cheeseball

The good old .270 Win. is the way to go. I'd recommend not getting caught up in the boutique cartridges that aren't really any better, except at being more expensive to shoot.

super_hunt54

And just what do you classify as a "boutique" cartridge there cheese? The .284Win has been around for over 55 years. 7mm-08Rem has been around in the wildcatters world for around the same time and was legitimized 31 years ago. .280Rem (RR's bastard child ) almost 60 years now. Pretty much every cartridge we have all recommended has legitimate history and proven effectiveness at longer range terminal ballistics. Especially over the 6.5 Creed.

Just because you don't find factory ammo at your local wally world for $19.99 doesn't make it a boutique cartridge. The OP has also expressed interest in reloading which every single cartridge I mentioned is a reloaders dream!

ezearl

Reloading can put a whole new perspective on the OP's question. Tone down a cartridge that would normally be considered too much for deer but have the option of more umph for larger game. As an example I've taken my .270 w/130gr bullets which at factory speeds on closer shots is hard on meat and reduced the velocity to 2750 or so. With my .300 w/180gr bullets at 3100+ I tone it down to 2850 or so. My go to rifle is a .30-06 using 150gr bullets at 2545 or 180's at 2505.

I still believe for the OP's dilemma the main issue is how the rifle feels to his son.

kidoggy

and harder to find in stock if your not a reloader.
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A .270 GUY.
IT WILL KILL ANY BIG GAME ANIMAL ALIVE if you can place your shot where you intend to.

GTOHunter

Check out the 7mm-08 Rifles,the Savage "Lady Hunter" 7mm-08 is a very nice looking Rifle,then there is the Tikka T3 Hunter Rifles on sale for a very good price.

Don't think that the .243 isn't a great Deer Killing Rifle....I have a Browning A-bolt Hunter .243 Rifle that is my Go-to Rifle that has put down more nice Bucks than any of my Rifles I own and Hunt with!

alleyyooper

I have two Remington's in 7MM08. One is a model 7 set up for thick cedar swamp hunting where the short barrel shines. I also have a model 700 mountain rifle set up for the open areas, longer ranges at deer camp. I hand load Sierra 120gr pro hunters for both. I would recommend either to a young hunter and one that hand loaded it would be good also for the wide range of 7mm bullets.


Al

8mm/06

Depending on your son's recoil sensitivity level, there are so many good choices. 7mm/08, 260, or if you want to find the cheapest ammo and availability the 308 would be fine.

Personally, if you're getting into loading, and he can handle grandpa's 30/06, consider going with that round and loading up or down as needed. He'll probably never need another rifle unless he finds himself getting the itch for very large bears, etc.

There are so many choices it can be daunting, but for cost effectiveness and ease of ammo it would be hard to beat going with a 308 or 30/06 or 270.

Game Stalker

Truth is: the 30-06 is (generally) the round all others are judged by. It has the best selection of loads and can be found practically anywhere. It has considerably less recoil than the .300 magnums and Remington offers reduced recoil ammo for medium sized game animals. They also offer reduced loads for other popular calibers suggested in this thread.
OP, keep us posted on how your search goes.

handles II

.270 is a fantastic choice. If needed/wanted use reduced recoil loads. Unless shots will regularly be over 200 yards, they work fantastic and are much easier on the shoulder. I was shooting my .270 at age 15 and have the utmost respect for it.

That said, a few years ago a 7mm.08 came into my home and has been my sons rifle. Again using reduced recoil loads, it has thus far been outstanding on whitetail from 65-200 yards.

Either would be a great choice for your son and last him, quite honestly, his hunting lifetime.

Bob H in NH

Last winter I bought my wife a 7mm08 in TC Venture. I used it this year deer hunting when my son adopted my .30-06 for the weekend.


I did get a shot at a running (wounded) buck and man that gun handled WONDERFULLY, came up quick, was right on target, I was impressed.


For take down, my wife took a 300+ lb mule deer at 176 yards and a 14 inch pronghorn at 120 yards, both down with one shot. I'm sold, it's a great gun!


We can't find ammo in Walmart like for my .30-06, but it's in basspro, cabelas and some other places. Bullet selection is a bit hard to find, but that varies where you live.