.308 for youth

[Dadbear]

It's time for my soon to be 10 year old to get his own deer rifle. Any thoughts on the .308 youth models out there? I've heard great things about the Savage Accutrigger. My son has one in .22 rimfire and loves it. Which ones are made in USA? Thanks for any suggestions.

[remington300mag]

I would go with a 7mm-08 instead of a .308....just my  Not near the recoil yet still plenty powerful for any game your going after!

[hoyt2002]

I'll 2nd the 7mm-08 its got plenty of power and less recoil and still be able to hunt elk with it.

[bobcat]

I don't believe recoil is that much less with the 7/08. It all depends on what weight bullet you shoot. You can also buy the "managed recoil" loads in 308 until he gets older. I would get the 308. One real good reason- ammo is much cheaper and therefore he will be able to shoot more.

[Hunterman]

I would have to agree with Bobcat..One otherplus for the .308 is that the ammo is available dang near everywhere..

Hunterman(Tony)

[DoubleJ]

If you go with Savage, you can do like I have for my 8 year old.  I also bought a .243 barrel for my .308.  We swap the .243 barrel onto the gun for practice since it kicks way less and he can shoot it for longer periods.  Then, when we go out into the woods, the .308 barrel goes back on.  You'd need a good scope that holds zero and good quick release rings too.  That way you can zero it for the .243, mark it's zero position and do the same for the .308.

[woodswalker]

I don't believe recoil is that much less with the 7/08. It all depends on what weight bullet you shoot. You can also buy the "managed recoil" loads in 308 until he gets older. I would get the 308. One real good reason- ammo is much cheaper and therefore he will be able to shoot more.

That is what I've been doing with a new hunter...she is doing well!  Starting hunting at 55~!  She started with the Remington Managed Recoil fodder...and now also has the rifle dialed for 150s and 180s as well.  They DO what Remington SAYS they do...hit within an inch or so of each other at 100 yards.  She shoots a composite stocked Stevens in 308.

[CSOUTFITTERS]

Either one would be just fine for elk or deer.  Recoil isnt much different between the two. Ammo cost is pretty close as well.   

[wapiti hunter2]

.308 has easy to find cheaper ammo.   

Cartridge (Wb@MV)      Rifle Weight    Recoil energy    Recoil velocity
7mm-08 Rem. (140 at 2860)    8.0                  12.6                      10.1
308 Win. (150 at 2800)            7.5                  15.8                      11.7

[jackelope]

One thing I noticed is that with the little rifles, they kick harder than expected because naturally, they are lighter.
The .243 that my buddy's boy shoots kicks pretty good because the rifle is sooooo little.

[remington300mag]

One thing I noticed is that with the little rifles, they kick harder than expected because naturally, they are lighter.
The .243 that my buddy's boy shoots kicks pretty good because the rifle is sooooo little.

I have noticed that...my dad shoots a super light Remington .280....and it feels as if it kicks as hard as my heavy Ruger .300 mag.....I know his bucks more!

[coachcw]

Remington model seven youth .243 .260 .308 , we have the .260 a great little round .

[Bob33]

I don't believe recoil is that much less with the 7/08. It all depends on what weight bullet you shoot. You can also buy the "managed recoil" loads in 308 until he gets older. I would get the 308. One real good reason- ammo is much cheaper and therefore he will be able to shoot more.

Yes!  My 9 year old shoots a 30-06 with no trouble.  We use mild ammunition.  AMMO, not the caliber makes the most difference.  He can grow up with the 30-06.  As he gets bigger and stronger he can use regular ammo.  Don't sell yourself short.

[hendog]

It's time for my soon to be 10 year old to get his own deer rifle. Any thoughts on the .308 youth models out there? I've heard great things about the Savage Accutrigger. My son has one in .22 rimfire and loves it. Which ones are made in USA? Thanks for any suggestions.

I have a grey beard & have more rifles than I need, but I always grab one of my three Remington .308's for deer hunting. I hand load 165gn Hornady SST bullets, but have had great results with Winchester 150 Power point factory loads.       

[texasbuckmaster]

shot a .308 my whole life wouldnt have any other gun. lets just say it gets the job done