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!

RE: Deer gun for me
 

I got a 270 when I was 13 and still shoot it today. I am 23 now. A 243 will work fine for you as well. If you hang around this site to long, you are going to end up wanting a 7mm-08. Ive been convinced from reading about it here, so that is going to be the next gun I purchase. Good Luck.

RE: Deer gun for me
 

Since a good number have been mentioned, I will say a couple missed 260 rem or 308. I started with a 308 when I was 12 and I handled it alright, it is good cart. as well.

RE: Deer gun for me
 

My wife is very small(5 feet 3 inches and 100 lbs) and she has no trouble at all killing Missouri deer with her Rem model 7 in 243. If you are still worried about the effectiveness of a 243 step up a step to a 260. Nearly the same speed and range of a 270 but a slightly lighter bullet and much less recoil, also available in model 7. Small and lightweight gun but not so tiny that you cant use it for the rest of your life and be comfortable.

RE: Deer gun for me
 

A 25-06 is a good round for a young' n. Along with a lot of others that have been mentioned. But, when I was younger, I liked the 25-06. Still use it too. Low recoil, and a flat shooter ;)

RE: Deer gun for me
 

I would try borrowing a 270 or 308 and try it out before buying one. Remember also that a semiautomatic tends to have less recoil than a bolt action in the same caliber. If the 270 seems a bit intimidating go for the 243 pump. Not as accurate as a bolt action but more accurate than a semi auto. Its good for the thick areas here in florida.

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RE: Deer gun for me
 

If it were me,I would go for the Remington Model Seven in the 7mm-08 also...;)

RE: Deer gun for me
 

thanks for all that replied- I think I will go for a 270 or a 7mm-08 not sure which model but it will most likley be a bolt - THANKS AGAIN!:D
-hotgunner

RE: Deer gun for me
 

hotgunner, try and see if you can find some one with the type of gun you are looking for and fire theirs before you buy one, there is nothing worse than buying a gun and finding out you are not really comfortable with it.

RE: Deer gun for me
 

All the calibers mentioned are good ones but my personel choice would be the 25.06.

RE: Deer gun for me
 

Tazman has a good idea for you. I have an old .270 Rem in model 700 that is anything but pleasant to shoot. Three or four shots and my shoulder is blue, but other models are not bad at all in the same caliber.

RE: Deer gun for me
 

He doesnt know what he' s talking about [:o];)

(JK Kev)