RIFLES+ME=CONFUSED.

[amp713]

So im completely green when it comes to rifles. The only one i have ever owned is my .22 savage, i love it and am a very good shot with it and all so, Now i have decided i want to buy a "BIG" rifle but i need some help. I will probably be using it mostly for coyotes, foxes, and any other varmint i come across, but i want one that will be able to put down a deer or maybe even an elk. I was thinking 7mm mag or maybe a 25-06 since i had friends with those guns and they seemed to match my goals?? what do you guys think?

[firefighterbraun]

I actually started out with the same gun you did. A savage .22. Its a fun little gun. I'm not huge into the varmint/predator hunting. Though I try to get out and take care of the local coyotes every once in a while. But what we got for guns is a Rem 770 .270 which is the wifes deer killer. Its a good gun and not too expensive. Only issue with that is the bolt is not super smooth but for the price you can't beat it....and it comes in all calibers too. Also got a Stevens 30-06 which is my deer and elk gun and I love it. Also got a Traditions .50 muzzleloader among some other shotguns and pistols. But overall I think if you're looking for a good all around gun to use on big game too I would say at least a .243 if not the .270. Hope you get some more help on this since I am not a huge varmint hunter!

[sneekeepete]

Considering everything you just said I would say go for a .270. It is enough gun for deer and elk but won't break your bank shooting a lot. Ammo is usually available most places too. The 7mm and 25-06 are also great choices as well as about a million more. But like I said considering what you said you wanted it for I would reccomend the a .270.

[model70]

I agree that the 270 would be an excellent choice. The good old 30-06 would be a great caliber to look at also. Both would be very easy to buy factory ammo for. The 30-06 would offer a little better bullet selection for factory ammo. You could not go wrong with either one in my opinion.

[BIGANTLERGETTER]

i shoot a Ruger M77 .270 iv shot coyotes, deer, and elk with it also own a 30-06 but prefer my .270 due to the bullet drop i have experienced on the 30-06 but i do still love it as a fun gun to go shoot with and with practice performs just as well as any other gun out there but +1 on the .270 or 30-06

[NONYA]

buy a 7mag and never need another

[9er]

buy a 7mag and never need another

amen

[Springville Shooter]

I'd agree to choose between the 270 and the 7mm mag as you can get the best factory stuff for these choices. Factory loads for the 25-06 and especially the 30-06 are poor unless you shoot the highest price premium ammo.-----------SS

[Loafer]

If you can call some friends who have bigger rifles and ask if they will take you out to shoot'em. Magnums are great because they can kill big and small and near and far, but they are magnums so you want to be sure you can manage the recoil. It may be good to go with a .270 or 30-06 and step up to magnums later. Out of those two I lke the .270.

[NotEnufTags]

buy a 7mag and never need another

+2

I've used a 30-06 for 22 years. It's enough gun, but i've found lately that I'd like something with a little flatter path out to it's Max Point Blank Range and with less drop as you continue past 300 yards.

If I were buying a first big game rifle right now, I'd look at the 300 win mag, 300 wsm, or a 7 mm mag. Of those the 7mm mag and 300 win mag seem to have the most availble factory ammo. They both will give you a great gun from your coyotes through your elk. Let us know what you decide on.