First Deer Rifle Caliber

[Jerm]

My son is 12 he is doing Hunter safety and I am trying to decide on a first deer rifle for him I am leaning towards a savage youth model in a 243 WIN since I also have a 243 and can reload them. My other option is to take an old Remington Model 788 that is like new it is a 6MM and mount a scope on it and let him use it I am thinking since the 6MM is like new and was my grandfathers I may not choose to do it especially since it is in like new condition. So I guess is I am looking for advice as far as youth brands go and what other Cal gun Members know from there experiences.

Jerm

[ivanimal]

I got my son a 243 for his first deer rifle. I found a used Ruger M77 with a Lupy scope for 500 bucks. I figure he will want the Savage 99 in 308 I got him before long. 30-30 is not a bad choice either. I also noticed 257 Roberts being used by youths as well.

[Fjold]

The 6mm will work fine, I think that the 260 Rem is about perfect for younger hunters but sadly few manufacturers chamber it anymore.

[RobG]

My son is 12 he is doing Hunter safety and I am trying to decide on a first deer rifle for him I am leaning towards a savage youth model in a 243 WIN since I also have a 243 and can reload them

There you go. Great little caliber, easy recoil, and you have experience with it. After he grows I assume you could restock the gun to full size and he will have a good shooter for a long time.

[Jerm]

My son is 12 he is doing Hunter safety and I am trying to decide on a first deer rifle for him I am leaning towards a savage youth model in a 243 WIN since I also have a 243 and can reload them

There you go. Great little caliber, easy recoil, and you have experience with it. After he grows I assume you could restock the gun to full size and he will have a good shooter for a long time.

I was thinking that I will not cut mine down but I am going to buy one for him I have pretty much decided that the 243 win is just about as perfect of a first hunting rifle you can start with not only is it big enough for deer but it will also work as a varmint rifle which is basically what i use mine for any more. after he grows we can either restock the youth rifle or hand it down to his brother who is 7 years behind him if he is interested at that point.

Jerm

[Trapper]

+1 For the .260rem! If you could find a Remington 700 or a model 7 in .260, that would be my first choice. With that said the .243 is a fantastic caliber, my Savage model 16 is very accurate with 70gr SMK's and 85gr Barnes TSX's.

[Jerm]

I got my son a 243 for his first deer rifle. I found a used Ruger M77 with a Lupy scope for 500 bucks. I figure he will want the Savage 99 in 308 I got him before long. 30-30 is not a bad choice either. I also noticed 257 Roberts being used by youths as well.

I think that I am going to start looking for a used 243 for him all of the calibers you mention are good calibers although I would think a 30-30 would be a better choice for a little older shooter IMHO. The 243 has very little recoil. Now i must choose wood or synthetic stock I have never owned a gun with a synthetic stock I am leaning towards a synthetic due too weight they are a lot lighter as far as a scope I will probably hit cabelas or some where and try and get something decent but not too expensive.

[Jerm]

+1 For the .260rem! If you could find a Remington 700 or a model 7 in .260, that would be my first choice. With that said the .243 is a fantastic caliber, my Savage model 16 is very accurate with 70gr SMK's and 85gr Barnes TSX's.

The .260 would be a good choice just that I think since I am set up with a 243 I am going to stay there I do have to get one more for my wife but this year she will more than likely use my 243 and I will use my 30-06 which is a beast it is about the heaviest gun I own not what I am really looking forward to packing around all day.

Jerm

[scr83jp]

My son is 12 he is doing Hunter safety and I am trying to decide on a first deer rifle for him I am leaning towards a savage youth model in a 243 WIN since I also have a 243 and can reload them. My other option is to take an old Remington Model 788 that is like new it is a 6MM and mount a scope on it and let him use it I am thinking since the 6MM is like new and was my grandfathers I may not choose to do it especially since it is in like new condition. So I guess is I am looking for advice as far as youth brands go and what other Cal gun Members know from there experiences.

Jerm

Let him use the 6mm Rem 788 it will take down any deer in north america.I bought a used Rem 788 in 243 for my son and developed a load that produced 3 shot clover leafs at 100 yards:100 grain Nosler Spitzer,33.5gr of IMR 4895 with a CCI LR primer.I have friends with a 1/2 dozen 6mm's.Same friend hunted elk in colorado with a ruger number 1 in 6mm,I saw the results of his neck shot at a running 4x bull elk,dropped it!

[sorensen440]

It all depends on where you plan to hunt

My first deer gun was a marlin 336 with iron sights and its what I would recommend for anyone hunting 100 yards or closer

[Jerm]

It all depends on where you plan to hunt

My first deer gun was a marlin 336 with iron sights and its what I would recommend for anyone hunting 100 yards or closer

More than likely his hunting I am guessing will be out of the 100 yard threshold but you never know i am going to get something that will take a scope but it will be a budget scope until he learns to take care of what he has and I expect he will have a few falls and would rather the damage occur to a cheaper scope. The marlins are excellent first guns.

[FS00008]

My first was a Winchester 94 in .30-30. Second was an SKS in 7.62x39MM. This was back in Georgia and the terrain really didn't support the use of scopes so all of my rifles were irons only.

[forgiven]

30-30 for close hunting. .243 bolt is great choice for farther out. You can buy your son a leupold for under $200 and they do have a great warranty department.
You might also be surprised on how well your son takes care of his rig. My son's started hunting a bit earlier and they always took care of their equipment. Good luck and good hunting.

[edlacy]

Another often overlooked caliber is 7mm-08.
About the same recoil as a .260.
Wider variety of bullets than the .243.

[68fsbck]

I am thinking about letting go of my first deer rifle. Is your son left or right handed? I have a Remington 700 left handed 243 Win. with Leupold 3x9 scope.
It was a great first deer rifle for me! It is in excellent condition. Good luck with whatever you choose!