How's it going folks. I was hoping I could gain some help from some of ya'll. My birthday is coming up in a month or so and I'm going to buy a gun. I have a shotgun but no rifle so I decided that I would choose a rifle. I want to hunt white tail, hog and such animal. This will be the only rifle I have for a while so I need it to be versitile. I'm not an awfully big fella and even though I have shot 30-06 in the past I'm not sure that I would enjoy shooting with it and it is important to me that I'm not battling my gun. I was thinking of a .270 or a .308 but just need some direction on making the decision. My budget is about $500.00. I appreciate any help you can direct me to.

Country

I highly suggest a 270win or 7mm-08. If you dont' like recoil at all, pick the 7mm-08. Not near like a 30-06.

I would suggest a .243 as long as you don't intend to shoot anything larger than deer with it. It should work fine on deer, hogs and anything smaller. It has very little recoil and shoots flat and is accurate in most guns.

.270 is not a bad choice either, but probably recoils simular to a 30-06 depending on the rifle. Some rifles handle recoil well, others don't. I am pretty small and don't have a problem shooting the -06 if it's in the right rifle with a good recoil pad. No worse that shooting my 12 ga slug gun or Inline ML.

If you are worried about recoil though I would look at the .243, 6mm or a 25-06. All should work for what you want and the recoil will be mild. Great rifles for women and kids. If I get a centerfire in the near future it will be a .243.

Paul

The 7mm-08 would be a great choice.It has less recoil than a similar weight 270win but can handle heavier bullets.

The 7mm-08 will do you fine!

I agree with the suggestion of 7mm 08. My wife is small and can't handle my 270 abolt to wellbut has no problems shooting my bro in laws 7mm 08 in the same configuration.

Another vote on the 7mm-08. I have no regrets with mine...

I have nothing but praise for the 7mm-08. Less recoil than the '06, good bullet choices particularly if you wish to reload in the future,and plenty of punch for all you wish to hunt, along with decent accuracy from factory ammo.

I have shot 2 bull elk with my 7mm-08 just to prove a point my favorite is my ruger m77 tang safety. chad

If you are recoil sensitive, stick with the .243 Winchester. Savage makes a good shooting rifle for not too much. 257 Roberts is also decent; if memory serves me right, Ruger has one available. I like the 7 mm mauser, 7mm-08, 270 and the grand ol 30 06, but they are not everyone's cup of tea. However, people buy the .243 and stick with it, because they can hit with it and bring home the game if you use marksmanship. Nuff said.