.223 .243 .270 .30-06

[Character]

Hey I getting one of these calibers I might be deer hunting and don't want something that will blow my shoulder apart becasue im only 15. Cheaper the better becasue I like to go to the range often. Thanks!

 

[Northman999]

.243 if it's mostly range work and "maybe deer".

 

[The Kurgan]

I would say go higher, 270 or 30-06 will do fine, and give you added versatility in the size of the game you wish to take. Of course, not everyone is comfortable with 30-06, but I don't find the recoil unpleasant.

 

[trebor2880]

.243 is good for deer and cheaper to shoot at the range.

 

[djchapman]

my choice would be the 270 start out shooting 130 gr and see how it feels im sure you will find the recoil nice on your shoulder.. if its a bit much add a recoil pad or try shooting a lighter grain on the range until your used to shooting it. but for deer i would suggest shooting no less than 130gr .

 

[dan belisle]

Where do you live? Or rather, where are you going to hunt? Some areas require larger then 270 if memory serves. - dan

 

[Kelly Timoffee]

You can get managed recoil ammunition for the heavier chamberings.

OR

Just get good with the .243 , with the right quality bullet it will work on moose especially if you know how to shoot.

 

[Ganderite]

243 is an excellent choice. Its slightly bigger brother is the 260Rem. The 260 has much heavier bullets available for bigger game.

The 243 is a 308 case necked down to 6mm. The 260 is a 308 case necked down to 6.5mm. I have both and would not hesitate to use the 243 with a 100 grain bullet on a deer.

For moose, the 260 with a 140 to 160 gr bullet is excellent.

If cost is an issue, you can get either caliber and a simple laoding kit and make your own ammo. You can get cheap once fired 308 brass and neck it down as you size it the first time.

 

[jackrabbit000]

my choice would be the 270 start out shooting 130 gr and see how it feels im sure you will find the recoil nice on your shoulder.. if its a bit much add a recoil pad or try shooting a lighter grain on the range until your used to shooting it. but for deer i would suggest shooting no less than 130gr .

I would say .270 also.

 

[AlexF]

Check you local regulations: in some provinces 6mm is the minimum caliber for deer, in other regions you can't hunt with anything over .270!
I'm a big 243 Win fan but if you just started shooting you might learn much faster with a Ruger 10/22 and then only get an hunting rifle.
When I was your age, I would spend my days shooting pellet guns and air rifles and I really paid of when I started shooting my grandfather's 303!

I could shoot 2-3 times better than low volume shooters. Some of the best European rifle shooters shoot 5000-10000 rounds of 22lr every year and only 1000-2000 rounds of center fire ammo.

Alex

 

[Anfoman76]

243 cheap and gentle and takes Big Mule deer on a regular basis!

 

[gopherxs]

My vote is 270 because thats what I used when I was 15 and not very big., shot it lots and never had any problems.

 

[captonion]

243 is a perfect starter for a young hunter.

 

[olansky]

.270 was my first rifle and i love it, light recoil and will take a dear down no problem using 150 gr.

 

[Why not?]

I have used all of them, but have had far more one shot kills with the 270 than any other, even on our big AK-Yukon moose.

Ted

 

[rookie wildcat]

The difference in recoil isn't really an issue. The .243 as has been stated is a necked down .308. If you can shoot a .270, then you can shoot a .30-06. If you can shoot a .30-06, then you can shoot a .308. Myself, I would probably go with the .243 since it comes stocked with a youth length stock, everything else is probably going to have to be shortened for you. If recoil were really a concern, and LOP wasn't, then I'd advocate the '06 because I love it. But anybody can shoot any of the rifles listed. My sister-in-law regularly shoots moose with a .308 Husky and she is just a little bit of a thing...
Make sure the stock fits you, and you will not notice the recoil.

 

[slick39]

I'd say .243 cuz it is a lot of fun to shoot and has very manageable recoil!

 

[StevieK]

Why have you narrowed down your choices to only 223, 243, 270 and 30-06? For your purpose and application something in 308 would be ideal. It is light recoiling, ammo is abundant and cheap, it can tackle big game, and you can find almost any model of factory rifle chambered in it. A 7mm-08 would also fit the bill as well with all of the above stated advantages, but ammo is a little harder to come by. Yes, a 243 will be soft shooting and can manage deer but you are limiting yourself to what you can hunt. If you are dead set on a rifle chambered in the cartridges that you have listed then I would say get a 243, then when you have mastered it get another gun chambered in 270 or 30-06. But if it were me i'd be looking at a 308 or 7mm-08

 

[kamlooky]

I think StevieK has done a bit of homework.
I agree with the last sentence he typed as well.

 

[bogie]

Steviek beat me to it. Obvious choice here would also be a 308. As well you can get lots of different ammo from at least 150gr to 180. I reload so the 308 and 30-06 are natural choices. Open a reloading manual and just look at all the choices if you ever decide to reload. Ammo is easy to get anywhere and it is a reliable, accurate round. Lookout Moosie!