you know if you loaded some 180gr 44.mag into that semi auto ruger deer field carbine it might not be bad at all and it would take deer out to 100yards at least

The 243 is a fine caliber for a young person to start out with, heck i know guys who use a 243 all the time now. The 25.06 is also fine caliber for a youngster but does have more recoil than a 243 just depends on the bullet weight and load in general if handloading. In my experience a 25.06 loaded with a 120grn bullet and a full case of powder packs a pretty good punch probably as much as a 270 imo. The same gun with a 100grn bullet and a lighter load will kick less. My son killed his first deer with a 243 and a 100grn bullet at the age of 11 and used that rifle for several years. He' s now 13 and uses a 25.06 and even shoots a 30.06 from time to time loaded with a 130grn bullet so i think bullet weight does make a difference.

As the question stated " 25 cal. or larger" and " deer rifle" I will comment accordingly.

A 260 Rem. would be hard to beat. A 257 Roberts, 6.5 X 55, 250 savage would also be great but ammo may be just a little harder to find.

I got a .243 for my kids to hunt deer and antelope with but have not been happy with it. I am looking to get something a little bigger like the above. The .243 was not really designed and brought out as a DEER cartridge. It was and is a compromise varmint/deer cartridge for the hunter who wants one gun to do two jobs. It is not the best for eather job but " capable" for both.

I hope you .243 fans don' t take offence. I am not saying a .243 will not kill deer. I know it will (I' ve shot two deer and two pronghorn with one) Just stating the facts of the original purpose it was designed for.

Robin

new england arms makes a youth model 243 single shot, my little girl has one. shots like a dream. she dropped a buck in his tracks at 200 yards.

it runs around $140. not to bad

NEF also makes that youth model in 7mm-08. I don' t know if you can get your hands on one or not. I have seen their handi -rifle last weekend in 7mm-08 so they have made it to market.

My son shot a Remington Model 7 Youth in 7mm-08 up until this year. He was always small until recently, so this was a perfect gun for his frame. There was not much recoil at all and he has always been confident with it, as he has killed seven deer with it in 5 years. I would highly recommend it. The 7-08 can utilize 140 grain bullets which offer a bit more forgiveness for a youth who may not make the absolutely perfect shot. Just my opinion!!!

If I was you i would go with the 25-06. It is a good caliber and doesnt have much recoil.

I 6.5x55 Swedish or .257 Roberts would be great for your son with not much recoil and wicked results.

HR1871 offers a single shot youth model in 7-08, comes with scope base and hammer spur extension, no sights, fairly heavy barrel. Bought one in .243 for my grandson age 10. Check them out at Marlin's websight.

I think these guys who are saying that the 25-06 is light recoil are nuts, I shoot much bigger, but we're talking about a 60lb kid and that 25-06 is going to, as patrick Mcmannis said: "relocate his nose to a spot above his right eye" were it will be convieniently out of the way for the next shot. Stay w/ the short actions. 260rem, 7mm-08,257roberts, 250 savage, in no particular order. They are all common and ammo is easy to find. The 243 and 6mm are excellent also, but if the regulations say .25 cal and up then they are out.