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Feb 12th, 2024
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 Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: CTK3]
#794555
07/11/09 08:22 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 9,165
10pointers
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 9,165 |
Heck, nobody mentioned the 30-30. All the cartridge you need for deer and hogs in Texas and very light recoil.
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: CTK3]
#794556
07/11/09 08:52 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,526
SpoonPlatoon
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,526 |
My first deer rifle when I was 7 was a .243 Remington youth model 7. Love the gun and will always keep it. Even though its a youth model its a great brush gun.
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: jds15151]
#794557
07/11/09 04:45 PM
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,041
texretvet
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,041 |
Quote:
WOW, I can't believe all of the responses. Sure am glad I found this board. I am going to go looking tomorrow and will let you know what I end up with. I considered using one of my .308s but the 12 year old is small framed and it is just a bit much gun for him to handle size wise. That is one reason I'm leaning towards a youth sized gun. Thanks again for all the responses. Jeff
Good idea. Find the gun that fits him and that is what you go with. I would worry more about handling than recoil. My son at 12, could handle the .270 and .30-06 from the bench, but he wasn't gonna make an unsupported shot in the field.
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: Jayrod]
#794558
07/11/09 06:02 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 986
REDGUN
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 986 |
Quote:
I'd go with a 7mm-08 or the .260 remington. I've heard nothing but good things about both those rounds.
+1
Both will be better suited for hogs with very little more recoil than the .243
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: REDGUN]
#794559
07/11/09 10:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,191
gogburn
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,191 |
Good Hunting,
Gary
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: CTK3]
#794560
07/12/09 01:55 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 309
richbrismith
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 309 |
7mm-08/243/25-06-- all will be perfect, but I find 243 and 25-06 ammo more readily available
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: CTK3]
#794561
07/12/09 08:17 AM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,806
Lochsley123
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,806 |
243 Great round he can varmint hunt, deer,pigs etc.
What kind of lights does it shoot out?
Like are we talkin the mini bulb Christmas lights or a 500 watt flood light?
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: jds15151]
#794562
07/12/09 09:41 AM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 12,263
A.B.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
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Obi-Wan Kenobi
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 12,263 |
Talent is a gift, character is a decision.
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: A.B.]
#794563
07/12/09 04:22 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,636
Texpppr
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,636 |
another .243 vote. Some people start with this and use them all the way throught adulthood for Texas Deer and Hogs.
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: CTK3]
#794564
07/13/09 01:04 AM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 289
J Gage
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 289 |
My 7 year old daughter killed a really nice 5 and a half year old buck last year with a single shot .223, then shot a 225 pound boar with it a few months ago. Dropped em both on the spot. Good youth gun.
I started on a .257 roberts, and it was a great gun too.
I think you'll be good on anything around those calibers.
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: J Gage]
#794565
07/13/09 02:22 AM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32,601
sig226fan (Rguns.com)
duck & cover
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duck & cover
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32,601 |
308, and if needed get Remington's reduced recoil rounds, 50% less recoil, good loads....
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: 10pointers]
#794566
07/13/09 03:17 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,450
TexasTransplant
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,450 |
Quote:
Heck, nobody mentioned the 30-30. All the cartridge you need for deer and hogs in Texas and very light recoil.
That's a great round.
TBH, .44 Mag carbine also a good choice if shooting shorter ranges.
 She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her still.
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: TexasTransplant]
#794567
07/13/09 04:28 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 474
ta6ppc
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 474 |
My vote is for a 243 or 6 mm rem or a 260 Remington my preferance would be the 260 and then the 6 rem. 243 is a great round but better bc's and all over performance out of a light recoiling rifle.
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: CTK3]
#794568
07/13/09 05:46 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,579
deewayne2003
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,579 |
25-06
Alot more power than a .243 and if a 25-06 wont kill it then its not native to Texas; I have guided for a lot of hunts and the .243 is a GREAT gun but I think its an experts rifle not a beginers.
Get a good rifle Rem 700, Ruger 77(my fav.) and either cut the stock if needed or get a youth stock, which you can get for pennies on the dollar on ebay, then when the grow out of the stock up grade to a nice after market custom stock.
then you have a nice 25-06 and you wont have to by them a new gun as they get older.
just my advice; I dont have any kids but as a guide I have seen LOTS of parents make LOTS of mistakes and I try to learn from them.
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: deewayne2003]
#794569
07/13/09 05:57 AM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 234
jds15151
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 234 |
Thanks for the ideas. I went looking today (2 Academy stores and 3 Wal-Marts)and all I found was a single shot rifle from H&R and the Remington Model 770 in .243 as a youth rifle. I plan on hitting some gun stores in the next week or two. I like the .243 but wonder if it is enough for pigs around here. I'll let y'all know what we get.
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: jds15151]
#794570
07/13/09 06:45 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,526
SpoonPlatoon
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,526 |
Hey JDS,
What kinda pigs you got lol.
