Abel
Member
The man said he wants to shoot a 7 Mag. My pops told me that I didn't need one when I was twelve. So I saved up some cash from working all summer and bought one with my own money. What was he gonna do, stop me?
My son has asked for a new deer rifle........
- Thread starter viking499
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grtwhthntr
Member
.308 would be my suggestion. The 7-08 would be a great pick as well, but you'll pay more for ammo if you don't reload. For deer hunting, I don't see where the 30-06 has anything over the .308 other than more recoil. Also, your choice of the T/C Venture is a good one. I have one in .243 and it is a very accurate rifle. Trigger is excellent, I couldn't be happier with it. I've seen this gun for as little as $399.99, so I'd shop around a little if your LGS is wanting $500 for it.
Coal Dragger
member
So the kid wants to shoot a 7mm Remington Magnum. I would advise against this, but I suppose if you want him to develop a flinch then that is your and his business. He sounds as if he is really gung ho like most any other teenage boy, and just because he thinks he wants to do something doesn't mean he is really ready to do it. He'll also never admit this, even when the rifle is beating the snot out of him and he is closing his eyes and jerking the trigger for every shot.
On a side note, being 5'6" and weighing around 200lbs for a 13 year old is NOT healthy. Unless he can do about 15 pull ups, 50 push ups, 100 crunches/sit ups, and do 30 minutes of vigorous cardio on demand he's not thick and solid. He is overweight. Be a father and encourage something positive be done about this situation.
On a side note, being 5'6" and weighing around 200lbs for a 13 year old is NOT healthy. Unless he can do about 15 pull ups, 50 push ups, 100 crunches/sit ups, and do 30 minutes of vigorous cardio on demand he's not thick and solid. He is overweight. Be a father and encourage something positive be done about this situation.
This sounds like a want more than a need. .243 is fine gun out to 200 yards. If you are looking for something he can grow into..then I woul dgo with an 30-06 or 308...both those rounds will get you out to a bit longer range..and the kick is not much different. Put a limb saver on on it and he will never know it.
He does play football. Loves all the competition.
Also worried about the 7 mag flinch. Got a friend that has a 06 and a 7-08 that I can borrow to let him try. Just need to get the time thing squared away to do it. Worst case is that he has to hunt one more year with his 243. He hasn't mentioned taking out my 6.5x55 yet. That could be another option for him this year.
Coal Dragger - Just went and asked him. He said he weighed 180. After a good 2 hour football practice. He is as fresh as he was when he started. He also eats healthy. I think he will be OK. You call it your way and I will call it mine........
Also worried about the 7 mag flinch. Got a friend that has a 06 and a 7-08 that I can borrow to let him try. Just need to get the time thing squared away to do it. Worst case is that he has to hunt one more year with his 243. He hasn't mentioned taking out my 6.5x55 yet. That could be another option for him this year.
Coal Dragger - Just went and asked him. He said he weighed 180. After a good 2 hour football practice. He is as fresh as he was when he started. He also eats healthy. I think he will be OK. You call it your way and I will call it mine........
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Coal Dragger
member
If he's involved in athletics that is a good thing, encourage this and other athletic activities. There's also a big difference in 200lbs and 180lbs. Either way if he stays focused on some physical activities as he comes into his prime, and his coaches make him cross train like they should he'll be really solid and healthy baring injuries etc.
Coal Dragger
member
Oh, and the idea of using your 6.5X55 is a fantastic idea. Plenty of power, moderate recoil, great sectional density on the bullets.
DoubleTapDrew
Member
Definitely have him shoot the 06 and 7-08 if your friend has them available. Get a couple boxes of ammo for each caliber. Make sure he just wears a t-shirt. After blowing through 40 rounds of each at the bench he won't want a 7mm mag 
I'd recommend a 7-08 due to the light weight short action rifles available and low kick. My first (and current) deer rifle was (is) a M700 in 7mm-08. It's got a lightweight profile barrel on it and now wears a synthetic stock. I love it, it handles like a 10-22, shoots flat and accurate and won't beat you up (not that an 06 would beat up your kid given his size). My Dad gave it to me when I was 12 (i think) and at that age I was about 130lbs and didn't have any problems with it. I'm more than 20 years older now and still love it for deer (.300 weatherby for elk).
I'd recommend a 7-08 due to the light weight short action rifles available and low kick. My first (and current) deer rifle was (is) a M700 in 7mm-08. It's got a lightweight profile barrel on it and now wears a synthetic stock. I love it, it handles like a 10-22, shoots flat and accurate and won't beat you up (not that an 06 would beat up your kid given his size). My Dad gave it to me when I was 12 (i think) and at that age I was about 130lbs and didn't have any problems with it. I'm more than 20 years older now and still love it for deer (.300 weatherby for elk).
Arkansas Paul
Member
If I was gonna go to the expense of getting him a new deer rifle, I'd get him the one he asked for, asuming it was within reason. The .30-06 is not only within reason, it's a dandy choice. Sounds like he's done some thinking about it and there's certainly nothing wrong with his choice.
But I am a little biased, being a fan of the '06. Bottom line, I'd defiately let him make the caliber decision. After he's shot it and is sure he likes it of course.
Just my 0.02
But I am a little biased, being a fan of the '06. Bottom line, I'd defiately let him make the caliber decision. After he's shot it and is sure he likes it of course.
