stalkingbear

Get a 7mm08 as it will do things reasonably well with low recoil and is EXTREMELY accurate.

firstshot

Dittoon the 7mm-08.

I've got a 100 Grn Sierra HP load for coyotes that cloverleaf's at 100 Yds. For bigger game (whitetails, bear, hogs) I shoot 145 Grn Speer SP HotCor's in open areasor 154Grn Hornady Round Nose when hunting the woods.

Given the opportunity to hunt "big" game such as Elk, I wouldn't hesitiateat allusing the 7mm-08 loaded with any of the 150-160 Grn"Premium" bullets such as BarnsTSX, Nosler Partition, etc.

firstshot
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Make your first shot count!

ncpreacherboy1

243 or 25-06 would be an excellent predator gun while also being good for deer and antelope sized game.

CamoCop

x2

seattlesetters

In no particular order:

.243
.25-'06
.260
.7mm-08
.270
.280
.308

If you plan on using the rifle on the light side of things, the first two are awesome.

Pretty tough to beat the others from the .260 on up as all-around rifles.

Hunter App

For the game you mention I would choose the 243 Winchester. If you prefer over kill then you can bump her up as much as you want.

I really think the 243 Winchester would be a great first center fire rifle. And for a first rifle I would encourage one to go with a rimfire, probably a 22 long rifle. A bolt action would be hard to beat in either the center fire or the Rimfire rifle.

As for a choice on what gun I would encourage one to give the cz452 22 rimfire a close look. If you can come across a good used Winchester model 70 in 243 I expectyou would be happy with those.

TUK101

Either a .243 or a .270 would make a great choice. The .270 gives you a bit more power for larger game over the .243 but the .243 is easier to shoot in the long run thanks to its mild recoil. The .270 doesnt hit real hard either, but does hit a bit harder than the .243. For what you are doing though a 30-30 would probably make a real nice first gun for you since it will do everything that you stated as long as your shots are kept to 150 yards and under. Not to mention that they are easier to pack and are very mild to shoot and the ammo is cheap too.

vtgao

30'06 is the only thing you should consider, because all Americans should own one. FMJ for varmints, one of the millions of 30'06 hunting loads availiable for everything else.
You did not state what type of firearm you are considering, 30'06 is usually availiable in most hunting types of firearms.
The 30'06 is often called the "Mother of all cartridges" for good reason. Most of the other carts. mentioned have been derived from the tried and true '06.
Start here and then add to your collection: Remember you can never have to many guns!!! ( no matter what your wife says ).


Regards, gao

uncballers45

cant go wrong with the good 'ole .270!

Baleful Scout

Savage Model 10 .243 Win.with Accutrigger + Nikon Monarch
Later on in life you can upgrade to a .308 via a custom barrel and seal the deal with a full beddded stock.