Deer rifle recomendation

[DoubleJ]

Need one with the following specs:

more "Punch" than a .243
less recoil than a .270
ammunition availability
easy to find rifle for good price ($350 or less, new or used)

I only have experience with a .308 and larger so, I can't figure this out.  I'm guessing a 25-06 or a .257 Roberts?

Any ideas?

Probably belongs in the gun forum but, it's for deer hunting, I figured it kind of fit here 

[lonedave]

260 remington or 7x57, but not having looked into the price of new rifles for a while, I don't know what you can find in either of these.

Dave

[Bulldog]

Easy answer here!!!

260rem  (my current favorite)
or
7mm-08

120-140gr bullets

140 partitions are flat mean as hell outa both of these..

Deer and elk..

[yorketransport]

My knee jerk resopnse is a 260 Rem, but there aren't a lot of options for ammo or guns. I've never owned a 270, but I'll bet that a 7mm-08 would have recoil similar to a 270. It shoots a heavier bullet, but burns a little less powder. The 25-06 would be a good option as well. Either caliber comes in in a Stevens model 200 for about $300 new. I actually have Stevens factory barrels in 243, 7mm-08, and 25-06 and they all shoot under MOA. So IMO the Stevens is a good platform at a good price.

Andrew

[DoubleJ]

It is a kids gun.  Used for deer only and really no shots longer than 200yds.  He can pull the trigger on my .308 but he doesn't like it.  Kicks him too much

[DoubleJ]

My knee jerk resopnse is a 260 Rem, but there aren't a lot of options for ammo or guns. I've never owned a 270, but I'll bet that a 7mm-08 would have recoil similar to a 270. It shoots a heavier bullet, but burns a little less powder. The 25-06 would be a good option as well. Either caliber comes in in a Stevens model 200 for about $300 new. I actually have Stevens factory barrels in 243, 7mm-08, and 25-06 and they all shoot under MOA. So IMO the Stevens is a good platform at a good price.

Andrew

The stevens 200 is what I was hoping for.  My .308 is a stevens 200 and I love it.  I wish now it was a 30-06.  My understanding is if I had a stevens 200 in 30-06, I could drop in a 25-06 barrel and it would work.  Seems like a money saver.  But, .308 is what I have 

[coriantonk]

check out the Marlin X series.  The XS7 short action or The XL7 long action.  They fit in your price range and are available in most popular cartridges.  The 7mm-08 sounds like a good choice.  If you reload I would recomend the 7x57 a fantastic cartridge, but you probably would not find a rifle in that cal. in your price range unless you go old school with an old mauser.

[Wanttohuntmore]

Use the 308 with some downloaded 150 grain bullets, or the barnes 130 grains.  Plenty enough for deer, and very little kick.  The kid can then grow into it.  I started with a 243 when I was ten (friends gun), and dad bought me a 308 when I was 11.  Used 130 grain Speers in it for a couple years, then moved up to 165 grain partitions.  Same gun killed a moose for my wife last year, with 180 grain bullets (see Other Big Game forum for pics).  I'd also say the 7-08 is another good option, you could pick up 120 factory ammo for it, doesn't kick too bad.  

[DoubleJ]

I don't reload.  I don't know why I'm not looking at the .243 other than it's for mule deer.  I have no reason to hold a prejudice against the .243, but I do.  Just want something with a bit more punch without much more recoil.  Needs a lot less recoil than a .308

[DoubleJ]

Use the 308 with some downloaded 150 grain bullets, or the barnes 130 grains.  Plenty enough for deer, and very little kick.  The kid can then grow into it.  I started with a 243 when I was ten (friends gun), and dad bought me a 308 when I was 11.  Used 130 grain Speers in it for a couple years, then moved up to 165 grain partitions.  Same gun killed a moose for my wife last year, with 180 grain bullets (see Other Big Game forum for pics).  I'd also say the 7-08 is another good option, you could pick up 120 factory ammo for it, doesn't kick too bad.  

I put some 147gn FMJ nato rounds in it this weekend and it was still too much

[Tony 270]

240 Weatherby
257 Roberts
25-06
260 Rem
6.5 Creedmoor
7mm-08

[DoubleJ]

What's gonna kick more, a 25-06 or these http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=342270

[1bugman]

Shoot my first deer with 257 robert. I was 14 at the time. recoil was bad at all. don't know haw hard it would be to find ammo

[Magnum_Willys]

.243 is a deer-slaying machine !  7mm-08 is what I got my boy for his first gun at age 8 - ruger compact.  Nice gun.  He still likes it but at 6' 2"" now he packs it in his paw like a pistol. 

[DoubleJ]

Yea, after researching for the last 3 hours, I have decided on a .243.  Now, what scope?  I want to limit his shooting to 150 yds. and take away a lot of options that will bog him down.  Can I get a nice fixed scope for that range?