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Poll

Best youth (8-11 Y.O) deer hunting caliber?

.243
9 (29%)
7MM-08
14 (45.2%)
.260
4 (12.9%)
.257
4 (12.9%)

Total Members Voted: 31

Voting closed: May 03, 2014, 06:02:05 PM

Author Topic: Assistance in choosing a first hunting rifle/caliber for my son  (Read 14663 times)

Offline toddtms

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I am sure this has been debated many times before, but I need some help in purchasing my sons first deer gun.  He is 10 years old and just completed hunter safety.  I am torn between a .243 and a 7mm-08.  I have a friend who is selling a Remington Model 7 CDL 7mm-08 with a Burris scope on it for a really good price.  I am a little concerned that a 7mm-08 may be a little too much recoil to start for him. 

If I don't go with the above rifle, I will go with either a Savage Axis youth or Ruger American compact in .243.  What are your thoughts and why?  Please give me your opinions.

Thanks in advance

Offline NW-GSP

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Re: Assistance in choosing a first hunting rifle/caliber for my son
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2014, 06:02:37 PM »
I would say .243 really flat shooting caliber and even if he wants a larger caliber when he is older he will still enjoy the .243 for varment hunting.

Offline elkboy

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Re: Assistance in choosing a first hunting rifle/caliber for my son
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2014, 06:08:26 PM »
I agree on the .243.  I have shot several deer with my .243, and I love the (relatively) gentle recoil and the accuracy.  Really helps in developing good shooting habits to not have to deal with a lot of kick, in my opinion.  When he gets far enough along in his career to hunt elk, well, then it is just a great opportunity to go gun-shopping again!  Best of luck. 

Offline Heredoggydoggy

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Re: Assistance in choosing a first hunting rifle/caliber for my son
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2014, 06:12:50 PM »
You can't go wrong with a .243.  A friend's son got a bear with his .260 Remington when he was 9 years old.  He's shooting a .300 Ultra Mag now...
If it was easy, everybody would be doing it.

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When Government does it, it's called "Social Security"

Offline JLS

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Re: Assistance in choosing a first hunting rifle/caliber for my son
« Reply #4 on: April 19, 2014, 06:21:19 PM »
If you handload, the 7m08 hands down.  If you don't, I think I'd still go that route.
Matthew 7:13-14

Offline thinkingman

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Re: Assistance in choosing a first hunting rifle/caliber for my son
« Reply #5 on: April 19, 2014, 06:23:39 PM »
If you handload, the 7m08 hands down.  If you don't, I think I'd still go that route.
:yeah:
“The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser men so full of doubts.”
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Offline pd

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Re: Assistance in choosing a first hunting rifle/caliber for my son
« Reply #6 on: April 19, 2014, 06:24:40 PM »
Todd, buy the gun that fits him (stock size, weight---especially the fore end, butt stock placement).  That is more important than caliber. That said .243 is hard to beat.
Si vis pacem, para bellum

Online JBar

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Re: Assistance in choosing a first hunting rifle/caliber for my son
« Reply #7 on: April 19, 2014, 06:27:21 PM »
7-08 is a great cal. If the price is right you can upgrade the recoil pad and I believe the managed recoil rounds work as advertised.
Shut up and Hunt!

Offline Heredoggydoggy

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Re: Assistance in choosing a first hunting rifle/caliber for my son
« Reply #8 on: April 19, 2014, 06:30:50 PM »
7-08 is a great cal. If the price is right you can upgrade the recoil pad and I believe the managed recoil rounds work as advertised.

 :yeah:
If it was easy, everybody would be doing it.

When Bernie Madoff did it, it's called a "Ponzi Scheme"
When Government does it, it's called "Social Security"

Offline Jolten

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Re: Assistance in choosing a first hunting rifle/caliber for my son
« Reply #9 on: April 19, 2014, 07:03:04 PM »
I shoot a .243 savage axis and I absolutely love it. I've shot many different rifle systems and just am drawn to the axis. If you come to Yakima I'll let your son send a few rounds down range.
The best equipment in the world is useless to the idiot who doesn't understand it.

Offline toddtms

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Re: Assistance in choosing a first hunting rifle/caliber for my son
« Reply #10 on: April 19, 2014, 08:10:02 PM »
Thanks for the feedback everyone, I appreciate it.  Please keep it coming.

JOLTEN.  Thanks for the offer, unfortunately I don't make it over there very often, but I will definitely keep that in mind.

Offline Jolten

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Re: Assistance in choosing a first hunting rifle/caliber for my son
« Reply #11 on: April 19, 2014, 08:21:36 PM »
No problem.
The best equipment in the world is useless to the idiot who doesn't understand it.

Offline couesbitten

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Re: Assistance in choosing a first hunting rifle/caliber for my son
« Reply #12 on: April 19, 2014, 08:25:38 PM »
Keep in mind that the .243, 7mm-08, and .308 are all the same case, just different neck sizes to accommodate the different caliber bullets. I started my 10 year old son with a 30-06 shooting managed recoil ammunition, knowing that he would eventually move to standard ammo in the same gun.  A year later, for elk season I bumped him up to standard .30-06 ammo and he's been there ever since. pd is correct, get him the gun that fit's him best and you'll have solved the biggest challenge to him being a comfortable shooter.  I'd get the 7mm-08 just because it offers a much better selection of bullet weights than a .243.
With the catching ends the pleasure of the chase. - Abraham Lincoln

Offline Wacenturion

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Re: Assistance in choosing a first hunting rifle/caliber for my son
« Reply #13 on: April 20, 2014, 10:20:10 AM »
Surprised nobody has mentioned the .257 Roberts.  `Great classic caliber and virtually no recoil.
"About the time you realize that your father was a smart man, you have a teenager telling you just how stupid you are."

Offline Jolten

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Re: Assistance in choosing a first hunting rifle/caliber for my son
« Reply #14 on: April 20, 2014, 10:25:26 AM »
" I'd get the 7mm-08 just because it offers a much better selection of bullet weights than a .243."

Is that factory or hand loads?? I've taken mule deer and spike elk using 80gr Barnes TTSX. Although not going to lie I enjoy shooting 7mm-08 almost as much. Also .257 and .260's aren't bad. Could go with a light load .270 maybe?
The best equipment in the world is useless to the idiot who doesn't understand it.

 


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