What used rifle would you get your son

[samjoe]

Ok guys, I have 3yo and 6yo sons. I have two .22 LR's and one model 336 30/30. I want to upgrade from my 30/30 to a really good time tested used model rifle for deer hunting. I would like to have something that my sons will be able to use when they begin to hunt & could continue to use as they get older. (I will also purchase other rifles over time)

I would prefer a bolt action rifle for $400 or less

It can be 80 years old or 5, I don't mind.

A good flat shot to at least 400 yards

A scope is not a must if the rifle does not have it. (already have one)

Nothing too big for a 10 or 12yo (yes they will be taught safety)

Again I already Have .22 and 30/30 calibers.

What rifle would you look for a deal on if you weren't in a hurry, and in what caliber?

 

[rha600]

Caliber wise maybe a .270? I have a Ruger (Sorry, I forget the model) bolt action in .270 that my dad bought me when I was 15ish? I'm 40 now and that gun still shoots 1-2" at 100 yards with "cheap" federal softpoints.

Other than that I'd have to check prices on used stuff but honestly the first thing that comes to mind is a Remington 700?

BTW, the .270 has the kick of a typical high powered hunting rifle but it's very managable.

edit: just glancing through gunbroker it seems they have mostly newER stuff so it's hard to get a good idea but they do have Ruger M77 in the $400 range on there. the Remingtons of course are much more, but again they are all newER.

Also you might be able to find some nice Savage rifles for around that price used.

 

[AzBuckfever]

As been mentioned a million times in other forums....For deer, and for that age....YOU CANNOT GO WRONG WITH A .243....Light recoil, compact. I would recommend probably a Remington Model 7 .243.
plus, when they get older and want to go big....they keep that .243 around and use it for predator hunting or they can pass it down to their children...

Did some searchin for ya

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=159345941
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=159997222

 

[AzBuckfever]

And if you really want to teach some fundamentals of 1 shot may be all you have, shot placement, and to probably lighten the carry load substantially....

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=9926178&cat=377&lpid=

Rifle is in Francis, Utah....but better act quick before I want it

 

[samjoe]

I was leaning more toward a .270 than anything else. Yes the .243 would be a great gun for a 12yo, but will he ever use it for deer when he is 21? and would a .243 knock a larger buck down humanely at 250 to 300 yards?

I have noticed that gunbroker is flooded with new models. That is one reason I'm not rushing. I'm looking locally as well.

Also, I don't mind if it is a good used rifle for $300 or $250 if that's possible, and I will spend a bit more than $400 if its worth it. I just didn't want folks suggesting $800 - $1000 for a rifle.

 

[janobles14]

good used savage or remington in .30-06, .270, or .308 would fit nicely for 2-3 bills

 

[W.E.G.]

A well-placed .243 will knock down deer at 300 yards like the Hammer of God.
The .243 is the same as a .308, but only with a lighter bullet.

Unless you get one that's quite heavy, the "little" .243 kicks a bit too.

Rifles are not very expensive until you start putting GOOD-QUALITY scopes on them.
Don't saddle your boys with a crappy scope.
You'll be needing to to spend a good bit more than $400 on the whole package.

 

[Bwana John]

I just bought a "Big Game hunting" rifle for my brothers boy to hunt with and own when he gets old enough.
He will be turning 14 and be mule deer hunting for the first time next year.

1966 Win Mod 70 in .30 -06 in 95% condition($340 at the gun show). Came with 22" med weight barrel that had been floated, and nice open sights.

I put on a Leupold M8 4X scope($160), steel Leupold QRW bases($30) steel Burris Z rings($20), a new recoil pad + fitting($50), new hex head action screws ($15), QR sling swivels($10), and a reduced trigger spring ($10)

So everything for less than $650.

Ill load 30-30 level loads for him for mule deer hunting for a while, until he gets a little bigger and more recoil tolerant.

The rifle has turned out to be VERY accurate AND percise.
It shoots ~.75 moa with the POI the same everytime, using multiple different bullets and different loads.

 

[samjoe]

I have time to get a good scope later and I plan on getting a really decent one. I have a decent 3x9 I can use for a year or two.

 

[AzBuckfever]

I would say yes that a .243 would knock a buck down at 200-300 yards.....even 400 with a good shot (which means no obstructions like a shoulder). My first elk hunt was with a .243 and I was 14. I think the benefits of a high powered rifle with deer hunting are that it'll break a shoulder and are reasonably good for shots over 500 yds.
My issue would be, why take a shot at a deer from 300 yards out? If you want to do that, spend a few more bones and get a Browning 300 Mag with BOSS.
As said, a .243 is essentially a .308 necked down. Same with a .270...30-06 necked down. So with those margins set, go in between....25-06. In fact, there was a forum just a few days ago on here with a member who had a Savage 25-06 for $375 or something. It's a 30-06 necked down, but it'll shoot flatter than a .270 and where the rubber meets the road, it's actually got better ballistics than a 30-06.

 

[samjoe]

I have time to get a good scope later and I plan on getting a really decent one. I have a decent 3x9 I can use for a year or two.

