Im 11 and looking to buy my first gun and im looking for something l can hunt deer with. what do you think would be a good choice. l live in Ohio so rilfes and shotguns are legal deer hunting. .243?

ya thats an okay round but l recomend the .270 you can use it for ever and it will almost always be enough l am 13 and l love mine l would get a ruger mark 2

If you're in a rifle area, I'd suggest something a bit bigger than 243, which would require you to be especially picky about what shots to take and which to pass on. The 308 case necked down to 6mm is the 243. Left alone at 308, it is more than you need. In-between sizes, it is the 260 Remington and 7mm08, and they're ''Jusssst Right.''

A Water Pistol

.243 is too small, you need to be a good shot to be able to kill a deer with it humanely. I'd say a 30-06 is good, has some kick but not too bad, l shot one when l was 10, perfectly fine, as long as you hold it against your shoulder and let it absorb the kick.

I'd suggest the 30-06. Maybe shoot the 125 grain bullets (Child loads) until your about 12. Then move to 150, then when your 13, use 165, then 14+ use 180. I've been using the 30-06 for 8 years now, and I've never had trouble putting a deer down with 1 shot.

Get a .308 bolt action instead. The .308 is more powerful but still does not kick much more than a .243, and the .308 will be better for killing a really big deer, especially if you ever get to hunt where you will get long shots. l have 6 rifles that shoot the .308, and the last deer l killed was with my .308 Ruger model 77. l was in my tree stand and killed it at about 75 yards with one shot. My .308 knocked the deer down and it never got back up.

Remington 700 in .308 with a 6-24x scope

Yes a .243 is a great beginners deer rifle not much recoil and has good accuracy and distance, its shorter than most rifles so holding the gun should be easy for you and its always best to start out small and work your way up to be able to shoot a bigger gun better and more accurate!!!

Im 14 & for deep woods hunting with only 100 yrd shots l recommend the .35 remington. For long distance, l would say use the .270. Fantastic long range in feilds & can drop almost anything. .243 is also a good gun, but if l had a choice l would use .270 (w/Hornady rounds) because it works at long distances & short distances without a problem. l would definetly not go with the 12 ga. no matter how far it can shoot because l still get one heck of a kick when l shoot it. If u get the chance to use a rifle for deer, take it.

l absoulutley promise a .243 is not to small. Its a bad little gun that does PLENTY of damage at 200 yards. l used to use a 22-250 (which is much smaller than a 243) and always, always had the deer within 100 yards of the brush line. l dont really know why all these people are saying the guns to small. It is the perfect choice for you.

l would say a 30/30 would be a great gun for you it has good power and little recoil!!

Best Choice is the 243, more versatile, better accuracy, range, and performance.*~~

Depends on the terrain & anticipated ranges. If u will be stalking/still hunting in heavy brush get a Marlin 336 in .30-30. It is accurate out to about 150 yards ( l am sure there r folks that can hit with it farther - l am just not one of them). If u will be hunting in more open country l absolutely recommend the .243 win. It is more than enough for whitetails at 250 yards or less. The 25-06 is also a sweet one. Both r low recoil & easy to find quality factory ammo - the .243 more so.
The cartridges noted by some other posters - .270, .308, .30-06 - r all great rounds but if all u want is a deer gun a 243 or 30-30 will be plenty. Good Hunting -

And Buck Fever is not alone - l have taken over a dozen deer with a 22-250. However, l do not recommend it as a deer gun - l have had to pass up several shots that l would have taken if l had still owned my 25-06

Nick, you better check again. Muzzleloaders are the only legal rifles for deer hunting in Ohio. Otherwise you have shotguns and handguns as the other choices in firearms.