All the pigs Ive shot have been with my Rem model 7 youth .243 all of them have dropped except for one but that was because of a poorly placed shot and thick timber..
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: SpoonPlatoon]
#794571
07/13/09 08:42 AM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 434
NathanY
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 434 |
I would go with the .458 or the .375H&H. A .243 and the like won't kill a deer or hog in Texas, and you want your boy to kill something dont you? Be a good father and spend the extra money and get one of the two cartridges I mentioned. Be sure to get a Limbsaver pad, then a slip on pad for that, and maybe a muzzle break too. By the way, you should also spend the little extra money and get a Zeiss scope, or one in the same class, because those $59.99 walmart scopes dont work on deer and hogs in Texas. Point is, if you dont spend $1000 or more on a Magnum caliber gun and $1000 or more on glass, then you just dont love your son enough. You do love your son dont you? I hope you will show it.
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: CTK3]
#794572
07/14/09 01:48 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 66
JUGHEAD
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 66 |
.243 kick is far less than 25-06 in factory ammo. Trade up to the 25-06 when they are about 16-17 yrs old.
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: jds15151]
#794573
07/16/09 01:20 AM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,016
SingleShot85
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,016 |
Quote:
OK, I am looking for recommendations on a caliber for my sons first rifle. Right now they shoot a 22/.410 at targets. They have also shot a 9mm pistol and an M-1 carbine.
The kid is already banging some nice size firearms, I vote .308 and be done for the rest of his life. Boat loads of applications  , amo choices and availablity.
kt
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: SingleShot85]
#794574
07/16/09 06:23 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,170
Jimbo
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,170 |
Can't go wrong with a 30-30, and it's been around for a long time, light recoil, and ammo is cheap and available (at least it used to be) anywhere you go, and now you can buy the managed recoil by Remington which makes it even milder on the shoulder.
It's not as glamorous as those mentioned above, but it has done the job for many of us when we just started out, and still does it when we get older.
Lot's of calibers have come and gone, but the old 30-30 just keeps on going.
Last edited by Jimbo; 07/16/09 06:27 AM.
Thursday at 12:45 PM
#33
Once i learned that i didn't "NEED" to kill something, and that if i did kill something all the fun stopped and work began, i was a much better hunter.
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: CTK3]
#794575
07/16/09 09:23 AM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 12
MinicK
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 12 |
Keep the .308 for the oldest boy and find a youth .243. And yes the hearing protection will help take the sting out of it.
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: MinicK]
#794576
07/22/09 06:44 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 234
jds15151
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 234 |
Thanks again for all of the responses. I've pretty much narrowed it down to a .243, .270, or .308. I'm leaning towards the .243 or .270. Now are there any recommendations on the rifle? I am looking at youth guns by Savage, Marlin, and Mossberg. Never owned any of them so I just wanted some opinions. Thanks in advance.
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: txtrophy85]
#794577
07/22/09 06:48 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,270
Texas Dan
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,270 |
Quote:
we've killed some stuff with managed recoil 7mm shells, they worked just fine.
I agree. Both Remington and Federal offer reduced recoil ammo that's excellent for shots at 150 yards or less.
My suggestion is a good .270 and the reduced recoil ammo. Choose a model that offers a youth size, after-market stock and keep the original once he gets big enough for it.
If you want something smaller from the start, I would suggest the Browning Micro Hunter. My daughter shoots a Micro Medallion and loves it.
"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: Texas Dan]
#794578
07/22/09 07:11 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,207
Korean Redneck
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,207 |
Why do people persist on saying you can not kill with this and that?
I have seen all sort of rounds take down animals. I girl in my office took a hog and an axis with a 22-250 within 100yds. My brother took a white tail buck at about 140yds with a 243. i know countless folks taking hogs of all sizes and range with a 223.
I myself am a pretty poor shot and chose a 30-06, but i knew it was more than I needed. I just really prefered the iconic repuation of the 30-06.
Please no more claims of "you can't kill that with this round." I'm sure seasoned hunters will all agree that it's more the shooter and shot placement than the round.
Last edited by Korean Redneck; 07/22/09 07:14 PM.
I'm a dude who likes long barrels!
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Re: Caliber recommendation for a boy's first rifle.
[Re: Korean Redneck]
#794579
07/24/09 03:12 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 720
cb66
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 720 |
My 11 year old son shoot his first doe last year with a Remington 700 Youth .270 topped with a 3x9x40 Nikon Buckmaster. The rifle also has a limbsaver butt pad.
I used the same rifle to shoot a nice 8 pointer that field dressed out at 151 lbs. Nothing wrong with a .270.
At first at the range, when he was 10, he was nervous about "scope eye"; we solved that problem when I made him look away and I sometimes would load it with a live round and sometimes he would having nothing but a dry fire click; taught him to stay in the scope.
Practice and patience are the key.
Last edited by cb66; 07/24/09 03:14 AM.
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