Deer hunting is a sacred right of manhood, or better put, an opportunity for men, boys, girls, and women to enjoy our big-game hunting heritage. I remember my first big-game rifle as vividly as if it were purchased yesterday, not 20 years ago--a single-shot Harrington & Richardson Topper that came with both 20-gauge and 30-30 Winchester barrels.
My father felt the gun represented a perfect starter weapon for a young hunter who would tackle both upland and big-game animals. For a couple years that prized single shot met my hunting needs admirably. It wasn't until my body and hunting spirit outgrew it that a new deer rifle found its way into my hands.
Thanks to the generosity of an adopted grandfather, a used but good condition Remington GameMaster model 141 replaced the old H&R single shot. Chambered for the once popular 35 Remington, this slide-action repeater came to me with peep sights that I promptly replaced with a Burris fixed-power 4X scope.
The little Remington picked up the nickname no-jive-35, because it made a point of anchoring every whitetail I shot at. It wasn't until after I graduated from college and got into the outdoor business full time that my interest in hunting spread to other species like mule deer, antelope, black bear, and caribou.
The no-jive-35 has a special place in my heart and gun cabinet, but this little number sees limited action these days. I've graduated to flatter shooting rounds the likes of which have provided me hunting thrills I never dreamed possible.
As I look back over my 20-year big- game hunting career, I wonder if the single shot my father choose as my first gun was a blessing or disservice to a young hunter burdened with growing pains. Even my prized no-jive-35 has its limitations where big-game hunting is concerned.
These days when hunters ask me what gun they should choose for their son, daughter, or wife as a first deer rifle, my answer doesn't follow with tradition. Even though I started out with the traditional single shot, my wife Mari and son Zack aren't following suit. It makes sense from a hunting and economic point of view to jump over the traditional 30-30 Winchester, 32 Special, 300 Savage and 35 Remington guns in favor of more versatile hunting calibers.
A versatile hunting caliber doesn't have to be one that delivers a bone crushing recoil or overall weight of a varmint gun. On the contrary, some of the best calibers for soft-skinned game such as whitetails, mulies, pronghorn, and caribou are what I refer to as the middle-of-the-road calibers. Many hunters overlook the assortment of short-action cartridges in their rush to buy the long actions and belted magnums.
Mind you, middle-of-the-road doesn't mean average in performance. Short action calibers like 243 Winchester, 250 Savage, 6mm Remington, 257 Roberts, 7mm-08 Remington, and 308 Winchester are serious performers on medium-sized big game. Each of these calibers is flat enough shooting to justify use on a western hunt or long shots down a eastern powerline right of way, felt recoil is mild and bullet selection is without equal.
Middle-of-the-road calibers have never developed the following they deserve, still I feel these calibers matched with a repeating rifle represent are the ideal combination for the beginner and or seasoned big-game hunter.
Available in pump actions, lever actions, and a host of bolt actions from Remington, Winchester, Ruger, Browning, Sako, and Savage these calibers are chambered for a wide range of rifles.
For those of you who doubt the performance levels of short-action calibers, let me point out that on paper the 7mm-08 Remington with a 140-grain bullet nears the trajectory and down-range energy of the 270 Winchester with a 130-grain bullet.
One of the most popular factory loaded cartridge and bullet combinations in hunting history, the 270 loaded with 130-grain bullets produces an average of 1,585 foot pounds of energy at 300 yards. The 7mm-08 delivers a respectable 1,490 foot pounds of energy at the same range.
Military shooters are quick to point out that the NATO approved 308 Winchester is only a pinch behind the famous .30-06 Springfield in trajectory and down-range energy. Both the .308 and .30-06 cartridges loaded with factory stuffed 150-grain bullets deliver 1,344 and 1,445 foot pounds of energy at 300 yards respectively. The 308 is also considered to be more accurate than the more popular 30-06 by many benchrest shooters.
For the record, these examples are only a few of the arguments that could be waged in favor of what might be called the fairer sex of centerfire cartridges. The 6mm Remington is one of the fastest, flattest, and hardest hitting calibers going when matched up with quality 100-grain bullets like the Nosler Solid Base, Hornady Boattail Soft Point, Sierra Boattail Spitzer, and Speer Spitzer Boattail.
With a standard muzzle velocity exceeding 3,100 fps even the popular 270, 280, and 30-06 have a hard time keeping up with this sizzling pace.
