Your Opinion... Gun for 12 yr Old Girl...

[coachcw]

dont bother with a 243 they suck, go with a rem model seven youth in 260 or 308  you wont regret it .

[Gutpile]

I didn't want a 243. Very popular but I just wanted a bit more power. looked long and hard for a 257 but never found one. Almost bought a 7mm-08 but found a  Ruger M77 MKII youth model in .260. I liked it so much I found myself a 260. The drawback is that it's really a handloaders caliber. I wonder if it's going to die completely. Anyways a 6.5 swede would be a great choice as well. My eldest used the 260 for her first deer and my youngest now uses it and has taken two deer. I just love the 260 and that would be my choice. I may be selling this if Em grows like her sister did but that 260 is just an awesome deer killer. I love it.

They were both accuately shooting this rifle at age 10. One drawback with shorty rifles is that they are loud. Sometimes the kids don't like that more than the recoil itself.

Alyssa age 12 2006 25 yards


Emilie age 11 2008 168yards


Emilie age 12 2009 135 yards

[runningboard]

hey gutpile, if they/you like that 77 mk-II Ruger, they make the Hawkeye in 257 bob. would make a great cartridge/gun combo for your girls

[huntnphool]

Ruger youth rifle in .243

[87Ford]

Ruger UL in .257 Bob.  Sweet little rifle.

[Jamieb]

I realy think a nice light rifle in 7-08 is perfect for kids. Light enough with low recoil to start out with and capable of taking elk and bear, they wont out grow it.

[Gutpile]

hey gutpile, if they/you like that 77 mk-II Ruger, they make the Hawkeye in 257 bob. would make a great cartridge/gun combo for your girls

I've thought a lot about it, but my oldest doesn't hunt anymore and unless the youngest stays with it I wouldn't buy her a rifle. I've got plenty of other toys she can use in the mean time. .257 Bob for me is more like it. LOL

[Jethro]

Got my wife a 7-08 Tikka, sweet shooter with minimum recoil. the .243, .257 bob, cant' argue either, proven stuff. .260 good choice too... if you handload.  Load for recoil first, accuracy second...

[Jamieb]

I own this same rifle and love it. $575 isnt a screaming deal but a fair price and what I'd buy if I was looking for a light weight for deer/elk.
http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/3521418/gonew/1/FS_Remington_700_7mm_08_Mounta#UNREAD

[Hornseeker]

Thank You All! I am basically keeping my eyes open for all the calibers and guns mentioned above.... Really a lot of good choices. We will see....

If I was to go with something like a 308, I'd just use the 30 oughts I already have. I am trying to determine how reduced loads will work in my 06's ...

[jdb]

dont bother with a 243 they suck,

the pile of dead deer we have at our house might argue with you.

[PA BEN]

dont bother with a 243 they suck, go with a rem model seven youth in 260 or 308  you wont regret it .

So why do they suck?

[Red Dawg]

  I was wondering the same thing. First time I have ever heard that come out of anybodies mouth. I guess everyone likes what they like.

[ICEMAN]

My son dropped his deer this year with a Ruger .243 youth model...very efficiently...

They suck? I don't think so....

[WildfireArcher]

a ruger .243win sure made quick work of my first few deer. And a couple of my sister's deer. have recovered every animal shot with it

-Wildfire