What is a good rifle for a beginner?

Question

I have been deer hunting before but it's been 10 years. I am 25 and wanting to know what would be a good rifle to start with? I don't want something that "little kid would use" but something grown up bet yet beginner friendly. I was told 243, 270, etc Could someone help?

Answer 1

Any of the following would suit your need:

Remington 700
Browning A-Bolt
Ruger M77
Weatherby Vanguard
Marlin 336

Any of the following calibers:

.243
.270
.30-.06
.308
.30-.30


Any of these would suit your needs perfectly. There are also many other models that I'm sure other posters will add. This is just a basic list.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

I got my first big game rifle this year - savage 30-06. It has some kick, but it doesn't mean a beginner can't use it. I love it. I got it for moose as well as deer, otherwise I might have chose a .243 or .270.

I still really want a 30-30 lever action, but it's for shorter range applications, good for dense brush.

Get the gun that will get the job done in the situation you plan on using it on. Doesn't matter that you're a beginner, like you said it's not like you're a kid.

Answer 3

243 is too light for starting out. You have to be picky with your shots and "buck fever" may get the better of you. When my kids and other family members got to that stage, I thought hard (I'm one of those gun nuts with ten or twelve deer-class rifles), and I bought them 7mm08's. I put Leupold VariX II scopes in 2-7x on top of Remington 700 Mountain, Remington 7, and Sako 75 rifles for the family, and that's a good range of rifle choices depending on how much you're going to be in the thick stuff vs. more open areas. Remington's BDL and CDL series are also good, as is Ruger's 77, and of course if you can find a Winchester 70 on the market for a reasonable price, we all wish they were still made.

Answer 4

As a Gunsmith,Dealer and avid Hunter myself, I get people in my shops most every day with this same question. The answer lies in where you intend to hunt, what you intend to hunt and what is your budget ? Hard to answer but there are some simple guidelines to get you started.

The 30-30 caliber Lever actions have killed more Deer than any other caliber in U.S. History. Fact. Marlin makes a fine group of moderately priced rifles that focus on this caliber, and ALL will do the "job" in most any terrain..But..This might not be a gun you would even be interested in...

The Remington 700 and Savage 110 series Bolt Action rifles in 243 caliber, 270 caliber 25-06 caliber 308 caliber and 30-06 caliber ALL would make fine Deer Hunting Rifles ..You owe it to yourself to actually go physically to a local store or Distributor like Bass Pro Shops, Cabelas,***** Sporting Goods or Sports Authority and actually see these guns and handle them yourself, before you make a decision. I would also suggest you avoid Walmart or K-mart unless you want an economy rifle. They are cheap there but the selection is very limited at best. Whatever you decide ask questions and do your homework to get educated on just whats available and what individual rifle suits YOU, YOUR needs and likes, and will perform as YOU need it to......

Answer 5

I started off with an old military rifle because I didn't know if I wanted to get into big game hunting that heavy. My first was an old British 303 sporterized. Then I went to a Mauser 7x57mm which I still have. I have since went completely into big game hunting and have lots of different calibers but I find myself going back to that little Mdl 95 Mauser in 7 x 57mm caliber. It is a good rifle and very accurate and I have lots of confidence in it. I have worn the finish off it a couple of times but it still holds it's zero and still brings home the meat. Start slow and see if you want to invest in more after a couple of hunts under your belt. If I had it to do again I would have started with a .308 Win. bolt action and never asked for anything any better.
Sarge

Answer 6

Get a 7mm. Has a lot of boom for its buck. It was my first gun and I still love it. Get a BB gun if you want it to "friendly" try something around a .270 an up. You will grow out of the smaller calibers to fast and then you will have to buy a new gun. The bigger calibers will shoot the same as the smaller ones. It the shooter that makes the difference (and a small amount of recoil !)

Answer 7

A .243 or .270 would be a good choice. Some people also like the .30-30 as a starter gun. All are good choices but ultimately it is up to you and I recommend that you go to your local gun shop and take a look at each one. See what is most appropriate for you (size, weight, ease of use, cost of ammo). Good luck and happy hunting!

Answer 8

I would go with the 30-30-because of low recoil and ammo availibililty. Or the 7.62x39-AK bullet-30-06-An American tradition fot over one hundred years. How about a shotgun? I have an H&R Ultra Slug Hunter witha pretty good scope. Bought it new for 250.00 for scope and all. It is single shot, has a weight in the stock to reduce recoil, has a fully rifled bull barrell, and will drive tacks at 200 yards. Oh, and thats just a 20 gauge.

Answer 9

Ever consider a 45-70? Mild recoil--more of a shove than a sharp jolt--not an ear-ringing crack for a muzzle blast. That's for the original 405 gr/1300 f/s load that I've shot. Goes right through anything, plenty of frontal area, trajectory flat enough for hunting in the woods.

Also, lots of people like a .35 Remington--more frontal area and bullet mass, if you subscribe to the slow-moving, heavy-slug school of thought.

I've had several 7x57 Mausers and IMHO it's a beautifully-balanced cartridge.

BTW, I'm not a (successful) hunter--I'm quoting people lots of people who area, though.

Answer 10

The best choice for your purpose is the 30-06 because it has a larger variety of bullet weights to choose from.* When you have a 30-06 you don't need any other Rifle.* I prefer the Remington or Savage Brands.*