I am new to hunting, but keep finding more and more opportunities to try for different game. I bought a shotgun for deer in a slug zone and birds. I have a top eject 30-30 I took out coyote hunting and a 10/22. I definately could use something with a little longer range for coyote size game. I may also hunt deer in a rifle zone next year. I also plan to do a lot of target shooting during the summer for practice. I was thinking about 200 yards or less. But if I get enough practice possibly more. Here is where I have confused myself. I could get an affordable bolt action, maybe a Stevens .223. Then later in the year get another Stevens in .270 for deer season. Or a friend suggested since as of yet my skill level is definately under 200 yards, getting say a Browning or Winchester in say a .243. Use that for both for a year or so. Then get another deer rifle later since that would be used less often. It seems like it would be easier to have 2 rifles each sighted for its intended purpose, But the Brownings and Winchesters are just so nice and sure to last. I do not plan to reload. And .243s and .270s seem to be the most plentiful and the most affordable. A 25-06 was and has been mentioned as a good inbetween caliber but is hard to find. and when I have seen it, it's limited selection. What would you do? And why?
And please, feel free to give your opinion on a .243 for deer at 200 yards or less. But please don't fight over it. From what I have read on here and learned so far, It should be more than enough, but I'm still learning so opinions are still valuable to me. So far it seems like I would be happier with a .270 or .308 for hunting and target shooting at farther ranges though. This will also be my first rifle with a scope. Thinking low power for starters, Maybe a 2-7X32 nikon.
