243 vs. 270 opinions for general purpose rifle

[crazyantler]

I am looking at getting a new rifle for a younger(age 12) first time hunter and was wondering what would be suitable for hunting deer or coyotes? 

[Alchase]

I personally believe the .243 is a very good round for a young hunter. Capable of taking any game in Washington, and ammo is available almost everywhere that sell ammo. Recoil is minimal.

[Lexi352]

 

[bobcat]

The 243 is perfect unless he ever wants to hunt elk. If that might be the case, I'd get the 270, or a 308 would be a great choice as well.

If recoil with the 270 is a concern, both Hornady and Remington have reduced recoil loads available.

[DRobnsn]

x3 on the 243 it is a perfect round for what your talking about.

[WenHunter]

I agree with everyone so far, but if elk hunting I would say go with the 270 great all around gun.

Other than that nice work getting a new hunter in the woods!!

[JLS]

7mm-08.

[PolarBear]

I personally believe the .243 is a very good round for a young hunter. Capable of taking any game in Washington, and ammo is available almost everywhere that sell ammo. Recoil is minimal.

I bought my (then 11 year old) daughter a full sized Rem 700 in .243 and she (and so do I) loves it.  To her it is much more comfortable to shoot than a .270, 30-30 or 30-06.  Comfort and confidence are everything when it comes to being consistantly accurate and with kids not being afraid of the gun is the most important thing!   

[Biggerhammer]

Between the two chamberings mentioned, I would opt for the .270 Winchester.

[Griiz]

I would prefer my child have a 243 over the 270 because of the reduced recoil. I got my 11 yr. old a 25'06 and it has very moderate recoil and has a little more velocity, energy and bullet weight choices than the 243.

[Sportfury]

I personally believe the .243 is a very good round for a young hunter. Capable of taking any game in Washington, and ammo is available almost everywhere that sell ammo. Recoil is minimal.

I bought my (then 11 year old) daughter a full sized Rem 700 in .243 and she (and so do I) loves it.  To her it is much more comfortable to shoot than a .270, 30-30 or 30-06.  Comfort and confidence are everything when it comes to being consistantly accurate and with kids not being afraid of the gun is the most important thing!   

I agree on the .243. I bought my son one when he was twelve and like PolarBear I love it as much as he does. Nothing like having a rifle that kid can shoot with confidence. When it came time to shoot an elk he used my dad's 7mm Rem Mag and he had that confidence from shooting his .243. Two bulls later I can say the .243 is the way to start. Besides having to buy more guns is always fun.

[wildweeds]

This is what my buddy started his boys out with in a rem 700 youth rifle,they were 10 years old when they started,they used them through 16 years old,they each killed deer with it no problem in eastern washington with some long shots too.

7mm-08.

[mountainman]

All my kids started with either the 243 or the 7/08. If he may be hunting elk in the near future, go with the 7/08. Recoil is just a little more then the .243. But with a good 140, definetly a capable elk round! Have a couple youth 7/08's waiting for the grandkids in a couple more years! You will enjoy a new excitment taking the young one out for the first time!

[Taco280AI]

For deer and coyotes, like you mentioned, I'd go 243 all the way 

[Jonathan_S]

I got my 11 yr. old a 25'06 and it has very moderate recoil and has a little more velocity, energy and bullet weight choices than the 243.

  I would say the .25-06 is a good round.  I started shooting it when I was an average 10 year old.  It's not going to hurt anyone that is taught proper form.  The .25-06 is also much flatter shooting for coyotes downrange and is an acceptable elk and black bear cartridge with the larger 117 or 120 grain loads.  But there are also the 90 grain loads that work great for deer within 200 +/- yards and have less recoil.