[whttailgal101]

I dont have much to hunt with so im trying to get a new gun. I shot a .243 and a 30-30 the other day and I believe I couldnt handle something a little larger. I will be useing the gun for long shots in the field and shorter shots in the woods. I dont know hardley anything about guns so I need some advise. But HOORAY I did kill my first deer a 6 pointer.

 

[joel the signman]

congrats on your first kill.what did you use?the debate on which gun is a old one everyone has different opinions.use what feels good to you.Oh yeah welcome to the club from NYC:bye:

 

[timberghost]

Congratulations on your 1st deer. A .243 is a good choice, then again a 30-30 is as well. A .270 or a 30-06 is also a goodchoice.

 

[whttailgal101]

Thankx!!! I shot my 6 pointer with a bow. I guess the question that I should ask is... What gun would I have the best luck as far as seeing blood or droping them where I shoot? It doesnt have to be a .243 or a 30-30 I just need something that I dont have to worry about losing my meat because of the fact I cant find blood to track the deer. The only gun that I have to use right now is a .22 long rifle and I not sure if its legal to shoot a deer with that in NC. I also dont wont to do that to the deer. I could use a 12 guage thats my boyfriends but Ive never shot it but I wont to get something that can cover some distance.

 

[buckfever]

A well placed shot with a .243 should give you plenty of blood. the bigger you go in bullet size, the more blood you will probably find.

I dont recommend using a .22 ever again. Your lucky you found it.

I use a 30-06 but also hunt with a 30-30 at times.

 

[LAHunter]

Both good choices. I think the deciding factor will be how long your longest shots will be. The 30-30 loses accuracy out past 200 yds, whereas the .243 is good to 300+.

My nephew dropped a deer with his 30-30 on opening day. Hit a little low and just behind the shoulder joint. It ran about 20 yds and dropped deader than disco. The bullet went through the animal and completely took out the heart.

Seen a lot of deer killed with the 30-30.

 

[Ihunttelephonepoles]

well if you are used to using a bow i would suggest getting a 30-30 its a great rifle for somone just starting to get into rifle hunting

 

[TNHunter]

My soon to be wife has shot my 270. and has no problem with the recoil and i have used it for the past 6 years and never had a deer run more then 50 yards however my longest shot to date with it is only 280 yds but i am told that it has knock down power well past that. My brothers wife shoots a 243. and she has never lost a deer and it is the perfect gun for her mostly because of her size and it is about all she could handle. but you should try and borrow one from a friend and she how you like shooting whatever gun you decide to by so you know ahead of time what you are getting in to. and that is my 2 cents

 

[critter gitter]

welcome aboard and congrats on your first deer.

 

[whttailgal101]

Thankx Everyone! I have found a friend of mine that has a wide variety of guns so im gonna try to go shoot a few and see what feels the best.

 

[joel the signman]

thats a good friend ,offer to buy some ammo,its expensive so its nice to be asked,ya know?:wink:

 

[jamie234561]

i would say a .308 would be good becuase its a bit bigger then a 30-30 but not much

 

[whttailgal101]

still not sure

Well over the weekend I got to shoot a 30-06,a .308, a pump 12 gauge, a .270 and a .243. But I cant decide which I like the best. I think I like the 30-06 the best but I'm not sure, so if anybody can tell me which one would be the best for kinda long shot and some shorter shots that may have to go through a little brush, I would greatly appreciate any comments and suggestions.

 

[joel the signman]

30-06 you can buy ammo anywhere and it'll handle any game in north america:wink:

 

[stjones1102]

30-30s and 30/06s are two of the most popular guns for hunting deer. I have been using a Rem 7mm mag, probobly has a bit more kick than what your looking. (altho I have not shot a deer at all so I am not sure what it would do, but there would be a lot of blood to follow, it is still in one piece) I also like a 220 swift or a 22-250, both good deer rifles and accurate for good distances. Give those two a shot (no pun intended) and see what ya think.

 

[timberghost]

30-06 you can buy ammo anywhere and it'll handle any game in north america:wink:

Yup, what he said.

 

[Pegasso]

For Deer Hunting I Would Recommend A .243 Its My First Season Shooting And Had My Fist Kill And In The Shooting Range It Hard To Miss From 250-300 Yards!

 

[whttailgal101]

Does anyone know what kind of range a 30-06 has? I know it will vary by gun and bullet but when I was looking at guns on the internet I couldnt find it on them. Thankx!!!

 

[Father and Son Team]

get your friend to let you shoot some different size bulletts through the same gun .. bullett grain weight will make a big difference in comfort to the shooter.. Ie a 30-06 in 140 grain is smooth as silk but the same gun shooting a 180 or 200 gr bullett will rock a veteran shooter. little food for thought.. If it was my money I would go with a savage bolt action 30-06 or 270 either one would be great all around guns. enexpensive and reliable.. good luck and congratts on your harvest..

 

[Father and Son Team]

that will be limited more by the shooter than the gun... most any bolt 30-06 will shoot better than most shooters abillity.. with a little range time to get to know your rifle you should be able to hit a plate size target at 250-300 yards.. I dont know what your experience with a long gun is but I always recomend a little one on one time with a compentent instructer to get a basic operating and shooting class. good hunting