Looking to get my youngest a 243. Not against a single shot as I have a few. Shoot great. Just looking for a good bolt action that one day will be passed down. Any recommendations from yall. I look forward to hearing y'all's recommendations. I think I know what I want but would like to hear y'all's options. Bug the way my son is 11 and smaller framed but shoots like a champ.

what kind of budget are you looking at?

700 or so.

Weatherby Vanguard synthetic - Lists for 649.00 but Buds Gun Shop has it at for under 500.00.

Better designed and better built than a Remington model 700. Chuck Hawks calls it the best buy available today. There is also a carbine model at the same price.

Weatherby Vanguard Synthetic

At Bud's.

I have a Browning A-Bolt and absolutely love it. They come from the factory with an awesome trigger and shoot straight.

I'll more than likely have a Howa 1500 youth model .223 with base and rings in my possession Saturday December 12th if you are interested.

Ruger builds nice guns. When you talk about passing down in my head I'm thinking Walnut stocked with a decent blue job. The Hawkeye 77 is under $700.


https://grabagun.com/ruger-m77-hawkeye-243win-bl-wd-22.html

Buy a 700 bdl or cdl

New M70 featherweight. I bought one 2 years ago and love it. It's smooth accurate and beautiful, with a great trigger. If you want a gun to be passed down don't go synthetic.

It sounds as if you might be looking for a gun with a shorter length of pull that would be a better fit for a youngster. If so, Browning offers a "Micro" version of their A-bolt that comes with a nice wood stock and the Browning reputation, making it a nice heirloom gun. The new Mossberg Patriot is also available as a "Bantam" model with a shorter stock and length of pull for youngsters, or even adults looking for a gun with a compact feel. These Super Bantam rifle includes a synthetic stock with multiple extensions that allow you to lengthen the stock as the child grows. That opens another option, to purchase a full size gun in which youth stocks are easily available. That way, the youngster can use the gun with a youth stock first, then replace the original full size stock later.

Keep in mind too that reduced recoil ammo is readily available from multiple manufacturers. For example, Remington's .270 reduced recoil ammo produces less recoil than standard .243 ammo. Going this route, you could purchase a full size rifle in a larger caliber and use the youth stock and RR ammo when they are young, and still have a more adult-size gun for later use.

I vote for the Mossberg patriot in .270 .or .308 which I believe comes with a vortex scope. I know they are bigger calibers than what your looking for but thinking for the future that's what I would go with. Use the extra money on a limbsaver recoil pad and a muzzle brake.

Why not an ar-15? He can use it for a lifetime.

2nd the Weatherby. Or X2 to weatherby. Whatever.

I have been putting down game with my S1 Vanguard since 2007. Nifty lil 22-250. Shoots an Inch or better at 100yd. Now I have the adult stock on it and that is sweet; it's a 20" barrel so easy to handle in trucks and blinds and stuff.

Youth model Weatherby.
Or Remington 700, if you must go Remington.

X-Bolt Micro
Ruger American short stock

Both VERY accurate, light and have great triggers

I recommend the Browning X Bolt in 243. Very nice gun