WTB: Youth hunting rifle

[XDguy]

My son is 9, we are looking for a good deer hunting caliber. I was leaning towards a 7mm-08, not too particular on bolt action, single shot, etc.

 

[bayoupirate]

Good choice of caliber.
260 REM and 308 Win are other choices I'd recommend.
308 is hard to beat due to the very wide range of ammo choices available. Everything from reduced recoil to light magnum. Bolt action is the way to go for hunting. Many youth models out there. All depends on your budget.

 

[wadepat2]

My son is 9 and loves his Rem. 700 sps tacticol .308. It has the heavy 20" barrel. Stock is little shorter than fullsize and has built in recoil pad. Just thought I would throw it out there. It has less recoil than his old Rem 700 youth .243.

 

[PAPACHUCK]

+1 for the 308 managed recoil rounds. Perfect for young shooters, especially in a bolt or crack barrel gun.

 

[XDguy]

Thanks for the input. I was looking at the rifles at Academy, they only have .243, .223, and 7mm-08 in the $199 rifle. I know its cheap but I want to make sure he uses it before I set him up with something really nice.

 

[gmshooter]

Just make sure it is not a Rossi.. Stay awayfrom them.

 

[stancel]

Just make sure it is not a Rossi.. Stay awayfrom them.

You had a bad experience with Rossi? I know lots of people who bought their kids Rossi combination sets from Academy for a first gun and they all swear by them. My wife has the .22, 20 gauge combo and we both love it. Really fun to shoot and the .22 is pretty darn accurate.

 

[PAPACHUCK]

I have a NEF single shot .308 that has been a great rifle. I would not hesitate to make any hunt with it.

 

[gmshooter]

Maybe the rimfire is better than the center fire. I have had tons trying to trade me for the Rossi ( which would not group) for the H&R handi-rifle. The 7mm-08 is an excellent choice. I have a combo with wood adult stocks and I add some syn. Youth stocks. Ounce they outgrow the youth stocks put the adult ones back on.

 

[gmshooter]

Maybe the rimfire is better than the center fire. I have had tons trying to trade me for the Rossi ( which would not group) for the H&R handi-rifle. The 7mm-08 is an excellent choice. I have a combo with wood adult stocks and I add some syn. Youth stocks. Ounce they outgrow the youth stocks put the adult ones back on.

If you are not looking for the whole package deal. The gun is $270 and the stock and forearm are $53.00
http://www.louisianasportsman.com/l...sifieds&event=view&action=single_ad&id=203147

 

[gmshooter]

If you are not looking for the whole package deal. The gun is $270 and the stock and forearm are $53.00
http://www.louisianasportsman.com/l...sifieds&event=view&action=single_ad&id=203147[/QUOTE]

 

[thatwhichisnt]

.243 or a rifle (ar) in 6.8spc would be a good choice.

 

[bayoupirate]

Okay, I'll start the feces flinging.

.243 is a poor choice for a youth hunting rifle.

It will get the job done, even on elk, if you can choose your shot and are an excellent marksman.

If the shot is not great, you're at risk of loosing an animal that will never be recovered and having a bad experience.

Bullet weights only go up to 100 grains and that's just not enough damage for my $$$.

 

[dzelenka]

Okay, I'll start the feces flinging.

.243 is a poor choice for a youth hunting rifle.

It will get the job done, even on elk, if you can choose your shot and are an excellent marksman.

If the shot is not great, you're at risk of loosing an animal that will never be recovered and having a bad experience.

Bullet weights only go up to 100 grains and that's just not enough damage for my $$$.

Agree here.

 

[XDguy]

You guys are making me feel much better about my caliber choice. I really like the H&R you posted gmshooter. It seems like a good rifle and being convertable it will save $$$ in the long run. Any opinions on .308 vs. 7mm-08, especially for a 9 year old? If it kicks too hard the first shot it will be the last shot for him, I couldnt get him to try out the 9mm after seeing it move in my hand.

 

[scooterj]

7mm-08 with 139 or 140 grain bullets should have less recoil than a .308 with 150 grain bullets. I like 120 grain bullets in my 7mm-08 but I hand load them. If I'm not mistaken, Nosler makes a factory loading with 120's.
If you really think that he'll be that recoil sensitive, do not overlook the .243

 

[HiCapMag]

So I guess you guys dont want me using my 223 on deer this weekend

.....will report back.

 

[gmshooter]

xd guy
My Browning A bolt that I hunt with is in 7mm-08. Same casing as the .243, and.308 just necked to a different caliber bullet. Remington makes managed recoil loads for them so it will feel like a .243. A .308 will probably give you a little more choices in bullet weight but that is about it.

 

[kz45]

25-06? a little more recoil than the 243, alot more bullet

 

[scooterj]

25-06? a little more recoil than the 243, alot more bullet

Two things there, Joe
#1 When have you ever seen a youth rifle in 25-06? I could be wrong
#2 .25" ain't that much more than .243" 25-06 has a much longer case with a whole lot more powder, but not much difference in bullet.

Couldn't pass the chance to mess with you