John33871

hey thanks yall for all your advice. i live in texas and were my girlfriends family hunts is up towards crocket texas. its a thick wooded area if that makes a big difference. im going to take a run up to the bass pro shop and gander mountain to take a look at what they got. i definitely would take my girlfriend's dad with me to get his opinion on which rifle he thinks is best for me. thanks again.

ipscshooter

John: Do you have any shooting experience? If not, I'd definitely suggest that your first centerfire rifle ought to be relatively mild in the recoil department. I bought my first deer rifle when I was 15. It was a .30-06, and I've been coping with a "flinch" ever since.

There's not a deer in Texas that you can't kill cleanly and efficiently with a .243 Win. Seriously, it's an outstanding deer rifle, particularly for the relatively small-bodied Texas whitetails. I bought one for my son for his 12th birthday, and liked it so much I bought one for myself. Don't get taken in by the crowd that insists you need the latest whiz-bang super magnum or that the .243 is a gopher rifle. If someone tells you that, run... in the opposite direction. They don't know what they're talking about.

thndrchiken

For TX, I'd say the 243, 25-06, 260, 270 or 7mm-08 would be more than enough gun. With my preference being the 25-06.

eldeguello

A good, accurate rifle for the money is the Savage bolt-action. There are many good carthridges, but one of the most versatile, as well as being very accurate, is the .308 Winchester. The 7mm-08 is also good, as is the .260 Remington.

hometheaterman

I bought the rifle used but bought the scope brand new at the same time as I bought the rifle. The rifle didn't have a scope on it so I just bought that and then bought the Leupold brand new from the gun shop at the same time and had them mount it on the gun. I've never bought a used scope and don't know that I plan to ever unless it's a super good deal from a buddy or something.

John33871

thanks for the advice. i have some experience with an older model remington i think it was a 700 or 740 but not 100%, took make over 40 shots with it and did pretty good, but i aint no expert thats for sure. i didnt flinch to bad just said wow, lol. i think right now im really looking at something close to remington 700 model.

ipscshooter

My .243 is a Remington 700 ADL. I really like it... It's easy to shoot, especially for folks like me who have to really focus in order to avoid flinching with rifles like the '06 or 7mm Mag, and it's plenty potent for Texas whitetails. Unfortunately, Remington has stopped making the ADL, I presume to protect the price point of the 710/770. Even if it takes a little more time and saving, wait until you can get a 700. MUCH better rifle than the 770...

Wlfdg

John, Go handle some rifles. Don't get stuck on brands. There are so many to choose from and they are all comparable. At least one will feel comfortable. ipscshooter has a better idea of caliber needs and your girls dad. You have to shoot the rifle! Feel them in your hands.

eldeguello

When looking for a rifle, do not become enamoured of the idea that it has to be NEW. Indeed, there are MANY older rifles, which if in NRA VG or better condition,are equal to or better than any new one. The Savage Model 99 and the Remington 760 are a couple that come to mind. Check out the gun auction sites. You may find a great buy!

In additon, there is no reason to avoid some of the older, "obsolete" cartridges like the 250 Savage, 257 Roberts,300 Savage,257 Roberts and the 7X57mm Mauser.

The latter two are also adequate elk/black bear rounds if the correct bullets are used!

Good luck!

RugerM77.270

I stand corrected. I also reread my post it was a little harsh. Sorry about that I wasn't having the greatest of days.