Advice and opinions needed please

[mdemieville]

My 10 year old son is looking for his first hunting rifle. He has a .22 that he has been shooting for a while now and is very accurate with. we are in the process of building him a .223 but that is going to be his competition rifle (he wants to do that too). We will mostly be hunting deer and pig here in California. I have been looking into several calibers such as the .243, .270, and 7mm-08. He's about average height and very slim and this will be his first time at anything bigger than .22. I'd like to find a caliber that won't kick his butt but will still last him a while. The other things I need to consider is it probably needs to be a youth model and of course budget friendly. He is saving up his money to pay for it himself, with a little help from me, but has other projects going on as well. I would say his budget is about $500. Any advice on calibers and rifles? Thank you all

Mark

[mountainmark]

I'm in a similar situation, i have a 9 year old. hes shot a .410 and a.22, but i plan on starting him on a .270, then a 308 when he hunts the game animals, i have 30-06's already. i was thinking something light with a synthetic stock so he can carry it around all day, im starting him small to try and avoid flinching before he shoots from the kick.

good luck

[shooter1975]

I would suggest the .243. Light weight and the recoil is mild. Started my daughter with a .243 and she loves shooting it.

[MongooseV8]

Well I can tell you Im 6'0" 230LBS with a wide frame and I hunt with a 243.

Point being he can hunt his whole life with a 243. Use a good bullet like the Barnes TTSX and you can take down any deer or boar with good shot placement. I keep meaning to "upgrade" to a 270 or 7MM but my 243's are all so freakin accurate its tough to move on.

[bsumoba]

.243 or a 6.5 creedmoor?

[as_rocketman]

As others have noted, .243 is a decent way to start. Very accurate, available, long-range capable caliber. Its only failing is its relatively light bullets require decent shot placement.

Another potential option is to go with light loadings in 7mm-08. Hornady makes a 120 gr light load that has only about 10% more recoil than 75 gr .243.

As far as the rifle itself, Savage and Remington youth-sized bolt actions are plentiful. There are Rossi break-action types, and for more money you might be able to find a Browning Micro A-bolt... Fitment will be the key, though. You want a stock that fits your trooper as naturally as possible. A bad fitting stock will make recoil harsh no matter what caliber you use.

[Calico1404]

.243 for the win.

[Divernhunter]

The 7-08 or a 260 would be my choice. I got a 257Roberts for my daughter when she was about 6 years old and handloaded light loads for her with a 2'nd shorter stock to fit her. She used it in Africa (all one shot no tracking kills) and has taken several deer and pigs here with it.

The 243 is an experts rifle. Someone who has hunted enough to pass on less than ideal shots which you rarely get here in Ca.

Tikka, Savage, Ruger(American) all make rifles for what you are wanting to spend and all are excellent shooters. Spend the money and put a Leupold 3X9X40 duplex reticle scope on it and they will have a rifle than can be used for a lifetime or more.

[TMB 1]

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/97348/Remington+783+WSCP+243+CMPT+20+MAT

[NapalmCheese]

Buy an adult sized 7mm-08 and a youth stock. Pull the adult stock and put the action in the youth stock until such time as your son needs the longer LOP.

Buy reduced recoil loads (if buying commercial) or make reduced recoil loads with H4895 and light bullets to get started. Ramp up the loadings as your son progresses as a rifleman.

That rifle will be the only rifle he'll need in the lower 48. It may not be the only rifle he owns, it may not be his first choice in hunting rifles down the road, but he'll always remember it as the rifle his dad gave him and he'll probably appreciate being able to hunt with it as he grows older. With both the adult and youth stocks in his possession and the loading recipes he'll be able to hand it down to any children he might have.

All that being said, Howa is (or said they would be) making a rifle in 6.5 Grendel. It'll be small, light, and have mild recoil. My 90 something year old grandpa in law wants to go antelope and deer hunting with us next year and is too stubborn to let someone else carry his rifle. We might be picking one of these up for him. It seems to me it would make a great youth rifle as well.

[quadmx301]

Another option instead of the shorter stock is an optic with greater eye relief...

[Cowboy T]

For $500, look at the following in 7mm-08 or 270 Win:

- Ruger American
- Savage 111 Trophy Hunter XP package (comes w/ Nikon ProStaff scope)
- Rem 700 ADL
- Weatherby Vanguard or Howa 1500 (same rifle)

Note: the Ruger American is a little light, as it's really meant as an inexpensive (but good) hunting rifle. Mine is in .308 Win. The 7mm-08 chambering should be somewhat easier on your son's shoulder.

Don't overlook the used market, by the way. Some people are kinda proud of their rifles, more than they probably should be, but there are deals to be had with some decent shopping.

[milotrain]

300 blk upper maybe.

Remember we are all shooting solids now for hunting.

[MongooseV8]

I dont think the 300 blk is a good choice for lead free hunting, especially for a newer shooter. But a nice 6.8SPC II or a 6.5 grendel would be sweet. More velocity and sectional density and more bc.

[Jjwisled]