The eternal dad question - deer rifle for son

jtcarm

jtcarm

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My 12 year old has finally started expressing sincere interest in deer hunting this fall.

I've killed tons of deer and own plenty of rifles, non suitable for a 12 year old. And I haven't bought a factory-new high-power rifle in 30 years.

Obviously I don't want to spend a ton of money, he may not like it. I'm not sure I want the quintessential .243 youth gun.

I have looked at the Savage Axis youth 7mm-08. Does anyone have any experience with it, or a similar rifle to suggest? I think I'd prefer the 7-08 in the event he wants to hunt something bigger. And I believe I read Savage gives a rebate for an adult drop-in stock. Anyhow, I'm open to suggestions.

I haven't been in a long time. Frankly, it has become too much work and no fun. I cringe every time I see a pickup pulling a trailer loaded with an ATV, a deer stand bigger than an NYC apartment,a feeder, and a load of corn. But I have no objection to setting up an easy shot for a beginner.

I wish to heck Texas would ban all that BS, but I know it ain't gonna happen.

Muchas gracias!
 
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How far are you shooting, over what terrain and how big are the deer? Personally....I would either get a Krag sporter that is carbine sized...or else take a look at a Mini 30 if funds allowed.
 
7mm-08 is a great choice. I started all my kids with a Remington model 7 in that caliber and both boys took their first elk with it. Over the years there were dozens of kids in my hunter safety classes who started their kids on the same caliber and not one of them ever said their son or daughter did not like shooting it but I did get lots of pictures of former students with their first deer and elk.
 
Ok perhaps I should clarify: I know little about current factory bolt action sporters. The most modern one in my safe is a Ruger M77 I bought new in 1984.

The last time I was much interested in them the choices were pretty much Winchester M70, Remington 700, Ruger M77, and Browning A bolt.

I'm looking for an inexpensive (but not cheaply built) youth bolt action.

Our deer are not huge but I still don't regard the .223 as a deer cartridge and don't want to start him out with a semi-auto.
 
Several years ago, a good friend was taking his young daughter on her first deer hunt, so I loaned him my Winchester M70 Featherweight in .257 Roberts, and he said it was the perfect deer rifle......plenty powerful enough, but lightweight and easy to handle, with minimal recoil. She used my 100 gr. handloads and got her deer.
 
The Ruger American offers either the youth-sized option, or the ability to swap stock inserts for the smaller version. It is woods-friendly with its poly construction, and very reasonably priced.

There are a few different calibers available, and may be worth a look.
 
I bought my son a Remington 788 carbine in .308.
Put a low power Bushnell scope on it. I had a lot of .308 brass
and 150 grain PSP bullets already so that made my decision
easier.

Other guys picked up lever rifles. One got a .35 Remington and
loaded up rounds with .357 pistol bullets for practice and fun
shooting.
 
There are factory reduced recoil loads for .308 and 30-06 and then when the kids gets bigger just buy regular loads. I have a M788 Rem. in .308 and for grandson I loaded 170 gr. flat point to 2000 fps and he shot 10 times and killed 9 deer. He is now grown and shoots regular loads. Larry
 
+1 to the 7mm-08 my dad bought me a custom model 7 in 7-08 when I turned 12 and it is still my deer rifle today
 
Has your son shot any of those rifles before? Since deer hunting is only ever a one or two shot deal he may be fine with some of them depending on his size and comfort level
 
I too am no lover of the .243. It's pretty much the weakest legal rifle cartridge here in WA.

For a new production rifle I don't see how you'd go wrong with a 7mm-08 or .260 Remington (basically a 6.5mm-08). To old school purists who like pre-64 Model 70s, sporter 1903s, Weatherby Mark Vs, etc...the new crop of inexpensive hunting rifles with all their stampings, MIM parts, two-piece bolts, and plastic stocks will all seem "cheap". But if they work and shoot straight...what's the issue? I can't think of one that's bad...some are better than others. The Rugers and Savage rifles seem to consistently be the best. I hunt with a newer stainless Tikka, for what it's worth.

There are those inexpensive Czech-made Mausers in 7.62x39. Maybe something to "check" out...har har EDIT: I see these are actually Serbian (Zastava)...so much for the joke.

You can hunt around for older rifles but they might not be quite as "plug and play" as the new ones. A Savage 99 in .300 Savage or .250-3000 would be really neat but a bit tougher to scope and, of course, find good ammo for. Old rifles in "obsolete" calibers like .257 Roberts, 6.5x55mm Swede, or 7mm Mauser would be great but youth-sized models might be tough to find.
 
