Beginers deer rifle

One that shoots when the trigger is pulled, and hits where the sights are pointed. Deer get killed every year with bows and arrows, any reasonable centerfire rifle is so much more than adequate that it's almost silly.

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Probly a bolt 260 would work well. You could do a ruger Hawkeye with a weaver 3X9.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=316930079

Under 45 yards!? Why on earth would you need any round moving the speed of a .243 for shots under 45 yards? You can throw a spear at the prey from that distance!

Get a nice lever action in .357 or .44 mag. Maybe an older Marlin. I think they make a youth model with a shorter stock.

This one looks sweet for a beginner
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=316962490

under 45 yards...hmm i guess i would have to say marlin 35 rem! Or maybe an ar in 6.8, 6.5 grendel, 300 blk, 7.62x39 oh wait any centerfire round should work for under 45 yards. Heck even a 9mm would probably do the trick even though its not really ethical! I would go with a marlin 35 rem or mossberg 30-30. Maybe a handi rifle in 25-06 or 45/70 for the fun of it. Ever consider a good hawken?

Old Marlin in 30-30 our 35rem. Not the most tactical but they sure handle business. I like Marlin (older ones)

All the calibers you list are fine, for later, but a beginner probably ought to keep it simple.

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why not a marlin 30-30

At that distance? Open sight Marlin .30-30 is all you need. Ammo is relatively cheap and there are plenty of Marlins to choose from. Just get one made prior to the Remington takeover.

.30 30 or the 7.62 x 39. Lot s of commercial loading s nowadays to choose from.

30-30 is an AWESOME caliber for 45 yds.... or 100. Great deer gun.

I would recommend a rifle that shoots better than he can...it is easy to get bored with a 30-30.

For a beginner shop the gun more than the caliber. All the calibers you mention are supremely capable at 50yds even the 243.

I am not a fan of lever actions for beginners. I was started on one and in retrospective they're not a heat beginning gun for several reasons.

IMO the absolute best beginner deer rifle is the break action single shot. They're light, short, simple to load, simple to make safe and have a passive safety system that only requires the discipline to not cock the hammer till they're about to shoot.

The problem with having just a 30-30 is what happens when the kid gets more proficient and gets to go hunting somewhere where he may shoot 200yds+ ? I'm a fan of getting someone to get a gun that can hunt many types of terrain because as the old saying goes a 400 yd rifle works a lot better at 50 yards than a 150 yard gun does at 300




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25-06 or 7mm-08 are my recogmendations

I'd recommend an SKS. It is more than capable for hunting, especially at those ranges. And if you want to get fancy get a Yugo with the grenade launcher, turn the gas valve off, and you've got a bolt action SKS.

^Of those 2, I would take the 7mm-08, due to the shorter action.

Of the ones on your list, I'd opt for the 7mm-08 or the parent, .308. They won't beat a new shooter too badly, especially the 7mm-08 and they can be had relativiely inexpensively in short action rifles. My favorite chambering in .30 caliber bolt rifles is the .308. Nothing east of the Mississippi you can't hunt with it. When he gets more competent, he can move up to heavier loads or you can introduce him to handloading. If he's young or of smaller stature, there are youth models available from several manufacturers.

For the ranges you state, the .30-30 is entirely adequate, but i kinda understand your desire to get him something with a bit more flair. I understand the attraction of handgun caliber lever guns and carbines, but the practicality prevents me from owning one. Why carry a rifle with only handgun balistics? The aforementioned .30-30 packs far more "whallop" than even a .44 Magnum.

What about the .243 makes one feel like they do not have enough gun for deer at 45 yards? 100 Gr well constructed bullet at 3000fps packs quite a wallop! No kick for beginner and great ballistics out to 200 yards. Should he travel to an area where a 150 yard shot may be the norm, I would feel confident that the .243 could do the job nicely.

Mike!

What about a nice 6.5X55mm Swede. Classic calibre, moderate recoil, can shoot far if required, can be loaded with a good variety of bullets but at 50m would take a 140 or 160 gr.

With the heavier bullet you will greatly limit meat damage, will have less issues with bullet deflection in brush and the 6.5mm punches well above its weight so you can take moderate sized game.

The .243 is great and popular calibre and there is nothing wrong with it, I looked at one but when the 6.5mm was suggested and I did my research it was a no brainer for me, especially since I reload. Factory ammo is fine though.

Not a believer in reducing loads in powerful rifles, but a rifle that will shoot the load for the job at hand. Obviously this excludes downloading for a youngster or a lady who will grow into the calibre.

Good luck

Get the 243 and don't look back. This should remove any doubt about a 243's abilities

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY0w1c-gf18

Absolutely nothing wrong with the 243 or the 30-30.

Some possible Calibers I'm proposing.
.460 S&W (Start with 45LC and work up to 454 and then 460 as time progresses)
.445 Super Mag (Same thing, but seems much more rare.)
.357 Max (Same as above)

Click to expand...

Why would you recommend handgun cartridges for a deer rifle ? Not to mention that you won't find 445 Super Mag or 357 Max as normal Gun store stockage. Or rifles in those calibers other than the single shot break open guns.

I vote .270 Good all around rifle he can grow into. As you said low recoil rounds to start. You can get larger bullets if your gonna hunt a bit bigger game.You can pick one up without breaking the bank. And when the trees part way and he has to shoot 200+ it's more than adequate.

You might consider a Marlin 336 in 35 cal. From what you said it would fit .

I started my Grandson a few years back with an older Marlin .30-30 topped with a 4X glass and he did quite well with it.
He later graduated to a Model 70 in .30-'06.
This year he will carry a Savage Edge '06.