Which First Rifle...?

[classic.rocker978]

Well I've shot a long time, using everyone else's guns I'm 20 now and would like to purchase my own rifle. I'm thinking either .308 or .223 as both are easily attainable rounds and could probably still be found in an shtf scenario.

This would be my hunting and target shooter... For hunting im in missouri so shooting 200-300 yards across a bean field is not uncommon but at the same time walking beside the brush a lot of 25-75 yard shot develop.

I'm thinking a stevens rifle, with future upgrades such as the stock, trigger and barrel because I want to learn that kind of stuff. Probably put a fixed 4x scope on it. Maybe an older Leupold M8 fixed 4x

I like the price of .223 ammo but is it capable of a 300 yard shot on a deer in a 10 mph wind? Without excessive travel.

If you guys can recommend a different rifle I'd appreciate it, right now this seems to be my best option. I've got a relatively small budget right now...

 

[Durty]

Don't get a 223 if you want to reliably shoot a midwestern size deer at 300 yards. But the right 308 would work nicely. The 223 just isn't enough. Also check out the 7mm-08. Not as readily available as the 308 but another good deer/target cartridge.

 

[Red Tornado]

The Savage is a good starter, and .308 would be a great all purpose round, as durty said. The .270 is probably as popular as any caliber for deer rifles right now, and that would be a good option, too.
RT

 

[txhoghunter]

I like the price of .223 ammo but is it capable of a 300 yard shot on a deer in a 10 mph wind? Without excessive travel.

Not reliably. I would not recommend it, and the most accurate shooters would be against it. The .308 will hold more energy at that range and buck the wind better. IMHO, the .308 fits the role you are asking better than most rounds commonly available. My only other thought would be .30-06 for a first gun

 

[CowboyTim]

Check out the new Axis series from savage, pretty much the same rifle with a lower price tag. Also for a good flat shooting deer rifle with easy to find/afford ammo it's awful hard to beat the ol' 270 winchester.

 

[Water-Man]

For a Stevens I would recommend a .243 or a .270 deer rifle.

 

[classic.rocker978]

@Cowboytim - I despise the new edge/axis series and would never own one, they are nothing compared to the stevens 200. The stevens can also be readily upgraded.

@water-man why would you recommend these calibers over the .308?

 

[Water-Man]

Well, these calibers are in between the .223 and .308. Both are superior to .223, ammo is usually easy to obtain, have less recoil in .243 and about equal in .270 to the .308 and both are great deer calibers for the ranges mentioned. The .243 is available in a short action Stevens and .270 in long action.

 

[classic.rocker978]

wouldnt the 308 be a bit more accurate/powerful at 300 yards vs the 270?

 

[peyton]

The answer to your last question is both calibers are accurate past 300 yards. I love the .243 for our Texas Whitetail deer, but they do not get past 200 lbs. What you need to do is find a friend with a couple of different caliber rifles and try them first!!

 

[Water-Man]

The .270 and the .308 are about a wash out to 400 yds. in regard to deer. The .308 has an edge with game such as brown bear and moose because it can shoot heavier bullets.

 

[DAdams]

IIRC .223 cannot be used on deer in some states?

.308 or 30/06 would be good general purpose ammunitions on a big whitetail.
My Uncle prefers his 7mm Mag FWIW but that might be "overkill" if that is possible.

 

[classic.rocker978]

Okay now up to 200 yards I prefer to head shot deer. Puts the animal out of its misery faster and you dont have to track it.

Which rifle would you guys recommend most for up to 150 yard headshots on deer. I'm most used to 30-06 BUT want the best gun for the job. Too much recoil obviously isnt an issue. I figured 223/243/270 I believe they are all flatter shooting than a 30-06 and 308 and all have enough penetration to make a clean quick headshot.

I suppose I want the flattest shooting (Less chance of judging distance wrong) caliber than will buck the wind most efficiently. Deer is the biggest game this rifle will ever see.

Hopefully the above details will help to narrow down my cartridge suggestions.

 

[Red Tornado]

Everything shoots flat at 150 yards. Maybe a little hold over for a .22 or 45-70, but anything you mentioned shouldn't be an issue.
RT

 

[classic.rocker978]

Okay now factor in I will routinely be doing 500-600 yard target shots... Thats why I was worried about flat shots and bucking the wind.

(Oh btw I am appreciating everyones help here)

 

[LKB3rd]

.223 can be done at those distances with the heavier bullets in the 69-75 grain range. It is marginal for deer though, and some states don't allow it.

 

[txhoghunter]

500-600 would be a .308 in my book. Even a .223 with a "heavy" bullet would encounter quite a bit of wind drift at those distances.

 

[speaksoftly]

Sounds like you need a .308. What's your budget though?

 

[txhoghunter]

Classic since this is your first rifle I have one other question. Have you killed a deer before with a friend's gun, or will this rifle accompany you on your first deer hunt?

 

[Water-Man]

I'm beginning to wonder if the OP is old enough to get a hunting license.

 

[classic.rocker978]

I mentioned I was 20 lol... This gun will not be accompanying me on my first hunt, I've been hunting ever since I was about 13. I would like to keep the gun + scope around $750

 

[sappyg]

5-600 yards... first rife? it happens.

minimum l'm thinking 333 OKH or a 338 win mag.

 

[txhoghunter]

Ok, I was asking just because of your mention of aiming for the head. If it was your first hunt I was going to recommend against it, but since you have some experience under your belt you know what you are capable of. But I'm still going to stick with pushing for a .308 Win.

 

[unwise11]

Get a .223 if you think you want to have a range toy, a .308 if you KNOW you're going to hunt..
I got a .308 to hunt and range with, but it's gone hunting once, range a TON, and honestly I should've gotten the .223 but I shot out to 300 yards in light wind with little drift, and now I load for the .308 so I'm not mad about it anymore, infact I like the fact I load .308 for what I want to do, lighter loads for range, I can step up to max loads for hunting, mid loads for stockpiling.
But get a boltgun if you plan on shooting for enjoyment, those bugholes are so rewarding

 

[classic.rocker978]

This will be the first rifle I own.. I've got 22's and shotguns etc but I've always borrowed rifles from either family or friends. I think I'm just going to go for the .308 its big enough to hunt anything I want to yet accurate enough to shoot 600 yards at a target. If it was good enough for military snipers I'm sure I could get by.