Which Action Type

[Deerslayer243]

I am thinking a/b buying a new rifle or askin 4 1 4 christmas and would like 2 no wether 2 get a bolt or lever. Also what caliber would u sugest 4 each. I hunt in areas where max shot is 175 yds.

[hunter1992]

what will you be hunting?

[Deerslayer243]

Whitetails and elk when i'm older.(i'm 13) It needs to last 4ever.

[Yooper]

Check some of the other threads here for this too.

I'd suggest a bolt-action 30.06. You can't go wrong with either. Plus there are many really good package deals to be had in this caliber/configuration.

Be sure to spend a little extra coin on a good scope if you're looking for it to last forever.

[headhunter]

Bolt action 30-06 is the way to go.

[hunter1992]

A good caliber would be the 270 Win. Its a good flat shooting caliber that would work great for deer and elk. If you can afford it get a BLR(Browning lever action rifle) I would love to get one of those but i can't afford one:( BLR rifle (http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/category.asp?value=003B)

[OhioOutdoorsman]

Got a mint condition used .308 BLR for $400. Love it.....this would serve your purposes. If this is your first centerfire, I'd go for a .308 or .270 b/c of recoil, being 13 and all. If you want one gun to do everything and are an experienced shooter, I agree with the .30/06 bolt action, with a 7mm rem mag being a close second. Just my thoughts, best of luck.

[Matt Peetz]

Hunter

define flat shooting?

[Deerslayer243]

Flat shooting is what a .270 does. But i am 13 also and it is not my first centerfire.

[Matt Peetz]

Not saying it isn't flat shooting but to a certain range shooting the right type of bullet(hunting) all calibers split hairs to 600 yards. Beyond that alot comes into play.

Virtually any caliber to 500-600 are comparably flat. As most hunters rarely shoot beyond 300 no one claiber is flatter shooting than the other. It comes down to personal preferance.

My advice would be to a into a savage 308 bolt action. Can get into one for $400 or under and virtually anything you feed it will shoot lights out. For deer you can load 125gr bullets and for Elk(later) can load up to 200gr bullet, or buy ammo.

[hunter1992]

All i was saying is that a 270 is going to shoot flatter than a 30-30 or a 30-06.

[turner1978]

I think that a 308 in a winchester classic feather weight would be an awsome setup for you. It is small and light for a 13 yr old but big enoughe to be able to keep shooting as an adult in your later years. Or even a 30-06 in a feather weight. You can always buy the lower recoil ammo that alot of the ammo manufacturers are producing or handload your owne reduced recoil bullets if the recoil is too much untill you grow into the gun.

[airborne]

I have a Rem 270 bolt. I also have other rifles that are lever actions. The lever actions are fun but harder to clean the internal parts. My brother has a 30.06 and it kicks like a mule. The cost of the 270 is lower and ammo is easy to find. It is plenty big enough for the game you said you want to hunt and will still be good later in life, if you decide to hunt in area's that require long range shots.
We all think our first gun was suppose to last us a lifetime, and it does right along with the other 10 or 20. If you have some friends who have guns, try shooting theirs and see what you like. Good luck and let us know what you decided to get. "AIRBORNE"

[Deerslayer243]

I already have a single shot .243 but am looking to upgrade.

[OhioOutdoorsman]

I would agree with previous posters about the Savage. I think Savages and Weatherby Vanguards are the best values in a new gun. Both can be gotten at your local Wal-Mart as well as Cabelas. Savage makes packaged models (with a servicible scope and rings). They make a youth model that has a slightly shorter stock (but I use mine just fine as a 31 yr old with my Savage "youth" .243). If I were getting a gun for a teenage son who wants to hunt deer and occasionally elk/moose, I'd get either a Savage or a Weatherby Vanguard in a .308. A .270 would be my second choice, followed by a .30/06. Both have some of the best triggers out of the box. Resist the urge to get a really light gun (will increase felt recoil) or a magnum caliber of any sort because of recoil(including the WSMs and RSUMs).

Hope this helps.

[Yooper]

Weatherby also markets the Vanguard in a combo with a Bushnell scope and a case... Just another thing to consider.

[turner1978]

buy the new gun but DON'T sell or trade your old one. If your new one kicks too much or too heavy or whatever you can use your old one untill you grow into the new one. When you do grow into the new rifle keep the old 243. You may want to give it to your son or litle bro someday. You will regret it someday if you sell your first rifle.

[Deerslayer243]

buy the new gun but DON'T sell or trade your old one. If your new one kicks too much or too heavy or whatever you can use your old one untill you grow into the new one. When you do grow into the new rifle keep the old 243. You may want to give it to your son or litle bro someday. You will regret it someday if you sell your first rifle.
I wouldm't ever sell or trade my New England but also i have started to lean towards a lever gun in a caliber like the 444 marlin, 45-70, or 35 remington

[Suka]

Started hunting deer with a BLR 243 when I was 16. Stopped using it 4 yrs ago when my son started hunting deer. Replaced it with a BLR 270, love it just as much. Nice, light, and trouble free. Have owned/shot lot's of calibers over the years, I prefer the 243/270/300 win mag. Added bonus is their ballistics are identical with appropiate loads for each, so whatever gun you use, they shoot the same.
Couple yrs ago I spent a lot of time poring over ballistics charts for a good open sights brush gun (something light and versatile for hunting in brushy country where quick shots between the trees are required). Looked at all potential calibers; 30-30, 444, etc, etc. Easily decided on a BLR 30-06 iron sights, it beats all the competition by a country mile, with the added bonus of shooting equally well using 110 gr for deer, or 180 for elk. Doesn't have as good ballistics as the 243/270/300, but it's a darn versatile caliber.
My current 300 is a Savage "package gun". I've always prefered a wood stock, but I've gotta admit, this Savage is a darn nice gun, was very affordable, and a heck of a lot lighter to pack than my A bolt was. Kicks like a mule, but all 300's do.
Personally I'd also suggest if you're looking for one caliber to use for the forseeable future, consider a 30-06; although if you're figuring on hunting deer 90% and elk 10% I'd say a 270's a better bet.
On remington.com you can compare ballistics of 3 different calibers at a time, it's under ammunition. Choosing a caliber is not something you want to rush. Spend some time looking at the different ballistics, compare speed and energy, think about it and I'm certain you'll choose what's right for you. Asking advice is always a good thing, but remember it's just advise. In the end make your own decision. Have fun.