I am going to purchase a rifle for my son to use hunting deer. He is 11 yrs old turning 12 so this year will be the first year he can get a hunters license. I was thinking a Rem 700 in 243 youth model, but any input from experience would be appreciated. I will be purchasing it in June. Also any input on what is the best scope for a youth of that age would be nice. Thank you.
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Hunting & Fishing Rifle for my son.
- Thread starter luvtoclimb1976
- Start date
Re: Rifle for my son.
i think the remy 243 is a perfect choice... he can keep it for life... not that im an old man at 25 but i still deer hunt with a 243... i got 308s 30/06 and 7mm mags... but the 243 is always my choice. for a good scope at low price i would go with a nikon buckmaster 3-9x40.
i think the remy 243 is a perfect choice... he can keep it for life... not that im an old man at 25 but i still deer hunt with a 243... i got 308s 30/06 and 7mm mags... but the 243 is always my choice. for a good scope at low price i would go with a nikon buckmaster 3-9x40.
Re: Rifle for my son.
Great choice. I would be extremely happy to have that as my first rifle....hell I'm a little jealous just reading about it LOL
Great choice. I would be extremely happy to have that as my first rifle....hell I'm a little jealous just reading about it LOL
Re: Rifle for my son.
As the others has stated that is a great choice. It's a flat shooting with mild recoil round. A 9 twist barrel should stabilize 105's. With good shot placement it will take out just about anything he wants to hunt. It's all me and my son use these days, I can't remember when the last time I took one of the long actions out of the safe. You and he will be very happy with that rifle.
As the others has stated that is a great choice. It's a flat shooting with mild recoil round. A 9 twist barrel should stabilize 105's. With good shot placement it will take out just about anything he wants to hunt. It's all me and my son use these days, I can't remember when the last time I took one of the long actions out of the safe. You and he will be very happy with that rifle.
Re: Rifle for my son.
I suggest you also look into the Remington Model 7. Great compact rifle in 243. It might just fit him better.
I suggest you also look into the Remington Model 7. Great compact rifle in 243. It might just fit him better.
Re: Rifle for my son.
get a 700 308 install a brake and put a good 4x16x50 scope on it and it will serve all purpose as he grows from varmit to elk
get a 700 308 install a brake and put a good 4x16x50 scope on it and it will serve all purpose as he grows from varmit to elk
Re: Rifle for my son.
Good rifle and caliber choice for the young man. My chouce for a scope would be one of the closeout Bushnell Elite 3200 scopes from Natchez. Great price and way better glass than the Buckmaster scopes.
Good rifle and caliber choice for the young man. My chouce for a scope would be one of the closeout Bushnell Elite 3200 scopes from Natchez. Great price and way better glass than the Buckmaster scopes.
Re: Rifle for my son.
.243 is a great choice. My kids shoot a Model Seven Rem. The factory twist will be good for 95's and I load my with Nosler BT's. That rifle and bullet has accounted for many deer between my kids the last 8 years.
.243 is a great choice. My kids shoot a Model Seven Rem. The factory twist will be good for 95's and I load my with Nosler BT's. That rifle and bullet has accounted for many deer between my kids the last 8 years.
Re: Rifle for my son.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: luvtoclimb1976</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am going to purchase a rifle for my son to use hunting deer. He is 11 yrs old turning 12 so this year will be the first year he can get a hunters license. I was thinking a Rem 700 in 243 youth model, but any input from experience would be appreciated. I will be purchasing it in June. Also any input on what is the best scope for a youth of that age would be nice. Thank you. </div></div>
I just got mY little girl that same rifle. I put a USO ST10 on it. I tell ya, that little thing is a tack driver. I was well under 1 moa at 100 yards with it. I hope to put up her a pic with her first black bear next week. Shoot the 95 Berger hunting pills.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: luvtoclimb1976</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am going to purchase a rifle for my son to use hunting deer. He is 11 yrs old turning 12 so this year will be the first year he can get a hunters license. I was thinking a Rem 700 in 243 youth model, but any input from experience would be appreciated. I will be purchasing it in June. Also any input on what is the best scope for a youth of that age would be nice. Thank you. </div></div>
I just got mY little girl that same rifle. I put a USO ST10 on it. I tell ya, that little thing is a tack driver. I was well under 1 moa at 100 yards with it. I hope to put up her a pic with her first black bear next week. Shoot the 95 Berger hunting pills.
Re: Rifle for my son.
