Son's first rifle

"...thinking about .223..." May not be legal for deer in B.C. A 7mm-08, 243 or any of the 24 or 25 calibres will do. Mind you, as a 12 guage doesn't bother him, neither will any standard cf. .308 et al. Like hometownhero says, the fit of the rifle is more important. Best to let him shoot whatever calibres/cartridges you can, but I really don't think you're going to have any problems. At least one that involve what cartridge to get him. Take him shopping for a rifle and sort out the cartridge later.
"...going to be over 6 foot..." Not if you quit feeding him. snicker.
 
I got my first deer when I was 13(5 years ago) with my BLR in 308. I think a 308 is a great cartridge to start hunting with because it has a wide range of use and I never found the recoil to be a problem at the range or hunting when I started shooting when I was 12. I still hunt moose, deer, bear and coyote with my blr. If he can shoot a 12ga he'll have no problem with a 308. The only upside to a 223 I see would be the cheaper ammo if your shooting a lot at the range.
 
I'd start him with a 7mm-08 or 308. You can always put a spacer in the stock in the future and you'll be buying him a rifle that he will be able to use forever. That said, a 22LR is never the wrong choice for a first rifle.
 
I bought my son a CZ455 Lux when he turned 12. He loves it and when he feels like more recoil, he uses my T3 .223. Can't go wrong with a CZ & a .22 never gets tired
 
I started my #2 boy with a rem mod 7 CDL in 260 Rem and it was a great choice IMHO, Loaded him some 100 gnrs first at about 2800 fps for less recoil than a 243....he was 9 at the time. Now he's shooting max loads with 130 grnrs and it is a killing machine. May leave it there but can always go up to a 140 Part too if we want. I highly recommend this combo, it's light and compact and he killed several animals in Africa with the 100 gn load including a perfect 1 shot kill on a warthog. It is perfectly adequate for NA game including double duty as a varmint cartridge. I really can't say enough good about this little sleeper cartridge and anyone who loves the 6.5X55 will tell you the same, only the 260 is a short action and as such a little lighter and more compact.
 
I would wrap up a "We're going shopping for a rifle for you" note in a proper shaped, weighted box. That way you can find a rifle that fits him. Half of dealing with recoil is a proper fitting gun. I've started 2 nephews and a niece on my Marlin 357 lever. They now all shoot those Savage package guns in 243. A cheap starting gun for a minor would be a surplus gun in 6.5x55. Your son can shoot it for a few years, then when he "sizes up", the surplus gun has lost no value even thou it's drop, scratched, etc....because it's already been beaten up lots.
Clint
...just my $0.02
 
Thanks for all your thoughts, I do want him to have a centerfire, and a friend suggested I take his 243 out to the range and let the kid try it. Going to do that, see how he likes/shoots, and go from there. Again, thanks for your time. And I am seriously looking at those package guns from Savage, we hefted a bunch at Wholesale sports last time we were there, and he seems to fit them the best.
 
Bought mine a stainless synthetic Remington Model 7 in 243, he loves it.
Nice and light and meets the caliber restrictions for small game and deer
 
EcoHeliGuy said:
30-30 would be my choice, Recoil isn't bad, they are fun to shoot, ammo is some what cheep. and its a great round to learn about shot placement, bullet drop and velocity.
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I agree with Eco. My first thought after reading OP's post was a 30-30. Low recoil, cheap available ammo, it can be used for hunting when the time comes, and is very versatile. I've knocked over White's and Mules, and even a Moose in the bush with one.

My first hunt was with my dad's old Savage .30-30, second hunt was with his Model 94 .30-30. Both were excellent out to 200 yards for deer.
 
your boy needs 2 rifles right off the bat. .22, 22mag, 17HMR etc for target shooting and a hunting rifle. 243/6mm, 257 Roberts, 260, 7mm-08, 7x57 etc. It doesn't have to be his one and only hunting rifle forever. Good luck. Happy hunting.
 
was thinking the same thing two dogs, just having a bit of a time convincing his mother that he needs 2, maybe start with a .17 and then next fall go with a .243
 
I bought a tikka t3 in .243 for my sons first rifle . He was 11 just about 12 at that point , He too was tall so the rifle fit him very well . In hindsight he is now 14 and a .308 might have been a better choice . With a .308 you will be able to get rounds in different bullet weights and lighter loads for recoil sensitive and they are readily available . Ie. Canadian tire or walmart as opposed to some LGS's if you are lucky for the 7mm-08. With a .308 he can learn to shoot without much recoil and will still be able to hunt larger game later on should the opportunity arise .
 
seebarg said:
was thinking the same thing two dogs, just having a bit of a time convincing his mother that he needs 2, maybe start with a .17 and then next fall go with a .243
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that would be awesome for the young fella! Ya just gotta send momma on a woman's shoe shopping trip!:p. Good luck, I know you'll work it out!
 
Well, picked up a savage trophy hunter .243 package last weekend, he shoots it very well, small bullets (58 grain) recoil doesn't bother him, so today we will try 80 grain
 
I'm in the same boat and I'm looking at a .243 for my 10 year old. He already does pretty well with my .223 but that's no good for hunting in AB.
 
My Father bought me a Mod70 in 30.06 when I was a hundred pound kid at 11 or 12 years old. He loaded some 125 or 130gr bullets that I shot my first deer with that same year. When 17 or 18 I started shooting 180gr and haven't gone back. I still use it every year for hunting and took another nice whitetail last week. Other than my Milsurp collection, I've never needed another hunting rifle.
 
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