Looking at a lighter Caliber Hunting rifle for my son

emerson said:
Chasing the same. I reload, so went with a 30-30 that I am looking to reload 150gr at 1900fps.
Click to expand...

Always wondered how 150gr 30-30 bullets would do in 7.62x39, and at the ranges most of us hunt, why people bother with spitzers. Cycling issues I guess but still.

The 30-30s must be made with that velocity window in mind, much more so than pointy bois. Hornady shows 1900 fps being doable from an SKS 20" barrel with 20 grains of a lot of different powders. Thats pretty low recoil. Stoke it hotter if you ever want to. Although, less space in the case with the RN or FN I guess.
 
My top picks as a bit of a step up from the .243 would be 6.5x55 or 6.5 creedmore. Both are pretty mild to shoot and are more than enough for deer.

Like others have said intersurplus will get you started with a 6.5x55 pretty cheaply.
 
keith mokry said:
6.5x55 would be good round. Can load to 85-160. So does little better than 243 and if buy good ammo can be higher velocity than 260/6.5 creed. Good option are the huskies from intersurplus but go through pics and see if can get one better ones. Shorter brl models are nice for smaller person. That way can shorten stock if need and lengthen later on
Click to expand...

The 6.5 Creed is on the way out; as people grow up, experience hair loss, and can no longer tie man-buns; So, long live the 6.5 x 55. I also load 85 -160 gr; accurate and soft shooting despite the terminal energy. I have three rifles in this caliber and have not tired of it in the last almost 50 years of shooting!
 
remington jim said:
It s OK but nearly OBSOLETE ! I don’t even think there’s a REG factory rifle chambered in it ! ALSO VERY POOR. Ammo availability ! THE 6.5 CM would be a FAR better cartridge as it’s available in a lot of rifles and there is a Ton of FACTORY ammo available too for it . RJ
Click to expand...

Not real sure how relevant that is if you reload - you buy one or more rifles, dies and accessories - stock up or make brass. What there might be or not for other choices of rifle becomes mostly irrelevant to you - the various 6.5mm (.264") bullets likely do not care what brass they get loaded into. Is all different, I guess, if you MUST use factory ammo - then availability and in-store selection becomes an issue.
 
Meroh said:
The 6.5 Creed is on the way out; as people grow up, experience hair loss, and can no longer tie man-buns; So, long live the 6.5 x 55. I also load 85 -160 gr; accurate and soft shooting despite the terminal energy. I have three rifles in this caliber and have not tired of it in the last almost 50 years of shooting!
Click to expand...

Long as I can still fit these skinny jeans it aint goin nowhere
 
Did I miss something? Didn't the OP ask about 243 vs 270? Neither is going away for rifles chambered, or factory ammo availability. Quite a few choices offered may not be/never were popular. Ammo available in big cities with 10 or 20 gun stores; not ma n pa stores of a 5k population town.
 
Well it depends, if the .303 has a steel butt then I'd get a slip on pad and cut the stock down. The .270 won't kick less than the .303. So of the two, and also because I'm a fan, I would choose .243. But as a general recommendation in this category I'll echo the 6.5 Creedmoor recommendations.
 
Buy him a savage 340 in 30-30 for about $300. Let him shoot iron sights for a while. I see a lot of young guys who can’t find the backstop at the range through their scopes. They never developed the instinct to point because they never used irons.
Cut the stock to fit if needed. Let him paint the stock, carve his initials cut talley marks, whatever. Kids can be clumsy and he’s going to mark it up, but they always love their first big gun regardless of cost.
 
Last edited:
243 and 270 are great calibers, but different ballastic behaviours by far.

243 for close spaces off the trails, small fields.
270 for open spaces, hydro cuts.
Can barely feel the kick in a 243 100 grain with a light Fall jacket.
270 with a 130 or 150 is a different story.

Buy both, some awful pretty long action Rugers out there for sale.

You can't beat a short action Rem. 700 in looks an performance.

Also cheaper ugly plastic stocks are available, some people like them, worst thing ever in my mind, but Ruger American and Savage Axis are a cheap alternative for both 243 and 270.

A compact Savage 243 might work well for the boy
 
You don’t really say much about what he’ll be hunting and how big he is. Normally, I’d say start with a 6 or 6.5 (eg 243win, 6.5x55 or similar). With the 6.5 he can use it for varmints moose and deer. With a 243 options are limited more.
 
Irishfathead said:
Afternoon everyone, I am Looking at a lighter Caliber Hunting rifle for my son and was considering a .243 or a .270. I have a .303 and a .30-06 but he is a lighter weight person and I don't want to have him complain after 1 shot of practice firing.

Any suggestions on which to choose or to start looking for a decent lower priced starter piece for him?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Buy an used Tikka T3x in 6.5 Creedmoor and you’ll answer all your concerns.
 
243, 30-30, 6.5x55, 6.5 grendel

I do know my Dad has a model 64 in 30-30, tried it with reduced recoil ammo, not much recoil.
243 doesn't have much recoil.
6.5 grendel is nice, good for longer range.
 
Lighter weight bullets and a rifle with a scope that is heavier enough to mitigate the felt recoil. Also shooting off a bench at a range is very different from shooting while standing on your two hind legs!
 
Many decades ago, I started out hunting with a 243 in a model 70 win featherlight. I still have it today.

I hated it because of the recoil and I still don't like it today even when compared to similar weight rifles i have today in larger calibers, 308 for example.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom