.223 .243 .270 .30-06

And just since no-one has mentioned this yet, if you are planning on using the rifle for hunting deer then cross 223 off your list right now and don't consider it anymore.
Yes some rednecks have killed deer with 223 but in many areas it is illegal to hunt deer with a 223 and a responsible hunter should never consider a 223 to be a main deer rifle. You can get VERY cheap ammo for the 223 but this should not influence you. Hunting deer with a 223 is not ethical and most likely illegal where you will be hunting.
 
Buy a good 223. Put a decent scope on it. Have fun with it, shoot it lots, maybe even take up reloading.

Get the 30-06/270/308 later.

.
 
I'd go .243. My little brother shoots one and I shot one deer with the same gun when I was younger. My little brother flattens more deer with that .243 that some of the old farts that hunt with us that have used 30.06 and .308 for 25 years.


.270 is another good choice as well.
 
My 1st hunting rifle was a 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser (22 yrs ago), I chose this caliber because I too was recoil shy and wanted a cartridge that would be adequate for varmints and deer and in turn not be hard on the shoulder. I eventually moved up to 30-06, 7mm RM and 300 Win mag but now I am back down to the good and reliable 6.5 Swede ;)
Mind you, just recently I also picked up a .243. So with the calibers you listed I would go with the .243 good luck
 
My first center fire hunting rifle was a .243. I have since moved on to larger cals. I still have that .243, it is going to be my sons when the time comes.

I would recomend a .270. It will do anything you ask. Coyotes, Deer, Elk, Moose even bears.

I would however start with a rimfire......

My $.02
 
Might want o look at a used but good condition 6.5x55 swede from tradex, fits mos places there are calibre restrictions and will work on anything up to moose.
Also what you save on the rifle will buy a lot of ammo.
 
A few years ago I was the same situation as you, I got a .243. Looking back now I wish I had bought a ".308 class" caliber and then got a .223 later. However I still use my .243 it works just fine for deer. Imo your limited to deer sized game with a .243, get the .308 and you have some room to grow.
 
Check the regulations in your area if there is no caliber restriction the 308 is the way to go cheap surplus available for range and this caliber will take anything in N.A. and it doesnt kick more than a 270 with a good 150 gr bullet... JP.
 
That MFS stuff is pretty good for the price 11.00 for 20 145 gr SP and they shoot in 2 inch out of my M-14... JP.
 
For a first rifle any you mentioned will serve you well for deer. Seeing it will be your 1st rifle, price out ammo and go with whatever you can get cheapest. Then look for a deal on a rifle in that caliber & practice, practice. practice. If recoil worries you get a recoil pad.
 
Start with a rimfire then shoot, shoot , shoot and they're cheap and a hoot to shoot. Then see how you like it and learn the basics. There are lots of folks willing to help out as you've seen by your thread. If you get spooked by recoil by a higher calibre rifle it could have a negative affect on your experience. Just have fun and learn for now.
 
I have an 06, and 270, my wife has a 243. For deer the 243 is about perfect. I stoped shooting the 06 for deer and started using the 270, but when the wife was not with me I wouuld use her 243.
We load it with 95 Gr Nosler partitions, it shoots out to all reasonable distances for WT, Mule, and Antelope.
She also shot a moose with it. No problem. Put it where it should be.
The 243 is pleasant to shoot, and gives good clean kills without massive meat loss like I was having with the 270 and 30-06.
You do not mention going for moose, so the 243 is a great rifle.
The 270 is also a light recoil but more than a 243, and better suited for moose with a 150 gr load. I use 130 for deer in the 270.
Don't overlook a 7mm08, 6mm remington, or 6.5 sweed.
You will learn to shoot better with a gun that does not punish you.
Pete
 
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