Youth Deer Rifle - Which Caliber?

[MASTERS]

Bought my daughter a 7mm-08 in a model 7. She handles it well, and the wife shoots it also.

[cram369]

Got a 243 and loaded 85 grain bullets for kids. Works great for deer hogs and varmints. In fact I use it most of the time if I take a gun. Almost no recoil, not very loud, and flat shooting.

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[Bowtech1233]

Originally Posted by jamenefee

I grew up hunting with a 30-30 and a 243. I also have a 6.5 Creedmoor now I think all three are great youth guns. I can’t see you going wrong with any of the guns mentioned though. Right now for me it comes down to bullet availability

Good point about ammo availability. It’s crazy right now.

[Bowtech1233]

Originally Posted by TB80

I think age and size is a factor as well. If you are starting a small five year old with a deer rifle, I’d go with a 223 due to the low recoil. If you are starting them out at ten, I’d go 7mm08 or 243 but lean towards the 7mm08.


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Agreed on age being a factor. My son is 7 and started out shooting a 22 then moved to a 223. He is ready to move up again. My daughter is 10 and will also use it but not nearly as much. I’ve never shot a 7mm-08 but will definitely add it to the possibility list. Thanks for all the input!

[engnman]

Originally Posted by TXJIM

7mm-08. Start them on the Hornady light loads, they are about the same energy and recoil as a 243. They can grow into the full power 7mm-08 loads.

This they can use it from now on.

[Jesus is Coming]

Both the kids shoot .243’s. We went that route because it had the widest variety of ammo that was easy to find at the time. They’re both ready to upgrade now. Maybe a 6.5 or 7mm-08 or .308 or 25-06 would have been a better option to stay with the same gun as they got older. One of them is very recoil sensitive and loves the Creedmoor with a brake.

[Arrow Slinger88]

My boys love my 25-06 they have been shooting it since they were 6. They both have their own rifles chambered in 243 and my oldest has a 6.5 creed but they always seem to grab my Tikka.


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[TnTexas]

So many try to start out with a smaller caliber because or recoil. If you would try a Pachmayr Decelerator Pad you could buy them a gun they could use from now on.
You will not realize the difference they make . I swear by them. My small framed wife has one on her 30:06 and handles like a Pro.

[Spoiled_TN_boy]

6.5 Grendel

We built Anakin's in AR format. It was a great father/son project and helped him learn how to disassemble and clean it.

[Dale Moser]

We started with an AR in .223 because of the ability to shorten up the stock, and it had a good triggers. Bad triggers are especially bad for tiny hands. I wasn’t crazy about the performance of the 223, so we built him a 6.5 Grendel, and it has worked extremely well. He’s killed everything he’s looked at with it, 4 or 5 deer, and 10-12 pigs. I shoot it all the time as well, and it has been a lights out truck gun. Can not recommend it highly enough.


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[LWD]

Savage Lady Hunter in 6.5 Creedmoor or 7mm-08

LWD

[TxAg]

Originally Posted by txag

223

check out this thread. Look at the pics. Keep an open mind.

https://www.rokslide.com/forums/thre...-moose.130488/


i had my wife (who has never shot a rifle) hitting at 200 and 300 yds today with a 223. Literally her 3rd and 4th shots ever with a rifle. The no recoil thing is a big deal.

[trozy55]

We started with a youth 243 and it works great. Just upgraded to a savage 6.5 (the free walmart gun lol) and put a boyds stock on it with a shorter lop so the kids can shoulder it better. Main thing on any gun for kids is that it fits them.

[mudkat]

my first rifle was a 243 that poppa gave to daddy and daddy gave to me ! :-)

[gtsticker]

Originally Posted by TB80

I’ve had a 223, 243, 7mm08 and 6.5cm.

I ended up starting my kids on a 223 axis youth and 243 youth ruger american. If I had to choose one to start them with I’d do a 223 and keep shots at less than 50 yards due to the low recoil. Then I’d move them up to a 243 or 7mm08.

One problem with the youth sized models is they are lighter so they end up having more recoil than a full sized gun. Just something to keep in mind.

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If it is a composite stock add some weight. That is what I did to my 223 that the kids used. They loved it and in fact still use it. My oldest killed his deer with it this year. It went 30 yards and fell over.


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[Nova]

Both my son and daughter have 7mm08