So i went hunting last year for the first time and im hooked. I am going again this year but i need to buy a rifle.

Someone let me borrow a 30-30 and honestly it sucked, it has little power. I am wanting to stay below 400 and preferably something with a scope.

Any specific recommendations?

 

Price limit?

 

I love my .30-06, depends on what grain round I use but normally drops em in their tracks.

 

Dear?

 

Wive hunters. Yep. I'd go with a .30-06

 

x2 for the 30 -06 I use it and its one of the most widely used caliper for deer rifles. I shoot 150 grain remington core lokt out of it. If need be I kick it up to 180 grain rounds. The gun I have is a Mossberg ATR .30-06 It came with a scope and was $299 from Academy. I read alot of reviews, everyone was impressed with it. I thought it was a cheap gun but I am very pleased with it. I shot 2 deer with it last season. At 100 yards it will group a 3 shot group at 1/2". I dont care for the remington 770. It has a plastic trigger and is a cheaper built gun. My 2 cents, Josh

 

7mm Rem Mag is my caliber. It's pretty much a .270 mag
i like 30-06 too.

Check out weatherby vangaurd(no scope but extremely accurate), rem 770, mossberg ATR. In that order.

 

I would recommend a Remington Model 700 in 7mag or .25-06. These will cover most any game in Texas. If you go with the 7mag, I would use a light bullet for deer sized game. Both are very flat shooting and with the light bullet, it's easier on the shoulder. I've always had great luck with the Remington M700. They shoot great right out of the box and are not usually sensitive to the type or brand of bullets you shoot through them.

G/L

 

I have been shooting a remington 243 with a leupold scope since i was in jr. high and it has yet to fail me. Occasionally I shoot a 7 mag with a muzzle break, but it is too loud.

 

I do agree with cptncdy. I personally prefer the .243 for deer sized game, but shot placement is critical. I suggested the other options for a all in one multi-purpose rifle.

The .243 is actually fun to shoot.

 

**** ya'll.

 

The Remington 7mm like James said is a great gun. Even my grandma can shoot it, but it has enough power to knock down most Texas game.

 

btw.. pm me if looking for a remington 770 .243

 

My first deer rifle was a .243, it got the job done for the little hill country deer.

 

Your car is too slow sorry

 

l o l

 

.243 is a good gun. My wifes grandfather has shot many of deer with one. The only down sides to it are that it requires a good shot placement and doesnt have a long long range like the 7 mag or 30 06. If you want a gun for short hunting a 243 is good, a 30 06 or 7 mag is a very versatile gun you can hunt short wooded areas, or hunt open ranges.

 

i use a Remington 710 .270 w/scope, bought new for $375. i've dropped 4 deer with it since i bought it and i haven't missed yet. sighted @ 100yds. feeder is about a 125 from the stand and i have dropped deer that have been 10-25yds behind it without any issues.

OP, you need to consider what it is you're hunting. a 30-06 will drop most if not all good size bucks with a well placed shot. however, some hunter's out there don't understand that if you oversize the rifle to the game being hunted, you can do more damage and lose more meat by going with a 'donkey-dick' sized rifle to drop a 90lb doe vs dropping a 200lb buck.

maybe, i hunt differently than most, but i either use a Remington .222 or my .270. i only shoot and process what i know i will eat and give to friends and family members. i derive more pleasure of dropping game with a smaller caliber, since it trains you to be a better shot and provides more of a challenge. i mean anyone with a big enough caliber rifle can drop anything with little to no effort.

OP, best to you and your future hunting endeavers.

 

Here is my current line up.

Remington Model 700 bdl .270 with Leupold VX-3 4.5-14x40mm
Ruger M-77 25-06 with Leupold VX-3 4.5-14x50mm
Remington Model 700 7 mag with Leupold VX-3 4.5-14x50mm

 

I better get that invite this season!!!