Just my 0.02
Coal Dragger
member
I think the .30-06 is also available in managed recoil loads from the factory if that is of any interest. For you non hand loaders that gives you the ability to practice without the recoil.
Get the kid an 06 if he can handle it. Great all around cartridge, will feed the horsepower fetish most young men have, and farther down the road, if he gets a chance at an elk or other critter heavier than a mulie, he will already have a good cartridge with which to do it. Nothing wrong with a little bit of overkill, and if he really has his mind set on that particular cartridge, he will think he has gone to second best with another. I know more than a few folks who arent nearly as stout who handle their 06's very well. If there is truly an "all around cartridge", the 06 has to be in the top 5.
if your 243 is only good out to 200 yards it must be bent. i watched my friend drop a yote at 650 last winter. & it flipped the dog & now am looking at buying a 243 for hunting yotes
I believe the gun was a Browning BAR but im not a 100% sure any more
I believe the gun was a Browning BAR but im not a 100% sure any more
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I have one objection to the .308: Aesthetics.
I thought I was the only one who thought like that. I think the .260 REM looks even more proportionally pleasing (as if .5mm is that big of a difference.)
BTW, I am not even sure if it is possible to flinch if you have your scope on a nice buck...even a doe. I am more likely to start shaking with excitement. I've always found that recoil shooting from a bench rest is much much more noticeable than when shooting offhand.
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coug
Member
well if he's that size get him a 7mag if you hand load . I don't like recoil at all but I love fast magnum rounds . I shoot RL25 in my 7mag because it don't kick. with 73.5 grns behind a 140grn bullet it just shoves you no snappy hard magnum kick. I would start around 70 you will get the same efect from retumbo in almost identical powder charge. and its very flat.
hometheaterman
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Let him try them, but if he still wants one after trying it, get him the caliber he wants, otherwise you will be wasting your money as he will never be happy with the rifle you buy. I see this often where kids want a certain rifle, and parents think some alternative will be better for them. Only to have the kids never like the rifle in 98% of the cases. Usually it doesn't get shot much either.
JTHunter
Member
Let him try several
Viking - as the others have said, borrow some friends guns and let your son try several, ending with the '06.
I have a Rem. 700 in .243 w/ a Simmons 3 x 9 scope and see-thru rings. When I was first checking it out (bought second-hand) I shot Rem., Fed., & Winchester factory loads (100 gr. PSP) and at 200 yds, they were all over the paper! I did some reloading and got it to about 2 1/2" for three different bullet weights (60, 75, & 100 gr) at 200 yds. This is what I was setting for my zero and I was shooting off of sandbags, firing the rifle single-shot. This made my sight picture change slightly every shot.
What I appreciate is the low recoil, fast follow-up, and low bullet weight for varmits and higher weights for deer.
Even the .308 has a little trouble going low weight bullets for varmits.
FYI
Viking - as the others have said, borrow some friends guns and let your son try several, ending with the '06.
I have a Rem. 700 in .243 w/ a Simmons 3 x 9 scope and see-thru rings. When I was first checking it out (bought second-hand) I shot Rem., Fed., & Winchester factory loads (100 gr. PSP) and at 200 yds, they were all over the paper! I did some reloading and got it to about 2 1/2" for three different bullet weights (60, 75, & 100 gr) at 200 yds. This is what I was setting for my zero and I was shooting off of sandbags, firing the rifle single-shot. This made my sight picture change slightly every shot.
What I appreciate is the low recoil, fast follow-up, and low bullet weight for varmits and higher weights for deer.
Even the .308 has a little trouble going low weight bullets for varmits.
FYI
unwise11
Member
the m24 was going to be made in 30-06.
they changed their way of thought to .308
they changed their way of thought to .308
unwise11
Member
im 14, 5foot9 and 154 lbs
is he pure musle?
im not skinny, im built pretty thick, and 30-06 does recoil, its not bad, but from shooting .243 to 7mag he will flinch, i shoot a .308
accurately. if he can drive tacks with his gun, keep it. or rebarrel it to .308
is he pure musle?
im not skinny, im built pretty thick, and 30-06 does recoil, its not bad, but from shooting .243 to 7mag he will flinch, i shoot a .308
accurately. if he can drive tacks with his gun, keep it. or rebarrel it to .308
USSR
Member
Yep, the Army's M24 was a .308 from the get-go, and was built using a long action so that conversion to a bigger cartridge could be made at a later date.
Don
Don
The 6.5x55 is a decent round, but if I was going to go that route, I would opt for the 260 Remington which shoots the same bullet and was created for the competition market along with hunting. Also, for a reloader you can use 308 cases if needed....
W.E.G.
Member
I would say you should be very happy your son wants to hunt with you.
If he has been otherwise acting right, no reason to not consider the 30-06 if $$$ is not a huge concern.
Since you mentioned his size, I'll also mention that he needs to drop a good chunk of that weight while he still has the metabolism to get it done easily.
I'm gonna guess that pop aint no runway model either.
How about you BOTH reward yourselves when you get off the OBESE end of the chart?
If he has been otherwise acting right, no reason to not consider the 30-06 if $$$ is not a huge concern.
Since you mentioned his size, I'll also mention that he needs to drop a good chunk of that weight while he still has the metabolism to get it done easily.
I'm gonna guess that pop aint no runway model either.
How about you BOTH reward yourselves when you get off the OBESE end of the chart?
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