Youth Deer Rifle

[jimmyj]

I am not a hunter but my 12 year old niece is wanting a Remington Bolt action .243 rifle with a scope. Model unknown but has a detectable four round magazine.

I am concerned about the recoil of a .243

Opinions ?

Thanks,
Jimmy

[NYlakesider]

Originally Posted by jimmyj

I am not a hunter but my 12 year old niece is wanting a Remington Bolt action .243 rifle with a scope. Model unknown but has a detectable four round magazine.

I am concerned about the recoil of a .243

Opinions ?

Thanks,
Jimmy

.243 especially with a mounted scope for more weight should not be too bad for a smaller stature shooter. My kids started out with a 94 Winchester 30.30 carbine and a Remington 700 BDL .25.06, they both have more kick than a .243. They were fine!

[Rpg]

Depends on the 12 year old’s physical stature primarily and her experience with firearms to a lesser extent.

If she’s 90-100 pounds and of proportionate height, she may do fine: the concern is being long enough to manage the stock. If she’s too small, she’ll have trouble mounting and shooting the rifle without getting beaten up.

If the stock fits, she’ll have little problem with a 243, although she’d do best if she’s had some shooting experience with a 22 rifle.

A shorter than standard (standard length of pull tends to be around 14”) length of pull can be easily achieved by having a gunsmith saw off a requisite sized chunk of stock.

Be sure she doesn’t get too close to the scope (a danger with oversized stocks). She won’t enjoy shooting if she gets cut by the scope.

[Muley Gil]

A couple of months ago, Wal-Mart ran a special on the Remington M770, a bolt action with a 4 round detachable mag. It even had a scope mounted on it. I believe the price was $259.

A .243 Winchester is loud, as are most high powered rifles. Make sure she wears ear protection. There is very little recoil.

[ISCS Yoda]

I presume that "detectable" means "detachable". Offhand, if you're talking new models, I am not sure which have detachable magazines. It has always been my preference but the rifles that have drop open floor plates are excellent as well. I think that Remington discontinued the rifles (ADL models) with internal magazines that do not open.

The .243 doesn't have a whole lot of recoil. If your niece is a tiny little girl the recoil might be annoying but if she is more solidly built I think she will be fine. If the rifle is scoped, and especially if it is wood so it has weight, the recoil shouldn't bother her much.

Also, perceived recoil can be highly subjective. If the gun weighs enough, and if you get it fitted to her, and add a good recoil pad, that will help considerably.

[THE PILGRIM]

I like it!
That Rem 770 at Walmart or where ever sounds like a winner to me.
Get her good eye and ear protection and take her to the range!

[IAM Rand]

Everything I am seeing is that you might want to convince her to get the 6.5 Creedmoor. Lighter recoil and flat shooting. If she has her heart set on the 243 then just start out bench shooting with light load. She will grow into it.

[hkcavalier]

You can even step down to the 6.5 Grendel, though I'm not currently aware of a true "youth" rifle in production. Howa makes them but it's the regular stock.

[Pisgah]

Originally Posted by IAM Rand

Everything I am seeing is that you might want to convince her to get the 6.5 Creedmoor. Lighter recoil and flat shooting. If she has her heart set on the 243 then just start out bench shooting with light load. She will grow into it.

Everything you're seeing is wrong, if it says the 6.5 Creedmoor kicks less than a .243. I'd say they are roughly on a par with each other. Neither is too much for a sturdy 12-yr.-old girl who has some experience with shooting -- although both may be too much for some full-grown men...

[steelslaver]

To me the 243 is the lowest power deer killer I would use. Great light weight caliber. As stated stock fit is important. With a low cost rifle you could have the stock cut down a bit and a recoil pad added to make it fit her well and buy a spare stock for when she grows up.

[Davinman]

im not sure about the firearm caliber rules for deer hunting in florida, but hearing of the small stature of deer in fla. id say a 223 with stoutly constructed bullets might be a good choice for a 12 year old. minimal kick and less muzzle blast too.