 

[AzBuckfever]

I would say yes that a .243 would knock a buck down at 200-300 yards.....even 400 with a good shot (which means no obstructions like a shoulder). My first elk hunt was with a .243 and I was 14. I think the benefits of a high powered rifle with deer hunting are that it'll break a shoulder and are reasonably good for shots over 500 yds.
A humane shot and an ethical shot are 2 different things to me. A humane shot is harvesting the game with 1 shot, knocking it's lights out before he even hears the sound.
An ethical shot involves a humane shot, but from an achievable distance, with 1 shot, and knowing that the shot is possible with no thought or question into it. Is a 300 yd. shot on a buck humanely attainable with a .243, yes. Is it ethically attainable, depends on the skill of the hunter
My issue would be, why take a shot at a deer from 300 yards out? If you want to do that, spend a few more bones and get a Browning 300 Mag with BOSS.
As said, a .243 is essentially a .308 necked down. Same with a .270...30-06 necked down. So with those margins set, go in between....25-06. In fact, there was a forum just a few days ago on here with a member who had a Savage 25-06 for $375 or something. It's a 30-06 necked down, but it'll shoot flatter than a .270 and where the rubber meets the road, it's actually got better ballistics than a 30-06.

 

[samjoe]

what grain bullet in .243 or .270?

 

[MJR007]

Find one of these used for now and then...

http://www.ruger.com/products/m77HawkeyeCompact/models.html

 

[AzBuckfever]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=507120&highlight=25-06

There's the thread to that 25-06. Not sure if it's still available.

Back in reference to will a .243 take humanely take down a buck at 300 yds. As said, my answer is yes, humanely that caliber will.
Will the .243 ethically take down a deer at 300 yds., depends on the hunter. The two descriptions are different to me. A humane shot is one that is made with 1 shot, knocking the lights out of whatever you shoot at and dropping it in it's tracks; with as little to no discomfort as possible.
An ethical shot is a humane shot, added the characteristics of the shot....distance, environment, terrain, etc. That, depends on the competency of the hunter and the ability to make that shot; hence the reason I also posted the single shot rifles. No need for a magazine if you're going to make a humane or ethical shot

 

[samjoe]

1966 win model 70 for $340 sounds good, but the old model 70's that I come across online always seem to be $2,000.00 and up. Am I looking at the right gun?

 

[AzBuckfever]

grain bullet on a .243 I would go with around 105 which is the heaviest I believe you can get...270, probably towards 130-140. Keep in mind with the bullets. As said with the .243; it's a necked down .308. So a heavier bullet is a longer bullet which will further enable you to reach those 300 yd marks that you asked about. More stability in the round. Same goes with the heavier .270 of 130 or 140 grn. That's all I gotta say. Good luck

 

[Big Bill]

For a ten to twelve year old child a .243 would be ideal. Savage or Remington etc. would be fine.

 

[AzBuckfever]

1966 win model 70 for $340 sounds good, but the old model 70's that I come across online always seem to be $2,000.00 and up. Am I looking at the right gun?

No idea what gun you're looking at. None that I've mentioned.

 

[oneounceload]

A Model 7 in 7-08 would work for any of your applications

 

[samjoe]

That Ruger m77 sure is pretty. Can a Savage 110 match the quality of that or a model 70 at 200 yds on whitetail? Also, What is the largest game one should attempt to shoot with a .243?

 

[samjoe]

Can you get a model 7 in 7-08 for less than $400? What about the recoil?

 

[Abel]

I wouldn't shoot anything bigger than mule deer with a 243. If you want to shoot elk sized game, 7mm-08 is a good minimum. The recoil is maybe a little more than the 30-30. And yes, if you hit the pawn shops and used gun racks, you can find a Model Seven 7-08 for 400, but less than that is a real steal & won't come around too often.

 

[dougw47]

243 vs 7mm 08

90-100 gr 243 premium bullet will do the job out to 300.

7mm 08 130 gr will do it with ease.

7mm has a little more recoil than the 243, but it is recommended for children and women as a starter rifle. I use the 7mmx57 with essentially the same recoil and it does the job well. My 13 and 14 year old grandsons shoot it well, it has a good scope and they don't complain.

Dicks and Academy...plus lots of other discount stores sell the Stevens and Mossberg, plus the Marlin rifles brand new in .243 and 7mm 08 for less than $400.

In my opinion, it would be hard to go wrong with one of these, but if you want to look around...243's and 7mm's are hard to find where I live. I ran across a Remington Mohawk 600 in .243 that had been shortened and I grabbed it for the kids. They were asking $500 for it but I got it cheaper.

I saw a Remington 700 in 6mm...which is a little more powerful than a .243, for $500 and unless you are looking for a single-shot H&R, Wal-Mart for $297,
that is about all I have seen lately.

Good luck.

 

[Legionnaire]

I would recommend probably a Remington Model 7 .243.

This. All my kids who hunt took their first deer with a Model 7 in .243. It still gets carried for varmints and deer. If not the .243, 7mm-08 in the same Model 7.