First year on a lease with many to come. I want to introduce my 5 and 7 year old to the hunt. We will start with pigs until they become confidnet and able to shoot deer. My boys are big, solid kids, middle line back types 7 year old is 75lbs and 5 year old is huge for his size, he goes 65lbs. Big solid atheletic kids.

What are your thoughts on rifles?

Either

Both will do the job. (I also like the 22-250, 250-3000 and the 257 Roberts.) The 243 can be a lifetime Texas hunting rifle. I would tend toward the 243 for that reason. Borrow rifles from a friend, buy a box of ammo for each and take the boys to the range. The 243 has more muzzle blast and I have noticed that is what bothers youngsters. You may just find that they love the 243 and only the magazine gun writers will spend a lot of time questioning whether or not that is a fine Texas deer cartridge.. Spend a lot of time practicing with a 22 rimfire no matter what deer rifle you choose.

Thanks for the replies so far.

I noticed i did forget to ask which would have the least kick. That is something that they have asked about, i will for sure buy them good hearing protection too.

I have a feeling the 243 might be too much right now as far as muzzle blast and noise and i don't want to give them a negative experience their first time firing. i don't mind upgrading in a year or 2 but i also don't want them to lack confidence because of fear of the gun which could keep them out of the woods with me.

is there much difference in 223 and 243 as far as blast?

.243 is going to give you a lot more knockdown power imo. but either would be fine.. Iv dropped some 200lb pigs in their tracks with a 55gr vmax out of a .223 and a shoulder shot... iv also tracked a deer for hours after a good lung hit with one also

The more I think about it the more I think you should let them get some time hunting with you and practicing with a 22 before you let them shoot any high powered rifle at deer or hogs. We started marksmanship and safety training at age 8 in the 4-H Shooting Sports Program. There were some that could have started sooner, many were best in the BB gun stage at that time. My own kids shot their first deer at age Nine and they had been sitting is deer blinds since we carried them into the woods in baby carriers. What would it hurt to get your boys a 22 that fits and spend happy hours practicing with that, especially for the younger son. Most blinds will be visited by squirrels, coons and other interesting animals that are perfect for a 22.

get a 22-250

Go ahead and get the 243. Its not that bad

Started mine plinking with a .22 at 5. .22 mag a few months later. Then bought him a 22-250 at 6. As a 7 yr old he shot his first deer. He is now 13 and still knocking em down with his 22-250 and 55gr core lokts.

mine started with 243 at 8 and 9 but I bought a ruger compact so it wasn't to big but my older one really didn't like that gun the younger one loved it and I gave it to him at 10 and bought my older one a Winchester 70 in 243 both still use their guns for deer if I had a little more money back then I would have loved to get them a 223 to practice with before moving them up to the 243 and the 223 can be used for a lifetime

243

Remington Managed Recoil ammo in the .270 caliber has less recoil than standard .243 ammo and is good out to 150 yards.

Vanguard S2 Youth in .223

.300 Win Mag?

I don't think you can go wrong with a 22-250. The 22 calibers are only limited by distance and the milder recoil is great for kids.

I often pick up my Grandsons 222 but don't shoot over about 125 yards. I've only lost one deer with it but that one was my fault. I can't say the same about some of my cannons.

Having raised four large sons I'd suggest you not purchase a small specialty type rifle that is meat for children and is basically a marketing gimmick. The boys will grow and mature size wise rather quickly and outgrow it without much use. You might start with a SS 410 shotgun but for deer or pigs I'd use a full size weapon that in some way suits you also. Dad's lap and a little guidance usually works for taking an animal. Also don't forget ear protection. We never thought about that when I was a kid

243, bring enough gun.

When they're grown they'll still have one of the best coyote rounds ever produced, and a decent mid sized game round.

223 and 204 are just fine.

first shots are usually under 50 yards for kids

younger kids need a helping hand with recoil

.243 is just too much for most kids until 15 or 16 - especially young ladies.

Savage Axis in 22-250. Use the 60 gr Nosler Partitions that Federal loads. Deer and pigs at moderate range. Let them practice so they can hit where they need to. Buddy has a 13 daughter he started this way.

With the great variety of excellent .224" bullets made for hunting, 223 or 22-250, it is hard to go wrong. I'd go for .223.

I think it depends on their size. .223 for smaller kids and females and .243 for the biggins