First center fire deer rifle for a boy ?

[Brians356]

What my dad had me shooting at 10 years old - '61 Model 70 Featherweight in 30-06 and no recoil pad. Never played the violin again.
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[Brians356]

Don’t put them in a heavy recoil gun a put a break on on it

Or a brake. Always good to have choices.
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[wolfman]

Wade, the real questions is wht do you already have in the safe? Is there something you could fit with a cut down used stock, or maybe something like a MDT LSS chassis while he grows? It's pretty easy to develop a suitable load for pretty much any cartridge. I've had great luck with 120 BTs and a light charge of H4895 in 7mm-08 for new hunters, but then again anything from .243 right on up can be loaded down to suit.

 

[XTR]

I don't have that much that would make a good hunting rifle for a youngster. They are all too heavy or too long.

Maybe my 6SLR in something adjustable and a different scope. The Steiner M5Xi weighs a ton. I've never shot a deer with it, but the 105VLDH load I have for it is sweet.

 

[wolfman]

In that case, there's no reason not go out and get something for him. If the idea is for him to have a rifle that he can grow with, I would be more concerned with one that could be adjusted to fit him as he grows (like a chassis), or that has plenty of affordable takeoff stocks availible, so you can easily/affordably source and modify to suit as he grows. The cartridge is less important that the platform, in my opinion.

 

[grovey]

I'd not even consider a 30-30, so between the two choices I would pick the .243. That said there are other options. How about a 6.5 grendel, or a . 223? A 12 twist 223 will stabilze the 63gr Sierra smp bullet, and a 9 or faster twist will allow you to use the 65gr Sierra gameking. Both will smash a deer.

 

[Brians356]

There are muzzle brakes. What is a muzzle "break" and where do I get one? I hate being last to the party.
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[Webster]

Curious here. My oldest son will probably be getting into the stand with me next yr. I'll probably find a light weight Ruger #1 for him. (cause personally I love falling block single shots)

My question is 243 or 30-30?

a 30-30 is to limited in range. Why not get the 243 with more capability. The 243 is also good for varmints. I used to hunt in PA many years ago. If I did it again I would like a rifle without a scope for out to about 200 yrds or a little more. I had to constantly wipe the haze from my breath off of the rear lens. You could scratch the lens with constant wiping. It's your choice. I feel comfortable shooting off hand out to 200 yards with open sights. All of the local guys had a scope and said they only liked the scope to see if a spike antler looked legal.

 

[WEL]

AR 15 in 6.8 spc or 6.5 grendel. With the adjustable stock you can put the length of pull where you want it. Gas operated little recoil. My kids all started with a 30/30. That was 25 years ago. I built a 6.5 and 6.8 for my grandkids.


6.5 grendel. 1/2 moa with 123 gr sst.

 

[msinc]

Curious here. My oldest son will probably be getting into the stand with me next yr. I'll probably find a light weight Ruger #1 for him. (cause personally I love falling block single shots)

My question is 243 or 30-30?

Not tryin' to tell you how to raise your kid, but what you love might not be what he loves. Not knocking your choice either, it's a fine one, just suggesting you might want to think about what his choice might be. I've seen it 100 times...parents want a kid to do something and they choke it down their throat and it usually don't end up the way they had in mind. 10 year old kids forced to go coonhunting until late at night in the cold and mud ended many a kids desire to go hunting. I've seen guys want their kids to go hunting with them so bad and the kid pukes and goes back to his video games.
In laws forced horses down the daughters throat sideways. They never even bothered to ask if she wanted to do this. She's 19 now and wouldn't give .50 cents for Secretariat. In fact, I doubt she'd look twice at a winged pegasus.
Ask him what guns he likes and maybe try a few. He should at least have some input if you really want this to take off. Up to a point of course...my son wanted an M1A....so he "had 19 more rounds in case he missed the first one". A rifle that fit and he could handle plus some shooting lessons remedied that. Best of luck.

 

[Codeman]

7mm08 would be my recommendation

 

[Beruisis]

250 Savage.
Ruger M77.