when comparing 150-grain bullets, .270 Win and .30-06 Springfield have very, very similar performance.



You might also want to look at the Ruger American, which is a fantastic rifle for the price.



EDIT: I just want to comment on something "falconry2" said- that "neither of those rifles is known for being a tack driver." Au contraire- there are reports of the Savage Axis performing as a sub-MOA rifle with the right load. It's certainly not what one would want as a long-range competition rifle, but the Axis has the potential to be every bit as accurate as many rifles that cost twice as much. The key will be that YOU have to do some work to determine which load YOUR rifle "prefers."

Answer 4

I gave Gwolf a TU because that is how you shoot in any real hunting situation. That deer is NOT going to stand broadside for more tha a second. Gun in hand, swing it up,scope it, squeeze.

My 243 is dead on and very efficient for Midwest hunting. Being a woman it fits me like a deerskin glove, no pun there ;)

If you do not use a scope, the effort must be fluid and instantly on target. So why waste time on here, just talk sense with the Customer Srvc person and get the gun that feels awesome in your arms- as you sight in that deer across the store.

Answer 5

You pick a rifle like you pick shoes - you buy what fits.



Put the rifle to your shoulder and look at something on the very far wall. The front and rear sights should instantly line up - or the scope line up. If you have to wiggle the gun around in your shoulder - or - move your head around allot to get things to line up..... this is not the gun for you.



Why do I say this? Have you ever heard of guys who claim they spent a whole day at the range ' and I had my rifle sighted in perfect!!!" but they missed an easy shot? Yeah, this is what happens when you don't have a rifle that fits your body. "At the range all day" you eventually figure out how to hold the gun and get it aligned correctly....... but deer are not gonna let you fire 20-50 test rounds before you fire on them.

Answer 6

You mention "out west" and the long range shooting often found out that way. Of the 3 cartridges mentioned, it's a shoo-in for the 270, with the lighter 130 grain bullets to hold down aim-destroying recoil. If you want the best for the situation, however, search for a proven-still-accurate used 25-06, and reload for it to assure a continuing supply of ammo.

Answer 7

Remington 7400 Parts

Answer 8

Remington 7400 308

Answer 9

I would recommend 30.06, larger than the rest, yet has all the range you'll ever need. PLUS, ammo is very easy to come by AND you can pick up some pretty nice Rifles at the Gun Show in Arizona for $400.00 than the stuff you are asking about.

Answer 10

All three are good choices; I would go with the 30/06 bullet can be frond every wear and there are a wide range of bullet weights for it. But that's me!

Answer 11

Any of them will work just fine for what you want to do. Lots of guys use all of them.



A 30-06 is the most flexible. Has factory loads of 220 grain bullets for the deepest penetration on moose of these three, and you can start with managed recoil loads that have the recoil like a 243 Win. The usual load is 180 grain bullets, good for deer and elk.



The 30-06 and 270 Win shoot practically identical in the mid bullet weights. The 308 Win was developed for auto loaders; its cartridge case is just a little shorter than the 30-06..



Outdoor Life 50 Top Guns in Last 10 Years

www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/guns/2011/05/best-hunting-rifles-decade



Stevens 200 270Win $320

Marlin XS7 308Win $350

Weatherby Vanguard 30-06 $500



10 Quality Hunting Rifles for Under $500

http://www.gunsandammo.com/2012/03/08/10-quality-rifles-for-under-500/



Hunting Guns: From Your First Rifle to a World Class Battery

http://www.chuckhawks.com/hunting_guns.htm



Bolt Action Rifles for Dangerous Game, The Rifle Stocks

http://www.chuckhawks.com/bolt_rifles_dangerous_game.htm

http://www.chuckhawks.com/grizzly_cartridges.htm



Recommended Riflescopes

http://www.chuckhawks.com/recommended_riflescopes.htm

http://www.chuckhawks.com/scopes_price_class.htm

http://www.chuckhawks.com/compared_dangerous_game_riflescopes.htm



Prime Questions: list your priorities, rank them to your mission

1. How far is your target--max effective range

2. How tough is your target--remaining energy & bullet construction/type

3. How easy to feed the rifle, ammo & component availability

4. How easy to carry & move the rifle, weight, mobility

5. How easy is to make the shot, recoil, trajectory, wind deflection

Not important: lightest bullet with highest muzzle velocity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwG-D0HjCBQ



BrassFetcher: bullet performance in ballistic gelatin

http://www.brassfetcher.com/



The Box O' Truth: ammo penetration through various barriers

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/sitemap.htm

Terminal Ballistics Research: cartridge & projectile performance, game.

www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/.30-06+Springfield.html

Heavy bovine game: .308 to .50BMG

www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/Heavy+Game+Cartridge+Overview.html



Hope these help. Shoot safe.

Answer 12

As long as you avoid the Remington 770, you should be good. Any three of those calibers will work.

Answer 13

I personally like a 30/30 lever action. Marlin makes one in that price. Its accurate but short enough to easily maneuver in the scrub