Youth 1st Deer/Elk rifle

[Bob33]

I buy Winchester Power Points in 270 and 30/06 for $19.99.

Can you get 7/08 for that price?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/773095/hornady-american-whitetail-ammunition-7mm-08-remington-139-grain-interlock-spire-point-box-of-20

Sale
$18.99
$0.95/Round

But I also consider ammunition cost as a non-factor in most instances. Many hunters will spend several hundred, if not thousands of dollars on a hunt and try to save $.50 a round. If you shoot a lot it may be a factor, but the casual shooter probably goes through a box of 20 in five years or more.

[bobcat]

I agree- ammo cost isn't a big factor. Availability is more of an issue, and that's why I like to stick with the most common cartridges- 243, 308, 270, and 30/06.

[Bob33]

I agree- ammo cost isn't a big factor. Availability is more of an issue, and that's why I like to stick with the most common cartridges- 243, 308, 270, and 30/06.

There are some calibers that are very difficult to get, but for the most part 7mm-08 is available. If someone waits until the last minute to buy his ammunition on the way out of town on a hunt, it could be a problem.

The most popular caliber probably is 30-06 which can be found just about anywhere, if that's a factor.

[bobcat]

My brother has a 7/08 and one time about a year ago I was at Cabelas and he had asked me to pick up some ammo if they had any. It wasn't really what he wanted but all they had was three boxes of Hornady Superformance with 139 grain bullets at just under $40 a box. The shelves were just full of 270, 308, and 30/06 of many different varieties. So I guess that's what I base my opinion on. Maybe that was not the norm.

Oh and by the way, Superformance is not the ammo you want for a young person. My brother had a black and blue, bruised up shoulder after only shooting around half a box. And that's the 7/08's claim to fame- low recoil.   

[Bob33]

Oh and by the way, Superformance is not the ammo you want for a young person. My brother had a black and blue, bruised up shoulder after only shooting around half a box. And that's the 7/08's claim to fame- low recoil.   

If the shot distance is expected to be 200 yards or less, which it's likely to be for an inexperienced hunter, reduced/managed recoil ammunition is plenty good enough and makes recoil even milder. I lent my 7mm-08 to a first time youth hunter this year and he used a Hornady "custom lite" 120 grain load on a deer. Dropped in its tracks.

[bobcat]

Yep, that illustrates the fact that the ammo used is more important than which cartridge it happens to be. Low recoil loads can be purchased for the 270, 308, and 30/06 as well.

[Bob33]

Yep, that illustrates the fact that the ammo used is more important than which cartridge it happens to be. Low recoil loads can be purchased for the 270, 308, and 30/06 as well.

 

I think a common mistake is picking too mild a caliber that the youth outgrows. You can tone down a 30-06 with milder ammo, but you can't turn a 243 into a 30-06.

[Loco Ken]

A big thank you to everyone for lending your personal experience and knowledge.  It looks like we will be looking for either the .270 or the 7mm-08 then.  I might take a look at the .30-06 and the cartridges to see what they come in in the lowest loads.  Does anyone know what the lowest loads are for the .30-06?  Regardless, I will more than likely stick with one of the first two and get him the .30-06 when he gets older and more experience under his belt.  I love my Model 700, but it has a nice kick that would keep him from going out with me for sure.

[Bob33]

125 grains at 2660 for Remington 3006 managed recoil. Very pleasant.
www.remington.com/products/ammunition/centerfire/managed-recoil/managed-recoil.aspx

[Wingin it]

The 125 gr reduced recoil rounds available from hornady are very mild in my 30.06. Another nod for the 7mm-08 too.