Deer Caliber for a young hunter

Morpheus32

Morpheus32

Moderator
Moderator
Rating - 100%
404   0   1
Location
Edmonton
Gents,

My son is getting to the point where I can start having him train for hunting season. Probably not 06 but more likely 07. Once he can get consistent with his shot placement all the time, we will start discussing his hunting trip. To further this I need to configure a rifle for him for deer hunting. My though was a model 7 in either 243 or 7-08. I would be curious to peoples thoughts and experiences. I am not fixated on the rifle or caliber and would be interested to see what worked. I have a Ruger #1 in 270 in both rifle and carbine which I use so the thought as well was to get a Ruger #1 in those calibers for my son. I have two boys and a daughter so I want to set the conditions for a family hunting trip. Need to work on my wife who says she would like to give it a go.

Anyway, I look forward to everyones replies. Have a merry christmas. Cheers

Jeff
 
I have a preference towards the m700 LSS Mtn Rifle, but it isnt youth sized. It is light and handy though. 260 or 7-08 are both good choices.

I like the Model Sevens, but do not like the tupperware stock on the stainless model. The Model Seven LS with the laminated stock is nicer, but a bit heavier.

If you handload, pick the 260, if you shoot factory ammo, go with the 7mm-08
​
 
The Model 7 is available in .260 in a youth version. You could also pick up a used 6.5x55 or 7x57, as both are mild in the recoil department, but get the job done very well.
 
I have owned two model 7s in 7mm-08.The rifle is well sized for a smaller person and the cartridge works well for deer and will also do the job on larger game.
 
270 is pushing the envelope in the recoil department for a new youth hunter/shooter.

some lightweight 260's, 7-08's, 308s etc can have quite sharp recoil too.

A 260 or 7-08 in a rifle that weighs somewhere in the 7lb area scoped, fitted with a good recoil pad, should not produce enough recoil to bother a new shooter *too* much.

Although Ive never owned one, I dont like the idea of a 243 for deer and such, although I do like it as a long range varmint caliber.​
 
7mm-08 seems like a winner but I am still researching 260 as well. I noted a couple of other rifle options:

Rem Model 7 in 7mm-08
Rem Model 7 Youth in 260 Rem
Rem 700 SPS Youth in 7mm-08
Ruger M77 Compact in 7mm-08
Win Model 70 Compact in 7mm-08

I agree with the recommendation for a good recoil pad for the rifle. You want to make it an enjoyable experience not a nasty one....a 270 would definitely be too sharp for my lad until he gets a little bigger...

Jeff
 
I started with a BLR in 308win....I was about 15 if I remember right....:rolleyes: Was my first deer rifle....I still have it...You can't go wrong with the 7mm-08 for a youth...BTW how old is you boy?

I've taken my boy shooting gophers at Virden....22cal... He has a great time and it's a great way to get him used to hunting.....

Think the next step for him will be the SKS.....Stocks are about right...light recoil...I'll just single load it for him...maybe block the mag to one...

Russ...
 
Morpheus32 said:
I agree with the recommendation for a good recoil pad for the rifle. You want to make it an enjoyable experience not a nasty one...
Click to expand...

I believe the Model Sevens do not have the Limbsaver R3 pad on them (I could be wrong, I've not seen one of late production - just going by the pictures on their site).​

the m700 SPS *does* have a Limbsaver R3 pad, which is amongst the best for felt recoil reduction on the market. I just cant get over the finish on the SPS's barrel...cant really say I like it! Otherwise a solid rifle for the $500ish ! :D A 270 Win SPS youth handloaded with 130 gr. bullets @ 2800 fps with H4895 wouldnt recoil any more than a 260 or 7-08 with normal loads.

He could grow out of the rifle, change the stock for a full size length of pull aftermarket model, and load the 270 to its full potential and have a rifle he can use for the rest of his life. Same goes for the 30-06 when handloaded with 150 gr. bullets @ 2600 fps w/ H4895. :D
 
Last edited:
You dont mention the size or age of your son. I have a 12yr old thats just over 100lbs. He shoots my .243 very well. He dosnt mind the recoil and has no problem keeping them in 1 3/4" gropups at 100yrds off our behind the barn benchrest. I let him have a go with our .270 and some 130grns and he thought the kick to it was a bit much for his likeing when shot off the bench. Does does like my buddies 25-06 though with 100grn bullets. He shoots 95grn out of my .243 as a deer load. If you have a couple .270 may let him have a go with them useing some 100grn bullets. The recoil is less then with traditional deer weight bullets.

Tim
 
I started my son hunting with a s/s T/C Contender carbine in 30-30 then when he was ready for a little more recoil rechambered the barrel to a wildcat called 308 Bellm which is 444Marlin brass necked down with 308 Win dies and loaded with 150gr bullets @ 2650fps.

He next moved up to a Remington 700 Mountain Rifle in 280 Rem.

He's now 21 years old, 5'10" tall, weighs 210lbs and wants to use my 300RUM.

Cam
 
Morpheus32 said:
I would be curious to peoples thoughts and experiences.
Click to expand...
If you're not much of a handloader this won't be for you. But if you are, you might want to give some thought to a .358 Winchester.

Becoming a decent shooter means practice. The advantage of the .358 Winchester is that very mild - AND VERY INEXPENSIVE - loads can be put together with commercial bulk pistol bullets. Check out the cost of a box of 500 swaged pistol bullets, the primers and how much powder it would take to load them. Spend a summer shooting gophers with a .358 and marksmanship and shot placement isn't going to be an issue...

Their first year or two hunting, load up some hunting handgun bullets to 30/30 levels. As they get older and/or the game suggests it, up the bullet weight and velocity - a 180 grain X bullet at 2900 fps will shoot with the same weight bullet out of a .308 and do so using less powder (expansion ratio working for you) and with less recoil in the same weight rifle.

If you're not a reloader, or if you don't think too much shooting with the actual hunting rifle is necessary, etc, then this might be a very poor choice for you. But I started my wife with the .358 after a year of shooting a .22. Recoil was never an issue as I started her with pistol bullet loads that were under 1000 fps. Gradually started increasing the powder charge and she moved up to heavier bullets. Now she wants to shoot gophers with the 180 grain Barnes hunting loads (and would if I had deep enough pockets and would let her).

Anyways, it's not the usual suggestion, but might work for you if the conditions are right. .358 is quite nice for moose as well, incidentally. And it's a rifle you can hunt your whole life with, for anything that walks in North America.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom