351 WINCHESTER
Member
Any decent deer caliber, preferably one with low recoil. Just make sure the stock fits him. Marlin spikehorn? Wonderful kids gun and not bad for adults too.
Youth deer rifle caliber recommendations
- Thread starter todd-45
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Smiity in CT posted excatly what I was thinking...The Mossberg ATR-100 "Super Bantam" in .243...several butt-plate spacers to adjust the LOP as the young hunter grows into it.
Mossberg also offers a 'pre-scoped Combo' model in the Super Bantam line. Model 26260 for the .243 Super Bantam, MSRP of $414, IIRC.
I have an ATR-100 in .30-06...very good rifle for the $310 (2 years back) I spent on it, with scope-n-rings/sling/swivels, etc.
Mossberg also offers a 'pre-scoped Combo' model in the Super Bantam line. Model 26260 for the .243 Super Bantam, MSRP of $414, IIRC.
I have an ATR-100 in .30-06...very good rifle for the $310 (2 years back) I spent on it, with scope-n-rings/sling/swivels, etc.
I shot my first deer with my older sister's .243 when i was 12. The next year i used a heavy sako (so it was less than 12g 870 recoil) 30-06. They both FELT the same to me with the adrenalin. I'd recomend at 1.5-6 or 2-7 power scope and leave it low. that helped me acquire when i was young.
my sister still shoots the .243 and she's killed 9 deer with it, 6 neck shots, 1 head shot.
my sister still shoots the .243 and she's killed 9 deer with it, 6 neck shots, 1 head shot.
cracked butt
Member
Rem mod 7 in .243
waffentomas
Member
I bought my son a 7mm Mag for deer and elk. He took his first cow this year, at 18.
However, I worked up to the 7mm Mag by having him shoot my .308. Since I reload, I could really tailor the loads to the appropriate power levels, and even though it's a lot more expensive now than a few years ago, you just can't beat the economics of practicing. Surplus ammo is still cheaper than the factory stuff.
Though I love the .243 and .270 as deer rifles, I think the .308 is a better long term choice because of ammo/relaoding costs. Plus, he can take it if he ever does go elk or moose hunting. I use mine for it - killed two elk just last week with my lowly .308.
Tom
However, I worked up to the 7mm Mag by having him shoot my .308. Since I reload, I could really tailor the loads to the appropriate power levels, and even though it's a lot more expensive now than a few years ago, you just can't beat the economics of practicing. Surplus ammo is still cheaper than the factory stuff.
Though I love the .243 and .270 as deer rifles, I think the .308 is a better long term choice because of ammo/relaoding costs. Plus, he can take it if he ever does go elk or moose hunting. I use mine for it - killed two elk just last week with my lowly .308.
Tom
My short list would include the following calibers and rifles
.243
.25-06
.270
.280
.308
6.5x55 Swedish
.30-06 assuming recoil does not bother him, if so magnaporting or a muzzle brake may help
Rifles would include the following
Remington 7
Remington 700 Mountain
Ruger 77 Ultra Light or Frontier
Browning A Bolt
Tikka
Browning BLR
Remington 788
Decently sporterized Swedish German Czech FN or Yugoslavian Mauser or 1903A1 1903A3 Springfield rifle.
Any good gunsmith can shorten a gun stock.
I would pick up an aftermarket one and have this stock cut and shortened in increments using dowels as alignment pegs that way the length of pull could be increased and the joint would be covered with a slip on recoil pad.
When he is older the original stock would be put back on the rifle the old shortened replacement stock would have lots of well earned dings dents scratches and marks by then.
.243
.25-06
.270
.280
.308
6.5x55 Swedish
.30-06 assuming recoil does not bother him, if so magnaporting or a muzzle brake may help
Rifles would include the following
Remington 7
Remington 700 Mountain
Ruger 77 Ultra Light or Frontier
Browning A Bolt
Tikka
Browning BLR
Remington 788
Decently sporterized Swedish German Czech FN or Yugoslavian Mauser or 1903A1 1903A3 Springfield rifle.
Any good gunsmith can shorten a gun stock.
I would pick up an aftermarket one and have this stock cut and shortened in increments using dowels as alignment pegs that way the length of pull could be increased and the joint would be covered with a slip on recoil pad.
When he is older the original stock would be put back on the rifle the old shortened replacement stock would have lots of well earned dings dents scratches and marks by then.
TCB in TN
Member
I like the .243 just fine, but I don't think that above is an accurate assessment of the prevailing thoughts on "best all-around" cal
Last edited:
Sl2squeeze
Member
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- Oct 29, 2007
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- 28
I would reccomend the Remington 7 rifle as a solid Youth deer rifle.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Ditto. I would personally give that nod to the .30-06. But the .243 would be just the ticket for the application you describe.
I have seen some great answers and some....well less than educated responces on this subject.
The concideration here is not so much what calibure as it is what rifle? He is 8 years old I have seen some large 8 year olds and some small 8 year olds. Find the right fitting rifle then pick a calibure he can shoot.
Now on calibure I personaly feel that anything less than .270 diamater would be wrong. The reason why......less than this diameter in IMO requires a lot more velocity to kill a deer with out question. More velocity means more recoil and most likely to a newer shooter less control.
Also though popular in lever guns pistol calibures would not be good either often times they are short barrles and therefore have more recoil. I have shot a .44 mag in a lever gun way more recoil than my 30-30.
