Deer gun for me
 

Hi, I am looking for a suitable rifle for deer. I live in Florida and the shot distances can be anywhere from super short to long range so I need a gun that can shoot moderate distances. Recoil is a large factor because I am only 13 and I am super lightweight. I have heard great things about the .270 win and 30-30, I have also looked at the.243 but it looks and sounds a bit small. I am very grateful for any suggestions on caliber or even make/model, but anything you tell me is great!
thanks in advance
-hotgunner[8D]

RE: Deer gun for me
 

Congrats on your new hobby!

If you are looking at longer ranges, eliminate the .30-30. Absolutely nothing wrong with the .270. The .257 cartridges would be great also (.25-06, .257 Roberts etc). As I shot more and more, recoil bothered me less and less. I would suggest you not purchase a " smaller" rifle because you think you won' t be able to handle the recoil over time.

RE: Deer gun for me
 

Hey hotgunner,

I' m a local, too. I only have one consideration here. My suggestion on rifle is based on the assumption you don' t dog hunt. If you do, I' ll have a different one altogether.

Now, since you' re 13 and recoil is a factor, I' ll tell you how I and my brother started out. I had a .243 bolt action for a couple of years before I grew into a .270, and my brother got (and still has) a 7mm-08. My brother is about the most slender guy on the planet, and he handled the 7mm-08 even in his youngest hunting years. Also, nobody on these forums will doubt the effectiveness of the ' 08.

The long and short of it is that the .243 will more than do the job you' re asking it to. It' s also a great, light-hitting rifle that will take care of you. I wouldn' t move up to the .270 until you' re a little bigger and more confident in your ability to handle the kick. Also, I' d just avoid the .30-30 altogether. Most times you' ll find it in an old lever action, with less inherent accuracy than a bolt. The easiest type of gun to get for a smaller hunter who needs long-range accuracy is a youth model or featherweight bolt action rifle. My brother' s 7mm-08 is in a Model 7 Synthetic. It' s short and light, easy to handle, and it will shoot rings around any old .30-30 you find.

My overall suggestion - find a lighter, smaller bolt action rifle (youth model or featherweight) in .243, 6mm, .257, .260, or 7mm-08. If you want to use the rifle even after you' re done growing, I' d suggest the higher end of the spectrum. It' ll kick just a little more right now, but when you get to go around to different states, and when you' re 17 or so, you won' t feel undergunned with the 7mm-08. Good luck!

RE: Deer gun for me
 

Don' t worry about the size of the .243. If you do your job and put the bullet in the proper place it will kill any deer in Florida.

RE: Deer gun for me
 

I would suggest a 7mm-08,25-06 or 270 in the rifle style of your choice.you will like any of these calibers for many years to come.

woods

RE: Deer gun for me
 

243 7mm-08 25-06 6.5x.55...all are small but supposed to be great deer killers....i disagree with going with a big deer rifle now just so you never have to buy another because if you think the recoil hurts you will develop a horible flinch and have trouble hitting anything....so go small and be smart.....dont go to big...big isnt needed to take a deer......its all about the shot placement...

RE: Deer gun for me
 

Hotgunner,

Don' t let any one fool you on the 243. I have been hunting with my 243 my father got me when I was your age about 20 yrs. ago.

I still hunt with it. It' s a Browning 243 lever action. A really great rifle. It is relitivley light weight and as far as recoil it' s not so bad.

The 243 will take any deer down at great distances. But as far as what you are looking for I would highly recomend you check out some different modles of the 243 with one of your parents.

Good luck!

RE: Deer gun for me
 

#1 Forget the 30-30 would be my advise
#2 Just about anything from a 243 Win up would do for what you are saying your conditions are .
#3 Whatever you buy get something you will shoot and learn how to shoot it . There are more deer lost to lousy shooters than have ever been lost to little guns .

RE: Deer gun for me
 

I would personally go with the 25-06 but the 7mm-08 would also be a good choice.

RE: Deer gun for me
 

Anything from the .243/6MM on up to the 7MM-08 will be great deer medicine without too much recoil. The 7MM-08 would be a great choice! Good luck!