Very good question. Alot of varaiables. It would depend on what types and quantity of rifles and calibers you already have. Example: If you already have a 30.06 I'd go with the .243. If you already have a .223 or smaller and no heavy calibers I'd go with the .308 or 7MM-08. If you don't have anything I'd go with a .308 or 30-06 because ammo will always be available for the next 100 years. Alot of variables come into account. I have three guns just for stalking, walking, and brush busting for deer and hogs. I have three other rifles for ground blinds, open range and tree stand shooting. All four of your caliber choices are great calibers. I own all of them except the .270, since the 7MM-08 works better for me. Action choices is another big variable. What do you want to use it for? Walking, stalking, tree stand, open range, ground blind, brush buster, etc... Price is another variable. Do you want a $300 gun or a $3000 gun with the best available optics. Brands and manufactures is another variable. I personally like Ruger, Remington, Browning, Old Winchester, and Beretta guns. They are all solid, tested, and have been in the gun industry producing high quality firearms for years. The biggest factor with them is price, they don't cost $300 new. They all start at around $500 plus and go up from there. Buy a firearm that is an investment for a lifetime which serves your purpose (s) and one which will last you a life time. If you buy cheap, you get cheap. If you ever decide to and become a "Gun Nut" like some of the folks on the Forum, you'll have guns with one specific purpose and function. I have a shotgun that I only use for Doves, it might go to the skeet range once a year for familiarization but it's my "Dove Gun". I have a carbine rifle in 44 mag that's my brush busting deer/hog gun and it has never been in a tree stand. I have 10-12 gun that fall into there individual catagory and usage area. It has taken me years to find the ones that work for me for a specific purpose. The best part is when you go on that weekend 3 day hunt and have to take 2-4 guns with you to make sure you have all of your bases covered depending upon weather, terrain, type of animal, cover, distance, platform, etc... Borrow guns from your friends, shoot them, go to the range, ask to shoot something you see you might like, be social and most folks will introduce you to whatever they have on the table in front of them. Decide what you like and don't like before spending $300-$2000 on a rifle which might not work for you.Hope my two cents and a nickle helps.
DUde, where were you about three months ago? I had a budddies 7mm-08 Browning A-bolt, brand new with a Nikon scope on here, LEFT HANDED, for I think it was $550. That would have been your deal! You couldn't buy the rifle for that.
I know I saw it yesterday on the forum,, wish I had been on this forum sooner,, always a day late and a dollar short. hope to run into another deal, but not counting on it
It would depend on what types and quantity of rifles and calibers you already have.
I already have a 30-30, mini 30, 12 gauge, and multiple handguns to get the job done, but don't have much faith in my 30-30 anymore,, seems to shoot the first shot high and then it shoots ok, not sure if it's me or the gun
Have you ever been to AAA Pawn in Deland? They have about 5K used long guns in stock. They have alot of junk and what I call "Project Guns" for sale. If you know what your looking for and want to sort through the masses of used and tore up guns they have, you can find some deals. His good quality stuff is priced fairly reasonably. It's worth the trip over to Deland if your a gun nut. The thread on the 7MM-08 Wanted has a member who might be willing to make you a great sale on a Stainless Synthetic Ruger M77 in 25-06, another great caliber that falls right into the area you are looking at. Pics are posted of it also. I already have one blued and walnut stock...
