First time hunting
 

I'm 16 and have just started to hunt. I live in Montana and plan on hunting deer and small game. So I need help on what gun would be perfect for both.

243, 7mm08, 270 winchester would do all that you ask. The 270 is a better option should you decide that you want to hunt moose and elk. What do you mean by small game. If you plan on eating it, it had better be a head shot, or all that will be left is pieces of fur.

Thanks! I would probably hunt coyote or rabbit because there are so many in my area.

i would take the winchester too

Just my opinion, but I can not think of any center fire cartridge that is a good choice to cleanly kill deer sized game out to 200-300 yards that will leave anything much to put in the pot should you try it on a rabbit. No doubt that some of the 22 cal rounds such as the 223 Rem. and 22.250 Rem. can kill deer sized game, but even those will tear a rabbit to pieces.

My advice for a "one gun" set-up to cover from rabbits through the larger game that out your way in Montana where shots can be way out there is something like TC's Pro Hunter combination guns. Maybe a 20 ga. barrel for rabbit, squirrel and turkey ... and 7mm 08 Rem., 270 Win., 308 Win., 30.06 Spr. or 7 mm Rem. Mag. will do for sure on antelope, white tail and mule deer. But the TC option with a decent scope is not going to be inexpensive.

Another approach is to decide which you will hunt most here in the next 2-3 seasoin ... small game or medium game? Spend your money there now and save for a second gun.

You don't have to spend a fortune to have a decent hunting set up for medium game. Though I prefer a bolt action, the NEF Handi (and others similar) is a good place to start. If you are not farmiliar with this rifle, it is a Plain Jane single shot that can usually be had for about $225. I have shot a few and they did pretty good as far as groups. Add a decent $200-$300 scope and you'd be good to go for deer. Probably could find a good used 22 LR bolt action or single-shot shotgun for around $100. Even that route is going to run you about $600.

Like Mojotex stated, you're really either looking at two separate guns or a combo gun where you can switch to different barrels depending on the size game you want to hunt. Regardless of the way you decide to go, you can spend a lesser amount of money and go used or buy one that will be used most to start with and save for several years for the other. It just depends on how much disposable cash you have at the moment.

A .243,30-30 or 7mm-08 would be good choices for Big Game/Deer...the Small Game would take a different Rifle as several mentioned so as not to damage it a lot.

A .22 Magnum would take out Squirrels and be big enough to take down a Coyote,the .22 Hornet would be a good choice also and would have a little more power and reach out further.A .204 or .223 would be a step up but would require head-shots on Rabbits or Squirrels but would definetly be better for the larger Predators like Coyotes,Bobcats and Foxes!


Lots of Hunters like a good Shotgun in a 20 Gauge or 12 Gauge for Rabbits and Squirrels but will limit You to closer shots if You want to hunt Predators!