Short barreled & Suppressed .308 in Rem.700
Buy once , last him a lifetime ...low recoil & noise
but just my 2*
Short barreled & Suppressed .308 in Rem.700
Buy once , last him a lifetime ...low recoil & noise
but just my 2*
L
longguntoter
Guest
Re: Rifle for my son.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: luvtoclimb1976</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am going to purchase a rifle for my son to use hunting deer. He is 11 yrs old turning 12 so this year will be the first year he can get a hunters license. I was thinking a Rem 700 in 243 youth model, but any input from experience would be appreciated. I will be purchasing it in June. Also any input on what is the best scope for a youth of that age would be nice. Thank you. </div></div>Nothing wrong with the .243, but you might want to look at the 7mm-08 also. Ammo is a little more expensive, but bullet weight is a little heavier than the .243.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: luvtoclimb1976</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am going to purchase a rifle for my son to use hunting deer. He is 11 yrs old turning 12 so this year will be the first year he can get a hunters license. I was thinking a Rem 700 in 243 youth model, but any input from experience would be appreciated. I will be purchasing it in June. Also any input on what is the best scope for a youth of that age would be nice. Thank you. </div></div>Nothing wrong with the .243, but you might want to look at the 7mm-08 also. Ammo is a little more expensive, but bullet weight is a little heavier than the .243.
Re: Rifle for my son.
My sons first hunting rifle was a 7mm-08 and we haven't looked back. Also another all around hunting round from whitetail, to groundhog, coyote etc. He has been shooting that round since age 11 and recoil has not been an issue.
Easy to load for, and accurate for a long way.
Plenty of great choices out there. Will serve him well into the future.
My sons first hunting rifle was a 7mm-08 and we haven't looked back. Also another all around hunting round from whitetail, to groundhog, coyote etc. He has been shooting that round since age 11 and recoil has not been an issue.
Easy to load for, and accurate for a long way.
Plenty of great choices out there. Will serve him well into the future.
Re: Rifle for my son.
we've always called the 243 the 243 Woundmaster.
250 Savage for some reason does alot better job. My all time go to caliber for Texas.
7x57 is my caliber of choice when hunting the mountain states.
we've always called the 243 the 243 Woundmaster.
250 Savage for some reason does alot better job. My all time go to caliber for Texas.
7x57 is my caliber of choice when hunting the mountain states.
Re: Rifle for my son.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: poorboyshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">get a 700 308 install a brake and put a good 4x16x50 scope on it and it will serve all purpose as he grows from varmit to elk </div></div>
I am with poorboy. The .308 wouldn't be too much for him to handle and opens up many more opportunities in the future.
I also agree with the guys sayin 7mm-08. It is a great round for deer and other game if he were to desire broadening his hunting horizon.
That said, the .243 would also serve its purpose and do just fine!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: poorboyshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">get a 700 308 install a brake and put a good 4x16x50 scope on it and it will serve all purpose as he grows from varmit to elk </div></div>
I am with poorboy. The .308 wouldn't be too much for him to handle and opens up many more opportunities in the future.
I also agree with the guys sayin 7mm-08. It is a great round for deer and other game if he were to desire broadening his hunting horizon.
That said, the .243 would also serve its purpose and do just fine!
Re: Rifle for my son.
The jump from a .243 to a .308 seems a significant one, and I'd probably have him try out a .308 before spending money on one to make sure he's comfortable shooting it. Something in between like a .260 might be a versatile in-between caliber - drop is better than a .308 and it bucks the wind better than a .243.
John
The jump from a .243 to a .308 seems a significant one, and I'd probably have him try out a .308 before spending money on one to make sure he's comfortable shooting it. Something in between like a .260 might be a versatile in-between caliber - drop is better than a .308 and it bucks the wind better than a .243.
John
Re: Rifle for my son.
Always interesting to see those with obviously very little experience behind the gun and/or time actually killing things, relate their thoughts.... 308 with a 4-16x50 and a brake? For an 11 year old and deer? A short barreled 308 and a suppresser...? Really?
Having killed with every gun/cartridge/bullet thus far mentioned, the 243 with a good bullet is easily the pick. I would lean heavily to the 95gr NBT or 85gr TSX, go slaying and fill up a truck. I've seen me do it..... grin
Always interesting to see those with obviously very little experience behind the gun and/or time actually killing things, relate their thoughts.... 308 with a 4-16x50 and a brake? For an 11 year old and deer? A short barreled 308 and a suppresser...? Really?
Having killed with every gun/cartridge/bullet thus far mentioned, the 243 with a good bullet is easily the pick. I would lean heavily to the 95gr NBT or 85gr TSX, go slaying and fill up a truck. I've seen me do it..... grin
Re: Rifle for my son.
I can't say it enough- SHOT PLACEMENT!
A .243 in the vitals is a better than a .338 Lapua in the guts. I have dropped several deer in their tracks with a .223, the longest one ran was about 50 yards because it was walking straight towards me and I didn't get to hit the shoulder blade. My hunting buddy has killed 2 or 3 elk with a .243 (and many more with a bow that generates less than 100 ft lbs of energy.)
