7mm-08 vs .243 For Youth Rifle

[harryones]

After reading the Axis thread I think I am going to pull the trigger on purchasing one for the boy. Which caliber in your opinion is more youth friendly. Will be mainly used on whitetails, and of course a lot of targets before heading afield with it.

[rottie]

I have used both and prefer the 7 08 over the .243. You will gers lots of different opinions but thats mine.
I like being able to start a new/young shooter with the lighter 7 08 loads then as they progress heavier bulets can be used,its just a bit more versatile

[Pixel Shooter]

I was just in the same boat, purchased an axis stainless steel in 7mm-08 ,whats not to like!

[Jamie Black R/T]

Hard to go wrong with the 7-08....you can alway move up to heavier stuff that way too if you want to go after bears, moose or elk...the 243 will kill em too...but the 7-08 is more versatile that way.

is he likely to do much varmint hunting? thats the only reason i might take the 243 over the 7-08.

[Mittens]

My girlfriend just bought one in the .243 - definitely a bargain and a haf

[southernman]

Split the difference get a 260.

[spentround]

IMHO get the young chap some good ear plugs/muffs for the range work...his perceived recoil will go way down and accuracy will go up no matter what you buy...

[gitrdun]

Personnaly never had good experience with the .243, but that's just me. The 7-08 on the other hand spells nothing but success for me. Great all around caliber.

[Twisted Canuck]

Can't go wrong with the 7-08, not much for recoil, 140 gr partition, TSX or such will do a wonderful job on coyote to moose. I love mine. If I was going to buy a rifle for my boy (which I may be) that is what I would buy, the .243 is a fine round, but I prefer the extra energy of the 7-08.

[Redneck Renagade]

If you are in to reloading make sure you check the availability on reloading stuff for the 7mm-08. The 243 stuff was a lot easier to find

[gitrdun]

Never had a problem getting 7mm bullets nor brass for the 7-08 myself. Both the 7-08 and .243's parent casing is the .308

[Thunder/FX]

My son started with the 7MM-08. Nice cartridge, as already said, no trouble with ammo or components. Real easy to reload for and is an awesome hunting caliber.
Thunder

[Dick284]

Both of my kids started on a 7mm-08 single shot, they both have 7mm-08 bolt actions of their own now...

[Pathfinder76]

My wife, who is 105 lbs with her boots on, loves the 7X57 and it's lack of recoil. It's just an old antiquated 7mm-08. :-)

[Lefty]

You can also get reduced recoil loads for the 7-08 that are great for starting kids on if you are not planning on reloading.

[SonnyJ]

nudder vote for the 7mm-08...wife had one in a Rem 700...sweet shooting rig it was..

[7mm08]

I will add another plug for the 7mm-08. I have shot one for years. Its my "go -to" 'round. Yes, I use other calibers, but when it comes right down to it...if I could only pick one big game cartridge (and I have taken deer, elk, and moose..and a couple black bears), the 7mm is my first pick. My wife shot a .243 for her first couple seasons, then we got her a rifle that fit her properly...and she chose the chambering...7mm-08. She shoots very well with it. Makes it easier now. I can load one less caliber than before.
Nothing wrong with the .243...I still have one in my gun closet. Its fun to shoot, something I dont hesitate to throw into the mix when introducing a new shooter to the world of centerfire rifles, and can hold its own in the hands of a well educated hunter to take big game.
Either way, I see this as a "no lose" situation
Good luck

[rwm1273]

I think the 7-08 is more versatile for game. The .243 easier on the arm, but only marginally.

I got my son a rifle chambered in 7.62x39 so he can practice lots with surplus ammo before he gets to go an hunt. Not sure what he will use as a rifle than, as I have several that are mild enough for a young shooter. Such as the 6.5x55. But he may want to shoot his little bush gun anyways. He likes it nearly as much as his .22.

With the price of the current package, you could afford to get both calibers.

[harryones]

I would be an idiot to go against all that advise, 7mm-08 it is.

[roger]

of the two listed id go with the 243
but really IMO id say neither,
the 2506 offers flat ballistics, great performance, forgiving recoil and modest bullet selection for 75% of shooters and situations.

[Ice Fishing Maniac]

I picked up a youth model in the Savage camo pkg deal in 243 for my bro-in-law for his oldest son 2 years ago........good fit. Good price. Good shooter out of the box. Next rifle for the older boy will either be a 7mm-08 or I say sell one of my Tikka T3 LS 270WSM to my bro-in-law so the oldest can use it too. He shot it this year.

[rifle308]

Take the 7mm-08 simply for the extra nock down power. I have a .243 and love it for recoil and round availability. But I know that there will be those that disagree but putting the lightest deer rifle out there in the hand of a new hunter can be hard on them. With the .243 your margin of error is reduced and so you take a new hunter and then ask him to make shots that seasoned hunters still miss. Give him the the exta power and that way when he shoots you and him will feel better about his shot. Remeber all the practice in the world can not simulate the adrenaline rush of your first deer coming into the crosshairs.