What is the best "first" rifle to start of with for deer hunting?

Answer 1

A Marlin 336 would be a good pick, in .30-30. It's a soft recoiling cartridge that's more than capable of taking down a deer. It has similar ballistics to the 7.62x39, and with hunting loads shouldn't have trouble taking deer with a clean 1-shot kill. It seems to be a common favorite as a good intermediate cartridge.

If you're looking for something bigger, or to use as a brush gun, a 1895 GS would be good, as well. The 1895GS is chambered in .45-70, a classic straight-walled round capable of taking any game in North America. Lighter loads will make this rifle's recoil very manageable, and still knock a deer on it's hind parts, speaking figuratively, before it notices it's been shot. This is definitely the ticket for closer shots, but might lose accuracy and suffer drop with longer shots.

For a bolt action, I'd suggest a Savage 112 in .30-06. The .30-06 is another round that's been around for a long time, and proven it's worth. It's easy to find, and a very good cartridge for taking game quick and ethically. Given that this was the chambering for the Springfield 1903, it should be able to reach as far as you're able to make it reach, while still keeping a flat trajectory. The Savage is a very modular rifle, you could take this same action and change it over to fire almost any other caliber with only a bolt face and a barrel. The Accu-Trigger on the newer Savages is pretty amazing, you'll have to go give it a try.

If you're required to use shotguns, Mossberg makes a nice slug package on their 500 with a rifled, ported barrel. I prefer the Mossberg over anything Remington makes for several reasons. First off, the Mossberg has dual extractors and ejects much more reliably than the Remington. The Mossberg also keeps the shell elevator up, whereas Remingtons have a tendency to 'bite' your thumb while loading, which can be pretty painful if your hands are cold or if you're in a rush to shove shells in.

Answer 2

Anything from the 6mm to 7mm category.

A 243 Win is a great first deer rifle. So is a 250 Savage, 7mm-08 is another. 260 rem wound be a good one to. It just depends on how far you are taking shots at. where you live your state hunting regulation. Do you want this rifle to do double duty as say a varmint gun and a deer rifle or are you looking to hunt deer only. Maybe a 25-06 or 270win though the 270 would be the max I would send a first timer to the hunt with. All of these requirments will change with each shooter. I was shooting 30-06 and larger cartridges before I was 12 years old. I was shooting full house 357mag when I was 9 years old. I think I shot my first 45-70 (Springfield Trapdoor) when I was 10 or 11 years old. But if you have a small framed 16 year old that has never shot anything other than an airsoft or Paint ball gun I would not set them down at the range with a 45-70 trapdoor.

You need a rifle that you can shoot from the bench to sight in without the use of them damn lead sled devices and you need one that will let you practice a lot. a 243 fills both requirements and so do other chamberings. You should practice a lot with this rife at the bench, then standing supported and unsupported, kneeling supported, sitting supported, and prone supported.

Never forget the original high velocity cartridge the 30-30.

I would not throw a 30-06 into someones hands first thing. To much recoil and cause a bad flinch that could take years to over come.

Answer 3

depends on where your hunting and how far you will normally be shooting.
If your looking at 150 yds and less a 30-30 is great.
Over 150yds. I would move up to a .270 or 30-06. Both of these calibers work great. You will get people here telling you that you need a .300magnum and so forth, thats a load of crap. All you get from them is a still dead deer and a shoulder that hurts like you been kicked by a mule.
The whole idea with the hunting is to pick a spot that would put you close to the path the deer travel.
Whatever you buy, practice with it. Good shot placement can makeup for not having enough gun.

Answer 4

I am assuming you are young. I would go ahead and get the best quality gun in your price range. As far as the caliber, do not shy away from the most popular big game cartridges due to recoil. Remington manufactures "Managed Recoil" ammunition for the .270, .30-06, 7mm Mag, 300 Win Mag. My recommendation is the .30-06. I have shot the managed recoil ammo and it has VERY little recoil but adequate for deer to 200+ yards. Ammunition is easily found in the most broad range of weights of the calibers mentioned. It can be purchased with 65 to 220 grain bullets, allowing you to hunt varmints up to moose/bear). The .30-06 is the most popular deer cartridge of all time. Whatever you do, don't buy something that you will outgrow in a few years. Good Luck!

Answer 5

That depends a lot on the personality of the hunter and where he hunts. There are a few things that are better avoided, like miniatures (243 needs perfect shot placement and proper bullet set-up) and magnums (no need, and they're less pleasant). A rifle that fits well is more important than is generally appreciated. Children need something light enough to carry with comfort but not so light that felt recoil is excessive.
I have twelve or fifteen chamberings I use for deer, and of the bunch, I'd recommend 7mm08 as a pleasant shooter that'll do anything the larger cartridges will do in any sensible situation. Put it in a Remington 700 (or perhaps the little model 7), top it with a Leupold VariX II 2-7x or 3-9x scope, and you'll have something that'll serve well an entire lifetime.

Answer 6

It depends alot on the distance you may have shot or how dense the area you hunt is. If you think you may be shooting pretty good distance I would recommend a .243 or a .270 they shoot fast and flat with surprisingly light recoil. They are economical to shoot an adequate for deer size game out to 400 yds depending on shot placement of course. If you hunt in a dense area I would get the tried and true 30-30 they work well out to 100 yds and have brush busting ability with good knock down power within the usable range. What ever you buy practice with it alot before hitting the woods so that you are comfortable with the weapon.

Answer 7

You'll get ten different answers to your question ranging from the old 'thurty-thurty' to the 7mm Remington Mag. I find that the .25-06 Remington is a stellar deer caliber and I am a Texas hunter myself. This is the one I consider the best deer rifle. The best first deer rifle for you could be anything from the minimum deer caliber, the .243 Winchester, to the tried-n-true .30-06 Springfield.

Best.

H

Answer 8

if you want a gun that will do the job out to 200 yards. i would recommend either a marlin in 30-30 or 45-70. i have been using both for 20 years and have taking many deer with them. til recently they were only considered a brush gun but now with recent bullets out on the market made especially for these calibers they are good out to 200 yard. if you are shooting out past 200 yards and don't mind recoil go with a 7mm mag or 300 win mag. if recoil is a concern then a 25-06 or a .243 all are reliable deer killers.

Answer 9

I personally used a 30-30 Winchester lever action. Now I use that for heavy brush or if I am hunting in a open Field with more that 100 yards I use my 280. I wouldn't use more that a 30-06 its over kill. 45-70 way over kill ruins to much meat!!!

Answer 10

First of all ...how old are you? Is this your 1st gun ever? There are alot of youth models out there in fact I just bought the NEF .243 handy rifle for my 10 yr old daughter...she loves it. If your a little older and have any long gun knowledge there is no right or wrong answer...there are alot of things that factor in. Some are addressed in the above answers..such as territory, if they fit you(remember to sholder the rifle with your coat on). My first was a ruger m77 mkII in the .270 light weight, stainless, and I still use it today for white tail. Good luck.