Off-Topic...Deer rifle recommendation

For beginners I'd recommend something that won't be too much recoil and blast that could cause flinch.

Most lever actions are pretty good out to about two hundred yards. Anything over becomes a little dicey for new shooters. Bolt actions are really prime for wide open spaces and long shots.

I'd go for something like a 7mm-08, .260 remington, .257 roberts, 6.5X55 swede, or even the .243.
They are all flat shooting, hard hitting, and easier on the shoulder than most larger calibers. The .243 would be minimum for mulies.
Don't neglect good glass.
 
I have a couple of rugers and have found them to be quite reliable and accurate, of course, one is a pistol and the other is a 10/22...
 
Copper ammo will tend to run lighter than lead ammo and hence will give you less recoil. I would look for an extremely common caliber to reduce problems in finding ammo. I would go with a .270.
 
Hi All,

Thanks for all this. I just went through hunter ed yesterday (10 hours, passed the test), so now I can buy a rifle and get a hunter's license. Step one down.

So far as what rifle to get, I suspect that the choices are going to be limited by my budget and whether I can borrow a rifle long-term from someone and get my marksmanship up to par. The new rifles people have been suggesting are cool, but they're out of my price range, especially if I have to practice with copper ammo ($1-$2.50 per cartridge. Ouch!).

I'm aiming for the December open season, so I have a few months to practice.

Keep the suggestions coming!

F
 
Fearn?

Nothing wrong with borrowing a rifle to hunt with. Get a .22 long rifle, bolt action, (used is good) and shoot the bejazus out of it. You will be training you...after a bit, the gun is just "equipment."

Have fun, it is a nice ride.



Kis
 
Thanks guys.

Actually, I think I have a source for the .22 rifle. Thanks for the encouragement and the turners listing.

F
 
If you haven't done a lot of hunting, and you need a flat-shooting rifle that can cleanly take mule deer, you only have so many options. I suggest a bolt action in one of the following calibers:

6.5x55mm
.257 Roberts
.260
.270
7x57mm
7mm-08
.308

Any of these rounds should be able to give you good short to medium-long performance with very reasonable recoil in a light rifle.

If you were okay with heavier recoil, .30-06 and 7mm Magnum are GREAT all-around calibers.

John
 
You have some good advice here, were I you, I would go with a bolt action, even though I'm a 30-30 lever man.
Savage makes an economical gun that's usually very accurate out of the box, don't overlook used, lot's of good guns available that have never had two boxes of ammo through them.
I'd go with a 7mm08, 260 Remington, or last, a 243, the 243 will work fine on MOST shots, but shot placement, while always paramount, is just a little more important with the 243.
These will give adequate power,and flat enough trajectory, while not shaking your fillings out, and are readily available at most gun stores including WalMart.
Forget the big magnums, it's lots easier to concentrate on shot placement when your not anticipating a beating. :)

Good Luck!
 
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