In the United States, there are more than 36 million registered hunters.

Hunting is a popular past-time for both recreation and sustenance. Since the founding of our country, people have hunted animals of all kinds.

What and where you decide to hunt is important. It will determine what you need to use to be successful. Do you need a shotgun or a deer hunting rifle?

If you plan on just hunting birds, you won’t need a deer hunting rifle. If you go for deer or larger game, both can be viable options.

The one you choose for yourself will depend on a lot of different factors. What is the environment like where you are hunting? How large are the deer or other animals you are hunting? How far will your average shot be to reach the animal you want to bring down?

In this article, we’ll answer all of these questions and more.

Deer Hunting Rifles

Let’s first take a look at the difference between rifles and shotguns.

A rifle is a weapon that fires a single projectile at high speed. The bullet fired from a rifle has a high degree of penetration. Rifles are accurate out to long ranges.

A typical deer hunting rifle will be chambered for a .243 cartridge or higher.

This means they possess the range and stopping power to bring down a deer. These weapons are humane to use. A well-placed shot with a deer rifle will kill a deer without undue stress to the animal.

Deer hunting rifles are typically bolt-action rifles. This means that each time the weapon is fired the bolt must be manually operated. This rechambers the weapon and allows it to fire again.

Some deer hunting rifles can be semi-automatic.

These types of weapons can offer you additional rounds to fire quickly. Since the first shot of a rifle is the most important, many favor bolt action rifles for their long-range accuracy and larger average cartridge size. Your preferences in this area should be a determining factor.

A good general rule of thumb is that bolt action rifles fire larger bullets. They are also more accurate over long ranges. This can be unnecessary depending on where you hunt but it is something to consider.

Shotguns

Shotguns are the most versatile of weapons.

They can fire multiple small projectiles in the form of bird or buckshot. They are also capable of firing single, large projectiles in the case of slugs. The size and performance of these rounds can be highly variable.

Shotguns are not normally used for any kind of long-range shooting. This is especially true when firing bird or buckshot. The ballistic characteristics of a shotgun mean that these rounds spread out wide during flight.

You can control this spread of the pellets by modifying your shotgun. This will take extra time and money to make it work as intended and be effective. These modifications are also used to shoot certain types of birds.

A shotgun can be a great investment for a beginning hunter who doesn’t know what they want to hunt. If you are unsure as to what you will be hunting a shotgun might be right for you. They are also used in a variety of recreational shooting activities.

Why Hunt Deer?

Deer hunting is an activity that you do not have to enjoy alone. Taking and teaching your children how to deer hunt can be a rewarding experience. Learning how to shoot and operate a deer hunting rifle is something that a child will remember their entire life.

Deer season is always in the late fall and winter months. This allows you to get out and enjoy the outdoors at a time when most don’t. Some of the most beautiful scenes of nature and wildlife you will witness are while deer hunting.

There are a lot of reasons to hunt deer.

One of the biggest and more natural reasons is for meat. Called venison, deer meat is higher in protein and lower in fat than other types of red meat.

Venison is an incredibly versatile meat. It can be cut into steaks, ground into hamburger or turned into jerky. You can use it to grill, fry or make stews.

Deer are not expensive to hunt. This means you can provide your family with a large amount of food without spending an arm and a leg. Cheaper and healthier than beef, venison is an excellent option for any family.

Trophy hunting deer is also a popular past time.

Collecting antlers is a popular sport that many people partake in. Multiple states have record books on the size of deer taken. Breaking records is always a rewarding experience that keeps hunters always looking for the biggest buck.

What Is the Best Gun for Deer Hunting?

While a shotgun can be a very effective tool for hunting, it is not the best for deer.

With the limited accurate range of a shotgun, you are going to need the deer to come close. In many areas, ranges of over a hundred yards are common to get a deer.

Most dedicated deer hunters use bolt action rifles. This comes down to the ease of use and the reliability of accuracy. Knowing that you can hit a target 300 yards away can be a powerful feeling when out hunting.

You open up a lot more of the wilderness to hunting by using a bolt action rifle. You don’t need to buy a lot of expensive ammunition either. A bolt action deer hunting rifle will almost always take the game down in a single shot.

What Is Right for You?

The absolute best weapon type for deer hunting is the bolt action rifle.

That doesn’t mean that there are no advantages to getting a shotgun. If you have never been hunting before and don’t have a lot of experience firing rifles, you might consider a shotgun.

Shotguns are easy to use and great for beginners.

They hold more rounds than a bolt action rifle and can be even more devastating at close range. If you live in areas with thick forests and hills, then you may not need anything but a shotgun.

Ammunition for shotguns is also cheaper than most bolt action rounds. If you are going to be spending a lot of time shooting and only want to purchase a single weapon, make it a shotgun. You will have endless fun with it and can still go deer hunting.

Shotguns can be used to take almost any type of game. While they are inappropriate for the largest animals in North America, they are more than a match for any deer or bird.

Most areas in the United States feature conditions that are perfect for bolt action rifles.

The bolt action rifle has been the most popular deer hunting rifle since it was first invented over a hundred years ago. They come in a variety of calibers and styles and can mount almost any scope or attachment using a rail system like those made by Fortis MFG.

What Kind of Deer Hunting Rifle Is Best for You?

When selecting your deer hunting rifle, it is important to get what you need. The longer the range and the larger the game the bigger caliber you will need. If you have decided to purchase a bolt action deer hunting rifle here is a short guide to their calibers.

For the most part, they will come in two basic calibers: twenty caliber rifles and thirty caliber rifles. There are a lot of different types of .20 and .30 caliber rounds out there. The larger and more powerful the round, the higher the grain weight of the bullet.

The single biggest determining factor for you can come down to several things. The larger the round the more expensive it will be. Some regulations require rounds to be of a certain size when deer hunting. In most states that is at least .243 or larger.

Get Out and Hunt

The most important thing about choosing your weapon is going hunting. Hunting offers a wealth of experiences for young and old to enjoy. In the later part of the last decade, hunting numbers have been going down.

Many people don’t just hunt for fun or meat. We live in a world where we have altered the natural ecology of many regions. Without hunters, there are no predators to keep the population of prey species in check.

Uncontrolled numbers of prey species can be devastating.

They can cause amazing economic damage. Deer eating or destroying crops is something that every farmer has to deal with. They can also spread disease to livestock animals.

When you purchase your deer hunting rifle, remember that you are joining a long and proud tradition. This country was founded on people hunting their own game. It is an exercise in self-sufficiency that harkens back to an earlier time.

Learning to love the wilderness and the animals that live in it requires experience. Grab your deer hunting rifle, slap on a scope, and get out there. Become a part of the history and the joy of the outdoors in the United States.

Take your children out with you and make it an experience for your entire family. We invite you to read other articles on our site about the latest news and American culture.