Buddy of mine is getting in to deer hunting (and hog hunting too). He has been hunting off and on very sporadically growing up. He just started hunting with me a few times this year and I already have him hooked. He has come to me for advice on a deer rifle to get. I don't have much experience hunting as most on the forum so I want to make sure I am advising correctly. I suggested 30-06 cause that is what I was told to use, what I have, ammo price is decent, good for pretty much any game in North America, great knock down power, accurate, etc... He has a 12ga and his dad has a 30-30. He was torn between getting a 30-06 and 270 and has recently told me he thinks he may just buy his dads 30-30 lever action. What do you all think. I was thinking a 12 ga with slugs may have just as much range as a 30-30. So if he is gonna pay money to get a gun, a 30-06 would broaden his arsenal a little better. Is this bad advice? Also if he decides to buy a gun other than the 30-30 he has narrowed his choices to a .270 or .30-06 but leaning towards the .270. He will be hunting mainly Florida WMA's, is .270 good, or should I push him towards the 30-06?
the only thing I did was go to the .308 instead of the 30-06( the savage edge, full camo and scope with the accue-trigger is 350 at walmart) and I need to buy a 44 mag rifle and pistol or a 30-30.
IMO, shots 0-50 yds shotgun only would be OK, 50-150 yds 30-30, beyond 150 yds some centerfire cartrige, 243,308,7mm08, 25-06,270,280,30-06. but nothing is written in stone and it all comes down to likes and personal prefference. for me hunting the thicker stuff primarily I'm carrying the shotgun the most.
I use my 30-30 or shotgun most of the time here in florida if hunting in brush. I go to my 270 if I am hunting open areas 150 yards or more. When I go to Alabama I use my 7 mag some of the shots out there are 400 to 500 yards on the clear cuts. And yes I have shot some bucks out to the 425 yard mark with the 7 mag. Here in florida the 30-30 is good deer or hog gun imo. Most shots in florida are less 100 yards unless you are hunting pastures or powerline right of ways.
i use my 3030 all the time.. Thats about all i use now.. Its light. accurate out to 100 yards.. At first i was a non lever action person.. But thats my new favorite gun ever!!.. I shot my first deer with mine this year!!!.. Its the best all around gun.. I hold mine over my shoulder its so light.. walk with it like its a pistol.. I havent taken any of the many guns out of my cabinet this year cause im hooked on the 3030..
Best all around gun for florida hands down period.
