Whether outfitting a youngster, intriguing a spouse, or attracting a late-to-the sport elder, setting a newbie up for success starts with an appropriate firearm. A gun that fits well, is user-friendly, and available in appropriate chamberings will help them shoot well. When they shoot well on the range, they’ll be more confident and, ultimately, successful in the field. 

We’ve hashed out some of the lowest-recoil and shoulder-gentle chamberings, but this one is all about the actual gun. Whether shopping new or used, finding an ideal hunting rifle needn’t be costly. Here are a few solid starting points. 

Table of Contents

Single Shot
Bolt Action
Slug Gun
Lever Action

Single Shot: CVA Scout V2

How many of us can say our first hunting firearm was a single shot? Yes, our hands are raised over here. There’s no replacement for learning to make that first shot count and not automatically relying on a quick follow-up as one might with a semi-automatic. Besides, there are definite safety dynamics to loading one round at a time. As a bonus, single-shot rifles can be delightfully affordable. 

Our best buy at the moment is CVA’s break-action Scout V2. In addition to bargain prices, the trigger is crisp, accuracy impressive, and the list of deer chamberings more than ample. An added bonus is the ambidextrous nature of the platform, as well as the included optics rail. 
 

Honorable Mention: Henry Repeating Arms Single Shot Rifle

Cost keeps the Henry break action out of the No. 1 spot here, but the American-made one-shooter is a top-quality option. Whether opting for polished brass or blued steel, the walnut-dressed singles are deer slayers. In other single shots, the long-defunct NEF/H&R Handi Rifle families can be a bargain basement buy. Of course, Ruger’s No. 1 is in a class all its own, but cost is prohibitive for many first-timers. 

Bolt Action: Mossberg Patriot

There’s no arguing that bolt actions dominate the hunting rifle market. In fact, it’s beyond difficult to name just one model the winner for a first-time rig. Mossberg’s Patriot family checks all the boxes, from affordable to accurate with clean triggers, pleasing features, and ideal calibers. Unlike many, the Patriot can be had with walnut furniture. They, like others in the class, can be had in both standard and bantam sizes to fit different shooter body types and sizes. Combo rigs, pre-dressed with a scope, are a turnkey hunt-ready setup. 
 

Honorable Mentions

This list is expansive and includes multiple price points. In affordable snags, look to the Ruger American, Winchester XPR, and Savage Axis lineups. Choosing just one is akin to the Ford vs. Chevy vs. Ram truck brand debate. Every one of these budget bolt actions will make a ready deer companion. In older used rifles, the choices are even greater, but those same brands pop up time and again for good reason: Ruger 77, Winchester Model 70, and Savage 110.
 

Slug Gun: Savage 220

Many hunters use shotguns by legal regulation and others by choice. Regardless of the reason, slugs pack a wallop – on both ends. Still, there are friendly slug guns for first timers that combine practical features, good fits, and knockdown power. Slide actions, or pumps, are surely the most common, yet some of the most accurate slugsters are bolt actions like Savage’s 220 with its rifled 20-gauge barrel. 
 

Related: Resurrecting the Bolt Action Shotgun – Savage 220 Turkey (VIDEO)

The guns are built much like the brand’s bolt-action rifles but translating those benefits to slug launching. The same Accu-features find their way here, from the adjustable AccuTrigger to the customizable AccuFit stock system allowing for LOP and comb fit. There are left-handed models, camo, laminate thumbhole, and stainless choices. A one-piece rail makes optics mounting a breeze. Dedicated rifled slug guns have never been so accessible and user-friendly. 
 

Honorable Mention: Mossberg 500 Flex

On the affordable, do-all end, Mossberg’s 500 Flex dominates. In the pump-action world, none are as friendly for first-time deer hunters as the 500 Flex. In addition to customizable stocks with shorter lengths of pull and comb height risers, there are multiple recoil pad thicknesses, a host of barrel options, finishes, and fits. The company offers both 12- and 20-gauge bores, and crossover hunters can even grab the gun as a bird and deer combo with two barrels including the scoped slug. 

Related: Mossberg 500 – Loved for a Good Reason
 

Lever Action: Henry Repeating Arms

The lever-driven rifle market has never been stronger. While cowboy actions may not be thought of as the first choice for beginners, generations of deer hunters cut their teeth on .30-30 chambered lever actions. Selecting a brand here is no easy feat. Henry Repeating Arms has been dominating in recent years, through Ruger’s renaissance of Marlin means even more new options. Henry touts so many variants, though, that it claims our top billing. 

The company essentially offers three main classes of lever guns. Deer hunters seeking mid-range shots should look to Henry’s Side Gate in rounds like .30-30 Win. Those hunting over extensive bean fields will prefer the chamberings on Henry’s dropbox-magazine-fed Long Ranger lineup in .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor or .308 Win. For short ranges and lightest recoil, Henry’s Big Boy in handgun rounds like .44 Magnum or .357 Mag are as gentle as they come. 
 

Honorable Mention: Marlin 336 or 1894

One main difference between the Henry and Marlin centers on the safety system. While Henry forgoes a mechanical safety for the traditional transfer bar, Marlin adds a crossbolt. Used offerings are common in either Marlin’s 336 or 1894. The “new” Marlin 336 and 1894 Classic, chambered in .30-30 Win and .44 Magnum respectively, both make capable deer takers. 
 

Related: Timeless Lever Reborn – The New Marlin 1894 Classic by Ruger

At the end of the day, the firearm will do its job. Most important is getting a new hunter out in the field and helping build a new generation of sportsmen and women.