A good rifle for a kid
 

I just had a little boy,he was three weeks old yesterday,and am all ready to get him a rifle to hunt with and one I can hunt with till he is big enough.I was thinking on the lines of a 243 or 6mm.The shots would not be no more than 200 yards if he wanted to shoot that far.Gimme some thoughts on this please

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

Ahh the first rifle. The .243 is a good choice, however to get them started at an eralier age for ranges like 40-50 yards perhaps something in a .22 hornet, or .223.

I'm taking my nephew out this weekend he is 6 years old. He will be uisng my 30 Carbine .30 Caliber.

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

If you're thinking of a deer rifle, then I wouldn't go any lighter than the .243

I hunted with a .22 hornet, and while it IS enough to kill a deer, it is not effective enough for a first-time deer gun IMO.

Either of your choices should do well.

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

I was refering to someone of an early age only. 10+/- years old should be able to handle the .243 with no problems.

Sorry if it was mis-leading just thinking of someone that might be a little scared of re-coil.

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

like bobo said i think i would go with a .22 hornet or .223 they are deffinently good rifles and for a little one they would be perfect...

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

Yea I will be starting him shooting the BB gun and then the 22 ,but was just wondering about a smaller caliber he could start with and be a good one for a few years,thanks for the reply,bobo are you a member over at High Lifter

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

Yep I am the bobo from highlifter. I frequent several boards.

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

thought the name looked fimiliar

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

Catt Daddy, you can't go wrong with the 243 or the 6MM. I have a 6MM and have hunted with it from when I was 13 until I was 28, which was last year. People will sometimes tell you that it's too light for a deer rifle (the largest grain bullet you can buy for it is 100 grains), but in 15 years of deer hunting I killed about 16 deer with it and never lost ONE of them. My wife and I are expecting a baby in March and I plan to give it to my son or daughter to use whenever they're ready. It sure is a sweet shooting rifle.

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

I still kill 1 deer a year with my first rifle.... .243 I was 12 when I got it.

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

I found that the Rem model 7 youth in .243 or the .260 like I got works great for kids and whitetail. Had it ported, reduced kick and did some trigger work less pullin to the right. The boys now have a better gun than my good ole rem .270.:D

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

it depends on the kid. i started out with a .30-06 it was a little big but with lots of target shooting i got used to it pretty quick. i started with it when i was 12 and i am now 15 and am quite small. like i said before it depends on the kid and how afraid they are of the recoil/ noise. i still only use 150 grain bullets, the same as when i started. i will be able to shoot this gun for a long time. somethin to think about

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

CAT DADDY check out a carbine. They are cheap, light, short, very fun, good varmint rifles for short range, and yes they will kill deer at short range, little re-coil, cheap ammo $17.00 for 50 at 110 grains. Granted I wouldn't trust mine past hundred yards but some may be accurate to 200 or so maybe further.

I can't tell you if there is a company making re-productions now but there was some made not to long ago. I like mine because I can introduce it to the younger generation and not have them worried about re-coil. When I say younger I'm refering to those between 6-10 years of age. If you waited until your son was 10 for him to start shooting dear the I would move up to a .243. I think I was around 11 when I started shooting a .243 semi automatic Woodmaster 742 (Heavy Gun).

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

the 243 or 6mm is just the ticket for a young hunter or a new hunter to start with or use forever. ( 43 gr 4350 sierra 85 gr hollow pt cci mag primer) can't be beat.

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

First off congrats on that boy. I have 2 of my own. 14 and 10. They grow up VERY fast so enjoy every minute you have. I started my 14 year old(13 at the time with a .243. We are hunting deer, and I wanted him shooting a rifle that would kill good, but not bother him on recoil. I felt the .243 was the right comprimise. This year at 14 he took his first deer a 10 pt. Field dressed at 158#. Was told by the taxidermist he would score 145- 150 B&C . He's already trashed his old dad! Yeah I'm proud, and if I could figure out how to post pictures on this board I would show them to you. Best of luck and congrats again on that boy. Sounds like you are going to start him off right, Larry

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

When he gets a lil bigger and wants a rifle with a little more punch I'd recomend a remington model 710 its kinda a cheaper version of the model 700 and that is my first high powered rifle and it comes complete with a 3-9x 40 bushnell and your choice of calibers is .270, 7mm,30-06, or .300. I got it in the .270 and it doesnt have much recoil but its a fairly heavy gun weighs round 9 lbs but I got mine brand new w/ scope and everything for 350 dollars and would definatly recomend it. Great gun for a beginer like me! lol

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

CATT DADDY,

I've got 3 grandchildren, 10, 4, & 2 months of age. I told their parents I would buy their first guns, deer rifle and shotguns if they would let me. So what I did was buy a Remington Model 7 in youth model and a Rem. 870 (shotgun) in youth model. I contacted Remington to see what the difference was (dimensions) in the youth and regular stocks on these guns, they said one inch is all. So what I did was go to Wal-mart and buy the slip on recoil pads and that adds back about 3/4's of inch. I'm using the guns until the kids are ready.


I bought the Model seven in 7mm-08 and love it. I also have a 243 adult size and like it too. I might add that the 7mm-08, 243, and 308 are the same hulls, just different necks to accomodate the bullet. Any of these are good choices as others have mentioned.

