Deer Caliber for a young hunter

Republic of Alberta said:
Lucky kids!
Be sure to put on a decent scope with good eye relief. If it is a quality scope it will be good for years and you only have to buy it once and transfer it to new guns as they grow up.
Click to expand...
X2 to all of the above. I imagine you have a decent scope in mind, anyway, Jeff?
 
260
6.5 x 55
7mm-08
7x57
308

Or to be a bit different

270
30-06

The plusses of going with something like a 30-06, 25-06 or 270 is that you can load them all mildly in the beginning then as the shooter progresses to bigger game you can load them hotter. There is low intensity ammo available for both (it's marketed under the "Managed Recoil" name) and as well there is Federal High Energy or Hornady Light Magnum at the opposite end of the spectrum. I like the 7x57 for nostalgic reasons same as the 6.5 Swede.

I would avoid the 243 personally. Not that it's a bad caliber, but I've never liked it as a beginners deer rifle. I think of it as a specialist's rifle. I like the idea of the 260 and 6.5x55 as sensible minimums. A 7mm-08 or 308 would probably be your best bet for a short, compact rifle with the ability to do the trick on moose and bear, should the opportunity arise.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom