Comments on: 7 ‘Old School’ Deer Rifles That Can Still Bring Home the Venison

By: Paul Wilman

Paul Wilman — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 06:40:26 +0000

Great article I’VE BEEN HUNTIN IN GA. FOR ALMOST FORTY YRS.I’M a big fan of the rem 7600 pump in 270. It was good to hear it named. This gun has feed my family and others for years.I’ve taken BLACK BEAR WHITETAIL COYOTES BOBCAT/HOGS WITH IT never had a problem.From 25/400yds.I WOULD tell anyone who wants a little fast action gun this will getter done.

By: Don

Don — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:01:21 +0000

Glad to hear you got your Remington 788 back. I also had the .308 and it was by far the most accurate rifle I ever owned.

Back in 1985, I put a Remington 788 7mm-08 on layaway at Wal-Mart (you know, back when loved gun owners and actually carried guns). The gun was $225.

Shortly after, I went through a divorce and was never able to afford to get the gun out of layaway. I’ve always wondered how accurate that rifle would have been.

Last week at a gun show, I saw a .308 Model 788 for $600. I told the guy that $600 was about 3 times what they cost new. He smiled and said “Yeah, but everyone knows what tackdrivers these are now”.

By: M.Rittenhouse Rigby

M.Rittenhouse Rigby — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 02:35:32 +0000

I have taken deer with Win #94,Ted Williams auto 12,Mossberg#500 #12,1917 Enfield .303 Brit,Marlin 336 30/30,Lyman deerstalker .50 blkpwdr,all have done the job quite nicely.
In 1999 I bought a used Remington model #788 in .308 .The best rifle I own period!!!!I have heard “throw away gun”,I have heard”budget tack driver”.
I`ll go with tackdriver.
On Thanksgiving morning,2009,two juvenile delinquent,cockroach bastards broke into my pick up truck at 2:30 a.m.I had loaded my truck,and was ready for the hunt.The dogs woke me up, and by the time my fiance said “the lights on in the truck”,it was too late.Right there in front of our apartment building,lights on in the parking lot and everything,they jimmied the window in the back and were gone.I didnt notice till after the police left that they had jammed the key to my work truck into the ignition,and tried to take off with my truck.By 9:00 a.m. that morning,the little rats had been caught.And after 2months of waitng for the commonwealths attorney to declare my ownership of the Remington legitimate,I got it back.That was a close call.While I wasnt sure I would ever see that .308 again,I did what any clear minded deer hunter would do.I went down to my favorite gun store,found something I have been wanting for a long time.A beautiful Remington 721 in 30-06.This gun was manufactured in Oct.`55.The last day of deer season(Jan 2 `09),I found out that Remington had another tackdriver for me to own.I took an 8 pointer from my tree stand,who was hiding under a blown over pine,no doubt he watched me climb that tree,thought he couldn`t be found.The 721 found HIM! I cant tell you how much I appreciate these old Remingtons,I`ll never need another rifle,and I`ll never part with these>

By: bob murray

bob murray — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:24:03 +0000

you are right on with some of your picks. I have many rifles in my safe but today I mostly shoot my encore .50 cal muzzleloader due to the areas I hunt. But when I get the chance to hunt the southern Mark Twain NF here in Missouri,I love to break out my ruger .44 carbine. It always puts a smile on my face.

By: Kenny Franklin Roolf

Kenny Franklin Roolf — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 19:15:50 +0000

I’ve owned a Savage model 99 in 330 savage since
1973,it was my 1st big game rifle and still the
one I use the most. I’m starting to collect them
now days. They are VERY interesting pieces of
firearm history. They’re every bit as good today
as they were when they 1st came,if not BETTER.
If you want a GREAT levergun, get yourself a 99.

By: No Mag needed

No Mag needed — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 02:14:39 +0000

Excellent article, as relevant today as when it was originally written. I laugh when I am told about so-and-so’s new mag rifle and how much power it has. Knowing full and well where they hunt and also knowing that a shot gun would probably suffice for the 50 yard shot they will need to take. I just remember the old Ruger 44 Carbine in its case ready for action. A few rounds a year just to make sure all is well and off to the favorite hunting spot.

Thanks for the article.

By: Mr Moose from Maine

Mr Moose from Maine — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:27:05 +0000

You forgot the Savage 99. I don’t think there’s a more classic Deer-ah Rifle in Northern New England then the 99. Unless you include the “thurty thurty Win-chest-tah 90-four-ah, A-Yeah”

By: zach gander

zach gander — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 05:05:38 +0000

the 3030 is the best deer gun i gave mine to my cuzin after i went to iraq he got a 7 piont thaT SEAON AND SENT ME PICS

By: John Forbes

John Forbes — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:14:48 +0000

Great article and have to agree that old rifles like these should be used and past down to the next generations to come. Not just to dust off these old relics but to learn about and respect the history of these great firearms many stories of past hunts with amazing shots taking and the old miss as well. I have fired many of the seven, but for me the Winchester Model 88 is without the doubt is the best hunting rifle of all time and that I had ever had the pleasure of firing. I’m proud to own my father’s now. Its .308cal with an old Red-Field 3x9x40 scope with over under ring mounts.
I have used this gun every fall for deer and moose cause out of respect for my father who taught me the value of being a true sportsman and respect the woods walk and creatures that I’m hunting and in counter along the way. The true test for this rifle is that each time I go out to sight it in during the preseason, it has hit the bulleye near perfectly each time and grouped with in a dime for three shots. From 100-300yds all from standing positon. I have shot many new and old rifles, from hunting, target and even military rifles. When hunting a white tailed deer walking to your blind, dogging, or watching it watching you in the middle of a field you have less then a few seconds to react and put your sights on target and pull the trigger there is not a better rifle made then the Winchester Model 88 doing the job.

By: Kevin Brown

Kevin Brown — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 01:41:52 +0000

Very nice article and some interesting remarks.

I have been hunting deer and elk the past 5-6 years with a ruger 270 bolt and it has done me very well. Though I am Probably the weakest link. A few months ago I purchased a new marlin 336 30-30. I can’t wait to dear hunt with it next year. I beleive it is a 200-yd gun with the new bullets. Today I came home with a Ruger no. 1 270. I can’t wait to chase the elk around with it next year. What a beautiful rifle. It will be hard to use my Ruger bolt because it was a gift from my Grandpa. He used it for 10-15 years for hunting elk.

Good Luck Hunting