My two cents worth.

dog1

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

A buddy of mine was given a 6mm as his first deer rifle when he was 12. He hunted with it for 15 years and killed plenty of deer. Excellent deer rifle and super accurate with little recoil however the .243 would be my choice due to a better selection of ammo. Either way you can't go wrong.

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

Go with a .22-25 rimfire. real soft but packs a punch on even smaller hogs and does.

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

I agree the .243/6MM would be a great first deer gun! In fact for whitetail, he will never really out grow it! He may want something bigger, but he'll never really need it!
There has never been a deer thats been shot with a .243/6MM with 100 grain bullets, that would have known the difference between the .243/6MM or anything bigger!
I wish I had my trusty old 6MM back. I got rid of it a couple of years ago:(

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

Ballistictip, I came back to this post to say just that, but you beat me to it! That's a very good point. I always had some struggles finding my 6MM ammo. No doubt that it's an awesome caliber! Long live the Remington .244! (6MM)

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

Thanks for all of yalls replys,I got more than I thought I would get,I really wanted to get the 243 so I could use it myself until he was ready,and just tell my wife its for him and she would probally let me get it today.But I have 3 boxes of 6mm rounds my cousin give me,but I can save em and might one day find a gun for cheap.Thanks again for the replys

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

:eek: Nothing like starting early. Congrats on the newborn. Proud papa, does mom have him wrapped in swaddling cammies? Just a little fatherly advise: let the boy observe your love for hunting, put him in a pack when he's old enough and just start taking him on slow strolls through the whitetails playgrounds. Little by little he will learn to take-on your love of the outdoors. Most likely, someday you will hear those magic words, "daddy can I go hunting with you", that is the time[in my humble opinion] to start thinking about a gun for the little guy. I know that you are asking about something you can use in the meantime but just think about some future Christmas or birthday. There is something magical about a little one opening up his 1st. NEW, REAL, HUNTING RIFLE. It's one of those magic moments a dad experiences when his son or daughter bags their 1st. deer. As I said, congratulations on your boy but please just give a little thought to what I have suggested. I do wish you and your family all the best in the New Year. ;)

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

Just what you said is basicly what I was wanting to do,I was just saying I could get it today because it would be for him and the wife would go for that but I would rather buy it new and let him open it up and see the joy.But it will still be awhile before I hear those magic words(Daddy can I go shoot a slickhead)

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

:) Amen CATT DADDY! I'm proud of you and thank you for listening to my suggestions. I've been through this myself and know it's real important to go slow. I have seen too many occasions of potential hunters turning away from our love because of over zealous folks. You sound like you are truckin in the right direction. Good luck & thank momma everyday for what she has given to you.

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

Congratulations on your new huntin buddy. The .243 and 6mm are about the smallest you would want to go. My neice used a .223 when she was 10 but the shots were limited to less than 75 yards. Start with the bb gun and work your way up as the child ages. If the child can shoot a 20 guage comfortably then he should handle a .243 ok.

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

look at the 220-swift

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

I hate to say this but since you are thinking of a childs first deer rifle, I'll say it!
The .22's are just not good for an inexperienced hunter! The shots have to be too perfect! The .243/6MM's are a much better choice!

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

What is everyones opinion about a .30carbine .30 caliber? Kicks less than any of the .22's and pushes a .30 caliber 110 grain bullet?

This was my first hunting rifle and it kill's deer just as dead as any other rifle I have used.

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

Bobo, good for short range only!
My point to the .22's and small 30's is if you are buying something, why settle for marginal, when there are so many better calibers out there!?

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

Congrats new dad. My suggestion would be to start him off with a bb/pellet gun. I know you said something both of you could use, but first things first. It's going to be awhile till he's deer hunting. When I would go camping or hunting it was fun for my young son to shoot a tin can suspended by string from a tree branch or whatever, especially at night by the light of campfire while the "grownups" sat around. Big fun plinking. Then graduate him to the .22 and up to the larger calibers as he gets older. 3 weeks old? If you don't have one yet, invest in a good digital camera and or camcorder. You won't want to miss all the proud dad moments coming.
P.S. Just re-read your initial post and I am a little off target with my response. If you want a deer hunting rifle that would work for you now and your son when he's of age,(thinking way ahead are we), .243.

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

Range rider yea I know I have a while to wait,I'm just so excited I can't hardly stand it,but I'm just going to let it fall into place like its supposed to without preasure from me to him.And yes we are getting alot of pics and video right know to,just enjoying him day by day.Thanks for all the replys

RE: A good rifle for a kid
 

Well I think most people are gonna know what I'm gonna say. 243 !
I am 37 years old and have had a .243 since I was about 10. I just bought a new one 2 years ago. I prolly have shot 30 or 40 deer in that time and I have never lost a single one, never !
The 6mm did show a slight advantage, and I mean slight, but with the new factory loads available for the .243 it's surpassed the 6mm. Shoot the Hornady 100 gr. or the new Remington 90 gr. scirrocco. Plus it has a lot better selection on differnt bullets and you can find them in any mom and pop store. After a few years and a few deer you will not even want another caliber. With its inherent accuracy, flat trajectory, low recoil and low percussion, but blazing velocity's , its an awsome caliber. If you want to read some good post on the .243 do a search on zrxepilot and .243 and read my posts. I have some good ones out there.