nah i dont know what it is with you guys worried about the kick of an 30-06 thats crazy they dont kick THAT BAD!!!! i think the kid could take it, the 243 might be a good round for him it gets the job done and it will teach him that he has to be percise with his shots otherwise he might injure a deer just a thought, have you asked your son what he feels like hunting with it is going to be him shooting the animals with it right. just another thought

tiggeer..

i agree. the 30-06sprg does not kick that bad. but why have a chance in buying a gun that the kid might not like the kick of the 30-06sprg. and maybe cause him to start to flinch when shooting it. and cause other shooting problems such as wounded animals. than having a caliber that ha little kick and he can get better at it and then upgrade.

Good points quilly...

Thanks for the replys.One reason for me looking at the youth models is the LOP and weight.The youth models fit my son better and I feel it is important for a newer shooter to be comfortable with the gun in his hand.I have a 30-06 auto he has shot but its heavy and does not fit him well.The 30-06 recoil did not seem to be a problem for him,as he has shot a lot of shotgun rounds already.This fall will be his first deer season he can hunt.He' s ready as he has been by my side for a number of years every day during hunting season no matter what the weather,blood or guts.so I have several months to get a gun but would like to pick one up by summer to get some shooting with it in.Thanks again. TOM

My son shoots a model 700 youth in 243. he took four deer with it this year. he started off shooting my model seven in 6mm rem and took two with it. oh yeah he took one last year with the 700 also.

Now he has shot my seven in 308 and my 700 in 270. oh and my 700 in 25-06 . he' ll shoot anything if i let him. BUT he shoots the 700 in 243 VERY well!!
He can shoot a better group than most men i know. and i am talking out to 250 yards.
Now next year he' ll be thirteen and he' s starting to think of himself as a seasoned hunter and he' s talking about wanting to move up. so i will probably get him used to the 270. nothing like letting your son use your favorite rifle.

i really think you need to let them start off with something a little light on the recoil. it will be easier to get them to shoot great cause they won' t fear or anticipate the recoil as bad. then as they mature as shooters move them up.
he hadnt taken my 7mm stw yet!

Hogwall what is the stature of you son height and weight that might help us help you find the right caliber for him

My son is just under 5 feet and is about 75 pounds he is 11 now and will turn 12 just before deer season.I have had him shooting for a couple years now but will shoot alot this summer with him. Thanks

NEF will have their handi-rifle in 7mm-08 soon in a youth model. It' s a single shot but when he growsa little you can buy the full size stock and not have to get another rifle. 7mm-08 will be all he needs for deer but you can get new rifle barrels for it; shotgun, and black powder too.