I was lucky. I didn’t have to think about what would be a good deer gun for me. My dad already had a .357 Max set up with handloaded ammunition on a platform that I had long been familiar with, a T/C Contender. But for a newcomer looking for their first deer rifle, the sheer number of options on the market today is overwhelming. If you’re just starting out, you can drive yourself crazy trying to choose, especially if you don’t know what you are looking for.
Here are a few key considerations:
LENGTH OF PULL
Length of pull (LOP) and stock fit are critical. LOP is the distance from the trigger to the rear of the buttstock. Many hunting stocks are too long for small-frame shooters. This makes it not only uncomfortable to shoot, but more difficult to do so accurately. An unstable position and improper eye relief lead to bad shots. There are many aftermarket stock options available, but for a beginner, it’s generally more cost effective and simple to find