One of the finest antelope calibers going, the 6mm and its smaller brother the 243 Winchester are also lethal on whitetails and mule deer in the hands of a shooter who carefully limits his shots to those that enter the lungs.
Not without merit, the quietly admired 257 Roberts loaded with 117-grain bullet is flat to 250 yards and provides more than ample punch for whitetails at that range. Available in a variety of lightweight and handy rifles including the Ruger Ultra Light, Remington Mountain Rifle, Browning Model 81 BLR, and A-bolt Micro Medallion, the 257 Roberts has a small but devoted following.
All the medium calibers mentioned thus far are also prime candidates for the reloader who prides himself on getting the most from every caliber. A quality bullet pushed by a near maximum load of powder will quickly transform the likes of these average calibers into super game getters.
Even 6mm, 257 Roberts, and 7mm-08 cartridges loaded to the maximum are soft on the shoulder compared to the larger 270, 280, and 30-06. That argument solved, it's time to consider the ideal action for the young hunter or special lady in your life.
Admittedly, I'm biased towards bolt-action rifles. Then again so are 90 percent of all gun writers. It's hard to argue with the looks, dependability, and accuracy bolt actions provide, but that's not to say slide action, auto-loaders, and lever action guns aren't just as effective.
In the hands of an inexperienced hunter I'd feel safer leaving the auto-loading rifles at home. That leaves the pump, lever, and bolt action rifles to choose from.
In the pump category, there's only one choice in the caliber ranges we've selected. The popular Remington 7600 is chambered for the 243 and 308 Winchester.
Lever action lovers have two models to choose from. The fine Browning BLR is available in 243, 257 Roberts, 7mm-08, and 308. Savage's popular 99C is available in both 243 and 308 chambering.
There's no shortage of bolt action guns chambered for the medium action deer cartridges. Some of my favorites include the Remington Model 7, Winchester Featherlight, Ruger M77R Mark II, Browning A-Bolt, and Sako Lightweight Hunter.
Both Remington and Winchester offer a youth version of their bolt action rifles. The Remington Model 7 and Winchester Model 70 Ranger are produced with stocks tailored to the dimensions of the smaller shooter.
Remington even offers an after market fiberglass/Kevlar stock that can be used to upgrade a youth grade or other rifle as the shooter's size and hunting ambitions grow. Synthetic after-market stocks are a great way to customize a rifle and squeeze out the smallest possible groups on the range and in the field.
A major advocate of synthetic stocks, my personal hunting rifles are all gradually finding themselves dressed in fiberglass or fiberglass/Kevlar reinforced stocks. Durability, weight, and accuracy are the major reasons hunters are turning to synthetic stocks. Wood for all its natural beauty is a poor material for a rifle stocks that will be subjected to wet weather and rough treatment.
Some stock makers offer youth models that can be returned to the factory and custom lengthened as a shooter grows, eliminating ugly spacers or the need to purchase two stocks. Brown Precision, Inc., 7786 Molinos Ave., POB 270 W., Los Molines, CA 96055 produces excellent synthetic stocks including a youth version that's perfect for young or small frame hunters. Other synthetic stock manufacturers include Bell & Carlson, Butler Creek, Remington, Ram Line, and H.S. Precison.
The fixed power 4X scope I mounted on the no-jive-35 works wonders in the short-range environment it was intended for. In longer range shooting situations fixed power scopes are a handicap that young or inexperienced hunters don't need.
Rather than buying a fixed-power scope and later upgrading to a variable, I believe it makes more sense to buy the variable up front. Education is a major part of hunting and teaching your son, daughter, or wife how to get the most from a variable-power scope is a lesson they will benefit from for their entire hunting career.
If cost is an issue, select one of the excellent midpriced variable scopes like the Burris Fullfield, Leupold Vari-X II, Bushnell Trophy, or Simmon 44 Mag. These optics represent excellent quality and value that will perform flawlessly for years to come.
Optics are a hunting item that can eat up a family budget in a hurry. Despite their cost, quality optics are always a good investment. Buy the best optics you can afford.
The economy of purchasing one deer rifle a young or new hunter can grow into and not out of makes sense. The 243 Browning A-Bolt my wife Mari hunts with also serves as my backup gun on my annual western big-game hunts. When the day comes that Mari and Zack decide to join me on the trek west, I'm confident the middle-of-the-road rifles they tout will serve them equally well.
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