So what does this leave? 270 is great 30-30 is better but much larger than 30-30 would be too much for an 8 year old. So
+1 270
+1 30-30
-1 7.62x39and 30 carbine(too short range not really proven to my satisfaction):banghead:
"exotic" options 7-30 waters, 7mm-08(may be too much), 303 savage, 307 winchester, 32-40,38-55 and 40-65
or do it like I did at 7 years old a .50 muzzle loader with a patched ball and 80gr black powder.
The concideration here is not so much what calibure as it is what rifle? He is 8 years old I have seen some large 8 year olds and some small 8 year olds. Find the right fitting rifle then pick a calibure he can shoot.
Now on calibure I personaly feel that anything less than .270 diamater would be wrong. The reason why......less than this diameter in IMO requires a lot more velocity to kill a deer with out question. More velocity means more recoil and most likely to a newer shooter less control.
Also though popular in lever guns pistol calibures would not be good either often times they are short barrles and therefore have more recoil. I have shot a .44 mag in a lever gun way more recoil than my 30-30.
So what does this leave? 270 is great 30-30 is better but much larger than 30-30 would be too much for an 8 year old. So
+1 270
+1 30-30
-1 7.62x39and 30 carbine(too short range not really proven to my satisfaction):banghead:
"exotic" options 7-30 waters, 7mm-08(may be too much), 303 savage, 307 winchester, 32-40,38-55 and 40-65
or do it like I did at 7 years old a .50 muzzle loader with a patched ball and 80gr black powder.
Shawnee
member
1 vote here for the .243 Winchester
41magsnub
Member
Then there are a whole lot of wrong people. You are entitled to your opinion of course, but the majority of deer I've shot and countless others would disagree.
oh I know and have read this through out this thread Its just my oponion. I see 243 mentioned so much I am really suprised. I had no Idea there were so many 243 shooters out there. I am equally suprised that there are not more votes for 30-03 its such a "universal" deer round where I came from and still is.
fatherof2girls
Member
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2009
- Messages
- 1
I have 2 girls, 1 is 19 and is very petite and the other is 14. I bought them a Savage 243 youth package. Comes with a decent scope, but I plan to upgrade to a scope that will allow max visibility during end of day hunting. (That time of day when you are hunting just before dark). Both girls loves this gun and both have dropped dear at 100 yard range with no problems. I hunt with an adult Savage 243 and have dropped dear @ 300 yard range. This was pushing the range of a 243 though. Any how, you can pick up a Savage 243 youth for $300.00 at Walmart. Great gun with little kick. Here are some links of the 2 guns. One is wood and the other is Black composit. I bought the black composit for both because it is very lite. My Adult Savage 243 is wood stock and it is very heavy.
http://www.savagearms.com/10gYxp3.htm
http://www.savagearms.com/11fyxp3.htm
http://www.savagearms.com/10gYxp3.htm
http://www.savagearms.com/11fyxp3.htm
NCsmitty
Member
Welcome to THR, fatherof2girls.
It sounds like you have some great kids. I hope that they are happy with their new rifles.
Here's a link to Marlin's clone of the Savage, and it has a very good trigger from what others report. Also a great price tag.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/centerfireBoltAction/XS7Y.asp
NCsmitty
It sounds like you have some great kids. I hope that they are happy with their new rifles.
Here's a link to Marlin's clone of the Savage, and it has a very good trigger from what others report. Also a great price tag.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/centerfireBoltAction/XS7Y.asp
NCsmitty
My son now 16 loves the TC contender 44 mag carbine I set up for him and has shot both his deer with it. My 14 yo daughter loves the TC contender 10mm carbine I put together for her. My son also loves his moms 243 bolt when he can borrow it from her. My buddy's 9 yo daughter shot her first deer with a NEF 243 with a stock cut down for her. His 16 yo daughter used the same 243 when she was younger and has since moved into a 3006. I think a nice NEF 243 or 44 would fit the bill.
The 243 would be great. You could find a replacement stock and cut one of them down.
For a first time deer hunt, I wouldn't want anyone to shoot over 100 yards or so. Too many things can go wrong. My son took his first deer last year at 9 with a CZ 527 in 223. The big does around here are about 100 lbs, so the 223 is plenty of gun. The gun would not have fit him the year before at 8. If I had been confident in his shooting, we would have likely cut one down.
A close friend of mine has an 8 year old son who is very small. He is only comfortable with a 12" LOP or less. I had a cheap replacement stock for a Mauser in 7.62x39; we cut it down and weighted it. He shot it this weekend and loves it. My friend's older son shoots a 700 ADL youth in .270 with reduced recoil loads.
For a first time deer hunt, I wouldn't want anyone to shoot over 100 yards or so. Too many things can go wrong. My son took his first deer last year at 9 with a CZ 527 in 223. The big does around here are about 100 lbs, so the 223 is plenty of gun. The gun would not have fit him the year before at 8. If I had been confident in his shooting, we would have likely cut one down.
A close friend of mine has an 8 year old son who is very small. He is only comfortable with a 12" LOP or less. I had a cheap replacement stock for a Mauser in 7.62x39; we cut it down and weighted it. He shot it this weekend and loves it. My friend's older son shoots a 700 ADL youth in .270 with reduced recoil loads.
Interarms and Charles Daly both imported the mini-mauser (short length of pull) in the 7.62x39 in bolt action. Equivalent in size to a youth Model 7 Remy. Great kids gun. The 125 soft point is death on deer out to 150 or so.
Ruger and Remy now offer them in bolt action. Saw them at the gunshow last weekend.
Ruger and Remy now offer them in bolt action. Saw them at the gunshow last weekend.
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