For the money, what is the best caliber, make and model, and scope, to hunt Texas deer???All of my guns were stolen years ago, and I never replaced them. I would like to start hunting again. Your suggestions will be appreciated.

Let the games begin....but I will say just get one of everything from .22 all the way to .50 and you will be covered. But realistically a lot of good calibers, .243, .270, .7mm-08, .25-06, .308, .30-06. Depends on what part of the state you are hunting and style of hunting. As far as make, Remington, Browning, Marlin, Savage, Winchester all have their pros and cons. I'd go with Remington though

A good ol model 700 in .243 would be a good start lots of other cal.'s but that's a good starting point. Toss on a NIKON scope and your out the door for 600 with ammo and a gun case

This thread should solve all those unanswered questions for sure!!

Oh gosh.

Boing Boing Boing....

LOL, nothing I just typed hasent already been said.

Just get a semi auto 50 cal and you should be ok all over the world. Oh yeah, get the best optics you can afford

What money?

If you liked ALL your guns that got stolen, just replace them. If you did not, you gonna hunt with something we gonna prescribe for you? Now, that is funny.

"Texas deer" is a pretty broad category. A gun/cartridge/bullet combo that is fine for 70 lb Hill Country does under a feeder at 75yds, might not be ideal for 200+ lb trophy WT bucks in the Brush Country or the Panhandle. To say nothing of mulies in the wide open Big Bend Country.

What type of "Texas deer" hunting do you have in mind?

Every one of post #2 will kill the hell out of even the biggest game Texas has to offer.

I would choose from ground zero the .7mm-08 and most any available ammo will work great without having to find what your rifle likes best.

Post some details.

Unless you put a budget on the rifle, scope, rings and mounts you're spinning your wheels.

Then we are going to have decide caliber for your location.

I'll save you a little time by telling you most will suggest a short action Savage in 308 with a 4x12 40mm Leupold scope is the only rifle you will ever need in North America.

Marlin X7 in 7mm-08 or .25-06 for the rife , Redfield Revolution 3x9x40 for the scope. Out the door for around $550. For better optics upgrade the scope to a Leupold VX-II for another $150.

let the begin. I'll take my .270 since it has done great for me over the last 30 yrs now. Taken any animal I have wanted to kill with it.

300wm is the best all-around caliber for TX deer.

Thank all of you who have answered. Let me respond to a couple of your comments and questions. It has been over 30 years since I hunted.I had a 700 remmy 30/06, with a leupold scope. I felt at the time it was too much rifle for texas whitetails. Being away from hunting for so long, I realize there are many more options these days. I am just looking to hunt the hill country, and east texas. My budget is small, so I am looking for a good deal. I have several fly rods I could trade, or if someone would work out a payment plan, that would work. As I mentioned, I teach school. I appreciate your suggestions, and, if you have something to sell or trade, that would be fantastic. Thanks.

I would agree that 30/06 is more than you NEED for your type of hunting. I'd suggest a Savage or Stevens (not fancy but good value and usually accurate) in 243 with a Redfield 2x7 scope. Just be sure you use bullets designed for deer, not varmints and the 243 will work fine. Lots of ammo choices available, and almost no recoil so it'll be enjoyable to shoot. Good luck!

Right on! And when you get used to it, 150gr. will put down an elk across a ravine.
You do not need to keep a 35 Wheelen in your safe just for that!

So what did you REALLY mean?
Best all around, or best for Texas deer?
It's like best all around tire and also best off road at the same time.
Or you meant best for all the counties in Texas?

For any deer located in TX, from Toledo to El Paso if you can handle the recoil & shoot it accurately.

Another vote for the 270. The most versitile deer rifle caliber on the planet. Easy to shoot as well. The best general prurpose has to be the 30-06.

From your posting history I think you would recommend that for even squirrel hunting.



No doubt it's a great long-range cartridge and good for big game.

(I killed a muley & WT with a 270wsm this year, fwiw )