deer rifle for the beginner

[Taurus 617 CCW]

I personally use a 30-06 and chose it mainly because of the availability of loaded ammunition, component availability, caliber versatility, and decent ballistic range. The 30-06 is not for everyone and those that are recoil sensitive may find it uncomfortable. A good recoil pad can good a long way. Short action calibers are usually easier on the shoulder (Super short magnums excluded).

My hunting buddy has used the .243 caliber for over 40 years and he gets his deer every season. He also hunts elk with it and they have not argued when shot. Bullet placement is more important than bullet diameter. I would recommend picking a caliber you can find on most ammo shelves unless you reload.

The calibers with a * next to them are very common on store shelves.

.243 Winchester (short action)*
25-06 Remington (long action)
.270 Winchester (long action)*
7mm Remington Magnum (magnum action)*
.280 Remington (long action)
.308 Winchester (short action)*
30-06 Springfield (long action)*

 

[d vader]

first deer rifle

You might want to look at the marlin xl-7 bolt action rifle,good reviews for an first rifle,recommend 308 winchester caliber ,Regards marc

 

[Mooseman]

cool, I'll be keeping my eye out for a used 30-06 or 308. To answer BPL, I took a hunter safety course ages ago so I'll be retaking it whether or not it's required. I have no idea where I'd go hunting at the moment but I know some folks who won't mind me picking their brains.

 

[jlbpa]

Take a good look at the 30-06. In compact world of today there's something comforting about the roominess of the long action rifles and the long tall shells. Speaking of such, find a box of 100 grain .270 ammo to take a look at one of the cartridges. It almost looks like a piece of art to me.


I don't live there now but I hale from philly vicinity..... Glenside.

 

[Jerry M]

Don't limit yourself to a shotgun for those across-the-field shots. Get a Remington 700 in 7-08 or .308 Win. You will have plenty rifle for PA Whitetails.

Good luck

Jerry

 

[Salty1]

+1 for a 30-30 lever action Marlin, every house should have one, I am willing to bet that rifle has taken more deer than any other.... For $500 you can get one with a good scope....

 

[DIM]

If you decide on shotgun then get something with riffled barrel, I had luck shooting slugs out of my 870 on 100 yards and grouped them in 8" using open sights, there is also option to go with optics, unless you hunting in the corn field I see no reason for you to shoot far then 100 yards in PA, I live right on the border with PA along Chemung river, and all of my hunting usually done in the woods, the longest shot I made in the woods was probably 70 - 80 yards, where I used 270 win from Savage, tell you one thing at such speed 3160 FPS Sierra Game King never had a chance to expand so exit wound was smaller then a quarter, then a thing ran for another 100 yards, I think in the short range like 20 - 80 yards you'll be fine with anything like 12 ga, 20 ga, 410 ga, 223, 243, 270, 30-30, 7,62x39, 308, 45-70 ))