I also would pick the 260 Rem., or the 7-08 cartridge...

BUT, i saw two bolt action 30-30's at a gunshop the other day... SO,if someone is dieing to own a bolt 30-30 they are out there...

DM

.243 hands down. Also consider the 7mm-08.

Personally I'd take the .308 and reload them down a bit.

Tom

I own a 30-30 shot my first five deer with a 30-30, but I would go with the 243. If gives better range and accuracy (in most cases). THe 30-30 will drop a deer just as fast but 243 will give you a better reach advantage once you and you boys learn to shoot past 150-200 yards.

The rest of the story....If you and the boys have never hunted......practice, practice and practice somemore. Myself, I prefer the NEF SB2 in 30/30. This is a single shot rifle, scopes up well and is accurate to a T. Longest shot, took a small 8 point at 220 yards ina fire break...Using a Win Silvertip at 150 gr...IMHO

I have a H+R SS 158 in 30-30 bought as a trainer for my 3 boys.Several deer later and a big cow moose it shoots MOA everytime and gets the job done.New hunters and novices have no buisness shooting past 100 yards.A 6.5-55 is a low recoiling round better than either the .243 or 30-30.........Harold

johnnyHunts,
What do you want to spend? And are you going to buy a firearm for both kids?

Cuz if I had 2 kids and was thinking of spending around $275 per kid, i'd give this a look

http://www.rossiusa.com/products/matchedsets.cfm

I've seen them for $239.00 on sale

And check out these options also, though I don't know of any sales on these yet

http://www.rossiusa.com/products/gunselector-results.cfm?series=MMS&Category=MATCHEDSET

Pioneer2--Of course a novice or new hunter should limit his range and know his limitations. I was merely trying to point out the virtue of the NEF in 30/30 caliber. If one desires he can also get the NEF in 243, 308,270, 44mag, etc,etc. It is better than the Rossi in my opinion...

Couldn't agree more mine is a one holer and I only paid $100 for it used.Reliable as taxes.The 30-30 gets the job done and they are always leaking when hit.Some have had problems with the .243 H+R with ejecting fired shells so I prefer rimmed.You couldn't give me a Rossi.......................JMO Harold

I have both and have killed deer with both. I bought them for my, then, 12 year old daughter to deer hunt with. She killed her first deer with the 30/30 and so did I.
The recoil on the 243 is less and it is a flatter shooting cartridge. Up to 150 yards or so either is great. The 30/30 shells are a bit less expensive but the 243 ammo is also relatively inexpensive.

+1 for the 7mm-08. You can get factory ammo loaded with 120Grn bullets which should be easy on the shoulder. Then when the boys grow older andget bigger you can move up in bullet weight.

firstshot
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Make your first shot count!