For my brother what caliber

[7070yshot]

Hello all I'm asking this to better help my brother he is looking to buy his first rifle which will be for huntin white tail and maybe bear if hes able.hes not sure what caliber or rifle to go with and what I've recommended to him hes not sure on yet.hes looking at couple different rifles but he is on a tight budget of 500 just for rife but me and my dad will help with little more cash if he finds something he really wants.the caliber he is most interested in is different 6.5 cal,,270 win and maybe 308.he has shot and hunted with either my dads 308 or 30-06,270 or 50 cal muzzleloader.he wants to have his own rifle he is 17 right now and I'm not sure how he is on recoil any help would be greatly appreciated thanks

6.5 Ruger American Predator or Marlin lever gun 30-30

Direct message me and I can get you the gun within your budget

 

[BHP9]

I say .308 or 30/06 will get the job done for bear and deer.

I have both and gravitate more to the .308.

 

[Lee Goodwin]

Since you said bear, 270 or 30.06, his choice.

 

[Radman]

Hello all I'm asking this to better help my brother he is looking to buy his first rifle which will be for huntin white tail and maybe bear if hes able.hes not sure what caliber or rifle to go with and what I've recommended to him hes not sure on yet.hes looking at couple different rifles but he is on a tight budget of 500 just for rife but me and my dad will help with little more cash if he finds something he really wants.the caliber he is most interested in is different 6.5 cal,,270 win and maybe 308.he has shot and hunted with either my dads 308 or 30-06,270 or 50 cal muzzleloader.he wants to have his own rifle he is 17 right now and I'm not sure how he is on recoil any help would be greatly appreciated thanks

LOTS of good advice here, lots of opinions. Why? Because everything you've named is a good choice, (plus 2 - 3 more). I think that it will just depend on what he likes/what they have/the right price, however.....right now ammo availability is a big factor for a new shooter, (howbeit a short-term problem, we all hope)! Good luck.

 

[Khavic]

7mm-08 is what you're looking for. Already been said, but worth repeating.

 

[Bwana Barry]

6.5 x 55 Swede.
I use this in S Africa and Namibia from springbok to kudu bulls and gemsbok (oryx).
I suggest he uses 140gr Fusion for deer.
156gr Norma Oryx for bear etc - depending on distance, but good up to 200 -250 yds
Barnes Ttsx / Tsx is also recommended....
308 would be my 2nd choice for him - modern bullets work wonders......
7mm-08 would be my 3rd choice.
30-06 recoil is on the threshold.....(I also have one, but am using my 6.5x55 CZ550 more...)

 

[tomsd]

Hello all I'm asking this to better help my brother he is looking to buy his first rifle which will be for huntin white tail and maybe bear if hes able.hes not sure what caliber or rifle to go with and what I've recommended to him hes not sure on yet.hes looking at couple different rifles but he is on a tight budget of 500 just for rife but me and my dad will help with little more cash if he finds something he really wants.the caliber he is most interested in is different 6.5 cal,,270 win and maybe 308.he has shot and hunted with either my dads 308 or 30-06,270 or 50 cal muzzleloader.he wants to have his own rifle he is 17 right now and I'm not sure how he is on recoil any help would be greatly appreciated thanks

My question was - how BIG are the bears he will be hunting. As somebody said earlier - in the lower 48 - a trusty 30.06 will handle pretty much anything - unless a big Griz wanders down from Canada - and you still can't beat it for all around shooting, available models and ammo.

 

[tomsd]

30-06 is always a good choice. It is suitable for anything in the lower 48 and beyond. Ammo is readily available just about anywhere in 120-200 grain bullets.

Hear hear - nothing better for all around than the old 30.06.

 

[Creoleboy]

Get him a ruger american predator rifle in 308 or 6.5 cm(400.00) I got my girlfriend, the go wild edition of that rifle she loves it, and it shots less than inch groups for 499.00.

 

[Karey Kimmel]

30-06 or 308. Both are very versatile calibers and good for most game animals in the US. Ammo is readily available in a good selection of bullet types and weights almost anywhere. You can pick up a relatively good quality OTS rifle in these calibers for your budget as well.

 

[tomsd]

6.5 Ruger American Predator or Marlin lever gun 30-30

Direct message me and I can get you the gun within your budget

And pretty much every manufacturer today makes a good - entry level rifle for $500 - and I would look at the likes of Savage, Mossberg, Remington, Winchester, Ruger and others to find what fits best. On sale - you can even find a very smooth Tikka T3 for a bit over $500 - nothing better for that price.

 

[Ranger Rick]

The $500 limit is doable with new rifles in the calibers listed above. However, the stocks are IMO not great in $500 rifles, so I'd say look for a good used rifle with a wood stock, maybe Dad will sell him one of his. With today's excellent factory ammo, 7mm-08 and the above other calibers are very effective and versatile.

 

[19 Badger]

Most if all 270 factory rifles will come with a 1-10 twist, my only gripe about my 270 wby mag. I would look at a 6.5 creedmoor if only shooting 5-600 yards. I own two and have developed loads for 5 different ones and all have been super easy to develop a load for. Find one with a 7.5 or 8 twist and it will do everything you need with readily available factory ammo. I would feel confident out to about 3-400 on elk with it as well with good bullets... No experience with the 7-08, but I would put it on the same level with a 6.5 cm, have heard good things about them. Both 6.5 and 7mm have an amazing selection of bullets if you like to roll your own. You will need a faster twist 270 barrel to take it to the next level.

 

[Highvoltage]

Budget rifle.....savage anything, ruger American, tc venture, Weatherby vanguard. All will shoot. Calibers light recoil I like 25/06, 7mm/08, 6.5 creed in that order