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

[huntnphool]

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.

I'm in Browns Point and have both a .243 and 7mm-08 compact you could have him check for fit/feel.

[Dan-o]

I won't bad mouth a 243, but I just love the ballistics of a 7mm-08.

[toddtms]

HUNTNPHOOL.

Thanks for the offer.  I think its neat so many people on here are willing to let my son look/try their guns.  It tells me that this sport has lots of good people involved in it that want to see the little guys/gals succeed.  You don't see that type of attitude everywhere.

 

[luteai]

7mm-08, the CDL has the limbsaver pad already on it.  With reduced loads from remington or federal you'll be in the .243 recoil arena.  I have some remington reduced recoil loads you could have (26) as we reload for all 3 of our 7mm-08s now.

[rtspring]

.243 Savage.  Tack driver out of the box and can be used for the rest of his life on many diffrent critters.. 

[jackmaster]

My daughter shoots a 7 mm -08 and she is tiny, they done kick,hers is a super lite gun to.. great gun

[ValleyHunter88]

I would go with the 7mm-08. Great shooting cartridge, I have one and it'll kill anything from coyotes to elk. It doesn't have much more recoil than the .243, plus you have more bullet weight options with the 7mm caliber. A 7mm-08, like a .243 will be a gun he won't outgrow. You already have a good deal on the 700, I would take it.

[et1702]

I started my son using my 25-06.  Great caliber, low recoil and much more energy than .243 if you use the 117 or 120gr bullets.  I've had the gun for 35 years and it's taken a lot of deer.  Every one has dropped in it's tracks. 

My second choice would be the 7mm-08. 

ET

[Lingcod]

I love the 243, and is still my favorite deer caliber. I shot my first deer with a win model 100 in 308. If/when I have kids those will be the caliber they will shooting.  308 can be used for anything from deer to black bear.  Savage makes great inexpensive rifles.   

[1bugman]

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

That's what I started with.

[coachcw]

If you can pick up the 7mm08 it's a good choice . if buying new i'd lean towards the .260 rem

[toddtms]

LUTEAI.  Thanks very much, that is a generous offer.  I my be taking you up on that.

Thanks everyone for the advice.  It sounds like both calibers would do the job, but I should also take a look at the .260.

[salmonchaser]

I too would find a 257 Roberts. Teaching kids to hunt should include doing so with honor and integrity. The Roberts is a classic, almost a century old what better way to teach ancient skills.

[Boss .300 winmag]

I think this will fit the bill!   



http://youtu.be/8WiLqPB4lU0

[luteai]

no problem, send me a pm if you go 7-08.