Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Opener Rifle?

What rifle/chambering y’all using on opening day of deer season?

I bought a Montana otc doe tag this year. First deer tag since 06. That year I used my M1a.

I will be using a Howa 270.


The kids will use a Howa Mini 6.5 Grendel.

Hahaha! 130 grain Speer Hot Cors over IMR 4350 powder.

I’ll be toting what I always do, Savage 22-250 shooting 60gr Partition. My boy likes the Remington 700 25-06 shooting the 100gr Partition.

Opening day of primitive season Cva Scout .45-70
Opening day of regular season Savage model 11 .308.

Howa Mini 6.5 Grendel.

Had it out yesterday for the Geezer and Kid season. Nothin’ doin’, but plan to carry it until it scores.

If I decide to hunt, it'll be with my usual model 7, 7mm-08. 120 gr. Ballistic Tips over 51 grains of Big Game.

I will drag my 721 in 300 H&H as usual. After that it will be a different rifle each day.

Did you do anything with the mag release? Dang that thing is easy to lose.


I was gonna order the improved bottom "metal" so the kids dont lose the mag.

1. Savage 99F in 300 Savage 180 grn Silvertips
Leupold M8 6x

2. Savage 99EG in 358 Win 200 grain Silvertips,
Leuopold vari x 1.-5

Jim, I am convinced you’re a visionary 🤣. That 6.5 bolt is about perfect for beginners and such. Good job.

That rifle is hard to find and the ammunition is harder.

I'm not going to shoot just anything on opening day, but will pull the trigger on a better buck than the very few I've killed already. I think I'll take my Model Seven in 6mm Remington loaded up with 95-grain Partitions...but may opt for my "lucky rifle," a Model 70 in .30-06 topped with 180-grain Partitions. Maybe I'll pack both and decide which to carry at the last minute. Leaning toward the 6mm.

My dad's 1968 336 in .35 he bought new, then maybe a doe with 223.

1906 swedish mauser

Barrel shortened to 21 inches


129 gr soft point/40 gr 4064

for many years always for son and myself our custom Ruger #1`s Brux barrel chambered in 257 Weatherby mags. and this year we will use 103 gr. Hammer bullets these bullets are accurate at 3700 fps . good luck to all and have a great safe season ! Pete53

Opening day of 2nd rifle elk in Colo. I plan on using an 1895 Winchester std rifle in .30 US Army. Shooting some of my Hornady 220 grain RN loads. If I chance a cow, I doubt I’ll deer hunt. Only exception would be if a sausage doe is needed. Then probably use a 94 Win. In .30WCF

I’d love to drag out the 1895 30-06 or 6.5-300 Bee but I’m saving them for bigger and better..

My Model 70 6.5x55 swede

I will be using the Marlin 1894 lever rifle in .44 Magnum. It's got a good track record. Longest shot would be less than 50 yards.

Featherweight xtr 270 hot cors and h4831