RE: Cartridge selection...need help
 

I'd suggest a 243 for the simple reason you have never fired a high power rifle. No reason to start too big and develop a flinch. You will also want to look at getting a scope with a decent amount of eye relief so you don't get the famous "shooters eye."

I've shot quite a few deer past the 300 yard mark with my 243s, and my SD deer are about twice the size of a big Texas deer ;)

RE: Cartridge selection...need help
 

Mignolafan
I haven't read every response, but from what I have scanned, 243, 270, 25-06, 308, 30-06, and 7mm-08 have been suggested as calibers. I am in Texas too and have killed deer with every caliber in the list except 7mm-08, and my uncle and cousins have been using it and killing deer for years. I would recommend every caliber already suggested except 243. There is nothing wrong with it, but I just believe that the others listed are better choices. If I were picking a new gun for one of my kids to start out with, I would go with either 308 or 7mm-08.

As far as which rifle, I am not a Savage fan, but from what I have heard, they are probably the most accurate out of the box production rifle on the market. I don't think you will go wrong with one.

If you will let the board know where you are located in Texas, there might be someone on here that lives close to you and can offer some personal help to you.

RE: Cartridge selection...need help
 

Thanks guys,

Lot's of good information, definitely lots of good opinions. I live in East Texas. I have been looking though last Fall's Cabellas catalog at the .25-06 ammo selection (most of it is .85-115 grain and one company even makes a 120 grain. bullet.) Also noted that as caliber went up so did the grain weights. Somebody mentioned getting a scope w/ god eye relief. I've heard of it, can you give me some suggestions. What power of scope would you recommend for these types of hunting situations?

Thanks

RE: Cartridge selection...need help
 

3-9x40 is what I prefer. I've got a Nikon Buckmaster in that size, and I can't say enough good things about it.

Edit: Some places still have the Nikon Monarch UCC's on sale. For the prices they are going for, there is no way I would get anything else.

RE: Cartridge selection...need help
 

"East Texas" is larger than alot of states. I am also in "East Texas", and if you will PM me what town you are in, I would be willing to help you get started.

As far as scopes, I am in agreement that 3-9x40 is a good "all around" magnification, but in my opinion, the best scope "for the money" is a Zeiss Conquest. There have been a couple on Accurate Reloading for $349.

RE: Cartridge selection...need help
 

Well, after reading all the replies up till now, I have to agree that the 25-06 is a great cal. for what you wish to hunt, but I just simply have to recommend the 7mm-08. Recoil similar to the .243, and a great selection of bullet weights if you wish to reload. I have killed deer with just about any cal. you have seen metioned on here, and they all died dead quick. However, the 7-08 I currently use I feel will be my "go-to" deer gun from now on. It just gets the job done with less recoil, weight and load development. It aloso shoots most factory ammo at a reasonably acceptable degree for deer-sized game. I carried and shot a7 Mag for years. No more. Good luck with your choice...

RE: Cartridge selection...need help
 

How much would you be willing to spend on a scope? Then I'll reccomend a good one with a good amount of eye relief.

RE: Cartridge selection...need help
 

If you look around a little bit, I think you could probably find a good used Leupold VXII 3x9 for $200 or a little less. Good eye relief, and I believe they will honor their warranty to all owners of the scope. Very tough, and tough to beat.

RE: Cartridge selection...need help
 

x2

Great scopes!

RE: Cartridge selection...need help
 

What you want is a .2506. With the game yopu mention it will be perfect. If some day you move up to heavier game like Elk then you would be better off with more gun so get a suitable Elk rifle then like a 7mm or 300 mag class.

My .25-06 is a Tikka T3 stainless/synthetic and it has a 3.5x10 Leupold Varixlll. A 3x9 will suit it also for less money.