[Fido969]

30-06 is a good choice for a hunting rifle, but might be a bit of a cannon for a beginner. Around here for deer, a 30-30 or a .270 is the typical gun.

What were you going to be hunting?

[i_robot73]

>What were you going to be hunting?

Deer. Don’t think dad cares much for anything else, but ya never know....He’d prob. get some wild-hair to do something else (feral pig maybe).

[Bonemaker]

“What were you going to be hunting?”

That of course is the appropriate question. Start with one particular game and choose the appropriate weapon. Then if you like the sport you can add a different quarry and new weapon. And so on and so on until you have a whole safe full of them! Fun but semi expensive.

[Clutch Martin]

My first question has always been:

What game (or varmint) are you planning on hunting?

[Do the math]

If I'm hunting squirrels(my favorite tasty animal), I use either a bb or pellet rifle. For deer and boar, I use either my Marlin 30-30 or my Mossberg 30-06 depending on the terrain. My Mossberg 100ATR in the 30-06 is one of my cheaper rifles with an inexpensive Leapold scope is my most accurate rifle. For larger animals like bear, I have have a Remington 7mm-mag, but it kicks like a mule. For rabbits I use either a 410 shotgun or my Marlin 22lr, again depending on the terrain.

My dad taught me to shoot with a Daisy Red Ryder bb rifle, and I still use it to plink. Good hunting.