[Redcloak]

I was about to write something similar what LOC1 posted. It depends on what the conditions are where you plan to hunt. I hunt an area in So. Calif. that's got some pretty thick cover. I use a Marlin 1894 in .44 mag. It's easy to handle in such tight spaces, but it's not a good choice for more open areas with longer shots. On the other end of the scale is a friend of mine who hunts in more open areas in UT and MT. He swears by his .270. Do you know anything about the terrain where you'll be hunting? (Beyond the disturbing lack of Eucalyptus and palm trees, that is. :)

[Hugin]

One thing about buying a high (but not ultra-high) velocity round like a .270 or .308 is that it will work equally well close up or at a distance. So for a first time hunting rifle, why not get a cartridge that will do it all? Later on he could always get specialized guns for specific situations.