[BAM-BAM]

CZ makes a nice "youth carbine" in 7.62X39 ( ??? AK round) ....... a model 527 with scaled down mauser action and stock..... only offered in "the Russian" and .223 calibers.

edit: IIRC a 5 round detachable mag

[tops]

I'm not a fan of the .243 for a deer rifle. Imho a 30-30 is a better killer and the recoil is about the same but those lever guns will kick your eye teeth out.
I have a M788 Rem. in .308 and I reloaded down to 2000 fps with a Hornady 170 gr. flat point. My grandson shot 10 times and killed 9 deer. (He missed the second one he shot at) When he got bigger he started shooting regular .308 loads and I didn't have to buy a different rifle.
It's possible now to buy reduced .308 loads that are comparably to a 30-30. Larry

[murphydog]

Jimmy, if your niece can find someone who has the same or a similar gun to try out beforehand that may make her decision easier. Recoil tolerance and stock fit are highly individual and she may get along better with a different gun or cartridge, or both.

[ArchAngelCD]

A .243 will be just fine. I disagree with a .223 because with that round you must place the bullet precisely with no room for error. That is not a good situation to put a new young hunter in.

Take her out to practice so she has confidence in her ability to shoot her new rifle well. Put up a deer target and have her hit the vitals.

It looks like this rifle is what you described.
Remington 783 W/SCP 243 22 MOBU

[THREEDFLYER]

Keep an eye out for a Remington Model Seven in .243......or 257 Roberts which is what I have. It's size makes it great for youth, women or just as a wonderful lightweight compact hunting rifle for a grown man.
I love mine and it's actually had a Shilen barrel installed and is chambered in .257 Ackley Improved.

[SMSgt]

I've seen 243s drop deer like lightning struck them. Recoil is negligible. It would be my choice for a youth aiming to get into big game hunting. Very versatile cartridge.

[badge]

The .243 is a fine, low recoil Deer rifle. Stick with the 100 grain projectiles and preferable a Premium type round as one must be precise with the weapon.

[steelslaver]

Jimmy, if you reload, get a set of 243 dies and start her out with some light loads. I might even have a set of dies and don't know anyone who has a 243 anymore. For a project like this you can have them free if I still have them.

I picked up a 6mm Remington Mohawk 600 for wife and step daughters. Short and fairly light. Actually a 700 short action. They made them in 243 too, but they have a bit of a following and usually around $600 and up. 6mm is basically the same ballisticly as a 243. Went with a 6mm because I already had one but, its a heavy bull barreled gun.

[cowboy4evr]

People talk about a 243 being too light for deer , or just the minimum . My ex BIL used his 243 several yrs Elk hunting in N Az . He always got his elk and never had a track job . He got kidded so much by the other hunters in his group about using such a light caliber that the last yr he went he acquired a 30-06 . It didn't kill any quicker he said . I don't own a 243 so I really have no personal opinion here .

[steelslaver]

Originally Posted by cowboy4evr

People talk about a 243 being too light for deer , or just the minimum . My ex BIL used his 243 several yrs Elk hunting in N Az . He always got his elk and never had a track job . He got kidded so much by the other hunters in his group about using such a light caliber that the last yr he went he acquired a 30-06 . It didn't kill any quicker he said . I don't own a 243 so I really have no personal opinion here.

IMHO, here is the thing about rounds using .243 and even .257 or worse .224. Although they can kill, they are also more apt to be deflected or blow up on striking bone. When younger I shot an antelope with a 222 Remington and had the bullet deflected by a rib bone. No its not a 223, but very close and antelope are not very big at all. . Not a 22-250 either, but more velocity isn't going to help kept that bullet in tact. While 243 and 257 are bigger and heavier they are still more apt to be effected by hitting bone than heavier bullets. This can be mitigated some by using the heaviest well constructed bullets for these rounds. Even though they are accurate rounds, range becomes more limited by energy. While deer are not that heavily constructed a shoulder hit might not be instantly fatal and instant fatality is what your after. This is all tripled on elk.

