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- Jun 28, 2019
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For a cheap but very accurate "beater" that you don't care about getting a little dinged up and just a solid shooting bolt action, you can also look at the Remington 770 or their newer 783. I have the synthetic stocked 770 in .243 and its kind of heavy but It shoots the heck out of the deer and is very accurate. I think I bought it brand new with the scope in a package the big R was putting out for like $300. It has the sporter style contour barrel. I don't like bull barrels for my deer guns. I hunt in mostly close range wooded hill terrain and my longest rifle taken buck was about 125 yards away. The stock came black so I went over it with alcohol to degrease it and spray painted it a two tone olive drab - tan color and this rifle has been my go to since centerfires were legalized here in WNY during the big game season like around 2010 or thereabouts. If its not this I'm usually using my Henry .30-.30. I installed a Leupold 2-7x handgun scope on it for the quick eye relief. I sent it in to Leupold and had the standard duplex reticle changed out for $70.00 to the German MK 4 post type reticle. I have mounted it both right side up and upside down and currently use it in the standard "post up" type position. This gun shoots nicely accurate at my normal hunting ranges but the matte bluing and the very nice American Walnut on it keep me from using it much when I know I'm going to be hard on my gear. I switch off between both during throughout the season and also still use a shotgun as we have a no rifle zone in one of my no hunting areas too. A shotgun with a red dot is a great saddle hunting firearm too. You may want to also consider some kind of AR Platform rifle chambered in .350 legend or .450 bushmaster etc. I have the .450 but haven't really gotten it completely dialed in yet. On occasion I also like to go out with an AR platform .223 for deer and yotes.