Dang, I'm 6' 5" and weigh 235, have killed around 200 deer with a .243...

Does this mean it's time for me to graduate to a .308???

I sure hate for you fellows to think I'm a wimp...:)

hawkeye,

I'm with you................I use my .243 more than any other rifle over the course of the year.

I shoot coyotes all year long and then for deer season as well.

I think the nchawkeye was just saying that he was using a .308 and was 15 so if the youngster who started this post was looking at a .308 then there is at least one other kid around his age that is using that and should feel confident trying that out. It doesn't sound like he was trying to be a big shot at all. I think whatever gun you can shoot comfortably and can humanely put down a deer than thats what you should use.

I personally don't think the .308 has too bad of recoil. I like it, I just don't have one yet. Plus it has a cool "boom" noise.

RW

When I had to decide for my son what to get I went with a .260 Remington in a Mtn rifle. Sweet gun with plenty of power and easy to carry.

25.06 Rem....Very fast, flat shooting, and recoil isn't bad.

Get a rifle that fits you. You will shoot it better. I think most people carry rifles that are too long of pull, and don't know it. The bolt handle should be a comfortable reach with you palm turned up. The handle should land mid-palm.

Get a rifle that suits your hunting style. Do you sit stands/blinds, or do you hunt on your feet?

I still-hunt a lot and shoot deer at close range. I like a fast handling compact rifle like a Browning Micro-Medallion, Remington Model 7, Ruger 77 Ultralight and lever actions like a Marlin 336. I use low-power variable scopes like 1-4x or a peep sight on a lever.

Full-size rifles with higher power scopes are more suited to stand hunting and places where long shots are typical.

The caliber/cartridge is up to you but unless you typically take long shots, magnums are not needed for deer. You would be happy with 243, 260, 6mm, 7-08, 7x57, 308, 270, 30/06, 30/30, 35 Rem, etc. All are good for deer.

Thanks for saving me some typing! x2 on that.

My other choices:

.243
6mm
.257roberts
.260
.270

All in Remington 700's.

iSnipe

granted im a big dude but when i was 14 i was shooting a tc .280 with no problem

There are so many good choices out there. I would tend to go with something like the 7mm-08, 308, 6.5x55 only because they are more verstile and can grow with youngster and more suited for other game as well while still being low recoiling.