This doesn't mean I think you shouldn't use them. But, know you and the guns limitations. A great shot with a 243 (witness cowboy4ever's BIL) is way better than a gut shot with a 338WM by someone who isn't a good shot or is afraid of their gun. Probably more of these type hunters decent marksmen with marginal calibers. Once again, power is fine, accuracy is final.

I saw my brother shoot a spike elk with a Mini 14. Dropped in its tracks with a head shot at 23 paces. LOL a 22lr would have worked.

[Gulfecho]

When I was a kid, I saw my dad drop a 4 point Mule deer running at a pretty good clip with a .17 caliber Remington. Caught it right behind the ear. It was dead before it hit the ground. No kick.

[Drm50]

243 should be ideal for a beginner. Recoil will be no problem.
The fit of the rifle will be more critical and the child's ability
to hold it up. I'm not familiar with what's on market now as
far as youth rifles. Some of them that I have seen the pull length
was ok but they tend to be piggy in pistol grip area for a child's
hands. With a wood stock it can be thinned but synthetic you
are stuck with. 243 100gr is best choice for youth deer load.

[gwpercle]

Listen to your niece, she's on the right track.
243 is perfect, low recoil and large enough for deer. Ammo is readily available . Low recoil ammo is also available from Hornady.

True deer can be taken with lesser calibers, my grandfather hunted and killed hogs with 22 LR...but that's NOT advisable ...go with the 243.
Gary

[mrchuck]

Check out the WALMART. Our store has several "youth" model rifles that are exactly made for first time shooters.

[alrewe]

I have a Remington model 783 in .243 with the 20" barrel. It comes with a recoil pad. Also available with a scope. With Fusion 95gr bullets it makes a great deer rifle

[rwsmith]

She's a growing girl. Start out easy and a .234 would be tons better than my 30-06, which is why I reload 'reduced' loads in them with a 110 gr bullet from 1700 to 2600.

[dave1918a2]

Having hunted elk and deer in CO since 1961 I see no problem with a .243 as long as the right bullet is used. However, back then there were silver tips, soft nose and Noslers if You reloaded. 100 gr silver tips put many an elk on the dinner table as did the 250 Savage (Kremmlings favorite gun then). Just make sure to fit the gun to Her properly and keep any wood cut off so it can be put back later. With the bullets available OTC today You will not have a problem finding a 95 - 100 load that will be good. Wish I had Grand Kids I could do that for, I envy You and wish You good luck.

[Nevada Ed]

You should be good to go with the 243 for deer hunting with a good recoil pad.
Added weight can be added via mercury units if needed but a
standard rifle with a scope is usually enough weight to make recoil bearable.
The .22 cal. is the only smaller cal. like my 22-250 that will take deer with
a 60gr partition Nosler but it is not for a "Green Horn".

Select a premium bullet and weight to do the job and go shooting!!

[federali]

All my .243 kills on eastern whitetails were quick, clean and easy. On one occasion, the 100 grain bullet drilled through the neck of a doe ( I had an anterless deer permit) and hit a second doe, killing both. The second doe traveled about 30 yards while the first dropped in its tracks.

The .243 is easy on the shoulder and can be shot more accurately than traditional calibers in the .30-30 to .30-06 range. It's an ideal round for anyone capable of precision fire.

[Bill Lear]

Originally Posted by jimmyj

I am not a hunter but my 12 year old niece is wanting a Remington Bolt action .243 rifle with a scope. Model unknown but has a detectable four round magazine.

I am concerned about the recoil of a .243

Opinions ?

Thanks,
Jimmy

Mossberg Patriot .243 with stock cut to match her stature. The .243 isn't a hard-kicking rifle, but another way to approach it is to add a clamp-on muzzle brake such as the one by Witt ($90) which can easily reduce felt recoil to the shooter by as much as 60%...which for most would feel like shooting a .22LR!

I have a Witt clamp-on mounted on my .338 Winchester and it's like shooting a .223 - from an AR!