Im looking for a second hunting rifle

[Rob]

People don't realize it but Charlie does shoulder surgery on the side.

[bod]

one of the better guns for the money is the marlin xl7, do little web research lots of positive posts, you can get the gun and a good scope for what it would cost you for a basic remington.

[BigGoonTuna]

i think a 308 would make a pretty good companion to the 243.

[ICEMAN]

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

Agree.

[addicted]

Get a blaser R93 in 8x68.   

[Intruder]

30-06 is about as versitle as they come.  Would give you the option of hunting anything you want in N America, ammo is readily available and usually cheaper, and there are tons of good guns out there in that cal.  7mm-08 would be another if you looking to get into maybe a lighter short action gun. 

[GoldTip]

You say your not going to hunt anything but whitetails, but eventually you will find yourself invited to hunt elk, or wanting to go out and do it on your own or maybe hunt bears.  If your truly ONLY gona hunt whitetails, then why buy a differnet gun, the 243 is a fine gun for whitetails if thats all your gonna hunt.  But on the other hand, if you want a larger gun, and do find yourself wanting to hunt some of the larger species, or hell, you get lucky and draw a Moose tag, then in that case the gun you buy should be able to also handle all of the other species that I mention.  For lower end recoil and versatility, availability of ammo, you really only have one choice, forget the 270 and get a 30-06. 

Now for all who wanna flame me for saying to forget the 270, we're talking true versatility for all species of game found in the lower 48 if he so chooses.  And if you think the 270 carries the same versatility across the board for all animals found in the lower 48 as does the 30-06, well then flame away.

[KimberRich]

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

Good caliber but unless your reloading it's expensive to buy!! You can never go wrong with a .270 or 30-06. 

[huntnphool]

.270 would be a good choice but I would also take a good look at the 7mm. Plenty of ammo choices and ballistically one of the best calibers you could own.

[Red Dawg]

these are always fun threads to watch. I am only going to say two things. Buy American made and get a magnum of some sort. If you go that route you will never be disappointed in the purchase.

[Huntbear]

Wholesale Sports has Howa rifles for 399.99 in 10 calibers from 22-250 - .338 WM.  Your choice.

[bobcat]

these are always fun threads to watch. I am only going to say two things. Buy American made and get a magnum of some sort. If you go that route you will never be disappointed in the purchase.

American made I won't argue with but the magnum part... only get a magnum if you don't mind getting the snot kicked out of you. Or, if you don't plan on shooting from a bench then I guess a magnum is ok too. But I'd rather have a rifle that is fun to shoot. Seriously, only get a magnum if the majority of your shots are going to be well beyond 300 yards. Otherwise, there simply is no justification for it.

[jackelope]

these are always fun threads to watch. I am only going to say two things. Buy American made and get a magnum of some sort. If you go that route you will never be disappointed in the purchase.

American made I won't argue with but the magnum part... only get a magnum if you don't mind getting the snot kicked out of you. Or, if you don't plan on shooting from a bench then I guess a magnum is ok too. But I'd rather have a rifle that is fun to shoot. Seriously, only get a magnum if the majority of your shots are going to be well beyond 300 yards. Otherwise, there simply is no justification for it.

I've got 2 magnum rifles and both kick less than my a-bolt did in 30-06. 1 is a 300 win mag and the other is a 257 weatherby. the 300 is an encore with a heavy barrel and a muzzle brake and the roy is a vanguard. the encore is significantly lighter than the vanguard and the a-bolt even with the 26" heavy stainless barrel.

[bobcat]

Well that's true that the amount of felt recoil depends on the rifle itself and not just the cartridge it's chambered for. But a non-magnum will always kick less than a magnum in the same rifle...

[jackelope]

true story, Bob.