Hello. One of the guns that fits what you explained is a 25.06. It is a good size but not an over the top magmun. If you are just using it for deer I think it is a good, fast, flat shooting gun. There is also a .243 not a bad gun but shot placement is a little more important. Hope the hunt for the gun goes well.

Hi Justin,
When my wife started, she spent a week or two getting the basics with a .22. the she graduated to a bolt action .270 Win. I had reduced loads made by a reloader. Slowly she worked he may up to full power loads. Now its easier. Federal and Remington both sell a reduced recoil factory load for beginners.Thats alot easier and cheaper than having someone handload for you. Or you can buy rifles as you gain more expierience (I think thats more fun anyway, we love collecting more and different rifles though it an expensive hobby). Good luck
Frank

I hear ya! Started hunting by myself about 4-5 years ago. Had to educate myself and ask a LOT of ignorant questions. My dad was an accountant, not an outdoorsman. His idea of "roughing it" would be slow room service! I was a Scout for 9 years and did a good bit of camping, learnng my woodcraft and observation skills that way. My advice is to get a pair of decent binoculars and spend some time in the woods. Watch the shows on this channel and learn by watching the pro tips. Buy a rifle matched to the game you intend to hunt, as well as your build - don't get a rifle that has a punishing recoil if you don't need it. The perfect caliber? We'll probably never have a definitive answer. Everyone has an opinion on a caliber. Mine is a .270 winchester. Others will tell you some of the new short magnum rounds are the best. Try some. Too much gun may start you off flinching and cringing, throwing off your shots. You may want to start off with your bow first. A sporting goods shop, like BassPro, Cabela's or D!ck's will be your best bet to tune back your bow's draw weight. I was told anything you can manage over 45 lbs of draw weight will get the job done at the distances of 20 yards or less - the typical shot. Otherwise, start building up your upper-body strength. Don't dry-fire your bow, but work on drawing it. Like anything else, practice, practice, practice! Shoot from kneeling, sitting and standing until you're sure you're consistent with your shot placement. Vary your distances as well. I still don't have a hunting buddy to this day. I've put ads in personals, begged people, etc. I finally made the choice to do it alone. My compromise? No tree stands! You must be very competent in your survival skills to risk falling out of a stand and being alone and injured. I use a pop-up blind with shoot-thru window mesh and that works well. Keeps the cold wind, rain and skeeters down to a dull roar, too. Also, know your area. Get a map. Tell someone who's responsible where and when you're going, and when to get worried and call when you're overdue. Carry a cell phone, a walkie-talkie, a flashlight, glow-sticks, a small tarp to throw up a shelter, and a lighter or other means of producing fire. Beyond that, all else is up to you. Most hunting packs have integrated water bladders in them. A REAL GOOD IDEA! If you can, find a hunting club around you and join it. Club members will typically be glad to take you under their wing, especially if you show up for work days to clean trails and fix up stands in the off season. Anyhow, this is getting long-winded. E-mail me if you want any specifics, but I betcha a lot of folks will be willing to give you their ideas as well. Best of luck to you- Ed

Getting started the most important thing is to keep it simple. You will learn something every time you are in the woods. Make sure you read and understand the hunting regulations. Find an area where you can get permission to hunt. Spend some time in the mornings or evening slowly walking around to get familar with the area and terrain and then learn patience. The long you are in a good area the more chance you have of seeing and harvesting your game. You will learn very soon that it is not all about harvesting, but the peace and interesting things you will see that you did not know happened. Good luck and most important be safe and have fun.