[PrunetuckyHickChic]

Hi All,
I am new to the forum so I hope I am posting in the right place.
My last hunting trip was crazy, came home woth a boar. Went elk hunting but it got away =-(
I REALLY want to try deer hunting, but haven't yet! I love the meat.

Been hunting many times but never with a rifle as I have never owned one.

All I own is a really nice bow, and some hunting knives.

The reason for my post is I am looking for a rifle. What would you recommend for a rifle that will mainly be used for Deer and smaller game? I don't want anything too big, just one that will work good for this purpose. I stand about 5'5 and maybe 140lbs. I thought about a 30-06. Probably about the 150 yard range or so. It won't be used for boar, we use knives and dogs for those. Any suggestions?

 

[timberghost]

Hey HickChic, and welcome to the forum, this place is AWESOME. You are at the right place for deer hunting. There's alot of experience from just about all over the country here. Well for starters for your height and weight I would shy away from a 30-06. Maybe a .223, .243, or even a .270 would suit you well. If any of your hunting buddies have those type of rifles give them a shot you never know. Heck, you may even say you want a 30-06, who knows. But you will get alot of input off of this post with some hefty info from others. There's my opinion, hope it helped you a little, GOOD LUCK.

 

[PrunetuckyHickChic]

Ok so I was looking at a .270 and a 30-06. Trust me, I can handle a gun so I am not to worried about it ,but which is a better gun for actually hunting deer?

 

[BruceBruce1959]

Greetings Prunetuckyhickchic, Welcome to the site...
If you've narrowed your choices down to a .270 or a .30-06
I would say both are great choices, the .30-06 has a wider range of Cartridges over the .270 But both Calibers have high rankings amongst hunters.
Both are great for long distance shots and Both will easily Down a Deer.

What it's going to boil down to is, which one are you most comfortable with. Go to your local Dealer and handle both rifles, you may like the shorter Carbine style rather than a longer barrel or you may like the natural wood stock vs. a Synthetic stock. Whichever you decide to go with... Good Luck & happy Safe Hunting

 

[critter gitter]

I agree and if you can handle the 30-06 then by all means get the larger caliber

 

[milsaps118]

I own both calibers, a Remington 7400 semi auto 30-06, and a Savage 111 bolt .270. Personally I like my .270 better than my -06. To me it feels better and shoots smoother than my -06. Recoil is about the same ,130 GR in my .270 -vs- 150 GR in my -06. Like BruceBruce said U have a wider range in cartrige choice in an -06, may be go to a gun range and see if you can rent both. Shoot 'em and then decide what you like better. Either way, both calibers are great for shooting deer.

U use knives and dogs to kill boar????? U CRAAAAAAZY:surprised:

 

[timberghost]

In regards to you looking between a .270 and an 06 I would choose the 06. That's what I've been using for almost my whole life. I didn't mean to offend you in any way when I referred to your height/weight in your "rifle help" post. Bruce, Critter, and Milsaps "GOOD POSTINGS"

 

[BruceBruce1959]

I own both calibers, a Remington 7400 semi auto 30-06, and a Savage 111 bolt .270. Personally I like my .270 better than my -06. To me it feels better and shoots smoother than my -06. Recoil is about the same ,130 GR in my .270 -vs- 150 GR in my -06. Like BruceBruce said U have a wider range in cartrige choice in an -06, may be go to a gun range and see if you can rent both. Shoot 'em and then decide what you like better. Either way, both calibers are great for shooting deer.

U use knives and dogs to kill boar????? U CRAAAAAAZY:surprised:

I own both calibers also and I prefer my .270 over my .30-06 too.
I was able to hit thumb tacks at 100 yards with my .270 I've never been able to do that with my .30-06

 

[buckfever]

Good Postings by all. A .270 or .06 will easily take down any deer you want it to. Just like they said it all boils down to what you like the best. I hunt all woods so i go with the .06. But like bruce and alot of other hunters have said you may get better accuracy on long shots if your going to be hunting fields or other areas where you may have a longer shot.

 

[PrunetuckyHickChic]

Well, thank you to all. I like the way the .270 feels so I think I am gonna go with that one.

Now for the 2 week waiting period! I can't wait.

 

[savageshooter]

you sound like a real hunter bud! Killin boar with a knife must be some experience...
anyway, you decided on a 270 and thats a great cartridge, although i would have to cast my vote to the 30-06 for its knockdown power, bullet selection and ammo availablity.
Good Luck in the deer world!!

 

[BruceBruce1959]

Well, thank you to all. I like the way the .270 feels so I think I am gonna go with that one.

Now for the 2 week waiting period! I can't wait.

Congratulations!! I'm sure you'll be very satisfied with the .270 BUT a 2 WEEK waiting period..
that's pure torture but I understand you're under Arnolds rules out there in Californy.. It'll be worth the wait ... :thumbup:

 

[joel the signman]

yikes 2 weeks