RE: Gun for my son??
 

.243 will work

RE: Gun for my son??
 

out of what you mentioned, the .243 has the less recoil and is more than sufficient enough for any size whitetail. the .25-06, .270 and .308 all have pretty much the same recoil.

RE: Gun for my son??
 

It's hard to beat a .243 as a "first rifle".

- bullet weights are available (even more when handloading) to handle everything from prairie dogs and coyotes through deer and antelope.

- it's the minimum legal caliber in many states (i.e. - if he can't handle a .243, he's probably not ready to be afield with a tag)

- if he one day decides he's ready to start hunting moose or elk, he'll have an excuse to buy a bigger rifle (.30-06, .300 Mag, etc.) - and will still have a deer/varmint setup in the .243.

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Oh, and for the last reason above, I'd lean toward a bolt-action sporter. A number of "youth" model bolt guns can be updated with an adult-size stock laterif need be. Though I won't argue that a single-shot will makehim a bettermarksman, you can achieve the same effect with a bolt-action repeater by giving him a single round at a time to chamber and fire.

RE: Gun for my son??
 

This is false, the majority, like 30 something states minimum, is the .22 centerfire, and the majority minimum for elk, is the .243

RE: Gun for my son??
 

I bought a .243 for me and love it. I shot a doe with it last year and it did a back flip and then ran 30 yrds and droped. This will be my oldest boys gun when he gets old enough. Its a Ruger model M77 bolt action. Great gun not much kick and easy to use!

RE: Gun for my son??
 

I have owned both the .243 and 7-08's I personally prefer the 7-08. I even bought one for my son (Rem Model 7). I have shot a few elk and countless deer with the 7-08 and it has never failed me. Light rifle and a little better choice in my opinion.
I guess it depends on the area you are hunting but to me the .243 is getting on the light side for bigger whitetails. I'm in Northern MN and the last two deer shot on my place weighed 230 and 250lbs. Shot placement is alittle more criticalwith the .243. I have a neghbor that has used his .243 for over 40 years and thinks there is nothing better....he has also lost more deer than anyone I think I know. Now don't jump my butt....I know it is all in shot placement.

RE: Gun for my son??
 

In virginia, where i live, the .243 is the lowest you can use. why would you want to shoot a deer with a .22?[&:]

RE: Gun for my son??
 

In Virginia it has to be .23 caliber or larger. Which means no .223, 22-250, and so on. In Pennsyltucky they hunt with .223's. My buddy says the only way they hunt deer up there is .223 to the neck. Yankee logic I guess, be he always got his share.....

RE: Gun for my son??
 

Because most of the time its all I need. I have no use for large calibers for deer.
I neck shoot 90% of the time anyways and 100% of the time with my .22 Hornet.

RE: Gun for my son??
 

aha so you do live in virginia. could you tell me what part of va? i just wanna know whats goin on in your area get back to either comment or pm please.