Im looking for a second hunting rifle

[Remington 243]

I am looking for another rifle but not sure what caliber.  I probably wont't be hunting anything bigger than white tail deer. I have a Remington 243, Ofc  you know that already,right..
And I dont know that much about all the different sizes to pick from.  All the popular ammo is hard to get now.  But what calaber is a common one , above the 243  and under 30-30 ?  Maybe 270, 30-06.?
The Rem 243 I have is a heavy barrel varmint gun.  Just looking for another lighter rifle.

Bill

[bobcat]

I'd go with a 270. That's what I use, for deer, bear, elk, and anything else I might happen to hunt. Just enough power, flat shooting, and relatively low recoil. Not to mention, cheap ammo!

[Straight Shooter]

A Marlin XS7 or Stevens 200 in either 7mm-08 or .308.  The rifles are right around $300 each and weigh about 6.5 lbs. 

[JackOfAllTrades]

Bought a Marlin XL7 in .270win for my youngest boy this year.  I've shot it.. Nearly a tack driver for that price! Probably the biggest bang for the buck in that price range. Take a hard look at the Marlin XS/XL series, Savage 110 in .270, 7mm-08, .308 and 30-06. Those rifles are tough to beat. Those are popular cartridges on the store shelves. If you've got a scoped .243 bolt action, then to start filling out the hunting rifle list... Everyone should have a lever gun. 30-30 or 35remington are vary popular. Even .44mag in a lever is a nice addition.

-Steve

[Big10gauge]

270 shooting a 130gr would be a hard caliber to beat, Plentiful ammo,accurate, lots of choices in guns.

[chevysquid]

You sound like prime candidate to get into relaoding.  Find someting in 30 cal, keep all youir brass, and you won't have to worry about availabilty on the store shelves again.  For a rifle, i'd say go with a 30-06, will cover anything you want to do, or as mentioned above, a 30-30.  Everyone has to have one.

[Remington 243]

Good info . Thanks
I have been looking at the Savage 11 & 14 series.  Also Remington again .  Havent looked at Marlin yet.
I like Weatherby,, good name brand.  
270 sounds good.

[Remington 243]

I have been thinking about reloading.
Dont have alot of brass yet.  200 rounds,, ofc that sounds like alot doesnt it .
Probably start out with a RCBS KIT.

[Bofire]

270/ 06 and 280 use the same case, of those I think the 280 has the best all round performance, very close to a 7mm Mag. Very close!

[Straight Shooter]

270/ 06 and 280 use the same case, of those I think the 280 has the best all round performance, very close to a 7mm Mag. Very close!

Agreed.  Not a huge selection of rifles chambered in .280, but it's a great cartridge.  Wouldn't choose it over the .30-06 or .270, simply because of rifle choices or ammo choices/availability... it would make a great 6th or 7th hunting rifle... unless, you're ready to invest in dies and components.  From varmints to elk, you can never go wrong with a .270.

[coachcw]

find the nicest gun in any off those calibers , good trigger pull and quality scope they all are capible rounds , but if the gun dosn't shoot well whats the point . oh yeah I really like the job my sons model seven remington in 260 works on deer . three one shot kills out to 200yards . good luck finding a shooter .Coach

[Rob]

If you go on the big side, adding something like a 300 Win Mag to your arsenal will equip you well for anything in North America. 

I usually recomend someone who wants to go with a single rifle to go with a 30.06 (Works on everything from Elk to Pronghorn, and shells are both cheap and highly available).

For the person who wants to go with two guns, a 270 and either a 300 WM or a .338 Win Mag.  The 270 is good for Mule deer and smaller, 300 or 338 WM for Mule deer or larger.

[rezboy]

I would go with a 270 short mag.  Great all around gun.  Very accurate and packs a very good punch.   

[Huntbear]

Look at a BLR in any caliber.  They are light weight, accurate, and easy on the shoulder.

[bucklucky]

I highly recommend the 600 Nitro express for anything from squirls to elephants