I've had really good luck using my dad's old 30-06, it really is hard to go wrong there. I decided to go a bit smaller last year with a .270 and I've been really impressed. I've only had two shots at deer with it so far, but I dropped them both, one at 230 yards. As far as brand, unless you're wanting to go competition, any name band will meet your needs. My new .270 I got is a Marlin and one of the first bolt action rifles they've built (known primarily for their lever actions). The price was right, so I gave it a shot and it's been a fantastic little rifle.
I'm a reloader, and I've got more and more friends who are getting AR-15's, almost exclusively in .223, and they've been using them for plinking and hunting. Not quite the stopping power of a larger caliber, but a kill shot is still a kill shot. Then you've got a fun something to play with out of season!!!
I'm a reloader, and I've got more and more friends who are getting AR-15's, almost exclusively in .223, and they've been using them for plinking and hunting. Not quite the stopping power of a larger caliber, but a kill shot is still a kill shot. Then you've got a fun something to play with out of season!!!
