Good caliber for a youth?

Which caliber for a youth.

  • .243 Win 100gr

    Votes: 21 35.0%

  • .257 Roberts 117gr

    Votes: 2 3.3%

  • .260 Rem 120gr

    Votes: 3 5.0%

  • .260 Rem 140gr

    Votes: 2 3.3%

  • 6.5x55 120gr

    Votes: 4 6.7%

  • 6.5x55 140gr

    Votes: 14 23.3%

  • 7mm-08 Rem 140gr

    Votes: 14 23.3%
  • Total voters
    60
J

Jayph

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Which of the following calibers would provide the least amount of recoil in a 7lb hunting rifle? Only used for deer hunting. My uncle would like to purchase a rifle for his son but doesn't want to get him too much gun. I don't think he could go wrong with any caliber listed but was just curious what you guys thought. Thanks in advance.
 
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6.5X55, lots of choices right now with Tradex. Light caliber, low recoil and with good shot placement can kill moose.
 
Well, how big is the kid? Does your uncle reload? If not the only real choice on your list is the 7-08, as the rest don't offer much selection in factory ammo. ( skip the .243 as its the bare minimum for deer.)

I just bought a 700 SPS youth for my wife in .308, and she has no problem with the recoil. I had her shooting my .308 and she put 5 shots into an inch, no flinch.;) Her gun is 7.5 lbs scoped.
 
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I'm only familiar with 6.5x55 and 243. If recoil sensitivity is paramount, I'd say go with the 243. If not, then 6.5x55 is probably more versatile as it will take larger game more adequately than 243.

Edit: if reloading is not in his immediate future, make sure he takes into account availability of suitable ammunition. I like 6.5x55, but factory ammunition choices are limited. He should be sure he can spend lots of time burning up ammo in the gun and getting good at it.
 
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If handloading is an option I would suggest either a .308 or .30/06. Both can be loaded with light bullets that will perform very well on medium sized game, while having light recoil. The younster can grow into the rifle and power and bullet weight can increase with his ability. If handloading is not an option then the only solution is to choose a cartridge that has moderate blast and recoil in a light rifle. I would suggest the 6.5X55 provided it was in a sporter and not a worked over military rifle as these do not scope easily (affordably) and tend to be clunky. The .260 has much to offer as does the 7X57 although sporting rifles in this caliber are getting tougher to find. While much big game has been taken with the .243, I consider it a small game cartridge and do not recommend it except for that purpose.

Which ever rifle is chosen, a wood stock can be easily shortened so might be a better choice than a synthetic. A good fit and a good recoil pad are as important as the choice of cartridge. When the youngster grows a bit, a new stock could then be purchased for the rifle. I would encourage you to get a rifle with iron sights (factory or after market) so that he has the experience of both irons and a scope. If a scope is going to be furnished on the rifle, get good mounts. You can get by with an inexpensive rifle and scope, but junk mounts don't work. Hearing protection is every bit as important as recoil protection. Many youth sized rifles have short barrels, and with full powered factory loads these will bark regardless of caliber.
 
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I chose the 6.5x55 from the list you gave, but I would look into a .308 with150 grain bullets and a rifle with a good quality recoil pad. Now you have a caliber up for just about any game in North America.
 
blargon said:
Well, how big is the kid? Does your uncle reload? If not the only real choice on your list is the 7-08, as the rest don't offer much selection in factory ammo. ( skip the .243 as its the bare minimum for deer.)

I just bought a 700 SPS youth for my wife in .308, and she has no problem with the recoil. I had her shooting my .308 and she put 5 shots into an inch, no flinch.;) Her gun is 7.5 lbs scoped.
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Yes he reloads and the kid is smaller is stature but not tiny. 5'4 right now 135 or so
 
Thanks for the long reply lots of good info I didn't think of. I never really thought of the .308 when I was doing the poll. Is there an easy way to measure length of pull when ordering a stock?


Boomer said:
If handloading is an option I would suggest either a .308 or .30/06. Both can be loaded with light bullets that will perform very well on medium sized game, while having light recoil. The younster can grow into the rifle and power and bullet weight can increase with his ability. If handloading is not an option then the only solution is to choose a cartridge that has moderate blast and recoil in a light rifle. I would suggest the 6.5X55 provided it was in a sporter and not a worked over military rifle as these do not scope easily (affordably) and tend to be clunky. The .260 has much to offer as does the 7X57 although sporting rifles in this caliber are getting tougher to find. While much big game has been taken with the .243, I consider it a small game cartridge and do not recommend it except for that purpose.

Which ever rifle is chosen, a wood stock can be easily shortened so might be a better choice than a synthetic. A good fit and a good recoil pad are as important as the choice of cartridge. When the youngster grows a bit, a new stock could then be purchased for the rifle. I would encourage you to get a rifle with iron sights (factory or after market) so that he has the experience of both irons and a scope. If a scope is going to be furnished on the rifle, get good mounts. You can get by with an inexpensive rifle and scope, but junk mounts don't work. Hearing protection is every bit as important as recoil protection. Many youth sized rifles have short barrels, and with full powered factory loads these will bark regardless of caliber.
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I don't think that ammo availability is a big deal with the swede. Before I started reloading I ordered a case of ammo from the local home hardware, 140gr winchester. I also got a discount for ordering a case (ten boxes). It took a couple weeks but the case lasted me quite a while and then I had brass to start reloading.

I think the swede or the .260 would be fine choices even the roberts would be a dandy. If the kid can handle it, the 7mm-08 would be even better, but you don't want him to start flinching.
 
Jayph said:
Thanks for the long reply lots of good info I didn't think of. I never really thought of the .308 when I was doing the poll. Is there an easy way to measure length of pull when ordering a stock?
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The measure for proper fit is to place the butt of the rifle in the crook of the arm, and measure to the first joint of the trigger finger. If you make this measurement with a tape measure, it will come out too long. My arm measures 14.5" but my rifles fit me well with a 13.5" length of pull. You might also want to take heavy clothing, like he might wear in cold weather, into consideration, and if he is a big kid with a thick chest, arms, and shoulders the length could be shortened an additional half inch. Rounding the top edge of the recoil pad will help prevent it from hanging up on clothing as he brings it to shoulder. Too short a stock is more user friendly than is too long. Too long makes recoil seem worse, a consistent cheek weld seems to suffer, and it is certainly slower to get on target. Too short and he'll learn to keep his thumb straight along the stock so he doesn't bump his nose, but the scope will have to be set well forward to prevent a cut nose or eyebrow.
 
For deer only it would be pretty hard to beat the 257Roberts with a good 100gr bullet. I use 100gr Hornadys and 115 Accubonds in mine. VERY low recoil!

If bigger game is in the plan, one of the 6.5s or 7mm you mentioned would be more flexable.



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the .243 is an excellent youth caliber...
however, you can buy managed recoil ammo for the common calibers like .270, .308, .30-06, 7mm-08, etc right off the shelf, which will take their recoil down to less than the level of a .243.
then when he grows into it and wants to hunt bigger game he can progress to full power loads and have a more versatile rifle. the .308 or .30-06 are great choices that he wont feel the need to replace a couple years down the road.

my g/f is very petite and has no problem shooting managed recoil .308 ammo out of a 7lb Ruger Compact with factory recoil pad.

the .270, .308 and .30-06 managed recoil loads only deliver between 7-10 ft/lbs of recoil.
 
obviously the 243 will create the least amount of recoil, but if you're weighing recoil energy vs bullet energy at 200 yards the 260 Rem w/ 120s is the best way to go.
 
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