youth Rifle - 243/25-06/257 what?

[LongTatLaw]

Im looking for a 1 price for 3 uses gun.

Its got to be legal to hunt deer and elk in WA so I believe thats 24 cal.

Its got to come in a youth model!

I want a gun for my wife to use to hunt elk with (smallest Cal gun 
    that will do the job)

It needs to be the flatest shooter I can get!

I want it to be a mid range gun for say antelope because I dont have anything smaller than a 300 win mag

I want it to be a deer gun for say a 8 year old boy (not in wa but several states dont have the same age requirements)

[MountainWalk]

I would forget all of the above and get a 7x57 Mauser. Ruger makes a fine one. I believe also in a compact or ultra light model also.

The 7mm Mauser is one of our most underrated chamberings. It's kick is awefully mild, ammo cheap, better ammo choices than a 7mm 08, and we all know how deadly a 28 cal bullet is. The kick is nothing, and its a more sure killer of anything than the three listed above.

[LongTatLaw]

mmm  how does the kick compare to a 243? the kick is more important than the killing power...

its not for me...i like a big gun

I shot 90 lb GA bucks with a 180 g 300 win mag..

Here, these elk make me think 375 UM

The only guns of mine i ever shoot are a 300 wm and a marlin 444

I have a 308 with dust on it...  which i believe a 7mm mauser and a 308 wouldnt be that far off...?? in kick?

The 308 is def more kick than desired...sooooo 

Im looking for the best gun possible for flat longer range shooting that kicks like a 243?

you believe the 7mm mauser is there?

and they make it in a youth model? who does?

[MountainWalk]

Ruger. To me,(and everyone is different) the kick rates around a little less than a 25-06. Ruger makes a very fine compact ultralight.

[LongTatLaw]

and the ballistics compared to a 243 and the 2506?

of the three...whats the flatest shooting at say 300 yards?

[Slenk]

7mm-08 would be as good as any. Ammo is cheep to buy or reload. You can still find a Stevens for under $300.
Mine has shot 1" groups out to 300yds. off the bench, have not shot it farther. Also they come with a little shorter stock. 13" I think it was.

Slenk

[MHWASH]

Have to agree with Slenk on this one. Probably a little less kick than the 25-06. Also a lot better performer on elk than the .243. If this is for an inexperianced hunter, do the hunter and the elk a favor and forget the .243.

 On a side note, I can't seem to find a age minimum for WA.

[270Shooter]

.260 or 7mm-08 in Remington model 7 action.
here is a link
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/youth/model_seven_youth.asp
Here is a link of premium ammo for the 7mm-08. Look at the barnes, Accubond, and partiton 140gr for elk.
http://www.federalpremium.com/products/rifle.aspx
Here is a link for .260 loads. Shoot the 140 corelocked ultra bonded for elk, you could use the 120 accutip for deer.
http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/ballistics/choose_specific_loads.aspx?c1=15&c2=&c3=

[Gutpile]

Both of my daughters started shooting a .260 Ruger 77 MKII youth at 10 yrs old. I believe it'd be a great choice but ammo selection sucks. You'd need to reload. I'd like to pick up a .260 for myself someday but it's not a very common chambering. I'd also look at the 7mm-08 too but have no experience with that round. It's a common chambering.

[GEARHEAD]

7mm-08, never look back!  mine has shot 9 bucks, all one shot kills, 6 dropped in their tracks, the other 3 fell within 25 yards. last three were at 306, 315 and 456 yards. these three were one shot drops. will work for elk as well, out to almost 300 yards, with the right bullet.
very flat, powerful and super low recoil. you'll throw that 300 away, so be careful.

[LongTatLaw]

Gear...im positive Ill not trade down for my elk deer gun..although i mostly bow hunt them...gun for bear...

so...the 7mm-08 for a youth model falt shooter huh?

less kick than a 2506 an better than a 243??

thats what i am hearing

someone got a better vote?

Im completely ignorant to that round.

I will say I DO NOT RELOAD and maybe never will...

So I want something that every walmart has behind the counter with several options...and will be a 300 yard shooter with the standard 20$ box!!!

still saying 7mm 08?

[270Shooter]

Ruger has the compact model that only wieghs 5 1/2 pounds
http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?function=famid&famid=31&variation=Compact&bct=Yes&type=Rifle

By the way i would not use anything but premium bonded, partition, or X-bullets for elk. They will be worth the extra cost .

If the ruger is too expensive then savage has a youth model too
http://www.savagearms.com/centerfire_home.htm

[LongTatLaw]

yeah...im probably gonna shy away from the ruger...just not gonna get enough use from it to spend 800+scope

ive owned a savage and didnt mind it...for light use might be a good option

[Gutpile]

If you don't reload get the 7mm-08.

[GEARHEAD]

Yes, i still say 7mm-08.   i have only shot game with it, using factory hornady light magnum rounds. i shoot a 139gr SST for shots near and over 300 yards. i had pass throughs on two bucks at 315 and 456 yards. i also shoot the hornady btsp 139 gr. both rounds are at about 3000 fps. near 20 bucks a box, another consideration with less recoil even still and cheap but accurate is remington corelokt, about 20 bucks a box too.
as for the rifle, less rifle is less accuracy, yes i'm gonna get jumped for saying that. but i had the 7-08 first in a rem model 7 with a 20 inch barrel. could not do better than 2 inch groups, but was atleast very consistant. switched up to a 7-08 with a 24 inch barrel, and gained 100 fps, and doubled the accuracy with 1 inch groups. of course you cant have that accuracy without shooting stix or a bipod while in the field. good luck on your choices, ya probably got it narrowed down to a dozen now, lol.