My son has taken an interest in deer hunting and wants a deer rifle for his birthday. His older brother got a youth model shotgun on his 7th birthday and it was a bit to much for him, and I don't want that to happen to my youngest son. He is turning 7 about average size for a 7 year old (kinda tall and thin) but he is strong and wirey is a 243 to much gun? I want a gun he will enjoy shooting and can keep for a long time. I'm leaning towards a 223, but not sure. Any opinions and 2 cents welcome. Thanks

243 would be a great choice. They dont kick anymore than a 223 and have better knockdown power.

Shouldn't have too much trouble with .243 the .223 won't last him but one deer season, I know been down that road started with .223 then .243 and now 7/08 and daughter said she can tell the difference in the .243 and 7/08 only 1lb more felt recoil. And she hardly noticed the jump from .223 to .243.

.243 bought my daughter one and she loves it, she is only ten and pretty small but she can shoot it just fine, all it takes is one shot!!

Know anyone with the calibers who would meet up at the range to let the kid try them out?

I got my son a .223 this year. I am a little curious what kind of shot he will need to make to knock down a doe this year. I am also trying to figure out what grain bullet to have him use for about a 100yd shot? I picked it up for 150 with a decent scope. I guess if he out grows it it can always be used for smaller animals rabbits, turkeys, and hogs :-)

.223 I recommend the 60gr nosler partition

I have a .223 myself and love it. I've killed a nice 8pt at about 225yrds with it and it dropped it in its tracks. I don't have much experience with the .243. My first rifle, other than a .22, was a 30-30 though. It may have been a lil much for me at the time but I shot the fire out of it. I've killed more animals with it that any of my other rifles.

Don't overlook the 22/250 Remington

If you're ever on I10 halfway between San Antonio and Houston you can use my range. I have a 223, 22-250 and 243 your kid can shoot.

My son is now 10 he has been shooting his 243 for 2 years now with this being his 3rd year, He really loves his 243, which will last him for years to come. IMO the 243 gets my vote.

Thanks for all the comments. The 243 seems like the better choice after reading all of the comments. JBD I wish I knew someone with each caliber, I would love to have my son shoot each and see which one better suited him. Payne thanks for the offer, but your a long way away, and I don't see a trip your direction anytime in the future. Elkman did your son start shooting the 243 at age 7, and how big was your son then? My son probably tops the scale around 60lbs? I have little experience with a 243 and none with a 223, but if I was to go with the 243 and it was to much recoil, are the managed recoil cartridges worth looking at? Do they impact the recoil that much?
Thanks

Brit, where are you located. Chances are someone on this forum is close. There are some good guys on here, I am sure someone could help.

Located in Abilene. Hunt in Brownwood, in fact will most likely be there all weekend.

My 12 year old daughter will be using my AR for her first deer hunting trip. With either 75 gr BTHP's or 70 gr Barnes TSX rounds. If she decides she likes deer hunting then I will be investing in a .243 for her. Personally, I've never shot a .243 so I can't compare it to .223/556. I'm trusting the advice from the good folks on this forum that say there's not much difference in the recoil of the two.

I have a 30-30 I hunt with. And I don't feel she's up to handling the recoil of it. So that's why she'll use the AR for her first trip. I couldn't see dropping the money on a .243 and find out she doesn't like to hunt.

The type of rifle chosen will also determine the felt recoil; the NEF and Rossi single shots will certainly have more recoil, and muzzle blast than most any bolt gun.
At almost 2x in bullet weight, and 2x in powder, there can be a very noticeable difference in shooting a 223 vs a 243. And the rifle also has to fit the shooter. Recoil against an arm muscle vs the shoulder could turn off a youngster real quick.

243

Two best posts in this thread


Chupa

243

I was able to find a 223 federal fusion 62gr at gander mountain. Would this be comparable to the 60gr nosler partition? I can't seem to find the 60gr Nosler Patrition anywhere.

Mine too. I have several rifles in .223. Only one in .243, they really don't compare as a deer rifle IMO. I would definitely choose the .243.

Greetings,
This recommendation is for a small, younger kid, not you growed up kids!
If you are going with a shorter, lighter rifle, go .223.
A heavier, longer barreled rifle, go with a .243.

Between me, my brother and my Dad, we have:
243 Winchester carbine bolt gun
243 Remington 700 bdl bolt gun
223 Remington 722 (punched to .223) bolt gun
Featherweight Carbon 15 AR-15 in 5.56 with nice loud Smiths steel compensator.

Shooting normal off the shelf soft nosed shells:
The 243 carbine kicks like a mule.
The 243 bdl and 223 adl kick about the same.
AR with compensator kicks like my 10-22 (it is loud as hell, tho).

Gun weight for a kid means a lot.
If it's too light and kicks like hell, they won't enjoy shooting it.
If it's too heavy and they can't carry it, they won't want to shoot it and will have trouble holding steady without a rest.

Our old Remington .223 has been killing deer, pigs and coyotes for over 60 years and and size doesn't matter (within reason) unless you go after huge game.
If you think you have outgrown a .223, you changed your target to bigger game or just want a new gun, not that there is anything wrong with that....
Haven't seem many elephants in Texas except in zoos and they get kinda testy if you carry your rifle into the zoo...(just kidding)...

The Rossi break over single shot at academy is the rifle I am considering. They sale it in 243 or 223. Here are the Specifications:

Manufacturer Warranty (general):1 year limited
Rear Sight:Fiber optic
Type:Centerfire
Front Sight:Fiber optic
Metal Finish:Blue
Action:Break
Product Weight:6.25 lb.
Handedness:Right
Trigger Pull (lb.):5
Stock:Synthetic
Caliber:.243
Manufacturer Warranty - General:1 year limited
Barrel Length (in.):22
Style:Hunting
Product Length (in.):37.5

The weight is the same as the savage bolt action youth rifles available at bass pro. I had my son hold it at Academy and the fit was great.

I'm not trying to sell myself on this rifle, I just want something affordable that he will be comfortable shooting. I don't want him to be turned off by it. I appreciate all of the feedback, Does anyone have any experience with this gun at the price I figure someone has shot it?
Thanks

I have exactly one experience with a Rossi rifle, and it was in 243. A friend bought it for his girlfriend, and brought it out for scoping/sight-in.
Trigger was well above 5lbs, it grouped 3-4" with 80 and 100gr Remington, and it kicked more than expected.

Added: the shooting was done off my bench with rests and bags, and I may be optimistic in recalling 3-4" groups.

I had a neighbor buy a 243 Rossi. It was a piece of junk, he had me try to sight it in for him. I tried factory ammo, remington/winchester/ federal/hornady. It could not not group with any of them.


Academy sent it back to Rossi and they returned the rifle with no description of any work done or problems found. Tried again to zero the rifle same conclusion. I've heard nothing good about the Rossi rifles.

If it was me I would spend a little extra and go for a NEF/H&R single shot.