new deer rifle

[northernspear]

I am looking for Idea's and opinions:

I want to buy a rifle for my son who is just getting into deer hunting. He is 12.
He is using one of my old rifles this year but if he wants to go next year I am buying him his own.
We hunt from heavy brush to fields to stand hunts.
I am leaning towards a 7-08 or .308 in a bolt action.  I do like the idea of the marlin 308mx but the new calibers are usually more pricey for ammo.
I forgot to mention he is a lefty.

What does your son use for deer?????

[HD]

My son is only 10 and he hunted the early doe season with me.
He has been shooting a 270 bolt, and has gotten really good with it.
270's in my opinion, are the best all around gun you can use.
It shoots flat in open fields and is great in the bushes.

Hunter

[Don Stenseth]

I bought my son a Remington 700 BDL in 270 cal. when he was 12. A great gun and a great calibure in my opinion. He is almost 26 now and the rifle still looks and shoots great. I have shot a 30-06 forever and if I ever had to replace my gun I would also go with the 270.

[dakids]

We bought my nephew a 270 last year for his confimation.  He loves it.  He is also a lefty.  I don't remember the brand.

This spring I bought my kids a single shot H&H 243 with a youth stock on it.  My 11 year old daughter has been practicing with it and regularly hits a paper plate at 100 yards.  I really like the 243 because of the light recoil.  I also went with the single shot for 2 reasons 1. I feel that the hammer is a little safer than a safety, and 2. to teach my kids that you have to make that first shot count.  When they get a little older I will upgrade them to a 270 or a 243 bolt action. 

[Don Stenseth]

Just my opinion, but, I would steer away from a hammered single shot. That hammer slips pretty easily from a cold or excited thumb causeing the firearm to discharge before you are ready.

[HD]

Yea, I would have to agree with Don......

I have several hammer action guns, and they can be tricky for kids.
Even my wife tried one and her thumb slipped off and the gun went off.
To this day, she won't shoot that gun.
Don't take it the wrong way, they are good, inexpensive guns.

Hunter

[dakids]

I agree about the old style hammer slipping.  The one that I purchased has the new style hammer with a bar sticking out the side.  Less likely to have the slippage.  Have you seen the type of hammer that I am refering to?

[Don Stenseth]

No, I have not seen them. As far as makeing the one shot count, A single shell in a bolt action or an automatic would accomplish the same thing.

[HD]

Yep, I got a few like that.

Please don't take it the wrong way, I'm not ripping on you dakids.
If it fits your daughter, and works well for her, then that is great!

From my experience with them, kids have a harder time with them.
I spend a lot of time with kids teaching them how to shoot. And more then once, I've had a parent bring their kid with a hammer action gun, and have it go off accidently.
Their hands just aren't as big as an adult and they have a hard time reaching for the bar or hammer.

That's why I'm throwing that out there.
If your kid is comfortable with it, then I say go for it. But, I would make sure that they can handle it before you purchase one.

Hunter

[dakids]

Thanks guys.  I grew up using a 410/22 over under with a hammer.  Me and my brothers never had a problem with it so I never thought that they could be more dangerous. 

Please don't take it the wrong way, I'm not ripping on you dakids.
If it fits your daughter, and works well for her, then that is great!

I didn't take it the wrong way and I appriciate your input a lot.  Hunter are you an instructor for gun safety?

Don, I never thought about only putting one shell in the gun. Thanks 

[HD]

Yes, I is

[Faceman]

My son hunted with a lever action 30-30 the first year and the hammer was a big concern of mine. It does have the extra safety on it but it still concerned me. I have hunted for many years with open hammers and never had a problem yet but they can be very dangerous with inexperienced gun handlers. My son now has an auto 30-06 and I taught him one shot at a time, no rapid fire or he is done.

Back to the original question, I would recommend the .270 as well. It is all the gun that a deer hunter needs and the recoil on most of them is pretty light.

[deadeye]

dakids,
I too grew up using a 22/410 over under.  I think it is a stevens with the plastic stock.  
This gun has a little protection if you should slip off the hammer when pulling it back.  If the trigger isn't being pulled, the hammer will stop short of hitting the firing pin.  It would only go all the way if the trigger was pulled.   I do remember one issue it had. There was a button on the side to select the upper (22) barrel or lower (410) barrel.  Often when I opened the gun the button would move to the lower positon.  If you had a 410 shell in and expected to shoot a 22, you kinda got the crap scared out of you.
 

[RavenDog]

I would look at the Tikka. I bought a 7mm mag last summer and love it, it shot 1 inch groups out of box at 100 yds.  Not the cheapest gun, but well worth the money.  I think they are around 600-650.  Just an opinion!

