On the .243 Rossi has either a regular or Heavy barrel. They are the same price so would it be better to get the heavy barrel for recoil or would that even matter? It also has a 1-10" twist and the regular barrel has a 1-12" Twist.

The heavier barrel will reduce some of the recoil and the 1:10" twist will handle the heavier rounds. My Remmy has a 9 1/8" twist.

mine is light barrel i would think bull barrel would cut down recoil, but might make rifle hard for 8 year old to handle u know boys size and strenth better than we if he can handle bull barrel i would get it

Just my opinion but a 223 is a varmint gun. I think Texas should have a minimum caliber not just any centerfire.

Thanks everyone!

I had a similar experience with my son...the first time he shot a .410, the recoil left a lasting impression...that darn .410 single shot kicked like a mule...same with the 20 gauge when he moved up to it. He was nervous as heck about shooting the .243 we used for deer last year. But when he finally shouldered and shot it, he couldn't have been happier. A recoil pad will help, but I think he'll be fine with the .243.

Oh good and yea your not joking about the single shot 20ga it kicks hard! Thanks for the info

I learned how to shoot on a .243 and now that my nephew is getting older we have that gun waiting for him after he shoots a .22 a little bit. I also bought myself a new .243 to shoot when I don't feel like shooting my 30-06. Myself and my older brother both shot our first deer with the same .243 that my nephew will learn how to shoot with.

A .243 is definetly a better deer caliber.

X2

Shot plenty of deer w/ .223 but were neck shots. Would personally go w/ .243

My son shoots a 243 he is fixing to turn 10. I started him off on a BB gun, then single shot 22,410,20 ga., 223 now he is using a 243. I use 95gr, Nosler BT and the 100gr. Hornady, He has taked 3 deer and several hogs. He shoots about 100 rounds before hunting season. The main this is SAFETY AND PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE.

My daughter took her first two deer with a .243 NEF Handi Rifle.

Put a Simms recoil pad on it they are great.

.243 and if it kicks too much add a Limb Saver recoil pad on the gun butt

Good Luck!

I would go with .243... I shoot a 6mm in a ruger
M-77 drops em everytime... I would
Worry about shot placement with
.223.... Personally I think .223 is
Too small for deer that's just me

I did check with them and they do not have a minimum caliber but i am going with the .243 and putting a recoil pad just to add a little more comfort for him. I want him to enjoy shooting and hunting! I did like the comment about having a .243 for yourself just if you dont fill like shooting the bigger calibers and you might have just put the idea in my mind to get me one too! But i will be getting the .243 and i know he will have a blast! Thanks everyone

When that first deer is in the sights, he wouldn't be able to tell the difference between his .22 and a .45-70.

No..at go time he wldnt be able to tell the difference... but at the range, when its important to be gaining confidence he sure will feel it...the added recoil is coming from the tiny lil single shot frame of that gun. Id be willing to bet that for about the same cost as the $125 barrel u could likely find a used bolt action in .243 or something close....a bolt action w a little more weight to it would absorb a lot of punch and allow him to shoot more comfortably...thus improving the end result. If u stay w the rossi..at least get the heavy barrel. May help a bit.

To not get him discouraged get him a 223 or 243 with a bull barrell it will reduce the kick a whole lot. I have shot Texas deer with the winchester silver ballistic tips in 243 and 223 both work great.

Ballistic tips are not a bullet for deer, glad it worked for you but this is bad advice especially in the small calibers you are recommending a varmint bullet for deer

they may not be choice for behind the shoulder shots or a begginer who is not confident in shot placement but i've downed a lot of deer with what he calls balistic tips but all but 1 or two of these have been head or neck shots and have yet to have a bad experience i shoot a .243 and am very confident in my shot placement i mainly shoot hornady but have used the silver tips also

Good for you but fact is the bullets suck for deer and especially for a kid. If you hit right in the head it doesnt matter what you shoot

I have been trying to figure your point, is it that you are anawesome shot or it doesn't matter what you shoot em in da head with