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Hi friends.

I'll be picking out a new rifle this spring for my son-in-law, who will be learning-about rifles and deer hunting. (from the ground-up.... 22 first.... lots of range time.... taking hunter education, etc. etc.)

He is a bright and thoughtful young man, and will do well, but I am in a dilemma on what to purchase.
My two "leanings" are a Marlin 30-30 or a bolt-action 243. We will be hunting western Washington, so shots will be 200 yards or less, and most likely between 50 and 150 yards.
What is your advice on this?

If you are leaning towards the bolt-gun, who is making the best entry-level bolt-action nowadays? (decent accuracy/reliability for a fair price)

Your thoughts?


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For deer only I'd go .243 but throw Black Bear in the mix and give me the .30-30.

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RAR 243, Tikka 243. Just not a fan of levers anymore. Seems we start there, then move on.

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I would choose the 243. It's a lot more versatile than a 30/30. I was hunting in Northern California when I saw Buck on the next Canyon. It was getting late and he was about 400 yards away. But all I had with me was a 30/30, so I couldn't take the shot. With a 243 I could have taken the shot.


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Much as I love my Marlin .30-30, I have to say a .243 is more versatile.


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I've got a bolt action .243 and a Marlin .30-30. If I could only have one for deer under 200 yards I'd take the .30-30. In fact, I have a safe full of scoped bolt action rifles and the Marlin .30-30 is still my favorite and most used deer rifle.

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Marlin XS7 in 243 from CDNN, $250 while they last, but if you want one, you'd better hurry.

Plus, I think that exposed hammer firearms are dangerous in the hands of the great majority of novice hunters or at least in the hands of those who I have seen while afield.

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It pains me to say but, .243. I love the dirty thirty though and it will do a heckuva lot of hunting.
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Realize not the question, but 7-08 or 308 would be better choices..

Tikka or Ruger or Winchester.

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Originally Posted by 260Remguy
Marlin XS7 in 243 from CDNN, $250 while they last, but if you want one, you'd better hurry.

Plus, I think that exposed hammer firearms are dangerous in the hands of the great majority of novice hunters or at least in the hands of those who I have seen while afield.
A marlin 336 is a better rifle than an XS7 and if anybody is too stupid to use an exposed hammer rifle safely then they're too stupid to be out hunting. For crissakes I've been using one since I was 12 years old and have NEVER had a problem.

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I'd get an 30-30 because I like the handling and ambidextrous nature of lever guns. I also love my old 1960's vintage Marlin and how slick it functions. It will do all you need and it's an really nice package with an red dot sight in woods like you have.

For me its handling. I just like the fit and handling of my old Marlin, but if ranges are longer than of course the 243 leaves it in the dust.

During the past ammo shortage I still saw 30-30, 243, 270, and 30-06 widely available. That's the beauty of these common sport calibers.

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Sentiment aside, go with the 243.


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.30-30 for the easy win here. That's how I started and that's how my kids will start as well. I have actually had young shooters prefer the .30-30 over .243s at the range. The managed recoil load in the .30-30 is a real puppy dog.

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Originally Posted by Brazos
Realize not the question, but 7-08 or 308 would be better choices..

Tikka or Ruger or Winchester.


Since you are dealing with an adult the lever would be OK but 30-30 limiting. I started all the kids and grandkids on bolt-30-30's. Now we have so many 7-08s in the family I lost count and if needed there are reduced recoil factory loads available. He won't out-grow the 7-08 ever.


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Love the 30-30, but the 243 is more versatile. Ruger American.


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Originally Posted by Brazos
Realize not the question, but 7-08 or 308 would be better choices.

Definitely this. While he may start hunting with you in western Washington, he could end up anywhere, so he might as well have a rig he can use for elk, bear, hogs, and whatever else strikes his fancy down the road. In nearly 30 years of hunting western Washington, I've taken most of my deer up close, but I've had opportunities to reach out and hammer stuff way across a clear cut. A 30-30 doesn’t have the reach for that and a 243 is starting to get a little light for some of the bigger stuff.

If you’re near Bothell, DJ’s Sport Shop on Beardslee Boulevard is heaven for shooters. They have several hundred solid used rifles in stock, from rimfires to stuff you’d take to Africa. Plus, many of their rifles have 24hourcampfire-approved modifications like good synthetic stocks, glass bedding, Leupold glass, etc. You can easily go nuts in there, but I’d focus on a Remington M-700, Winchester M-70, Ruger 77, etc. They’ll have dozens from which to choose.

Also, sign him up for a Hunter’s Safety course NOW. They book quickly, and if you wait until April there won’t be a free slot anywhere in the state. When I was in the gun business, I saw a lot of kids not get to hunt because their folks waited until June to sign them up. Kenmore Gun Range (http://www.wcwi.org/education-and-training/) and the Renton Fish & Game Club (http://www.rfgc.org/education/) have good programs.

PM me if you have questions.


Okie John


Originally Posted by Brad
If Montana had a standing army, a 270 Win with Federal Blue Box 130's would be the standard issue.
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I can respectfully offer a 7mm-08 I have listed in the classifieds. Very nice rifle.


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Of the two choices, I vote for the 30-30. It's all one needs to get started and it doesn't really limit his opportunities much since the majority of all shots are made within its useful range, and a lever action is an excellent hunting rifle. As he progresses in hunting he can get a bolt action later chambered for something better than a .243. If a bolt action were the choice, I agree with the idea of a 7mm-08 or a .308 Win. Or for that matter a 7x57, .25-06 or .270 Win.

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7-08, find a stainless Tikka T3.






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