Whitetail Bolt-Action Starter (6.5 Creedmoor)

A first deer rifle that shoots flat with mild recoil. The Ruger American Gen II comes with a Picatinny rail, so a simple set of cross-slot rings and a 3-9x40 scope is all you need to mount glass. Hornady's 143 gr ELD-X Precision Hunter is the load the source hunted with, and the stretch sling makes carrying the rifle in the woods easier. The source used a Leupold VX-5HD; we swapped in Leupold's VX-Freedom 3-9x40 to keep it a starter-priced setup. Check your state and local laws before buying. Inspired by: Athlon Outdoors — REVIEW: Hunting With the All-New Ruger American Generation II (https://athlonoutdoors.com/article/ruger-american-generation-ii/)