Which Caliber For 9yr Old
 

I would like to get my son his first Deer Rifle. Not to sure which one. I'm looking at the Remington model 7 and the 700 ADL. These are the calibers avaliable:
223, 243, 260, and 7mm-08 in the model 7
243 and 308 in the 700 ADL

Of these options, which one is going to have the least amount of recoil and still have the energy to take a Deer out to 150 yards? I want to be able to lighten up the trigger a little so he's not pulling on his shots. I want to avoid bad habits before they start. He has tried a cousins 20 gauge youth shotgun but I think it had a little to much kick and he had a hard time getting it in his shoulder.

RE: Which Caliber For 9yr Old
 

My friend has a 9 year old that shoots the new Ruger compact rifle in 260. He weighs about 60 lbs. On the other hand the 243 will kick less and is capable of taking deer out beyond 150 yards. However, with the 243 shot placement is very important. I guess really shot placement is important with all big game rounds though. Either caliber is capable but I would go with the 260. As your child grows he will out grow the 243 and the 260 has better power if he tries to tackle other big game. If you go with the 243 in the ADL to save money they do have a youth model in the ADL. There are a number of other rifles for the small hunter including Browning, Winchester, & Ruger. The Ruger compact is very light and easy to handle. Also, if you end up with the 243 shoot the Federal Premium 100 gr. Nosler Partition. This is the load I started with at age eleven. The NP will hold together well and provide plenty of penetration on deer for the 243. Good luck in choosing a firearm for you child.

RE: Which Caliber For 9yr Old
 

If you are looking for the least amount of kick, I'd go with the .243. For a small kid, fit is more important than anything. If the gun fits them well, they can handle much more kick naturally. IMO the ADL would be way to big for the avg 9 year old. The model 7 youth is probalby a great choice. I was just talking about this with my brother in law the other day. He wants to get his son a gun as well(9 also). He's looking at 2 guns. The model 7 youth in 7mm-08, and handloading some lighter loads for it to tone down the kick. Or the NEF Superlight Youth in .243, .....he's looking at that also. Both should work very well, big difference in price though. Good luck!

RE: Which Caliber For 9yr Old
 

If the LOP was too long on the youth 20 GA it will probably br too long on the rifle as well. My son uses the NEF youth .243 it's a very accurate gun and worth a look.

I don't by into he'll out grow it though ( as far as caliber) if the .243 will kill a deer when he's 10 it will still kill deer when he's 100 or passed it to his grand children.

I still carry my .243 at times ( I've a bumb shoulder and use what I feel comfortable with for the day)

RE: Which Caliber For 9yr Old
 

I was thinking of getting my daughter a NEF or a contender . The stocks are cheep enough to cut down then replace when they grow ..Bill

RE: Which Caliber For 9yr Old
 

I would go with the Model 7 in .260 or 7mm-08. I would look at the NEF handi-rifle as well.

RE: Which Caliber For 9yr Old
 

Hi Smitty_nc1,

Check out the new Ruger Compact bolt. You won't find a shorter or handier rifle chambered for a high intensity cartridge.

It comes chambered in .223, .243, .260, 7-08, and .308. Personally if I were equipping a youngster to meet the requirements you set forth I'd get the .260 Remington. It recoils very little, will certainly take deer past 150 yards....and later...with heavier bullets can be used on game significantly larger than deer. With a 100 grain Partition...it will recoil as lightly...or less than a 100 grain .243, (because of the shorter bearing surface of the bullet). With a 120 -125 grain bullet it will barely exceed the recoil of the .243. It is however more versatile for any game heavier than deer.

Good luck with your search!

RE: Which Caliber For 9yr Old
 

If your "stuck" with factory loads, i'd go with the 260, if you handload, i'd go for the 7-08.

I've shot a lot of game with a .243, but bullet choise is a lot more important with a .243 and with the other two cals.. I agree in a .243 100 grain Noslers partitions are best!!

I noticed a HUGE improvement in 6mm performance once i started handloading NP's !!! Same with my .240 wby..

RE: Which Caliber For 9yr Old
 

Although the 223 can take a deer I would stay away from it. Of the other choices 243 for least recoil, But if you know of somebody with a 260 or 7mm-08 maybe they would go with you and let your shot theirsif he can handle the recoil I would go with one of those two.

RE: Which Caliber For 9yr Old
 

Fit is very important. My pick is a Youth Model 7 in 7mm-08. Switch to a regular Model 7 stock when son grows into a longer LOP.