New (want to) Hunter

I agree with the guys suggesting the Remington Model 700. I have several Browning rifles in my safe which cost way more and may even be better than the 700. I'm 53 now and have been deer hunting since age 6, here in Alabama. The last 10 deer I've taken has been with the Remington 700, it is my "go to" rifle. Myself, I like the 30-06 which is a larger round but as my PaPaw used to say "load up for a bear even though you may only see a rabbit". I'm a believer in great optics, I'm one of those guys that say "optics is everything". I prefer the Leaupold VX3 (3-9 x 50) scope. I'm not sure if they have this same model still but I'm sure they have something comparable. If you are new to hunting the (3-9) means the magnification (if you have it set on 5, that means that your point of aim "looks" 5 times closer than the naked eye. The (50 means the size of the lens in the opposite end of the eyepiece in millimeters). Most scopes are either 40 MM or 50 MM. I prefer the larger 50 MM, because here in Alabama, the bigger bucks are typically seen very early in the morning or late in the evening and the 50 MM scope (being larger) brings more light into the scope therefore allowing you to see a brighter image (early and late) because of limit sunlight. I have 5 of these topping my rifles and I love them and the warranty is great. Again, I'm sure other guys have their favorites and everyone will have their opinion. On the bow, I tried it one time. DON'T DO AS I DID! My first day of practicing, I probably shot 40-50 times, nobody told me to only start pulling it back 2-3 times a day. I ended up destroying the tendons in my elbow and had to have corrective surgery the next week. There will be lots of good advice on this forum, so soak up as much knowledge as you can. The biggest thing is this, SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY. If you climb a tree use a safety harness, never point your gun at anything you are not willing to shoot and ALWAYS treat your gun as if it loaded. Good Luck!

 

This is very, very interesting. I watched some shows many years ago and this is a thing and was gaining momentum as a viable hunting option. Guys were using Glocks, 1911s, really big wheel guns, etc to hunt big game. They would stalk the deer or whatever just as you would if you were to bow hunt on foot. Only difference is they have immediate follow up shots. Big bore automatics were 10mm, IIRC. Wheel guns can be had up to 45/70 if you have the cash.

 

I’ve always been fascinated with handgun hunting. The power floor is realistically 357 magnum and 10mm auto for big game, and true hunting loads (which are different in terms of power and bullet construction than self protection ammo) are available for both. Make mine a 6” or 8” Smith N Frame in 44magnum.

 

Muzzle loaders are deadly for deer too

 

Yessir. I have an 8" N Frame and it's fantastic. Ever since The Rock in "Faster" I've wanted a Ruger Alaskan Backpacker. Whole lotta gun in a medium frame. Held .454 one at a shop once, regret not buying it because it was sold just a few days later.

https://ruger.com/products/superRedhawkAlaskan/models.html

 

Use the 870. Spend the money on a guide instead. It will speed up the learning process