Hard to recommend a rifle without knowing how big the kid is. I hunted at 12 (was one skinny little kid) with a Rem 700 ADL .308 with no problems. Depends on budget too. I am of the opinion that kids should ideally inherit a hunting rifle that's been in the family. If that can't happen, then buy something your kid will keep in the family for generations. So for that reason alone I would avoid the cheaper hunting rifle combos.
I can't say it enough- SHOT PLACEMENT!
A .243 in the vitals is a better than a .338 Lapua in the guts. I have dropped several deer in their tracks with a .223, the longest one ran was about 50 yards because it was walking straight towards me and I didn't get to hit the shoulder blade. My hunting buddy has killed 2 or 3 elk with a .243 (and many more with a bow that generates less than 100 ft lbs of energy.)
Hard to recommend a rifle without knowing how big the kid is. I hunted at 12 (was one skinny little kid) with a Rem 700 ADL .308 with no problems. Depends on budget too. I am of the opinion that kids should ideally inherit a hunting rifle that's been in the family. If that can't happen, then buy something your kid will keep in the family for generations. So for that reason alone I would avoid the cheaper hunting rifle combos.
Re: Rifle for my son.
The .243 is a pretty good initial choice. So is the Rem 700. When he gets bigger you can swap the stock out on it for a full size one.
That said, anything in that same class is going to work for him, i.e. .250 Sav, .257 Rob, .260, 7mm-08. Although, the first two are hard to find in the Rem 700. The latter two are hard to find as long range platforms. But, you can deal with that when the time comes. That is, if he ever gets to where he likes that.
Savage is also a great buy for less money generally than the Rem 700. Right now, I would say that they are the best off the shelf rifle as far as accuracy is concerned. Remington has made an effort to get back on track in that regard though. A lot of aftermarket stocks are coming out for the Savages too. Not quite as good an aftermarket selection, but certainly adequate. Keep in mind Stevens is the same as the standard Savage. Except, they have some odd twists in their barrels. My 7mm-08 donor action had a 1-11.25" twist. It needs a 1-9.25 like the standard.
Howa, Tikka and CZ are some other brands I would take a look at.
Anyhow, there is a bunch of workable choices out there and you've hit upon the simplest, and possibly the best solution for your dilemma.
The .243 is a pretty good initial choice. So is the Rem 700. When he gets bigger you can swap the stock out on it for a full size one.
That said, anything in that same class is going to work for him, i.e. .250 Sav, .257 Rob, .260, 7mm-08. Although, the first two are hard to find in the Rem 700. The latter two are hard to find as long range platforms. But, you can deal with that when the time comes. That is, if he ever gets to where he likes that.
Savage is also a great buy for less money generally than the Rem 700. Right now, I would say that they are the best off the shelf rifle as far as accuracy is concerned. Remington has made an effort to get back on track in that regard though. A lot of aftermarket stocks are coming out for the Savages too. Not quite as good an aftermarket selection, but certainly adequate. Keep in mind Stevens is the same as the standard Savage. Except, they have some odd twists in their barrels. My 7mm-08 donor action had a 1-11.25" twist. It needs a 1-9.25 like the standard.
Howa, Tikka and CZ are some other brands I would take a look at.
Anyhow, there is a bunch of workable choices out there and you've hit upon the simplest, and possibly the best solution for your dilemma.
Re: Rifle for my son.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Big_Country31</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I suggest you also look into the Remington Model 7. Great compact rifle in 243. It might just fit him better.</div></div>
+1 for 243, if you get larger I would look into a muzzle break depending on age/size but that makes a lot of noise and might cause more fear
If you can get one in the model 600 it would also work well.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Big_Country31</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I suggest you also look into the Remington Model 7. Great compact rifle in 243. It might just fit him better.</div></div>
+1 for 243, if you get larger I would look into a muzzle break depending on age/size but that makes a lot of noise and might cause more fear
If you can get one in the model 600 it would also work well.
Re: Rifle for my son.
My dad got me a Remington 788 in .243 when I was about 11 or 12, the 700 youth model would be an equivalent rifle. I shot mine with 80 grain up to 105 grain soft points.
I used that rifle for 18 years to kill many a whitetail in GA. and I never lost one. Dad always said, make sure you do it right the first time, Shot placement is the key and if its not right don't force it.
I finally transitioned to a 30.06 when I moved to Co so I would be able to have a little more punch on Elk.
My dad got me a Remington 788 in .243 when I was about 11 or 12, the 700 youth model would be an equivalent rifle. I shot mine with 80 grain up to 105 grain soft points.
I used that rifle for 18 years to kill many a whitetail in GA. and I never lost one. Dad always said, make sure you do it right the first time, Shot placement is the key and if its not right don't force it.
I finally transitioned to a 30.06 when I moved to Co so I would be able to have a little more punch on Elk.
