Didn't think I'd be faced with this yet. Rifle for youth, deer

[satchel3006]

.243 and .308 do not recoil the same i guess you could try the reduced recoil ammo for the .308

[newbs55]

i guess i should have said similar recoil. my nephew is 12 and he shoots 125 grainers out of his .308 and his buddy shoots 110 out of his 243 and my nephew doesn't like shooting his buddies gun he says it kicks way more.

[jackelope]

the weight of the gun will change things too. my guess is there's not too much difference between the 2.

[newbs55]

yeah they are both synth stock savages with 3 x 9' on top so the weight should be close. I have shot both and can't tell a difference, but you know how little kids are.

[haugenna]

not sure if you reload, but you can load some light loads for him.

[ICEMAN]

A thought...

I purchased youth sized rifles for my kids, everything is a bit smaller, easier to shoulder etc.... Bought Mossberg .243/s for both of them in the youth size. My kids are 11 and 13yrs...The stocks can be replaced later with full size stocks.

I also place value in the tang safety which is visible for everyone to see, all the time. Plus, the safeties match their Mossberg youth shotguns....

Ok, I am a dufus. Just read my post....

My kids have the Savage .243 youth, not a mossberg....

My brain is continuing to degrade....

[Tony 270WSM]

Don't reload, but thought maybe rather than buying a gun/scope I could just get some reloading stuff and load my WSM way down

But nah, wouldn't mind something with less power to play with and pass down to him. Starting to consider the 7mm-08 with reduced loads, but would love a 260 and they make reduced loads for it too.

Will have to keep an eye out for some good deals around here. Would like to hold them first of course, want it to be comfortable.

[catwithboost]

Well I can reload 243 or 270 as far as smaller calibers. If you get anyone of those calibers for your nephew. I will donate low recoil rounds if you want to drive up to Olympia to get them. Just a thought and a way of me helping out a new hunter. PM me if you are interested. I have brass,primers,powder and bullets for those so you will not need to pay for anything.

[Gutpile]

My daughters were both shooting the 260 at age 10. You don't need reduced loads with it but you will want to reload. There are really not many loads to choose from as it's not a very popular cartridge.

here's a 100 yard group from my 11 year old at 100 yards off of shooting sticks. Just to give you an idea on how easy it is to shoot for a youth


Here's my oldest with her first deer and the 260. She's now 5'8" and has graduated to a 270.


Here's my youngest last fall with her first deer. If memory serves it was a 168 yard shot. So small kids can definately shoot a 260.


Too bad you can't wait till next season. I may be unloading it.

[Tony 270WSM]

Cat, very generous offer and great on your part!

Gutpile, I might be able to find something to work this year if you're getting rid of that 260 next year. Great photos 

[huntnphool]

There are really not many loads to choose from as it's not a very popular cartridge.

 Which is another great reason to go with a .243, every sporting goods store will have them on the shelf, you even have Catwithboost offering to load you some custom rounds.

[Tony 270WSM]

That is a valid point...

Really can't go wrong with a 243. Keep thinking about a 260 cause I've always wanted one since it came out, though it may not be the best choice for him. On the other hand, isn't a bad choice either, even with limited ammo for it.

One thing I hadn't even thought of till just a little while ago is to go visit my grandparents and borrow their old Coast to Coast bolt action 30-30. Took my first deer with it. Then can have more time and money to find something to pass down to him. I'm sure I think about this way more than he has lol

[scoyoc5]

Well I can reload 243 or 270 as far as smaller calibers. If you get anyone of those calibers for your nephew. I will donate low recoil rounds if you want to drive up to Olympia to get them. Just a thought and a way of me helping out a new hunter. PM me if you are interested. I have brass,primers,powder and bullets for those so you will not need to pay for anything.

wow cat very nice offer

[Karl Blanchard]

I bought my wife a NEF 243 youth model for her first rifle and it is a tack drivin little sucker.  It is short but it fits me well enough that I can still shoot it comfortably.  If I could do it over again I would have bought it in 25-06 which I think is a bit better of a round (you can shoot heavier bullets).  Also I would look into Marlins new bolt actions.  I bought one in 25-06 and It is a nice meat and potato's rifle.  $300 bucks brand new too.

[Pat/Rick]

Surprised nobody suggested .30-30 lever gun.