“deer rifle”

When customizing a firearm, it’s important to have a clear objective—are you trying to improve accuracy or aesthetics, shave weight or all of the above?

The five most telling deer-busting, buck-thumping centerfires today and what they say about you.

I’m just guessing, mind you, but I believe the first American deer rifle was the Model 94 Winchester. To be sure, a lot of deer fell to Model 73s, Marlins, Trapdoor Springfields and flintlocks, but the first sporting deer rifle was the 94. Since that iconic rifle there have been a whole lot more.

It doesn’t matter what you're doing, if you're doing it in the mountains then “weight” will probably have an influence on your success or failure. This includes your deer rifle.

If you’re looking for a compact, quick and scope-sighted (or red dot) coyote/varmint/deer rifle or personal defense rifle, the Henry Long Ranger Express, chambered in .223 Remington, is worth a hard look.

The deer rifle remains the quintessential tool of the American deer hunter. Close your eyes and think about deer hunters and you’ll picture a figure cloaked in camo, with a bright orange hat and a rifle slung over his or her shoulder. Here are five rifles—a few classics, a few destined to be—that will serve their owners well when the time comes to take the venison from the field to the fridge.

Your beloved deer rifle, duck shotgun and the rest of your firearms want to be faithful and true. They are among the few things we will ever own and use that can be passed down through generations. But they can only survive the hours at the range and the trips into the marshes and forests, no matter the weather, if we care for them properly.

New technology is stretching the limits of what turkey loads can do. It’s time to get a sight for your gobbler gun to match. Most of these can perform double-duty on your deer rifle, too.