Rifle caliber suggestions for adult new shooter

[HandgunHTR]

I just went through this with my 21 year-old nephew. We went with a .308. The reason being is that the rifle (Savage model 10) was a really good deal. If I had found a 6.5C for that price, I would have bought that instead.

 

[17cal Fan]

Buy him a used 22LR, bolt or semi auto. Come June you'll have someone that can shoot, then hand him a 243.

 

[TheCreeper]

Take a look at 350 legend. I got a large doe at 158 yards on Monday. Winchester bolt action. The accuracy is surprising, I can bench group 1-1&1/2inch all day with it. The recoil is not even noticeable. Ammo is pretty inexpensive and easy to find. The only thing that may sway you from it is beyond 200 yard the bullet drop is huge, and I won’t take a shot longer than that, but 200 yards is a freaking long way where I hunt. Lol
I love this gun.

 

[Dgd6mm]

The 6.5CM will serve the best for a beginner and for a veteran shooter.

 

[Pinnah]

Have a friend that wants to start deer hunting and short range target shooting, he asked what caliber rifle he should get. All ammo will be purchased. The last 2 years about the only ammo you could consistantly buy was 308, it seemed to be everywhere. So choices would be a bolt action 308, 6.5 creedmoor, 270, 30-06, 7mm-08 (not the easy to find ammo). Being a new shooter (fairly big guy) do you think the 308 would recoil to hard and what do you suggest.

Where is he going to hunt? At what distances?

For short range target shooting, I prefer .22LR (or .223). Having guns dedicated for target shooting allows me to carry a deer gun optimized to my style and location (a lever gun carbine).