Opinions wanted, looking for my first whitetail deer gun, 25-06 or 243, 270 Win

huntershooter

huntershooter

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Hello, I'm looking for my first whitetail deer gun. From the little research I've done I'm leaning towards 25-06 but 243 is offered more commonly. They both seam like great options. I was also thinking 270 because it would give me a great gun for game larger than deer if that's something I grow towards. I've been considering the Tika T3 lite, synthetic stainless and the browning xbolt stalker. I'm leaning towards a nikon monarch scope. Any opinions or information you can share ?

Note: May 11 2017, bought a Browning AB3 hunter (wood stock), 7mm-08, bushnell elite 3500 3-9x, thanks for all the comments
 
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I've taken dozens of new guys and girls hunting and I recommend the same gun to everyone. Buy a 270. Recoil is manageable, you can load heavier bullets for moose, elk, bear and mulies. It shoots fast and flat. It's almost the perfect gun. Buy a browning x-bolt if you're concerned with recoil. Out of (almost all) the new guns I've shot, the xbolt is hands down the nicest for recoil. As for a scope, a vortex diamondback in a 3-9x40 or 4-12x40 is almost impossible to beat. This is comming from a guy who sells guns as a part time job. The only time id ever say go 243 is if you want to do A LOT of coyote shooting and deer shooting. But the 270 is a perfect big game caliber.
 
If it is your first gun and are looking at all options don't handicap yourself by just picking those three for choices.

You can add .260 Rem , 7mm-08 Rem , 7 x 57 , 6.5 x 55 , 257 Roberts , a bit more obscure but still options.

OR

.308 Win which is chambered in almost every rifle out there and lots of factory ammo to choose from.Heavy or light.

However out of your three I would go .270 then 25-06 then 243.

I like the Weatherby Vanguard in the budget you kind of mention.

Optics , that is up to your eye , go and look through as many as you can.You will know what is best once you look through and compare. 3-9x40 is most common and very versatile.
 
go with a 25-06 they are very good for deer and you can put the smackdown on them at very long ranges ,, way more power than a 243 and not much recoil I have shot Deer , and many coyotes with this round and you won't want to trade up in a couple years like you would with a 243 ..
 
I like the 25-06 personally and use it for everything now...took my bull moose last year at 280yrds with it. U just have to know ur limitations is all.
 
7mm-08. More bullet choice then 270. When loaded with the right bullet you are looking at enough thump for elk at 500 yards, its a short action, recoil is really light
 
25/06. If you want larger get a second gun once you master the small bore. I've taken varmint fox coyote wolf wt deer and a 300 lb black bear with my 25/06. Love the caliber
 
Out of the 3; I am impartial to the .243
We've been using them for 2 years now. Ammunition is easy to find. Recoil is next to nothing. It's a great starter round to get you into hunting. I'd go with the .243
Happy Shooting!

~Trap
 
.270, especially if you don't handload. The 7x57 is a great cartridge, and a favourite of mine, but I would never recommend one if you're limited to factory ammo. Much the same applies to the 6.5x55 and .257 Rob.
 
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