Caliber for son's first deer rifle?
09-05-2006, 01:12 PM
#21
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Bennettsville, SC
Posts: 542
RE: Caliber for son's first deer rifle?
As stated the 25-06' is a great caliber and is very under rated.
My first rifle was a .270win. One of the best calibers ever made.
I would suggest a .308win or a .270win.
Both are great calibers and both can be found in youth rifles. The .243 has gained a lot of popularity over the past couple of years, but I still rather have more bullet weight. I don't think you could go wrong with the .308win. You can find models that would fit him really well. No recoil. A lot heavier bullet that shoots just as flat as a .243. To me its not even a comparison.
Good luck and let us know what you get.
My first rifle was a .270win. One of the best calibers ever made.
I would suggest a .308win or a .270win.
Both are great calibers and both can be found in youth rifles. The .243 has gained a lot of popularity over the past couple of years, but I still rather have more bullet weight. I don't think you could go wrong with the .308win. You can find models that would fit him really well. No recoil. A lot heavier bullet that shoots just as flat as a .243. To me its not even a comparison.
Good luck and let us know what you get.
09-05-2006, 01:23 PM
#22
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wall SD USA & Jamestown ND
Posts: 11,474
RE: Caliber for son's first deer rifle?
A 243 is ok for experts but I would never start a kid with one. 6.5x55 in the Ruger all weather would be great. Best thing is, he won't ever have to and probably won't want to move up to a bigger more abusive caliber.
09-05-2006, 07:59 PM
#25
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 6
RE: Caliber for son's first deer rifle?
Just bought my nephews a used savage 243 w/ simmons scope. Synthetic. They are 9 and 11,one is scrappy and the other hefty. It was a little large for the 9 year old to hold up but the kick did not bother them at all. THEY LOVE IT. It's a sweet little rifle that I'll use some myself as well.
09-05-2006, 09:57 PM
#26
Spike
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 35
RE: Caliber for son's first deer rifle?
I'd go with the .308 using Remington's new Managed Recoil Ammunition. That load shoots a 125 grn. bullet with plenty of power for a 200 yd. shot. When he gets a little older/bigger just switch to the regular .308 loads and he'll be set for quite awhile without having to buy another rifle.
Good luck...NYCHunter
Good luck...NYCHunter
09-05-2006, 10:21 PM
#27
Typical Buck
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location:
Posts: 781
RE: Caliber for son's first deer rifle?
The managed recoil loads are the only way to go these days. I agree with a 30-06 or 308, even 7mm mag with the MR loads. He'll like it when he gets older too. Get something he'll always want to take to the woods.
09-06-2006, 07:23 AM
#28
Typical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: VA
Posts: 687
RE: Caliber for son's first deer rifle?
I'm 32 and wouldn't trade my 243 for anything. I have somewhat of a flinch, and a bashfullness of heavy recoil. my model 70 has a real light trigger and is just unbelievably accurate to whatever range. I use federal premium sierra game kings in 100gr. I haven't had a deer run further than 75yds with that gun.
09-06-2006, 09:07 AM
#30
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: New Brunswick
Posts: 358
RE: Caliber for son's first deer rifle?
all good calibers listed above and look at the Stevens rifle. they are well priced and have excellent accuracy. I would probably go with the 243 or something similar.
If you have achance have your sone try a few different calibers (if you have access to them) to see which one he likes the most
If you have achance have your sone try a few different calibers (if you have access to them) to see which one he likes the most