weapon for a child

[Huntnphish]

I would be interested in the general consensus of the .243 for elk.  I talked my self into buying a .308 for my nine year old using the low recoil rounds that are available but now I have changed back to the .243 again.

 Why not bridge the gap with the 7mm-08?

[Alchase]

I have seen many elk, and deer taken with a .243.
It kills them fine.
 

[pianoman9701]

I love the subject title of this thread, "Weapon for a Child". I'm just picturing a CA transplant seeing this post and losing his/her mind immediately, requiring hospitalization and extensive therapy. I do love HW.

[dscubame]

I love the subject title of this thread, "Weapon for a Child". I'm just picturing a CA transplant seeing this post and losing his/her mind immediately, requiring hospitalization and extensive therapy. I do love HW.

lol

[GoldTip]

I have seen many elk, and deer taken with a .243.
It kills them fine.

I have seen the same as well, but all in the hands of long time hunters with many, many kills under their belts and the nerves it takes to make only perfect shots.  Personally unless you have harvested many animals under many conditions, I think using a 243win on elk is irresponsible if you are a new shooter/hunter.

[jackmaster]

i also agree a 243 is a little light for a young hunter, my son has used his 30-06 since he was 11, it isnt to much gun for a kid if you get them the right kind but i do know that the first deer he shot would have never went down with a 243, you gotta remember the oh *censored* factor when a kid is drawing down on his animal for the first few years, hell i still get the oh *censored* factor before i shoot

[D-Rock425]

I would be interested in the general consensus of the .243 for elk.  I talked my self into buying a .308 for my nine year old using the low recoil rounds that are available but now I have changed back to the .243 again.

 Why not bridge the gap with the 7mm-08?

[rock]

338-06 would work 

[bobcat]

I would look toward the 06 case family. recoil from a 308 can turn a kid away from taking there time and shooting right. a 25-06, 270, or even the 243 with a good bullet is better suited for smaller shooters

Why do you say that? The 30-06 class of cartridges are BIGGER than the 308. The 30-06 recoils more than the 308. Cartridges that are based on the 308 case are the 243 Winchester, the 260 Remington, the 7mm/08, and the 338 Federal. Cartridges that use the 30-06 case are the 25-06, the 270 Winchester, the 280 Remington, the 338-06, and the 35 Whelen.

[wadu1]

Also look at the 6.5 X 55 Swed; good all around and mild recoil more like a 22-250, 

[Jamieb]

I'd buy a 7mm-08 and use a load with 120gr.ttsx's

[Huntnphish]

I would look toward the 06 case family. recoil from a 308 can turn a kid away from taking there time and shooting right. a 25-06, 270, or even the 243 with a good bullet is better suited for smaller shooters

Why do you say that? The 30-06 class of cartridges are BIGGER than the 308. The 30-06 recoils more than the 308. Cartridges that are based on the 308 case are the 243 Winchester, the 260 Remington, the 7mm/08, and the 338 Federal. Cartridges that use the 30-06 case are the 25-06, the 270 Winchester, the 280 Remington, the 338-06, and the 35 Whelen.

 

[chrisb]

308 is a good all around gun for everything from yotes to bear/elk (presuming black bear) and the ammo is widely available and afforable.

However i'd recommend thinking longer term for them and getting something they can use as adults as well so i'd say either a 338 lapua mag or 375 H&H

[coyotewallace]

I'd buy a 7mm-08 and use a load with 120gr.ttsx's

 
thats what I done for my daughter who is now 13, I bought her the Browning X-Bolt Micro Midas and I would do it all over again without a doubt. This to me is the perfect set up for youth or smaller adult(she may never need another rifle). I put the Leupold FX-II 6x36 on with Talley light weight rings. Spent a little cash but hey you get "ONE" first rifle. The next one she gets she can buy!!!

[Jamieb]

I think the 7-08 is way under rated. It might be good for kid/small adults but it still works fine for larger adults too.