A 30-30 or a Savage 110 are both fine choices especially for a beginner. The 243 kicks the least and is also a fine deer rifle.

Wounded deer are not the fault of the 30-30 but the shooter. I am not limiting myself with a 30-30, all of my shoots are under 100, if not 50yds. If I ever hunt any place where shoots will be over 150, I will get a new rifle, but untill then I'm content with my 30-30.

And why limit yourself to 300yds with a 270 or 30-06? why not extend that range to 1000 by shooting a 50bmg? <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Guns cause crime, like flies cause garbage.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Aww Frizzler it just ain't so. The 1948 model 36 marlin 30-30 leaning against my reloading bench is a better deer rifle than any of yours up to 150 yards, has killed more deer for my dad and I than any single rifle you own (or ever will) and has never lost a deer hit with it. How you can set yourself up as an expert on a rifle you don't use is practically a liberal angle. Sorry your friends can't shoot too, now they probably use magnums they can't shoot either.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

CAUTION!! TESTOSTERONE IN ABUNDANCE!!! You must be in the rut! ROFLMAO

I would recommend the Savage 110 package which includes a scope. Personally, I would get a .243 unless you are going to go after Elk, Moose, or other larger game than deer. For the money, this is the best deal. One of my good buddies bought a Savage 110 package in 7mm and has shot the heck oout of it. It still shoots very well after 10+ years of hard shooting (at range as well as hunting).

Any modern firearm in a caliber equal to the range your going to be shooting will work . Just find one you like and can afford and go from there . The magnum calibers do get to be a bit pricey on the ammo so take that into consideration too . Good luck.

For the money a Savage 110 cannot be beat you can get it in a package that comes with scope and mounts as for what size you will get a lot of opinions here and each one will swear by it. I personally have and use a Browning Abolt in 30-06 and a Remington Model 7 in 25-06 and I love both at the time of purchase of both money wasnt an object. The savage is a great rifle and will constantly take game with proper care and shot placement.

Anything from a 243 up will take any deer in North America with the proper shot placement If you want less recoil then go with a smaller caliber such as 243 or 25-06 or for a more all around rifle go with something like a 30-06 or even a 308 and as stated a 30-30 is a great gun.

So maybe we havent helped you a lot as you can see each one of us has an opinion and not always the same as the other guy. Buy the best you can afford and the savage is a good start in low priced guns if you can afford it do not buy the package as the scopes are not the greatest put an extra little bit into the gun and get better mounts and a quality scope for a gun that will last you a lifetime

All of this is just that my own opinion and I hope it has helped.

I will also say over the years I ave owned several rifles and have taken game with all of them from a 30-30 270 several 30-06's and my 25-06 which is my baby .

Edited by - royak on 10/23/2002 09:30:23

I just bought a Savage 111 7mm-08 and I am really glad I bought it. I was going to buy a used gun, but for a little extra money I was able to get a pretty nice gun; plus I was able to get it in the caliber I wanted and in a left handed model. I don't see how you can go wrong with a Savage.