First, welcome to the site.  There are a number of folks here that will try to help you in any way they can so feel free to talk about anything you might need to get started. 

If you want to meet some hunters try to frequent a gun shop, shooting range, or someplace where they congregate and start asking questions.  At most places I've gone there will be a number of folks very willing to share their experiences, and over the years I've really learned a lot from essentially complete strangers.

You're on the right track about equipment too - its paramount.  While many people shoot a .243 I'd strongly recommend something heavier if and when you buy.  There are a number of choices (.270, 7mm Rem Mag, .30-06, .308, are a few), but a .25-06 Remington is a minimum in my opinion.  That .303 you have sinks like a rock after 100 yards (my first deer rifle was a .303 Enfield) and can't tell you much about your Mauser.  Depending on where you hunt they could work for the short term, but understand you'd have to learn how those rifles behave and likely limit your range.  Also, when you get your rifle there are some things to consider for purchasing ammunition, gun cleaning, and breaking-in the barrel.

Here is a link to a by-the-numbers method on how to field dress a deer.  There are also some you tube videos on the subject out there.

Hope this helps.

I might not be able to help you with your other questions but I have to disagree with David on the .243. That's been my main deer hunting rifle for close to thirty years. It has never once let me down.  But like most of the guys here will tell you that there is no round that is perfect for everyone. 243 may be my favorite but I do still love to take out my 7mm Rem mag every now and then.

Guns don't kill people....Its those pesky little bullets making lots of holes that all the blood leaks out of.

I would find an outfitter and book a doe, cull/management buck hunt. Let the guide take you out and show you the ropes. Shoot the deer and make sure you watch how the guide handles and field dresses the animal.

I would get a rifle more appropriate for hunting whitetail. I do like the .243 as well. .270 is also a good round.

Keep yer eyes peeled!

I agree that the .243 is a capable round but in my opinion a on the light side for an inexperienced hunter.  You don't want to ruin the experience with a potential disaster like a wounded deer running off.  I'd recommend a .270 (my personal choice) or .308 Win. or 30.06.  I'd recommend a high quality bolt action rifle like Remington, Browning, CZ or the like. 

Now remember that the rifle is only half of the package.  A rifle without optics is nearly useless.  Bad optics are nearly as bad as no optics.   I recommend that you not skimp on the optics.  A Leupold, Burris, Bushnell Elite or Nikon with variable power, coated lenses, fog proof, water proof and a good warranty will get the job done. 

While I have many many rifles in a variety of calibers the one that I choose to hunt with most is my Browning A-bolt .270 Win. with a Leupold 3 to 9 power, 40 mm objective VX-II.

I spent $400 on the rifle, $300 on the scope and another $75 on the base and rings for the scope. 

This rifle/scope combo with Hornady Light Magnum ammo in 140 grain BTSP consistently shoots groups under one inch at one hundred yards. 

As for learning the ropes regarding hunting, I'd recommend booking with a guide/outfitter for something inexpensive (doe/cull/management hunt).  Let your guide know of your lack of experience and ask him to share his experience with you.  If you shoot something don't take a backseat when it comes to field dressing.  Get your knife out, roll up your sleeves and let them guide you through it.  There's no better way to learn than just doing it. 

Good luck and let us know how your experiences go and progress.   

What do you guys think about the Thompson/Center single shot .243?  I know of a place I can get a brand new one for $400.

At that price I could afford a really nice scope.

Thanks for all the advice and comments and please keep em coming!

a .243 will do the job if you do yours by placing the shot in the kill zone.  i have hunted with one for almost 20yrs and before that it was my dad's when he was a young boy.  it has done the job everytime on a whitetail and axis

Robert,

As you can tell there's differences of opinion on the .243.  Unlike Dana or Brandon I've seen and known of several deer getting hit by a .243 and running off...having spent first hand hours looking for big mulie several years ago that we never found.  Now, in almost all of those cases the deer weren't hit just right, and for an inexperienced hunter the potential for a 'non-optimum' hit is much higher (in fact, depending on where and how you hunt the same can apply for experienced hunters too).

As far as the gun in question, I'd hold off.  Thompson Center makes a good rifle, but since you don't know where or under what conditions you'll be hunting don't limit yourself by the cartridge, especially at first.  Like Mike I'd go with a Remington: pound-for-pound they're one of the most accurate out-of-the-box guns around.  Or, even a Weatherby Vanguard.  They're made by Howa, and after having owned 3 of them over the last 25 years they may not have the reputation, but are a good, reliable, accurate rifle.

Mike is also right on concerning the optics.  Without a good, reliable scope you're looking for problems.  I'd lean heavily towards a Leupold, but Nikons, higher-end Bushnells, and others are OK.  SWFA out of Red Oak, TX usually has the best prices, link here.

