Assistance in choosing a first hunting rifle/caliber for my son

[b23]

Either of your choices would be good but if it were me, I'd go with a 260 Remington. 

The 260 is one of those chamberings that seems to do everything well and it does it with low recoil too.

[Jolten]

I've never had the chance to shoot one but what about 25-06?

[buckfvr]

Either of your choices would be good but if it were me, I'd go with a 260 Remington. 

The 260 is one of those chamberings that seems to do everything well and it does it with low recoil too.

   I agree 100% .

[TheFewTheProud]

I say .243. Like it was already said, very low recoil and it will still knock a deer down. I shot my first with a .243 and every time I introduce people to shooting or first time hunters especially those with small frames I have them use my .243

[Rich_S]

I have to agree with those who say that fit and feel is more important than caliber. My first deer rifle was a Remington 600 in .243. It kicked like a ball-peen hammer to the shoulder. I finally got rid of it and went to a S&W 7mm Rem. Mag. that kicked a lot less.

My choice would be the 7mm-08, but it's what HE likes that counts. A couple of trips to take him shooting with several different rifles would be important. Not to the range, though. Take him out somewhere where he can shoot offhand or in different real-world shooting positions. Sitting at a bench is a whole different world of recoil and rules. Give him a dirt bank and some tin cans or, better yet, day-old baked goods. You don't need to clean up your targets when you're done and the birds will love you for them.

[b23]

Also, I would recommend getting something that has some weight to it.  Wayyyy to often the concern of getting something really light has far to much importance placed on it.  Heavier guns are not only easier to shoot but you can just about always shoot a heavier gun better than you can a light one and the lighter the gun, the harder the kick.  I'd look for something around 8ish lbs.

Light weight guns have their place but IMO it's not with a young shooter.

[toddtms]

B23.  That is a great point on the weight/recoil aspect.  The 7mm-08 my neighbor has is probably about middle of the road, maybe 7 to 7.5 lbs.

I think I am going to take him out with the 7mm-08 and see what he thinks.  I think that will tell us right away if it is too much gun to start with.

Thanks everyone.   

[Bofire]

7mm 08/ recoil is not a big difference in these two.
Carl

[Buzz2401]

I'm a 7mm fan but a 243 would do the trick too.

[arrowflinger]

Surprised nobody has mentioned the .257 Roberts.  `Great classic caliber and virtually no recoil.

I built one for my son when he was 10. He is 21 now and is 6' 4" and still loves it. What about a 25-06 also?

[Birdguy]

I bought my son a Weatherby .243 when he was 8. It came with the youth and a regular stock. He was a smaller kid for a long time, he is 12 now and loves to shoot it, he probably has another year or two with the youth stock but shoots my .270  a lot now. I expect I will likely keep it a youth model for other kids and women to shoot.

toddtms, where are you located? I would gladly let your boy shoot the youth .243 to see the fit and feel of it. I am on the Kitsap peninsula.

[huntnphool]

7mm-08

[HUNT]

7mm 08/ recoil is not a big difference in these two.
Carl

I would agree with Carl.  The recoil difference between the two is very negligible. 

I went with the 7-08 for my boys.  My youngest shot a moose at age 8 with it, and a mule deer when at age 9.  I also had the Remington model 7.  Great gun.  I love shooting it myself.  If it's a great deal, I wouldn't think twice about it.  Good luck with the decision.   

[toddtms]

I think the calibers you all are mentioning are great, except that in standard youth/compact guns you typically find a very small number of caliber choices.  It seems like the .243, 7mm-08 and .308 are the most common choices, which is why I am debating between the .243 and the 7mm-08.

Thanks

[toddtms]

BIRDGUY.  I am across the water from you, just south of Seattle.  I appreciate the offer and just may take you up on it sometime in the near future.

Thanks again.