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My 17 yr. old son developed an interest in hunting last year. We also struggled with the appropriate caliber rifle question. He was able to fire a .243 rifle, and liked the fact that there was negligible recoil. We found a Remington 783 in .308 Winchester at a local Dick's Sporting Goods at a really good price, and I scoped it with a Cabela's brand 3x9 scope I had in the safe. He took two does last year (within 30 minutes) with 150 gr. softpoints. One dropped dead where she was shot, the other ran about 15 yards before dropping.

My son liked the Remington so much that we gave it to him for his birthday this year. I replaced it with a Savage 99C in .308 Winchester - yeah, I'm a .308 fan.

By the way, we joined the Texas Youth Hunting Program (TYHP) and this is an outstanding organization for beginning hunters and their parents. Please feel free to PM me if you would like to discuss this with me off-line.

Best of luck,

Dave
 
jtcarm said:
Obviously I don't want to spend a ton of money, he may not like it.





I haven't been in a long time. Frankly, it has become too much work and no fun. I cringe every time I see a pickup pulling a trailer loaded with an ATV, a deer stand bigger than an NYC apartment,a feeder, and a load of corn. But I have no objection to setting up an easy shot for a beginner.
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Never seen a kid who didn't like "his" first rifle. If you want him to become seriously interested in hunting,I'd suggest that you change your attitude. If you aren't enthusiastic about it,how can you expect him to be? "Too much work and no fun?" You "cringe" when you see another hunter heading out? Maybe you ought to buy him an X-box instead. :rolleyes:
f.t.
 
I would recommend having a look at the Ruger Gunsight Scout Rifle in .308. Excellent all around rifle and .308 is one of the very best all around calibers there is.

Bob
 
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Ruger American in either .308 or .30-'06 and use "Reduced Recoil" ammo for the first few years. The reduced recoil ammo in .30-'06 has the recoil of a .243 and is good out to 200 yards. Teach your son the importance of bullet placement and you will be good to go.
 
I'm in the same boat as you, but with a slightly younger son. I think I've settled on a Ruger American, not just because of the price and great reviews, but because they also have a left handed action. Honestly, another way to go would be an AR. I hate the thought of shooting .22 cal at deer, but people swear by it. I worked up a load with 65 grain Sierra game kings and H322 powder. Very accurate and hit unbelievably hard down range. With an AR, you can get a 10 round mag, and with the stock in it's shortest position the smallest child can shoot it easily reaching the trigger, and there's no recoil. lastly, one benefit of the AR is, you can get some real nice ones for under $600 and you'll have no problem selling it if things go work out. Not as easily done as with bolt guns. Whatever you choose, the trick is to get a rifle that fits them properly so they're confident. If they're not confident, they wont really want to go out.
 
MJFlores said:
I'm in the same boat as you, but with a slightly younger son. I think I've settled on a Ruger American, not just because of the price and great reviews, but because they also have a left handed action. Honestly, another way to go would be an AR. I hate the thought of shooting .22 cal at deer, but people swear by it. I worked up a load with 65 grain Sierra game kings and H322 powder. Very accurate and hit unbelievably hard down range. With an AR, you can get a 10 round mag, and with the stock in it's shortest position the smallest child can shoot it easily reaching the trigger, and there's no recoil. lastly, one benefit of the AR is, you can get some real nice ones for under $600 and you'll have no problem selling it if things go work out. Not as easily done as with bolt guns. Whatever you choose, the trick is to get a rifle that fits them properly so they're confident. If they're not confident, they wont really want to go out.
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The ruger american seems to be getting outstanding reviews........

another Ruger product if you're/he will be shooting at less than 100 to 150 yds are the Ruger 77/357 or 77/44 ........ .357 and .44 magnum. I have a 77/357 as my "utility" rifle at the cabin ....... light & handy... for a 12 year old.....
 
I also like the Ruger American, but Remington and Winchester offer price-point rifles. The Winchester is so new I haven't handled one, but I'd say any of these would be great guns, just a matter of preference. I'm a fan of the 25-06, but I don't think you'd find that in one of these rifles. 7mm-08 would be my second choice.
 
Savage Axis 308- most accurate box stock rifle, trigger is good, You can find 308 win at the grocery store, at the little backwoods store, LGS, etc, depending on where you live 7mm-08 will have limited availability ( cabelas - 56 -308, 2-7mm-08). Has your son shot the rifles you list? Caliber? Simply the 308 has greater options for bullets and factory loads. Take him out, put a recoil pad on him and have him shoot, 308 is less expensive and more readily available than 7mm-08, and is more effective. I have never understood why any one would want to hamper a new shooter/hunter with a less effective caliber such as 243, 7mm-08 instead of a 308. It would be like giving someone a snub 38 for first gun. Be Safe,
 
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