What deer rifle would you recommend?

Look for a used gun. Something like a used Savage would come in cheap. Remington 700's are fine guns but too expensive when compared to other guns that are almost as good.

You can look here for the season dates. There are multiple dates and you'll have to figure out which season you'll be going in. http://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/DeerHunting.aspx

Iowa produces "high speed beef." In other words, the deer bed down in the woods and then come out and eat corn in the fields. There's just so much food around that trying to hunt oak trees or something like that is a waste of time. So what you're looking for is a plot of trees with some kind of drainage stream nearby and some fields. As you get closer to the bluffs on the east side of Iowa you'll find more trees and the bluffs hold a lot of deer.

I believe IA is a shotgun only deer hunting area. I may only be in certain areas of the state. Assuming that you can use a rifle, I would go with a Remington 700 in either .243 Win, .308 Win, or .30-06 Springfield. If you do want a cheaper rifle, the Mossberg ATR-100 is decent for $299 with scope. Just avoid the Remington 770, or 710 if buying used.

Another user said you can't hunt deer with a rifle in Iowa. That's too bad.

What's a good dear rifle? There are many. But when you said "affordable", you see, that's a term that means a lot of different things to a lot of people.

I mean, technically, you could successfully hunt deer with a $200 Mosin Nagant.

A post-1964, 30-30 Winchester Model 94 lever action, in decent used condition can be had for as little as $300 if you look hard enough.

My bud just picked up a Remington 742 autoloader in 30-06, for $400.

But since, according to another user, you can't use rifles anyway, get a shotgun.

Don't get a single-shot shotgun. They are too light. The lightness makes you feel the recoil more, which makes you practice less, which means your chances of getting it right on the "first shot" are pretty much ruined. Single-shot shotguns are for people who are bored and want another shotgun just for the hell of it, cuz it's cheap.

They should never be an option as a first gun, especially for younger people who want to shoot slugs out of them.

For another few bux, you can get a decent Remington 870 or Mossberg 500. These shotguns can be had for $200 if you look hard enough. They don't kick as hard as singles, either.

Nobody in the US of A makes a bad bolt action rifle. Matter of fact, some of the manufacturer's people have looked down upon for making the lower cost affordable models are not getting rave reviews for the guns they making. If you want a really nice bolt gun that will last a lifetime and you plan to keep forever and take good care of - Remington or Winchester is a good investment. However, if you want a rifle you can fall down a few hills, hunt with in the rain or snow, scratch, and not cry about - Ruger, Savage, Marlin, Mossberg - here you the same workmanship but no brand name and save some $$.

Our group of hunters - we all carried stainless Ruger's in 308, 243 or 338 while deer hunting in Alaska by boat. Sitka see's more rain than Seattle and the rifles always get wet and banged up jumping on and off the beach rocks..... not to mention salt water. So....... this new guys wants to hunt with us - and his 'daddy' is gonna get him what ever rifle he wants. We tell him stainless Ruger's in 308 because I had tons of military surplus ammo........ what does he do? He shows up with a nice blue Remington 700 in 30-06..... because 'daddy' talked him into it. First day out - rain - he wont leave the boat because he is afraid his new gun will rust. Then he cant afford the 30-06 ammo. Long story short - the guy spent 2 years stationed with 3 world class hunters that were perfectly happy to let him tag along boat hunting for deer and big bears - but he never went with them - because he was too scared to damage his birthday gun. The lesson here - are you buying a gun to look at in your living room, or, a gun to go outside in the elements and actually hunt with???

you can't deer hunt with rifles in iowa. Bows, muzzle loaders and shotguns. If its shotgun, use a remington 870 or a mossberg. They're inexpensive and reliable. Or if its your first time, a single shot.

Google Iowa deer season on the iowa dnr website.

If your out of state, it will cost lots of money for an Iowa deer license. $500+/-.

Hunting s great anywhere here.

Have you taken a hunter safety class and purchased a hunting license? If not then you can't go hunting. If you have done those things then go buy a Winchester Model 70 in .308. Check with the Iowa DNR for season information.

I believe brandon is correct that Iowa is shotgun only. If that is indeed the case check out mossberg's bolt action 20 gauge. They can be had used for around 300 and are very accurate out to 150 yards. They also won't kick like a 12 gauge.

Season start?... In your state?... No clue.....

Where in Iowa - Sorry - I cant help.....

What rifle?..... If you are in a tight budget but want something decent then surely look at the Savage Axis or the Ruger American......

Remington 700 is a great rifle