rifle for a 10yo

[toyman2]

So i went looking for a rifle for the kid today and found a few that struck my intrest.
1 was a marlin 30-30 lever action(my all time fav. gun)
the other was a salvage 243 bolt action
this will also kinda be a varment gun for me and a deer rifle for her,they are both about the same size and she can hold them both.
theres about $200 or so diffrence in price but thats not to much of a issue.
just kinda hard to decide so im asking for a little input.

[Galpster]

Marlin 336 30.30 all the way. I have a Marlin 336 30.30W, all the W means is it was sold at Walmart. It is the same rifle that they sell everywhere else except maybe not as good wood. Love it and so does the 10 year old boy.

[jrebel]

Can't go wrong with either.  My   243 is a more versatile caliber.  I really like the savages and the Remington Model 7 youth.  My wife shoots the remington model 7 and loves it.  The .243 is more forgiving i.e. flat shooting between 100-200 yards.  Sight it in at 200 and anything less just put the cross hairs on....the rest will be history.  

[toyman2]

dam you 2 just cancled each other out,

[Machias]

One thing to look at for young kids is forward weight.  Even the .30-.30 is too heavy for most kids to shoot accurately.  Great option is the H&R single shot with the synthetic stock.  Get the .243 and you got a GREAT kids rifle, cheap in price (around $220 for a new one), very easy for them to shoot accurately and they make great varmint rifles.

[Skyvalhunter]

If you plan on taking him hunting where he can make longer shots a .243 is the way to go. He will out grow the 30-30 unless he chooses to hunt something like blacktail on the west side in thicker surroundings the rest of his life. Chances are the .243 will be more accurate and especially when he wants to put a scope on it.

[Galpster]

But the 30.30 is a legend. And it is accurate with a scope on it. Get one of those new Redfield scopes and it will be dead on out to 150 yards. Perfect for all kinds of game here in the NW. It is also alot of fun to shoot. Next to no kick and the lever action is smooth and fun.

Everyone should own a Marlin 30.30!! Just my 

[carpsniperg2]

243 all the way i don't know how much she has shot and what her build is but a 30-30 would probably be a bit much and you will get more range with the 243 me my brother and wife all shot are first deer and a few more with the 243 very good deer cal and also a great deer gun as well you would be very happy with that cal. and a 30-30 is not that great of a varmit gun better brush gun than anything. allot of your yotes will be 150+ and i don't like the 30-30 past 150 myself i hunted with one for 2 years when i was 12-14 then got my 30-06

[robescc]

Go with the 30-30.  The new hornady leverevalution ammo turned a 150 yard max gun into a 300 yard tack driver. 

[alecvg]

I personally would go with the the 30/30 for him, but I think the perfect gun would be a .270 WIN... great round, and not to hard to control.  Thats what I used to get my first deer when I was 11, I did bleed from the scope, but thats because I had the stock on top of my shoulder to see better.   

[Skyvalhunter]

Bet that taught you a good lesson

[Shootmoore]

I would suggest the bolt gun.  It will be easier for the kid to shoot groups with.  The problem with a lever gun for kids is due to strength issues they have to bring the gun down to work the action, where they can stay on the gun and work the bolt.  I started with a model 99F in .243 and while i could shoot it well at 8, I noticed a degree if confidence and accuracy when I went to a bolt gun at 10.

Its not that the lever gun is not accurate, I just feel it is easier to build confidence with the bolt on a young shooter with limited strength.

Shootmoore

[Huntbear]

Does the lever gun have a good safety?  Been awhile since I looked at a Marlin, so asking.  Does it have a "half cock" or a cross block bolt?  If it is the former, get the bolt gun.  Safety issues will cause problems.

[toyman2]

5 to 3 for the 243.
everything sayed her i agree with,my kid is a her and she is very strong and in shape(doing ballet for 4 years).
i want the the 30-30 but the 243 i think is a smarter choice.i dont know what to do,want over desire kinda sucks.
the 30-30 has a good safty

[700xcr]

243win would be a good deer and varmint combo in a bolt action. I started out with a 7x57 mauser deer hunting at the age of 14yrs. old.