First Rifle

My only addition to this is that I would prefer you kept upward of the .243.

You don't need anything heavier than a .308 winchester for what you are looking at, and frankly, I'd go with the 7mm-08 instead of that. Your .243 is essentially a 6mm-08.

At any distance, a 7mm-08 will have better ballistics than a .243, more power, heavier bullet, and be a better round, IMO, than the .243.

You could always go with the 25-06 or .270, but neither of them offer any serious advantages to the 7mm-08, and the 08 cartridge family works in the lighter, smaller short action.

there is nothing wrong with a .243, it kills deer. It is, in my opinion, the very minimal cartridge for deer at 100+ yards. I personally don't like using minimal power firearms for hunting, and would prefer that you started into the larger round unless you are worried about recoil.

My suggestion for you would be to go with either a winchester, ruger, browning, or remington bolt rifle in 7mm-08 and a 3x9 scope in a good name.

If I had a son starting hunting, I would either get him this setup, or set him loose with my .243. It depends on a lot of things.
 
have a used weatherby vgl 308,wood stock made in mid 80's 20 inch barrel. 250.00. with rings and bases. the short barrel gets through the woods easy and good from 3 to 300 yards with wal-mart 150 core-locks.
 
I also would say to you to get a .243, something like a TC Venture or Savage Axis, Then add something like a Nikon Prostaff or Leupold Vari I to it and you will be at about 600. Then take the rest like already stated and buy a plinking gun if you dont have one to practice the basics
 
14 years old aye... Well it's a priviledge just to add my two cents buddy, ( I really appreciate the younger generation seriously asking for the wisdom of older generations) Savage makes the most accurate factory rifle, at the price point you would prefer to start with. Get on their website and check out their complete line of rifles. Next some fellas already told you about the .243 winchester, the 25-06, and the .270 winchester, all very good for both deer and yote dogs. The 25-06 and .270 are pretty much in the same ballistic range, but both can be handloaded (maybe you will become interested later) with lighter bullets for coyotes and heavier bullets for deer. I really have a liking for the .243 win because of it's lighter bullet capabilities for coyotes, and it can be loaded heavier for deer. And 200 yds isn't a stretch for the .243 win, with practice it's totally capable!;) My favorite of those has to be the .270 winchester, I have killed alot of deer with that caliber, it's very accurate, it does have more recoil than the .243 win but with practice it's easy to control it.

I really think that if your really interested, you should read up on those calibers, and some of the rifles mentioned here, but remember you surely want to go to the Gunshop and try a few on for size, it's very important that your rifle "fits" you,,,, when a gun feels like an extention of your body, it's something of true beauty, and nothing will feel as good as a well fitted rifle,,, I think..

Good luck and happy shootin dude, looking forward to hear what you finally pick.:)
 
I actually already bought one. A Remington 700 ADL .270 win. Put a Nikon Monarch UCC 3-9x40 scope on it. Awesome rifle! groups really nice! Thanks for all the info to all!
 
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