My older sons are 13 and 12 and I am ready to buy them their first rifles. We hunt whitetail in the South Texas brush country, b

[texasfirst]

My older sons are 13 and 12 and I am ready to buy them their first rifles. We hunt whitetail in the South Texas brush country, but I also want something that is versatile enough for feral hog, nilgai antelope and possibly, one day, elk. I'm thinking about a Remington BDL .270 for one and a .30-06 for the other. What do you recommend?

[buck hunter 17]

eather a 30-6 or a 30-30 but more 30-6

[peter]

30-6 im 12 and thats whati use and love

[rrmont]

I would go with the 30-06 for both. They will thank you for it.

[victorytw228]

My first was a 243. But yall got some bigger deer in S. Texas than us in the hill country obviously. I would suggest 270 wsm for both. I go that route just because im not a big fan of the 30-06. I shoot one and wish I had something that would reach out a little further.

[Beekeeper]

Tex,

I would op for the 30/06. It will give you more versatility as far as bullet weights and loaded ammo options. The long range trajectory of both rounds is very similar. The 700 is a good, sound rifle.

A bull Nilghi is a tough customer. A friend who once guided Nilghi on the Kennedy Ranch says that he would consider a 30/06 to be a minimum. I was quite impressed with the Blue Bull's ability to absorb a bullet an keep standing.

[deerslayer2]

I would recommend a 30-06. That is what I use . You can get a lighter grain for lighter grain for smaller game and a larger grain for larger game while having plenty of knockdown power.

[deerslayer2]

I would recommend a 30-06. That is what I use . You can get a lighter grain for lighter grain for smaller game and a larger grain for larger game while having plenty of knockdown power.

[TheEasternShoreHunter]

that sounds good mabey a 25-06 or something lighter for the deer but that sounds good they could always share

[ishawooa]

Either one is fine with the right bullets. I would buy the same caliber for both to decrease logistical problems. It also would prevent having the right rifle and the wrong cartidges at an inconvienant moment.

[Jim in Mo]

I agree with ish. Having different calibers is a pain. Find a round both guns shoot well and it will prevent many headaches.

[timothyfaw]

i would hunt with a 30/6.

[teufelhunden]

30/06 is a good rifle and utiliziing the new low-recoil ammo it could be fired comfortably by both boys. The .270 is a great round also. I cant find fault with either. I would go with the same caliber though.

[Del in KS]

I would go with the 30-06 but you might consider a short action since the boys are young. In that case there is the 308 and that new 338 Federal comes to mind. Might be easier for a kid to handle a short action rifle.

[bomberpride]

id get a winchester 94 30-30