starter rifle.

[hoyt2002]

I'm looking for a starter rifle for my son. you guys got any suggestions? he wants to step up to something besides the 22 and 223. plus it's hes birthday in 2 weeks.

[JimmyHoffa]

What age and size?  You can choose on weight, recoil energy, future hunting practicality, and so on.

[hoyt2002]

he is 8 90pounds 4ft tall. light gun he's not recoil sensitive. I want to keep it that way. future hunting practicality would be what i'm looking for. 

[HighCountryHunter88]

just deer 243, 2506, 6mm rem ( what i use for deer ) 257 rob. elk too 7mm o8 270 308

[carpsniperg2]

7mm-08 tikka, very affordable, mild recoil and will take any animal around. That's the next jump up from the smaller 223's and stuff.

[Wenatcheejay]

My son has used a .243 and a 7mm-08. The 7mm-08 (tikia) does not have more recoil imo and with 140gr bullets it packs a punch.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Best bang for the buck as far as I'm concerned.

http://marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/centerfireBoltAction/XS7.asp

they've recently offered the long action in stainless.

http://marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/centerfireBoltAction/XL7S.asp

-Steve

[engelwood]

.243 Winchester Super Short???

[carpsniperg2]

Dang it engelwood! We are not trying to break the kids piggy bank here

[engelwood]

Just trying to hook the kid up. That's all....

[Jamieb]

Rem mod. 7 compact in 7mm-08
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire/model-seven/model-seven-synthetic.aspx

[JimmyHoffa]

I think most of the cartridges listed would be good.  Anything based off the .308 parent case or even the necked 06 from 270 and under would probably be good.  In bolt guns the 06 receiver is longer than the .308 type receivers usually resulting in a longer heavier rifle.  TC makes a set up that is easy to modify as he goes.  NEF also makes some that can be good for a kid--they are singleshot though.

[Caseyd]

.243 Winchester Super Short???

Recommended full barrel cleaning after 3 shots 

It would be a fun caliber though

[engelwood]

.243 Winchester Super Short???

Recommended full barrel cleaning after 3 shots 

It would be a fun caliber though

Was not aware of that 

[Bob33]

My 9 year old shoots a 30-06 with no problem, but we use very mild ammunition.   We loaded some extremely mild ammunition for my 25-06 and my 6 year old daughter shoots that.  I kid you not when I say the recoil is close to a .22.

Get a gun that fits.  You can use most any caliber as long as the ammunition is tame enough.