First Rifle

[Rather_B_Fishing]

I've been bow hunting deer the last 2 years. Last year I scored a nice doe.

Anyway I had shoulder surgery about a month ago, and it looks like bow hunting most likely will be out of the question this year. Since I had already been thinking about taking up deer hunting with firearms as well, I have decided to get a firearm this year.

I talked to a friend who recommended a .30 - O6. He said this will be good for deer hunting, and also has enough power to take down larger animals like elk should I decide to pursue them. I like this option since I may go for the bigger game later.

I have not shot a firearm since 1991 when I was in the Army. So this will be my first personally owned firearm. I'd like to hear your recommendations on a quality weapon with scope. I'd like to keep the combo (rifle/scope) price below $1,000.

Thanks for any input you have.

[machohorn]

, 270, 7mm mag I think are better options and with a scope you should be in that price range, Most calibers are the same price. You should also look at used as most people take better care of their rifles then their cars/trucks.

[IRISHSOBNO4]

B.A.R. 30.06

[BobT]

What extent is the work on your shoulder and is it the same shoulder that would have to absorb the impact from recoil? If this might be an issue, maybe the 30-06 will prove to be a bit more than you want. The .270 is a nice all-around cartridge capable of a pretty wide range of applications but with a little less recoil than the 30-06. Just something to think about.

[vister]

270 shortmag, or 7mm, simply put. if 1000 bucks is your range, then i expect you can find an excellent setup for your dollar!

[jabug]

.270 is a good choice or look at a 25-06. both guns give good range with flat tragitry and good knock down power. shoot both myself and it's a toss up which is better

[fish]

Rather,

Have you considered getting a scoped/rifled shotgun? There is so much good hunting in the Zimmerman area. It is shotgun zone. Sabots can be very accurate. Living in a shotgun zone this maybe a good choice to be able to get a few evenings to hunt if you are unable to hunt in in a rifle zone more than a couple days. If you are set on a rifle I would go with a 270. Just my two cents.

[fishuhalik]

I really love my Rem. 700 25-06. Light bullet, light recoil, big enough to do some damage (I've never lost a deer and had some shots that were a little off), and really flat shooting.

[Rather_B_Fishing]

Thanks for all the replies so far. I appreciate all of them and would love to hear any others.

[brassman]

If you want some caliber suggestions, the .308 and 7mm-08 are two very similar but killer calibers without kick. any Bushnell or Leupold scope is a good safe bet on quality, I have a Tikka T3 Lite in .308 and while it is a good gun I'm having a heck of a time finding a load that shoots moa. It shoots accurate enough to kill for sure I'm just a stickler. Others have absolute tack drivers.