cfdjay

I've been a bowhunter my whole life. Never even shot a rifle since I grew up in Ohio where it's shotgun only. My father and I are going on a trip to Missouri and I'm going to use an inline muzzleloader and he wants to use a rifle. He has no rifle experience either. What would you suggest for most knockdown with minimal kick? I guess my question is what is the best all around starter rifle? Remember....I HAVE NO CLUE WHEN IT COMES TO RIFLES!! Thanks guys!

bmullin57

Since you are going to Missouri is guess you will be hunting whitetail. I would suggest .243, .260, or 7mm-08. All are based on the .308 so brass has the same capacity, but the less mass the bullet has the less it kicks. All three are excellent whitetail chooses.

UncleNorby

Just because you're new to rifles doesn't mean you should pick a "starter' caliber. I'm not suggesting a magnum either, just consider what hunting you are likely to do in the future. Have you shot any rifles? Do you consider yourself to be recoil shy? If not, you may want to consider any of the "standard" deer calibers. You really can't go wrong with a 270, 308, 30/06 etc. What I'm saying is, folks tend to think rifles kick more than they do. If you bought a 243 just because you believed you couldn't handle a 308, you may wish you had a bit more power at some point in the future. Beg, borrow or whatever, and try some before you select a caliber.

First, I would figure out what type of rifle you like best, lever, bolt, even a pump. Then I would go for a caliber that you can easily find ammo for. You may end up with a lever in 30/30, 35 Rem, 308 Win, 358 Win, 375 Win. Or, a bolt in whatever caliber. They'll all work.

oldelkhunter

If your dad is used to a 12 gauge shotgun shooting slugs deer rounds mentioned below won't even recoil. I would say 260 or 7-08,270 win would do the trick.

Joe D.

I to agree that if you are shooting 12 guage slugs for deer, you won't have any problem finding something that doesn't kick as much as those 2 3/4 to 3 in slugs. I've shot a 300 weatherby that I think doesn't kick as much as slugs. I would definitely get yourself something nice that you can use for most animals on the continent. I would recommend the 7mm mag or 30-06. Both have various loads for all different kind of game.

USMC PMI

Another opinion in the pot; any of the mentioned calibers would be effective. Personally I would start with the .270 but; I would pay more attention to the rifle you plan on purchasing than the exact caliber. If you are recoil sensative I would not purchase a feather weight rifle, the percieved recoil is greater in a light rifle. It would be worth the extra pound and a half carry weight. Stick with a rifle that is at least 7 lbs or more, I wouldn't go over 9 lbs however if you do much walking. There are several factory rifles sold with excellent decelerator pads installed, they do work. I agree with UncleNorby with the caliber selection, start around the 260, 7mm-8, 25-06, 270, you would have a hard time telling the differance between any of these in measured recoil. 30-06 can be a little rattling for the recoil sensative esp. in a light rifle. 270 is the second most popular caliber ammo sold during deer season in the US only second to the 30-06, I don't think that many people can be wrong.

If you have money to toss around there are a few companies out there that claim their stock recoil system along with a compensator can tame a 270 to recoil like a .223.

James B

Get an Encore and add whatever barrels you need from Shot gun to 375 H7H. I would suggest something in the 260, 270 or 6.5x55.

JagMagMan

The .260 or the 7mm-08 are two of the best whitetail calibers that you could ask for! Both have more than enough power for any Whitetail, and very minimal recoil too!

skeeter 7MM

.308, .270, 7mm 08 or 2506 would all be great cartridges to consider.