[Grute Man]

I think the 270 bolt is a great rifle too but I wonder if the recoil is a bit too much for a youngster.  I got Hockey #12 a .243 when he was 12 and he loves it.  We need to get him the adult stock now; time flies. 

I was going to get him a lever action because I like the look.  Well one coversation about not only the hammer but also accidentally hitting the trigger upon closing the lever was all it took to talk me out of getting a lever action for a kid.

[HD]

The recoil on a Remington bolt .270 isn't bad at all, I bought one for my daughter when she was 12 and she loves it. So that's why I went with the same gun for my son.




Hunter

[Cody Gruchow]

i agree well i have a 270 and i aint the biggest fan of it either, would rather use my woodmaster 30-06. .243 i think is the perfect gun for young hunters or beginning hunters. now this is my opinion and i know several people are going to have many different ones also, its all about what the shooter is comfortable with.

[Faceman]

its all about what the shooter is comfortable with.

Cody nailed it right on. Whatever the shooter is comfortable with. I have seen youngsters who could only handle .243 and others that can handle whatever you hand them. My son is now 13 and I gave hime my old 30-06 auto and he just loves shooting the thing. I had to stop him and told him if he keeps shooting that much he would have to buy the ammo. I cant afford the amount he wants to shoot.

[HD]

its all about what the shooter is comfortable with.

Cody nailed it right on. Whatever the shooter is comfortable with. I have seen youngsters who could only handle .243 and others that can handle whatever you hand them. My son is now 13 and I gave hime my old 30-06 auto and he just loves shooting the thing. I had to stop him and told him if he keeps shooting that much he would have to buy the ammo. I cant afford the amount he wants to shoot.

I would agree, the gun needs to fit the person using it. Everybody is different.
When purchasing a new gun, ask if they have upgradable stocks.
Kids are still growing and it would be nice to get a firearm that can grow with the kid.
Or you can purchase stock extentions at a lower cost.
If they are comfortable, they are more likely to stick with it.
They start get bruised shoulders, they are more likley to stop. Or, start flinching, and that's a habit that's hard to break. And not very safe.

Hunter

[deadeye]

Don, both my boys started deer hunting with a .243 bolt.  My father in law cut down the stock so it would fit them.  I still have the piece that was cut off (about 2 inches) and could always attach it if required.  They have both gone to bigger guns but I never replaced the stock because I lend this shortend .243 to young kids who are just starting deer hunting.
 

[dakids]

dakids,
I too grew up using a 22/410 over under.  I think it is a stevens with the plastic stock.  
This gun has a little protection if you should slip off the hammer when pulling it back.  If the trigger isn't being pulled, the hammer will stop short of hitting the firing pin.  It would only go all the way if the trigger was pulled.   I do remember one issue it had. There was a button on the side to select the upper (22) barrel or lower (410) barrel.  Often when I opened the gun the button would move to the lower positon.  If you had a 410 shell in and expected to shoot a 22, you kinda got the crap scared out of you.
 

deadeye  you are right .  It is a stevens.  Dad bought it for mom to go squirrel hunting almost 50 years ago.  His has a walnut stock on it.  I shot my first squirrel, rabbit, phesant, duck, and pigion with it.  I think the only first that I didn't shoot was deer.  I love that gun.

[deadeye]

I shot all thoes plus a lot of black birds, many many gophers, some grouse and a lots of cans.  I planned to use it for deer but couldn't hit a Sears catalog at 50 feet with 410 slugs so gave that up. 

[Grute Man]

Don, both my boys started deer hunting with a .243 bolt.  My father in law cut down the stock so it would fit them.  I still have the piece that was cut off (about 2 inches) and could always attach it if required.  They have both gone to bigger guns but I never replaced the stock because I lend this shortend .243 to young kids who are just starting deer hunting.
 

Is it by chance a Savage?  I don't think it would fit if it were a different brand.  I'll tell him about it and see what he wants to do.  I know he could have used a larger stock this year so next year he'll need to make a change for sure.

[deadeye]

It's a remington.   I only have the one stock, the one that is cut down.  I just never replaced the piece that was cut off. 

[guythathunts]

243, 270, 30 06, are all good options, but I started with a shoot gun. I know a lot of guys that have. It was simply because that is what we had available. If you have something that you can use/borrow I would go that route vs the 243 or a youth gun. Buying a gun is a big investment and It would be a shame to have to buy 2 guns in the next 2-3 yeas because te one doesn't fit anymore. Also to keep in mind is the cost of useing the gun. Shells for a 30 06 are the cheapest I know of followed by the 270 then the 243. In my opinion, if you are going to buy a gun now and your kid can handle a 270 or 30 06, go that way. If not have them use the 20 gauge untill they can.