Good Starter rifle for deer

[cfricker]

Brand new to hunting and looking for a general idea of what kind of rifle I should pick up for deer hunting. I know it all depends on many factors but hoping someone could narrow it down for a decent all around rifle I could grab. Don't want to spend big bucks hoping to land something second hand at a good price.

[rugatika]

I think what you are looking for is a hunting rifle for deer, as opposed to a starter rifle for deer which is of course used for starting deer races.

Welcome to the hunting fold btw.

win model 70, in anything from 25/06, 270, 30/06, 308, 7-08 etc. Strictly deer I would lean to 270win in a win 70 featherweight (new ones...good value)

[WRHT]

.270 .308 or 30.06 with a 3-9x40 scope are all good basic deer guns. Good selection of ammo for decent prices readily available. Remember it is about shot placement and not the size of the gun. Whether it is smaller grain bullet or a 200 grain bullet if a shot is in the heart/ lungs a deer won't go far.

[58thecat]

7-08 can be your one and only one cartridge for deer/elk/moose etc. Rifle? go to a gun shop and shoulder many, see what fits and feels good to you. Scope a mentioned 3-9X40, many good quality optics out there so see what fits your budget. Enjoy!

[north american hunter]

7mm-08 is a great choice.

[tikka250]

Whats your budget? I would say find your budget then save at least 1/4 to1/2 of it for optics then go to the stores and start handling rifles. Most all hunting rifles nowdays are capapble of the accuracy needed to kill a deer so it all comes down to personal preference and fit.

[rugatika]

If you like short fat women, get the 7mm-08. If you like tall leggy women get the 270.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by rugatika

If you like short fat women, get the 7mm-08. If you like tall leggy women get the 270.

So what cartridge would be considered classy, exotic?

[rugatika]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

So what cartridge would be considered classy, exotic?

6.5x284 Norma if you like the swedes, or 257weatherby if you like California girls 270winchester is if you like the midwest farmer's daughter. Hmmmm, this could be a new thread...

[BackPackHunter]

Find one the feels right in your hands
And get it in 270win

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by rugatika

6.5x284 Norma if you like the swedes, or 257weatherby if you like California girls 270winchester is if you like the midwest farmer's daughter. Hmmmm, this could be a new thread...

Don't want to derail this one, start a new thread, you got a good Monday topic started.

[southernman]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

So what cartridge would be considered classy, exotic?

7x57.

[cfricker]

Wow thanks for all the replies guys. So many options haha. I'd really rather only spend a few hundred bucks cause I'm not sure if I'll stick with it but I guess it would be hard to land something that cheap.

[southernman]

There are plenty of nice older rifles about, Winchester model 70, older sakos, Remington 700 and a Husqvarna M98 or 1600, would be my choices,
Have a look at tec trade Canada, I will post a link, a husky, 1600 in 3006 or 6.5x55, they do have a few older sako rifles in 308 or 270. good place for quality used rifles. sum real gems in the form for sale too.
Any cal rifle firing over a 100gr bullet to up to about 180gr will do fine, say .243 up to about 3006, stay away from any magnum cal,
My preference for a starter rifle, would be the middle of the pack, moderate recoil, firing between a 120gr and 165g bullet, 2506, 6.5x55, .270, 708, 308, 7x57, .257 robberts. all fine choices.
good luck.
[/url]http://www.tradeexcanada.com/produits/95

[southernman]

Originally Posted by cfricker

Wow thanks for all the replies guys. So many options haha. I'd really rather only spend a few hundred bucks cause I'm not sure if I'll stick with it but I guess it would be hard to land something that cheap.

I see you just replied, do you know anyone, who may loan you a rifle for a bit,
Another choice if you aren't sure,
Used quality will be easer to sell,

[bigjohncdn]

If you want to go on the cheap an old sporter Enfield in its original .303 has served many hunters well for a century.

[RobF]

6.5x55, can be used for most anything without excessive recoil and has very decent ballistics

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by bigjohncdn

If you want to go on the cheap an old sporter Enfield in its original .303 has served many hunters well for a century.

^^^^this^^^^ will do all you want it to do. Cheap and ammo is readily available.

[Zuludog]

You could also grab a savage Axis for pretty cheap or this
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showt...ghlight=savage
or
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showt...ghlight=savage

or I'd grab this one
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showt...ghlight=savage

just a few options and a quick search on the buy and sell here.
good luck with your search.

[raab]

Originally Posted by cfricker

Wow thanks for all the replies guys. So many options haha. I'd really rather only spend a few hundred bucks cause I'm not sure if I'll stick with it but I guess it would be hard to land something that cheap.

Buy the Savage 111 Hunter XP package in 270 win. Was my first setup and I still use it. Also lots of aftermarket parts if you want to upgrade the gun. They're on sale right now at Cabela's for 399. So with everything else you need like a case, sling, lock, 40 rounds of ammunition, target, taxes, etc... You should be under 600 all in.

[waterhaulerhunter]

At one point I would've said 7-08 and still love the cartridge but ammo can be hard to find latley it seems. I think it's becoming so popular that the shelves are getting picked dry. Tikka t3 in .270 win would be a good choice or 30-06. Even Walmart had ammo for those. Good luck!

[Leeper]

There are a whole bunch of good, yet affardable rifles available. If I was looking for a first-time hunting rifle, I would buy the best quality bolt action I could afford and I would buy it in 308 Winchester caliber. I would then have a rifle for which ammunition was universally available and a rifle which would give me a lifetime of sevice on all sorts of big game.
The cartridge is actually of less importance than is the rifle. As for the rifle, if it fits you well, is easy to carry, easy to shoot, and functions reliably, it is an excellent hunting rifle regardless of the make, model, or caliber. Buy a rifle you like and enjoy using it for as long as you can. Leeper

[Steelhorse Cowboy]

nothing too light as newbies get recoil sensitive and a short action 308/ 7-08 is hard to beat....a 303 sporterized is a cheap way in also....then you can work your way into a Ruger #1 .375 H&H!....stump busting!