What is the best caliber for medium to large game for a first timer??

[Gunslinger76]

.308 or 30/06 either one will do the trick for any game up to moose or even a Grizzly, have shot both with .308 had no problem taking them down!

 

[mshootnit]

A 30-06 is kind of like a 12 guage. Its just the American workhorse. You can shoot coyotes with lighter 110 gr bullets or go up to 200 gr. ammo for big game. It can be a little bit of overkill, but a 12 ga isn't needed for doves either.

 

[Ole Humpback]

If you're not too up for dealing with recoil, I'd highly suggest the 257 Roberts. Just as versatile as any of the above mentioned if you handload. If you're hunting big game at range, such as elk, its not got the downrange ump of larger rounds, but inside of 250yds for elk & bear, its as good as they come.

 

[NickoXP]

Sounds like im going with the .308! its got everything i want and the ammo is cheep so ill be able to shoot more. thanks for all the help. and about reloading...at this point i dont reload but i will eventually. but with .308 ammo is so cheep i don't thing is worth the effort to reload...or maybe it is idk. its like $10 for a box of 20. 30-06 is $15-$20. .223 is $7 for 20. that why i was thinking .223 but its not as versatile. after visiting a few gun shops i decided against the marlin 3030 (for now lol) and decided a stevens 200 in .308 will be the best gun to get me started as a "do it all" gun. now to find the best deal...

 

[coolluke01]

I shot a deer with my AR15 in 223 this year. I got him in the spine and he went right down. For my second tag I shot at two more deer but because of a little bit of brush in the way I missed both of them. I switched back to the 270 and never saw anymore deer... I guess they knew I had some more firepower with me now. The 223 will work fine if you have a great shot and take your time. That's rare in the hunting world.

 

[Lateck]

NickoXP;
You won't be let down with the .308

Just find you a rifle that FIT's you and all will be good!


Lateck,

 

[RevGeo]

That .308 is going to be great, man. You mention recoil. Funny thing about recoil. It doesn't really hurt, it's just kind of a jolt. The recoil from a .308 with a well designed stock, like that Stevens of yours, is really nothing to be scared of. In lots of cases I think it's the muzzle blast that really bothers people more than the recoil. Some people complain about recoil when shooting from a bench while sighting in. Just fold up a towel for a shoulder pad and drap it over your shooting shoulder when shooting from the bench. To me recoil is part of the experience of shooting. It really doesn't hurt, especially a .308. Wear hearing protection sometime and you'll swear that your gun kicks less.

I guarantee you that you will never notice the recoil when you shoot a deer or a coyote. Hell, you'll probably not even notice the sound of the gun going off due to the excitement you are going to feel.
It's really going to be fun. Go for it!

George