If it were me I'd get a Remington 700 BDL in .308 Win topped out with a 3x9 Leupold VX-II or VX-III.  The .308 doesn't kick much, has a wide selection of factory ammuntion available, and is an excellent all-around cartridge.  The cost for a Remington and VX-II scope new would be around $1,000 ($330 for scope estimated $670 for rifle), with a Vanguard it would be $730.

I agree with David on the Remington. Its my favorite by far. I also agree with  him that a .308 would probably be best for a new hunter, with a .270 being the second choice. As he and Mike pointed out don't go cheap on optics. I'm not saying to go out and buy a $1200 scope, but don't run to Wal-mart and buy a $40 dollar tasco either. For the record David, I would never use my .243 for Mulies. (That's what I hope to hunt with my 7mm Rem Mag someday) I've never gotten to hunt them but I would think that a whitetail is about the upper limit for the .243.

Guns don't kill people....Its those pesky little bullets making lots of holes that all the blood leaks out of.

Robert, Welcome to the site and the world of deer hunting. There are so many things to get into that I won't overwelm you right now. As for the rifle, a .243 is a good round if you are comfortable with it and you will only hunt deer with it and do so within the limitations of the weapon. I would keep all my shots to 120 yards or less. Now if you are not set on the .243 then I would suggest a larger caliber. My personal choice is the .270 but the .308, .30-06, .25-06, 7mm mag and .300 mag are all good choices also. However, the two magnums are a bit much for Texas deer hunting in my opinion. As for the rifle you mentioned, you are paying for a name. It is a great weapon but you can get a bolt action Remington, Savage, Howa (Weatherby made) or Browning for around that same price. I don't know where you live but in a lot of areas there is a store named Academy that you can find some real good prices on weapons. Same can be said of optics too. As for getting information, This site is probably the best you are going to find to ask questions. Many of us on here have many years of experience in the field. We also have numerous guides and outfitters here also. Nothing beats actual hands on experience though. The advice given earlier stands correct, go on a doe hunt or a cull buck hunt and let the guide help you. Ask questions and pic his/her brains. The main thing to remember is have fun. Don't get frustrated because you don't get things right the first time. There is no one person on here that knows it all. All of us are still learning even after years of hunting and fishing.

"Hate me if you want to, Love me if you can" Git-R-Done!

Dana,

I certainly understand that a lot of guys use a .243 to hunt whitetails, and like you they often swear by them.  Frankly, a lot of people hunt with even smaller rounds, like a .22-250 or a .220 Swift too.  Guess my opinions here are largely shaped by experience...along the way I've known of other deer besides that mulie, whitetails in particular, that have been hit by a .243 and have run off never to be found.  Unfortunately that's happened to me once (not with a .243) several years ago and I was about sick over it.  As well, I'd hate to encourage someone to get a smaller-cartridge rifle when they're just getting into hunting since rifles, ammunition, and optics are increasing in cost at a pretty good clip.  These days a lot of hunters can't afford more than one good rig.

And, like you, I'm hoping to get my crack at some bigger deer someday, whether they be Saskatchewan whitetails or New Mexico mulies or somewhere in between.  Right now its a dream, but if you're going to dream, dream BIG.

Keep your head down over there. 

I would definately go remington also......no matter what caliber!  the .243 model 742 woodmaster has been a good one to me.  like David said above everyone has there own opinions on this, so its best if you can test fire multiple calibers and talk to several trusted dealers, friends, etc...  you can give them your specifics that you want out of it and how you are going to be using it.  Also the conditions you expect to be using it in.  all of these can help you find the right firearms for your needs.  its easy for us to just spit a make/model of what we use at you.   but to truely get what is going to be best for your needs, it takes research on many levels (including this one). 

one thing i dont suggest doing is settling for something your not going to be happy with years down the road.   this is true with not only the rifle but the scope aswell.  I look at it this way, I might buy a gun that has the capability to shoot 500 yard no problem, but without the right scope combo it will never reach its full potential. 

After you make your purchase, practice, practice, practice!  get really fimilar with your rifle/scope.  after I have it sighted in, I like to practice a few different shooting positions.  think about it when you go to the range to sight in your rifle, you are sitting at a bench with a nice sturdy gun rest (at least you are where I go).  you might be able to put your groups right on each other, but when your in the field how often do you have these perfect conditions.  in the field you may be standing using a tree or shooting sticks to rest your gun.  these are real world conditions as I like to call them.  if you have a place to practice some of these shots after you have sighted your rifle in then this in my opinion will really help you get a  good feel for your gun.